ART. 18] APPOINTMENT—TENURE—QUALIFICATION—SEAL. 481

1888, art. 18, sec. 1. 1860, art. 21, sec. 1. 1837. ch. 97, sec. 1.
1852, ch. 106, sec. 1.

1. The governor, by and with the advice and consent of the
senate, shall biennially appoint and commission one or more
commissioners in each State, district or territory of the United
States, who shall have authority to take the acknowledgment
and proof of the execution of any deed or other conveyance or
lease of any lands, tenements or hereditaments lying in this
State, or any contract, letter of attorney, or any other writing,
under seal, to be used and recorded in this State.

Ibid. sec. 2. 1860, art..21, sec. 2. 1852, ch. 106, sec. 1.

2. The said commissioners shall hold their office as other
civil officers of this State similarly appointed.

Ibid. sec. 3. 1860, art. 21, sec. 3. 1837, ch. 97, sec. 3. 1852, ch. 106, sec. 3.

1884, ch. 210.

3. Every commissioner so appointed shall take and sub-
scribe an oath before a justice of the peace or notary public in
the city or county in which he shall reside, well and faithfully
to execute and perform all the duties of such commissioner
under and by virtue of the laws of this State, and shall also
procure an official seal, a distinct impression of which, token
upon wax or some other substance capable of receiving and
retaining a clear impression, together with his signature in his
own proper handwriting thereto attached, shall, with the oath
of office aforesaid, be transmitted to and filed in the office of
the secretary of State.

Ibid. sec. 4. 1860, art. 21, sec. 4. 1837, ch. 97, sec. 2.

4. Every commissioner so appointed and qualified shall have
authority to administer an oath to any person desirous to make
such oath before him, and such oath shall be as good and
effectual as if made before a justice of the peace in this State.

Ibid. sec. 5. 1860, art. 21, sec. 5. 1837, ch. 97, sec. 1.
6. Any acknowledgment made or proof taken before any
such commissioner in. the manner directed by the laws of this
State, and certified to under his seal, and endorsed on or
annexed to the deed or instrument of writing, shall have the
same effect as if the same had been made or taken before a
judge of a court of record of another State.

Ibid. sec. 6 1860, art. 21, sec 6 1852, ch. 106, secs. 4, 5.
6. The secretary of State, immediately upon the receipt of
the evidence of qualification of any such commissioner, shall
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