Chap. 17.—An ACT to dispense with the proof of handwriting in cer-
tain cases.

Approved January 18, 1884.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
in all suits and other proceedings in law or equity, wherein
any party shall desire to prove any payment or release, and
shall produce any paper writing as evidence of such payment
or release, and shall file the same in the papers of the suit or
other proceeding, thirty days before the trial, and shall give
notice thereof in writing to the adverse party or his attorney
at least thirty days betore the term of court at which the case
may be called for trial, any such paper writing with the name
or signature thereto subscribed, upon being offered in
evidence, shall be deemed and taken to be genuine without
any proof of the handwriting, unless the party objecting to
such paper writing as evidence, shall make affidavit that he
has good cause to believe, and does believe, that the name or
signature to the said paper writing is not the hand writing of
the person whose name is signed thereto. If such affidavit
be made during the term at which the case is called tor
trial, the adverse party shall be entitled to a continuance of
the case at that term of the court.

2. This act shall be in force from its passage.