DEDICATION,

TO THE MEMBERS OF

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
OF THE SESSIONS OF 1838 AND 1830,

GRATITUDE and a sense of duty, alike render it proper that this work
should be dedicated to you. Without the patronage of the Legisla-
ture of 1838, this compilation never could have been put to the press.
Without the liberality of that of 1839, the compiler would have been
involved in loss.

It has been my ambition, so to compile this work, without the
slightest regard either to the intellectual labour, consumption of time, or
expenditure of money bestowed on it, as to make it eminently worthy
of that unprecedented unanimity and approbation, which it has received
in every aspect in which you have been called to act on it.

The members of 1838 enjoy the satisfaction of giving to their con-
stituents the means of acquiring a knowledge of those laws by which
their liberty, their persons and their property are guaranteed.

The members of 1839 gave to the State an assurance that those
who devote their time and experience in benefiting its people, will
receive from their servants, in the discharge of the supreme power,
an enlightened liberality, equal to what they shall deem consistent,
with a due regard to the fiscal ability of the State.

Be assured, that I shall prize among the most gratifying reminis-
cences of my life, the deep interest which you exhibited for the
completion of the work, and the kind feeling which you manifested
towards me, during the whole period of my intercourse with you,
upon the subject of this compilation.

That each and every of you may enjoy every earthly blessing, is the
wish of

Your obliged and humble servant,

CLEMENT DORSEY.
JULY 24, 1840.