Scope and Content: During the colonial, provincial, and Revolutionary periods (1629-1780), the governor or deputy governor of Massachusetts or designates (or, during the Revolution, the Council) met with Indian tribal leaders, primarily in time of war or other conflict between Indians and colonial settlers.  Meetings took place in Boston, in the colonial or provincial Council chambers, elsewhere in New England or New York, or in Upper Canada.  Series consists of proceedings (as eventually preserved by the state secretary from 1780) of such conferences, often as reported to the legislature; reports of gubernatorial commissions appointed for dealing with the Indians; and texts of treaties, accompanied by discussions of treaty ratification or violations.  Records identified to date are from the provincial and Revolutionary periods (1692-1780) only.
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Scope and Content: Per Resolves 1832, c 30, the governor appointed commissioners to revise, collate, and arrange colonial, provincial, and other general statutes of the Commonwealth, collecting those relating to the same subject matter under appropriate titles, chapters, and sections.  Successive joint committees of the General Court (both known as Committee on the Revised Statutes) appointed per orders of Jan. 22, 1835 and Mar. 18, 1835 respectively, reviewed and amended the report and continuing work of the commissioners.  The resulting codification known as the Revised statutes was enacted on Nov. 4, 1835, and printed with federal and state constitutions per Resolves 1835, Ex Sess, c 107.  Series was created to record deliberations of both 1835 committees, including recommendations of the commissioners, proposed committee amendments, and committee votes.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Notes: In keeping with traditions established in the colonial period, the state secretary is custodian of foundation records of the Commonwealth, including this series
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Scope and Content: The state secretary (since 1961 through a unit currently called the Commissions Section) attests to all commissions of office signed by the governor, administering the oath of office to and/or recording the name of these and other public appointees.  Justices of the peace and notaries public receive their commissions through the state secretary’s office. Earlier volumes in this series are divided by county, arranged within alphabetically by last name of appointee and then by date of appointment. Listings also give residence, office (justice of the peace or notary, and a few others, e.g., coroner), date oath administered, as well as notations indicating renewal of commission, death of appointee, etc. St 1863, c 157 made justice of the peace appointments valid for all counties, so volumes from 1860 are arranged strictly alphabetically. From ca. 1880, justice of the peace (v. 17-19, 1880-1909) and notary (v. 20-22, 1891-1909) commissions are recorded in separate volumes. –Vol. 17-22 formerly part of: Massachusetts. Office of the Secretary of State. Register of civil officers classified, 1855-1948 ((M-Ar)185X) –For earlier and later records and a listing of related series see: Massachusetts. Office of the Secretary of State. Records of commissions, proclamations, pardons, and other official documents, 1713-1945 (bulk 1747-1936) ((M-Ar)161X)
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Scope and Content: Ledgers were kept to record fees received by the secretary in carrying out these tasks. Documents typically provided and charged for include certified copies of commissions of justices of the peace and probate, notaries, and coroners. Copies of resolves and acts provided consist primarily of incorporation acts provided to named companies, and those for name changes. Passports were provided to named individuals, with destinations sometimes recorded. Later volumes consist largely of certificates provided to banks, presumably for required reporting. Volumes are dated 1812-1814, 1814-1821, 1821-1833, and 1839-1852. The 1839-1852 volume also includes a record of expenses paid out by the secretary’s office for related materials, such as blank certificates.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Notes: Ledgers for 1834-1838 lacking
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Scope and Content: As record keeper for the Commonwealth, the state secretary has responsibility for administration of elections, maintenance of public records, filing and distribution of regulations and public documents, corporate registration, lobbying agent registration, recording of appointments and commissions, storage of historical data, preservation of historic sites, administration and enforcement of the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act, information and referral on all aspects of state government, and until 1990, administration of the state decennial census.  Chief legal counsel and staff advise the state secretary on legal aspects of all responsibilities of the secretary’s office and propose/testify for legislation favorable to its goals.  Series is created to inform the secretary and staff of relevant court decisions, opinions, and issues.
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Scope and Content: As record keeper for the Commonwealth, the state secretary has responsibility for administration of elections, maintenance of public records, filing and distribution of regulations and public documents, corporate registration, lobbying agent registration, recording of appointments and commissions, storage of historical data, preservation of historic sites, administration and enforcement of the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act, information and referral on all aspects of state government, and until 1990, administration of the state decennial census.  Chief legal counsel and staff advise the state secretary on legal aspects of all responsibilities of the secretary’s office and propose/testify for legislation favorable to its goals.  Series is created to monitor status of such proposed legislation.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically by year, thereunder by bill no
Notes: Fragmentary series
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Scope and Content: As record keeper for the Commonwealth, the state secretary has responsibility for administration of elections, maintenance of public records, filing and distribution of regulations and public documents, corporate registration, lobbying agent registration, recording of appointments and commissions, storage of historical data, preservation of historic sites, administration and enforcement of the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act, information and referral on all aspects of state government, and until 1990, administration of the state decennial census.  Chief legal counsel and staff advise the state secretary on legal aspects of all responsibilities of the secretary’s office and propose/testify for legislation favorable to its goals.  Series is created to inform the secretary and staff of relevant court decisions, opinions, and issues. –See also: Legal counsel’s administrative files ((M-Ar)120), Secretary’s administrative files ((M-Ar)119), and: Secretary’s subject files ((M-Ar)2024)
Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by subject, thereunder chronologically by year
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Scope and Content: In fulfilling responsibility as record keeper for the Commonwealth, the state secretary receives filings of leases, deeds, compacts, and agreements from various public and private agencies within the state and from other states. –For transcripts, 1629-1891, see: Transcripts of treaties, contracts, and other public records ((M-Ar)123X)
Arrangement:  In five subseries: (1) Leases (2) Deeds (3) Compacts (4) Agreements (5) Miscellaneous; Arranged within each subseries chronologically
Notes: Formerly part of: Miscellaneous collection, boxes 66-67, 80, 93
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Scope and Content: Per St 1981, c 383, “Massachusetts,” words and music by Arlo Guthrie, was declared the folk song of the Commonwealth.  Prior to this designation, the General Court requested the state secretary to assign the song royalty-free status, administered through this series.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
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Scope and Content: The Secretary of the Commonwealth proposes legislation to the General Court and also, through the office’s legislative director, monitors progress of other legislation introduced in the General Court that is relevant to the secretary’s responsibilities and functions, resulting in these files. They contain copies of bills in various stages, comments by staff, accounts of public hearings and committee testimony, and correspondence.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically by legislative session, thereunder by House/Senate bill no
Notes: Contents: Box 1-2. 1999-2000. Box 3-4. 2001-2002. Box 5-7. 2003- 2004. Box 8-14. 2005-2006. Box 15-18. 2007-2008. Box 19-26. 2009- 2010. Box 27-35. 2011-2012. Box 36-41. 2013-2014
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