For more convenient reference, the laws contained herein are severally designated by chapters and numbers, in regular series. The laws of the first Legislature are considered as being embraced in volume I, those of the second in volume II, those of the third in volume III, and of the present in volume IV.

The laws of the present or fourth volume, are divided into two parts-Part I, containing those denominated "laws of a general nature," and part II, those "for private relief" and "incorporating towns, cities, institutions of learning, and private associations of every nature," in conformity to the provisions of Chapter 71, Section 2, Volume II.

*.*. Those laws signed by the Governor, are designated by the word Approved-and those not signed by him, are said to be Passed.

VOLUME IV-PART I.

- GENERAL LAWS.

CHAPTER I.

An Act to make valid the use of certain Seals, by the officers of the County Court of Galveston County.

Whereas, the officers of the County Court of Galveston County, have had in use in the discharge of their official duties, two Seals; one with the words "Galveston County Court" around the margin thereof, with a Star of five points in the centre, and "Texas" engraved between the points of said Star; with two rings close to each other, drawn around said Star, so as to touch the points thereof, or narly so, with another ring drawn around said Seal, a sufficient distance from the aforesaid two rings, to admit of the engraving of the aforesaid words, "Galveston County Court," around the space between the said rings; with notches around the outer edge of said Seal between the second line and outer edge. The other Seal with the words "Galveston County Court" around the margin; a Star of five points in the centre, and the word "Texas" engraved between the points, with a deep ring or circle drawn around said Star, about one-half or onequarter of an inch from the points of the Star, and another deep ring around the margin; the aforesaid words "Galveston County Court," being engraved on the space between said rings; with two Stars of five points each, on a line therewith and between the words "County" and "Court:" the other between the words "Court" and "Galveston:" therefore,

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That any of the official acts of any of the officers of the aforesaid County Court, where either of the above described Seals may have been used, are, and the same are hereby declared to be legal and valid, so far as the Seal is concerned.

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That this act shall be in force from its passage.

Approved, November 24, 1851.

CHAPTER II.

An Act making an appropriation for the Per Diem Pay and Mileage of the Members and Officers of the Fourth Legislature of the State of Texas, convened November 3rd, 1851.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars be, and the same is hereby appropriated for the per diem pay and mileage of the members and officers of the fourth Legislature, convened at Austin on the 3rd day of November, A. D. 1851, and that the certificate of the Secretary of the Senate, and of the Chief Clerk of the House, shall be authority for the Comptroller to draw on the Treasurer for the several amounts that the members and officers are respectively entitled to, and that this act take effect from and after its passage.

Approved, November 24, 1851.

CHAPTER III.

An Act appropriating five thousand dollars to pay the Contingent Expenses of both Houses of the Legislature.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That the sum of five thousand dollars be, and the same

is hereby appropriated to pay the contingent expenses of both Houses of the Legislature.

Sec. 2. That this act take effect from and after its passage. Approved, November 24, 1851.

CHAPTER IV.

An Act authorizing the County Court of Cameron County to levy a Special Tax for two years.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That the County Court of Cameron county, shall have power to levy a special tax for County purposes, upon all subjects of taxation in said county on which a tax may be levied by the State; provided, said tax shall not exceed in any one year the amount of the tax levied by the State on such subjects of taxation; and, provided, also, that such tax shall be apportioned in the same manner as the State tax, and the special tax so levied upon all subjects of taxation other than trades, occupations and professions, shall be assessed and collected by the Assessor and Collector of the State taxes of said county in the same manner as the State tax, and shall be paid by him into the County Treasury: and all of said tax upon trades, occupations and professions shall be collected by the County Treasurer of said county in the same manner as the State tax upon such subjects is collected, and the County Treasurer shall have the same power to enforce the collection of such tax for said county as the Assessor and Collector has for the collection of taxes for the State, and the Assessor and Collector and County Treasurer shall severally receive the same compensation for collecting said tax, as is allowed them by law, for collecting taxes for the State.

Sec. 2. That this act shall take effect from and after the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, and remain in force for two years from said date.

Approved, November 24, 1851.

CHAPTER V.

An Act to authorize the County Court of Smith County to levy an additional Tax for the purpose of building a Courthouse.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That the County Court of Smith County is hereby authorized and empowered to levy an additional tax upon the persons and property of all persons, subject to taxation in said county of Smith, for the purpose of building a Courthouse in said county, which shall be assessed and collected as other taxes; provided, that the county tax shall not exceed one hundred per cent. on the State tax.

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That this act take effect from and after its passage.

Approved, November 24, 1851.

CHAPTER VI.

Joint Resolution.

Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That the reports of the several States, and other Law books in the office of the Secretary of State, be removed to the Supreme Court Room, under the care of the Sheriff of said Court, for the use of the Judges, for the term of said Court, now in session, to be returned immediately after the adjournment thereof.

Sec. 2. That this act take effect from and after its passage.
Approved, November 24, 1851.

CHAPTER VII.

An Act to amend an act entitled an act to permanently locate the Seat of Justice of Denton County, approved November the 26th, 1850.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That the above entitled act be so amended as to read as