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LAWS OF MARYLAND.— 1801.

also, that no person shall be commissioned as a notary who is
not a citizen of the United States, and shall not have resided
within this state two years previous to his appointment.

Notaries
may admi-
nister oaths,

SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That the notaries public now or
hereafter to be appointed and commissioned under the authority
of this state, and every of them, shall have the power of admi-
nistering oaths and affirmations according to law, in all matters
belonging or incident to the exercise of their notarial office.
By 1832, ch. 286, have the power to administer oaths, in cases of a civil
nature, where a justice of the peace may administer.

Receive
acknow-
ledgment
of instru-
ments of
writing.

SEC. 4. And be it enacted, That the said notaries, and every
of them, shall have the power to receive the proof or acknow-
ledgment of all instruments of writing relating to commerce or
navigation, and such other writings as have been usually proved
and acknowledged before notaries public, and also to make pro-
tests and declarations, and testify the truth thereof under their
seals of office, concerning all matters by them done in virtue of
their respective offices.

And keep
fair records
of their
proceed-
ings.

SEC. 5. And be U enacted, That every of the said notaries
shall keep fair registers of all protests, and other official acts by
them done in virtue of their office, and shall, when thereto
required, give a certified copy of any record in his office unto
any person or persons applying for the same, such person or
persons paying the customary fees therefor.

In case of
notary's
death, &c.
his papers
to be lodged
with clerk
of county.

SEC 6. And be it enacted, That in case of the death, resigna-
tion, disqualification or removal from office, of any of the said
notaries, his or their registers and other public papers shall be
lodged, within sixty days next after such death, resignation,
disqualification or removal, in the office of the clerk of the
county where he or they reside, who may bring and maintain
actions of trover or detinue for the same ; and such registers or
public papers shall not, in any case, be liable to be seized or
taken in execution for debt or for any demand whatsoever.

Notary to
provide a
seal to
authenti-
cate his
acts.

SEC. 7. And be it enacted, That every notary shall provide a
public notarial seal, with which he shall authenticate his acts,
instruments and attestations, on which seal shall be engraved
such device as said notary may think proper, and for legend
shall have the name, surname and office, of the notary using
the same, and the place of his residence.

And take
an oath.

SEC. 8. And be it further enacted) That every notary on his
appointment, and before he enters on the duties of his office,
shall take and subscribe an oath, or affirmation, that he shall
and will well and faithfully perform the duties of his office, as
is prescribed to be taken by others officers of the government of
this state.

Their fees.

SEC. 9. And be it enacted, That the fees to be received by
the notaries public shall be as follow : drawing all proceedings