Chap. 83.—An ACT concerning the Seals of the Commonwealth, defining
their Use, and the cases in which the Tax upon them is to be collected.

PassedgFebruary 28, 1866. ,

Whereas reasonable doubt exists as to the present state of
the law in reference to the seals of the commonwealth, par-
ticularly as to the distinctive uses df the two seals, and
whether the tax imposed upon the use of. what is termed in
the law “the seal of the state,” is to be charged for each, or
only for the great seal; and it being desirable that the law
should be definite and clear on these points: Therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly, That the great
seal and the lesser seal, now under the care of the secretary
of the commonwealth, as keeper of the seals, are and shall
continue to be the seals of the commonwealth.

2. The great seal shall be aflixed to documents signed by
the governor, which are to be used before tribunals, or for
purposes outside of the jurisdiction of this state; and in
every such case, except where the state is a party concerned
in the use to be made of the document, the tax imposed by
law on the seal of the state, shall be collected and accounted
for by the secretary of the commonwealth, as keeper of the
seals.

3. The lesser seal shall be affixed to all grants for lands
and writs of election issued by the governor; to all letters of
pardon and reprieve; to all commissions, civil and military,
signed by the governor, and to all other papers requiring seal,
authorized to be issued by the governor for the purpose of
carrying the laws into effect within this commonwealth; and
also, when deemed necessary by the secretary of the com-
monwealth, may be used by him as an authentication of his
official signature: but no tax shall hereafter be charged upon
said lesser seal, except upon commissions appointing notaries
public, inspectors of tobacco and other commodities, commis-
sioners of wrecks, and commissioners in other states for
taking acknowledgments, and so forth, and upon certificates
of the secretary of the commonwealth, when, at the request
of the parties desiring such certificates, the seal is attached.
In all such cases, the tax shall be the same as upon the great
seal, and shall be collected and accounted for in the same
manner. .

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

Chap. 83.—An ACT concerning the Seals of the Commonwealth, defining
their Use, and the cases in which the Tax upon them is to be collected.

PassedgFebruary 28, 1866. ,

Whereas reasonable doubt exists as to the present state of
the law in reference to the seals of the commonwealth, par-
ticularly as to the distinctive uses df the two seals, and
whether the tax imposed upon the use of. what is termed in
the law “the seal of the state,” is to be charged for each, or
only for the great seal; and it being desirable that the law
should be definite and clear on these points: Therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly, That the great
seal and the lesser seal, now under the care of the secretary
of the commonwealth, as keeper of the seals, are and shall
continue to be the seals of the commonwealth.

2. The great seal shall be aflixed to documents signed by
the governor, which are to be used before tribunals, or for
purposes outside of the jurisdiction of this state; and in
every such case, except where the state is a party concerned
in the use to be made of the document, the tax imposed by
law on the seal of the state, shall be collected and accounted
for by the secretary of the commonwealth, as keeper of the
seals.

3. The lesser seal shall be affixed to all grants for lands
and writs of election issued by the governor; to all letters of
pardon and reprieve; to all commissions, civil and military,
signed by the governor, and to all other papers requiring seal,
authorized to be issued by the governor for the purpose of
carrying the laws into effect within this commonwealth; and
also, when deemed necessary by the secretary of the com-
monwealth, may be used by him as an authentication of his
official signature: but no tax shall hereafter be charged upon
said lesser seal, except upon commissions appointing notaries
public, inspectors of tobacco and other commodities, commis-
sioners of wrecks, and commissioners in other states for
taking acknowledgments, and so forth, and upon certificates
of the secretary of the commonwealth, when, at the request
of the parties desiring such certificates, the seal is attached.
In all such cases, the tax shall be the same as upon the great
seal, and shall be collected and accounted for in the same
manner. .

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