Chap. 77.—An ACT to seize, retain, destroy, and attach forged or counterfeit
obligations, bonds, or coupons of the state, and to exonerate the officers and
employees of the state in making such seizure, retention, destruction, and
attachment.

Approved December 18, 1899,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That whenever
any forged or counterfeit bonds or coupons of the state of Virginia shall
in any manner come into the hands or possession of the second auditor
or treasurer of the state, or the clerks or employees of such officers, the
said officers, clerks, or employees are hereby authorized and empowered
to seize and retain the same for and in behalf of the state for a period of
ninety days, at the expiration of which time, if no steps be taken by the
holders or claimants of such obligations, bonds, or coupons to establish
their genuineness, the same shall be turned over to the second auditor,
and by him to be destroyed.

2. That whenever the said officials, clerks, or employees shall be
informed, or shall have good reason to believe, that any person or cor-
poration within the limits of the state, shall have in his possession or
control any of the aforesaid obligations, bonds, or coupons, then upon
a petition of the second auditor to the circuit court of the city of Rich-
mond, verified by the affidavit of any of the aforesaid officers, clerks, or
employees, setting forth such possession of said obligations, bonds, or
coupons, the said court or judge thereof in vacation, shall direct the
sergeant or sheriff of any city, corporation, or county of the common-
wealth to seize, attach, and forthwith return said obligations, bonds, or
coupons to said court, which court shall, after the expiration of ninety
days from said return, direct said obligations, bonds, or coupons to be
destroyed, unless within said ninety days from the return thereof the
claimant, holder, or such person having the same in possession at the
time of attachment and seizure, shall appear and take steps to establish
the genuineness of the same.

3. That said officers, clerks, or employees shall be exonerated and
held harmless from all personal liability for any act or conduct done in
good faith under the provisions of this act.

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