copies of the originals on file, and authenticated under the seal of the Department, may be annexed to such transcripts, and shall have equal validity, and be entitled to the same degree of credit which would be due to the original papers if produced and authenticated in court: Provided, That where suit is brought upon a bond or other sealed instrument, and the defendant pleads "non est factum," or makes his motion to the court, verifying such plea or motion by his oath, the court may take the same into consideration, and, if it appears to be necessary for the attainment of justice, may require the production of the original bond, contract, or other paper specified in such affidavit. Sec. 886, R. S., as amended by sec. 17, Act of July 31, 1894 (28 Stat. 210), and sec. 10, Act of Mar. 2, 1895 (28 Stat. 809).

248. Special agents, employment of. - Whenever it becomes necessary for the head of any Department or office to employ special agents, other than officers of the Army or Navy, who may be charged with the disbursement of public moneys, such agents shall, before entering upon duty, give bond in such form and with such security as the head of the Department or office employing them may approve. Sec. 3614, R. S.

249. The Postmaster-General and others in postal service to take an oath. Before entering upon the duties of his office and before he shall receive any salary the Postmaster-General and each of the persons employed in the postal service shall respectively take and subscribe before some magistrate or other competent officer the following oath: "I, A. B., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully perform all the duties required of me, and abstain from everything forbidden by the laws in relation to the establishment of postoffices and post-roads within the United States; and that I will honestly and truly account for and pay over any money belonging to the said United States which may come into my possession or control; and I also further swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States; so help me God." Sec. 391, R. S., as amended by sec. 15, Act of Mar. 5, 1874 (18 Stat. 19).

250. Oath may be taken before military officer. This oath or affirmation may be taken before any officer, civil or military, holding a commission under the United States, and such officer is hereby authorized to administer and certify such oath or affirmation. Sec. 392, R. S., as amended by sec. 15, Act of Mar. 5, 1874 (18 Stat. 20).

251. Soldiers' letters. - The Postmaster-General may, however, provide by regulation, for transmitting unpaid and duly certified letters of soldiers, sailors, and marines in the service of the United States to their destination, to be paid on delivery. Sec. 9, Act of Mar. 3, 1879 (20 Stat. 358).

252. Official letters. It shall be lawful to transmit through the mail, free of postage, any letters, packages, or other matters relating

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exclusively to the business of the Government of the United States: Provided, That every such letter or package to entitle it to pass free shall bear over the words "Official business” an endorsement showing also the name of the department, and, if from a bureau or office, the names of the department and bureau or office, as the case may be, whence transmitted. Sec. 5, Act of Mar. 3, 1877 (19 Stat. 335).

[These envelopes are for use in domestic correspondence only, and will not cover the transportation of letters to foreign countries, upon which postage stamps must be used. (See paragraphs 834-839, Army Regulations, 1913, as to the use of penalty envelopes.)]

253. Same. Whoever shall make use of any official envelope, label, or indorsement authorized by law, to avoid the payment of postage or registry fee on his private letter, packet, package, or other matter in the mail, shall be fined not more than three hundred dollars. Sec. 227, Act of Mar. 4, 1909, Criminal Code (35 Stat. 1134).

254. Departments to procure envelopes. For the purpose of carrying this act into effect, it shall be the duty of each of the Executive Departments of the United States to provide for itself and its subordinate offices the necessary envelopes; and in addition to the indorsement designating the department in which they are to be used. the penalty for the unlawful use of these envelopes shall be stated thereon. Sec. 6, Act of Mar. 3, 1877 (19 Stat. 336).

255. Extension of franking privilege. - The provisions of the fifth and sixth sections of the act entitled "An act establishing post routes, and for other purposes" approved March third, eighteen hundred and seventy-seven, for the transmission of official mail matter, be, and they are hereby, extended to all officers of the United States Government, not including members of Congress, the envelopes of such matter in all cases to bear appropriate indorsements containing the proper designation of the office from which or officer from whom the same is transmitted, with a statement of the penalty for their misuse. And the provisions of said fifth and sixth sections are hereby likewise extended and made applicable to all official mail matter of the Smithsonian Institution. Sec. 3, Act of July 5, 1884 (23 Stat. 158).

256. Return penalty envelopes. -Any Department or officer authorized to use the penalty envelopes may inclose them with return address to any person or persons from or through whom official information is desired, the same to be used only to cover such official information, and indorsements relating thereto. Id.

257. Registration of mail, Executive Departments. Any letter or packet to be registered by either of the Executive Departments, or bureaus thereof, or by the Agricultural Department, or by the Public Printer, may be registered without the payment of any registry fee; and any part paid letter or packet addressed to either of said departments or bureaus may be delivered free; but where there is good reason to believe the omission to prepay the full postage thereon was intentional, such letter or packet shall be returned to the sender: Provided further, That this act shall not extend or apply to pension agents or other officers who receive a fixed allowance as compensation for their services, including expenses of postages. And section thirtynine hundred and fifteen of the Revised Statutes of the United States. so far as the same relates to stamps and stamped envelopes for official purposes, is hereby repealed. Sec. 3, Act of July 5, 1884 (23 Stat. 158).