Scope and Content: The governor and council commissioned a survey of Massachusetts in 1830 in order to prepare an accurate map of the state (Resolves 1829, c 58). The survey had trigonometrical, astronomical, and geological components. Simeon Borden was superintendent in charge of the trigonometrical work, completed in 1838, and Robert Treat Paine performed the astronomical survey, 1831-1838. The geological survey, conducted by Edward Hitchcock from 1830-1832, was added by Resolves 1830, c 18, Resolves 1837, c 73, and Resolves 1841, c 14.  A preparatory step to the survey was legislation (Resolves 1829, c 50 (1830)) requiring towns to survey their territory and submit maps to the state secretary of the Commonwealth (see: Town plans–1830 (M-Ar)48X)) –The astronomical, trigonometrical, and geological information was ultimately incorporated into a state map; the work of projecting the map was done by Simeon Borden. Resolves 1841, c 43 authorized the contracting out of the engraving of plates, which was done by George G. Smith, and directed the closing of the survey office by Apr. 1842. Resolves 1843, c 70 authorized the governor and council to sell copyright of the state map for a period of ten years, repealed by Resolves 1844, c 69, which directed the secretary to seek a three-year contract for the publishing of the map, renewed for another three years by Resolves 1847, c 74. –Resolves 1845, c 9 authorized corrections to be made as needed to the printing plates. St 1846, c 241 directed the publication of county maps, with county officials directed to make corrections. Resolves 1852, c 39 authorized the state secretary to contract with Henry F. Walling for correcting and publication of county and state maps and Resolves 1857, c 82 allocated state contributions for corrections, and authorized the renewal of copyright. Further legislation renewing terms with Walling include Resolves 1859, c 50, providing for correction of the map as needed and safe-keeping of the plates, Resolves 1861 c 21, allowing him to take the plates for a printing by H. & C.T. Smith & Co. of New York, and St 1870, 192, authorizing copyright of corrections and modification of Walling’s contract accordingly.
Notes: Formerly part of: Miscellaneous collection, boxes 55, 84
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Scope and Content: A perfect copy of the 1780 Constitution of the Commonwealth, to have the same effect as the original (see: Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ((M-Ar)29X)), was authorized by Resolves 1894, c 58, at the suggestion of its custodian, the state secretary, who noted in his annual report of 1893 that fading ink was making some sections of the document barely visible.
Restrictions: Access by permission of state archivist or curator of Massachusetts Archives only
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: After the U.S. Constitution was approved on Sept. 17, 1787, it was transmitted to each state for submission to a state ratifying convention.  Three hundred and sixty-four delegates were elected to a constitutional convention in Massachusetts under the provisions of Resolves 1787, Oct Sess, 1787, c 9.  A resolution dated Feb. 6, 1788 indicating assent to ratification and outlining nine proposed amendments was signed by the convention president John Hancock and vice president William Cushing, and sent to Congress.  This ms. copy is attested by George Richards Minot, convention secretary.
Restrictions: Access by permission of state archivist or curator of Massachusetts Archives only
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: 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, recording of appointments and commissions, storage of historical data, preservation of historic sites, administration and enforcement of the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act, and information and referral on all aspects of state government.  Series records operations of the secretary’s office in communications with government officials, staff, and the public
Arrangement: In two subseries: (1) Incoming correspondence, 1790-1908; –(2) Outgoing correspondence, 1867-1898  (3) Incoming/outgoing correspondence, 1988-1995 (bulk 1991-1993)  (4) Chief of staff’s correspondence, 1980-1993 (bulk 1987-1993); arranged by topic –arranged within each subseries chronologically
Notes: Formerly part of: Miscellaneous collection, boxes 56, 84, 92-94. Contents: Boxes 1, 3-10: Subseries (1). Boxes 11-14: Subseries (2). Box 15: Subseries (3).  Box 16: Subseries (4)
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Scope and Content: Publication by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the complete and annotated set: The Acts and resolves, public and private, of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, including the years 1692 to 1780, and popularly known as the Province laws, was authorized by Resolves 1865, c 43 and again by Resolves 1867, c 87.  (See also Resolves 1893, c 12; St 1894, c 387; and St 1899, c 477.)  Under the mandated direction of the governor and council, the twenty-one volumes were issued between 1869 and 1922, with materials relating to the project being deposited with the state secretary.
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Scope and Content: The governor was authorized by Resolves 1845, c 3 and Resolves 1846, c 76, to procure original documents or transcripts of them from public offices in France, in order to illustrate the colonial and other history of the Commonwealth.  Benjamin Perley Poore was commissioned to carry out this task, apparently under the direction of the state secretary.  This series contains correspondence relating to Poore’s work.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Notes: Formerly part of: Miscellaneous collection, box 54
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Scope and Content: As early as the seventeenth century, the Massachusetts legislature provided pensions to soldiers wounded or disabled while in military service. Throughout the Revolutionary War, pensions continued to be issued at the state level to members of the Continental Army, as authorized by the Continental Congress. In addition, Massachusetts also provided post-war bonuses (bounties) in the form of monetary payment or a grant of land in Maine to veterans meeting certain requirements. Because so few individuals were disabled in service or qualified for bounties, the state granted pensions or bounties to only several hundred individuals. From 1789 pensions were funded by the federal government, from 1792 new pensions were administered by it, and from 1806 veterans of state troops and militia were also eligible. From 1818, Congress expanded pension eligibility for Revolutionary War service beyond invalidism, adding thousands to the rolls. However, to qualify, veterans often needed to obtain certificates of service from the state.
Arrangement: Arranged chiefly chronologically
Notes: Some files formerly part of state secretary’s: Miscellaneous collection, boxes 84, 94
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Scope and Content: Pursuant to Resolves 1845, c 118 and Resolves 1846, c 35, the governor was authorized to have certain documents copied from the British State Paper Office (after 1848, the State Paper Dept. of the Public Record Office), for which task Robert Lemon was commissioned by Secretary of the Commonwealth John Gorham Palfrey.  Correspondence between them concerns transcription work and includes lists of documents in the State Paper Office and sample abstracts of documents.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically
Notes: Formerly part of: Miscellaneous collection, box 54
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Scope and Content: On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed a resolution to the Continental Congress that the United Colonies were free and independent states. On June 11, a vote on the resolution was postponed, and Congress recessed for three weeks, after appointing a committee of five to draft what became known as the Declaration of Independence. Congress reconvened on July 1, passed the Lee resolution on July 2, and revised the draft declaration, finally approving it on July 4.
Restrictions: Access by permission of state archivist or curator of Massachusetts Archives only
Notes: In keeping with traditions established in the colonial period, the state secretary is the custodian of the foundation records of Massachusetts
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