book, by having examined deeds, mortgages, notices of mining claims, and other common instruments, which had been drawn by unskillful persons without a guide, and which were so defective as to be almost, if not wholly, valueless; when, if their writers had had some convenient form on the subject, to refer to and adopt, the instrument would have been so nearly perfect that doubt, and often vexatious and expensive lawsuits, would have been avoided. This frequently occurs in notices of valuable mining locations. Perfection in this work is not anticipated but as, if successful in this, other improved editions may be issued in future, the author kindly asks any who may purchase this book, to address him any legal question proper to be treated of in such a work, at any time, promising to answer such question to the best of his ability, and to incorporate the law of the subject and a proper form, if such be needed, in the next edition. For this purpose his address will be in care of Messrs. A. L. Bancroft & Co., 721 Market Street, San Francisco. The author desires to thank his noble friends in Nevada and in Bodie, California, for the generous encouragement they gave him when the object of his work was mentioned to them, and he hopes that the book, though imperfect in many particulars, will more than repay them, and benefit many other worthy people. CONTENTS. - Introduction First-known Written Form of Law - The Constitution of California-Declaration of Rights-Suffrage -Distribution of Powers-Legislative Department-Executive -Judicial-Pardoning Power-Militia-Education-State In- stitutions-Public Buildings-Cities-Counties-Towns-Cor- porations-Revenue and Taxation-Water and Water Rights- Harbor Frontages-State Indebtedness-Land and Homestead How Statutory Laws are Made-Form of Bill-A Law put in Action at Law Exemplified-Account Filed as a Complaint in Justice's Court-Formal Complaint-Summons-Affidavit for Attachment-Undertaking for Same-Justification of Sureties Forms of Complaints -Pleadings-Complaint for Merchan- on Account for Goods Sold-On Promissory Note versus Maker Business Forms - Notes Due-bills Agreements-Acknowledgment-Agreement- General Form-For Sale and Delivery of Personal Property— To Sell Land-To Cultivate Land on Shares-To Sell and Pur- Liens, Mortgages, Deeds, Leases, Miner's Lien (for Nevada) United States Mining Statute of May 10, 1872-Of July 26, Public Lands not Mineral- Pre-emptions-Homesteads- Settlers-Additional Regulations as to Homesteads and Pre- Of Patent Rights-Who May Obtain a Patent-Application for-Specification-Drawings-Models-Appeals-Re-issues- Disclaimers-Designs-Trade-marks-Caveats-Assignments- Office-fees, and How Payable-Postage-Rules of Correspond- Naturalization-Declaration of Intention-Affidavit to Prove Habeas Corpus-Bill for Divorce-Findings in-Decree of- Bond-General-Of Indemnity- Sureties-Justification of- Power of Attorney- Special - General-Protest-Notice of— Affidavit to Examine Debtor-Order for-Sheriff's Certificates Book-keeping-Illustrations of-Weights and Measures. |