Εικόνες σελίδας
PDF
Ηλεκτρ. έκδοση
[blocks in formation]

SECTION 1. Every contract, conveyance, or assurance, of which the consideration, or any part thereof, is money, property, or other thing won, or bet at any game, sport, pastime, or wager, or money lent or advanced at the time of any gaming, betting, or wagering, to be used in being so bet or wagered, (when the person lending or advancing it knows that it is to be so used,) shall be void.

SEC. 2. If any person shall lose to another, within twenty-four hours, twenty dollars or more, or property of that value, and shall pay or deliver the same, such loser may recover it back from the winner by an action, to be brought within three months after such payment or delivery. It may be so recovered from the winner, notwithstanding the payment or delivery was to the endorsee or assignee of such winner.

SEC. 3. Every person liable by virtue of this chapter for the money or property so won as aforesaid, shall be compelled to answer on oath touching the money or property so won as aforesaid; but the testimony which may be given by such person shall in no other case or proceeding be used against him.

[blocks in formation]

SECTION 1. Whenever any persons shall meet each other on any bridge, street, or road, travelling with carriages, wagons, carts, or other vehicles, each person shall seasonably drive his carriage or other vehicle to the right of the travelled part of such bridge, street, or road, so that the respective carriages or other vehicles may pass each other without interference.

SEC. 2. Every person offending against the provisions of the preceding section shall, for each offence, forfeit a sum not exceeding twenty dollars; and he shall further be liable to any party for all damages sustained by reason of such offence; provided, that every prosecution for such fine shall be instituted within three months after the offence shall have been committed; and that every such action for damages shall be begun within twelve months after the cause of action shall have occurred.

CHAPTER 40.

OF THE RESTRAINT AND DESTRUCTION OF DANGEROUS AND NOXIOUS

SECTION

ANIMALS.

SECTION

1. Diseased or or unaltered horses not to 4. Fees of constables, &c., for executing go at large. orders.

2.

3. Mad dogs, &c., to be killed.

SECTION 1. Any justice of the peace, on proof that a horse afflicted with the glanders or farcy is permitted by the owner or keeper thereof wilfully or negligently to go out of his enclosed grounds, shall order such horse to be killed, and to be buried (with the hide on) four feet deep, having first given to the owner of such horse, or to his agent, if

any there be resident in this District, reasonable notice of the time and place when and where such order is proposed to be made. And such owner or keeper shall forfeit twenty dollars for such offence.

SEC. 2. If any owner or keeper of any unaltered horse, of the age of two years or more, shall wilfully or negligently permit such unaltered horse to go at large, he shall forfeit twenty dollars, and for the second offence double that sum, one-half of which forfeiture the informer shall have; and if, after a second conviction, such horse shall be found going at large, he shall be the property of any person who will take him up.

SEC. 3. Any justice of the peace, on proof that any dog is mad, or has been bitten by a mad dog, or has killed any sheep, shall order such dog to be killed and buried. If the owner of any dog so ordered to be killed shall conceal him, or cause him to be concealed, to prevent the order from being executed, he shall forfeit twenty dollars.

SEC. 4. The constable, or any other person who may execute the order of any justice to kill and bury any horse or dog as aforesaid, shall have the following fees: in the case of a horse four dollars, and for a dog one dollar, to be paid by the owner in each case, if he be known and able to pay, and if not, by the county or corporation in which such horse or dog may be found; and if any constable, to whom such order is directed, shall fail to execute it, he shall forfeit in each case an amount equal to said fees.

SECTION

1.

2.

3.

4.

CHAPTER 41.

OF ESTRAYS, AND VESSELS AND BOATS FOUND ADRIFT.

Proceedings to be had when an estray,

or boat adrift, is taken up.

When to become the property of the

5. taker up.

6. The owner may at any time recover

valuation.

SECTION

7. Taker up not liable if death ensue without his fault.

8. Taker up to acquire no right unless publication be made.

SECTION 1. Any person may take up any estray found on his land, or a boat or vessel adrift. He shall immediately inform a justice of the peace, who shall issue his warrant to some disinterested freeholder, requiring him, upon oath, to view and appraise such estray, or boat, or vessel, and to certify the result, in writing, within three days, with a description of the kind, marks, brand, stature, color, and age of the animal, or kind, burden, and build of the boat or vessel.

SEC. 2. The said freeholder shall return his certificate, with the warrant, to said justice; and for his service he shall be allowed one dollar.

SEC. 3. A copy of such certificate, together with notice of the taking up, and of the name and place of residence of the person so taking up, shall be published three times in some newspaper published in this District, within ten days after the taking up of such estray, boat,

or vessel.

SEC. 4. If the valuation of such property shall not exceed five dolars, and if the owner thereof shall not, within thirty days after suchpublication, claim the same and pay the expenses incurred, such

property shall become the property of the owners of the land upon which such estray shall have been taken up, or of the person taking up such boat or vessel found adrift.

SEC. 5. If the valuation of such property shall exceed five dollars, and the owner thereof shall not, within one year after such publication, appear and claim the same, and pay the expenses incurred, such property shall become the property of the owner of the land upon which such estray shall have been taken up, or of the person taking up such boat or vessel found adrift.

SEC. 6. The former owner, however, may at any time within five years after such publication, upon proving his property, demand and recover the valuation money, deducting therefrom all proper charges and expenses.

SEC. 7. If such estray die, or any such property be lost to said owner of the land, or person taking it up, without his fault, he shall not be liable for the same, or its valuation.

SEC. 8. The taker up of any such property shall not acquire any right thereto, and shall not receive any damages or charges for keeping the same, unless publication be made as is required by the third section of this chapter.

TITLE XVI.

Slaves and negroes.

CHAPTER 42. Of the importation of slaves.

CHAPTER 43 Of the the manumission of slaves.

CHAPTER 44. Of petitions for freedom.

CHAPTER 45. Of dealing with slaves, harboring them, and suffering them to go at large.
CHAPTER 46. Of sunaway slaves.

CHAPTER 47. General provisions respecting slaves and negroes.

[blocks in formation]

SECTION 1. If any slave shall be brought into this District by its owner, or by the authority or consent of its owner, contrary to the provisions of this chapter, such slave shall thereupon become liberated and free.

SEC. 2. It shall not be lawful to bring into this District any slave whatever for the purpose of being sold, or for the purpose of being placed in depot, to be subsequently transferred to any State or place to be sold as merchandise.

SEC. 3. It shall and may be lawful for each of the corporations of Washington City and Georgetown, from time to time, and as often as may be necessary, to abate, break up, and abolish any depot or place of confinement of slaves brought into this District as merchandise contrary to the provisions of the preceding section, by such appropriate means as may appear to either of the said corporations

« ΠροηγούμενηΣυνέχεια »