eturning to the state whenever he may choose to do so.
Sec. 4. And be it enacted, That it shall not be lawful from
and after the first of June next, to import or bring into
this state by land or water, any negro, mulatto or other
slave for sale, or to reside within this state: * * * and any
person or persons so offending, shall forfeit for every such
offence, any negro, mulatto or other slave brought into this
state contrary to this act, and such negro, mulatto or other
slave, shall be entitled to freedom upon condition that he
consent to be sent to Liberia, or to leave the state
forthwith, otherwise such negro or mulatto or other slave,
shall be seized and taken and confined in jail by the sheriff
of the county where the offence is committed, which sheriff
shall receive ten dollars for every negro, mulatto or other
slave so brought into this state and forfeited as aforesaid,
and seized and taken by him. * * * Moreover, said sheriff
shall receive five dollars for such negro, mulatto or other
slave actually confined by him in jail, and the usual prison
fee as now allowed by law, and any person or persons so
offending under this act, shall be punished by indictment in
the county court of the county where the offence shall be
committed, and upon conviction thereof, the said court shall,
by its order, direct said sheriff to sell any negro, mulatto
or other slaves so seized and taken by him, under this act,
to the Colonization Society for said five dollars, and the
prison fees * * * to be taken to Liberia: and if such
Colonization Society shall not receive such negroes,
mulattoes or other slaves for said five dollars each, and the
prison fees of each, upon refusing, said sheriff shall, after
three weeks' public notice given by advertisements, sell any
such negro, mulatto or other slave to some person or persons,
with a condition that any such negro, mulatto or other slave
shall be removed and taken forthwith beyond the limits of
this state to settle and reside.
Such was the scheme which had been advocated in Boston and elsewhere
by his opponent. He now left the matter in his hands, recommending him
to exert all his eloquence and ingenuity in behalf of the honor of
Maryland, but warning him beforehand that his labors would be in vain.
* * * * *
MR. BRECKIN
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