Where the party claiming damages shall desire, upon the dissolution of an injunction, to have the same ascertained and decreed by the chancellor or the chancery court, he shall suggest in writing, on the hearing of the motion to dissolve the injunction, the nature and amount of the damages; and the chancellor or court shall hear evidence, if necessary, and assess the damages, and decree the same to the party entitled thereto, for which execution may be issued, as in other cases, against the obligors in the bond given for the injunction. And if the chancellor, instead of hearing evidence as to said damages - which may be by witnesses examined before him in vacation or in term time, or by deposition, according to the circumstances - shall see proper, he may make a reference to a master to take testimony and report in such matter. But nothing herein contained shall prevent the party entitled from maintaining a suit on the injunction bond, if his damages shall not be assessed as herein provided for.