Chap. 286.—An ACT for the Relief of Sheriffs and other Officers whose
Onticial Papers were lost or Destroyed During the late War.

In force March 22, 1872.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
on the trial of any writ, notice, motion or other proceeding, in

the courts of this state, against sheriffs or other public officers,

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or their sureties, for the recovery of money alleged to have
been collected by them, in the ofticial discharge of “their duties,
if it be proved to the satisfaction of the court that the receipts
or other official papers of such officer, were lost or destroyed
by the casualties of the late war, that fact shall be entered of
record, and then the receipts of such sheriff or other officer,
which he gave for executions, fee bills and other claims, which
were placed in his hands for collection, shall not be prima facie
evidence that he collected the money, but the party seeking to
recover must prove, to the satisfaction of the court or jury,
that the money was actually collected and not paid over, before
he shall be entitled to recover the same.
2. This act shall be in force from its passage,