the laws of Congress, it shall be lawful to affix the proper seal by making an impression therewith, directly on the paper to which such seal is necessary, which shall be as valid as if made on wax, or other adhesive substance."

The United States have a seal, denominated "The Great Seal." This is in the care and custody of the Secre tary of State, and it is his duty to affix it to all civil commissions to officers of the United States, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, or by the President alone.

But the law forbids it even to be so affixed to any commission, or other instrument, until the President has first signed it. Without his signature, the instrument has no validity. The seal is then affixed in proof of the genuineness of his signature.

3. The Secretary of State, and all the other secretaries of the great departments, each have a seal of office which is affixed to commissions, and to other instruments emanating from their respective offices.

Several of the most important bureaus are required by law to have seals of office; for example, the Land Office and the Patent Office. When the United States gives a patent (title) to land, it must be sealed by the Land Office seal. A Patent Right must be issued under the seal of the Patent Office.

4. One of the most common, and important uses of seals, arises from the necessity people are often under to have copies of records, maps, and various other papers, the originals of which are in some of the departments at

The word commission, here means a document or certificate, given to one who has received an office, in proof of his appointment to, and his authority to discharge, the dutics of that office.

Washington, to be used as evidence in courts, where trials and other legal proceedings are pending. In order to provide for this necessity, Congress has enacted, that copies of such records, maps, and papers, belonging to any of the government officers,-under the signature of the head of such officer, or of his chief clerk,-with the seal affixed, shall be as competent evidence in all cases, as their original would be.

In chapter XC we have given a number of forms of scals. Over the name of each State we have placed the Great Seal of that State, or, as it is sometimes called, its Coat of Arms. These various devices are the mere conceptions of the artist, yet they are emblematic. of some political sentiment, or of some characteristic of that State.

CHAPTER XLIV.

Bonds.

1. THE vast sums of money annually collected from duties, from the sale of public lands, and from all other sources from which the revenue of the nation is raised; and then the disbursement of the same, to the army, to the navy, to the civil officers, and to the various employees of the Government, and to the different purposes for which the public money is appropriated; requires a host of officials and agents to transact all this business. IIence the Government has collectors of Customs, collectors of Taxes, Postmasters, receivers of money for the sale of public lands, and so on; all of whom are receivers of the public money. These pay it into the United States Treasury, from whence it is paid out directly to parties having claims against the Government, or to agents who disburse it to those to whom it is due.

By the dishonesty of the officers and agents who receive, hold or disburse these funds, the Government would be the loser, and the people would be defrauded of their money. We say the people, because every man who cheats or defrauds the Government, cheats and defrauds. every man, woman and child in the country. Hence the detestable character of public swindlers and defaulters.

2. But to guard against this as far as possible, the law

requires a man when he accepts of one of these offices, to take an oath, or make a solemn affirmation, promising faithfully to perform the duties of the office he enters upon. But even this does not always secure honesty. Some men will violate their oaths for money. A further remedy is resorted to, for further security against dishonesty. For this purpose laws have been made, requiring all officers and agents who receive, hold or disburse the public money, to give bonds with sufficient security for the faithful performance of their trust. These bonds hold the sureties as well as the officer, and are signed by one and sometimes two or three bondsmen, of sufficient means to insure the government against loss. It would be too tedious and uninteresting to enumerate all the Government officers who have to give bonds, before they can enter upon their duties. Therefore, we stated before, that the law requires all of this class to do so. We are not aware of any exceptions.

These bonds are given for various amounts, which correspond with the amount of money to be received or held by the officers who execute them.

3. The law prescribes the form of these bonds, which is as follows:

"Know all men by these presents, that we,

are

held and firmly bound unto the United States of America, in the full and just sum of, dollars, money of the

United States; to which payment, well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves jointly and severally, our joint and several heirs, executors and administrators, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals, and dated this day of one thousand The condition

of the foregoing obligation is such, that, whereas the President of the United States hath, pursuant to law, appointed the said

of

to the office of

Now therefore if the said

in the State

has truly and

faithfully executed and discharged, and shall continue truly and faithfully to execute and discharge all the duties of the said office, according to law; then the above obligation to be void and of none effect, otherwise it shall abide and remain in full force and virtue.”

4. These bonds, when signed by the office holder, or person bound to the Government, and by his surety, are held in the Treasury department as security for the faithful performance of whatever the bounden parties have agreed to do. In case of any failure or defalcation, all the parties signing the bond are held responsible for the amount named in the bond; and may be sued by the Government, and made to pay all damages.

But notwithstanding all these precautions, and in spite of oaths and bonds, the Government is defrauded out of millions of money, by the very men whom it favors with positions of honor and emolument. Reader, should you ever hold a position under your Government, let not the sin of perjury blacken your soul, nor the crime of dishonesty tarnish your character. "Honesty is the bar policy." "An honest man is the noblest work of God."