Forty Centuries of Ink / Or, A chronological narrative concerning ink and its backgrounds, introducing incidental observations and deductions, parallels of time and color phenomena, bibliography, chemistry, poetical effusions, citations, anecdotes and curiosa together with some evidence respecting the evanescent character of most inks of to-day and an epitome of chemico-legal ink.

by David Nunes Carvalho

CHAPTER XV.

OFFICIAL AND LEGAL INK.

FIRST COMPLETE OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION OF INK IN THIS COUNTRY—THE HONOR DUE TO ROBERT T. SWAN OF BOSTON—RESUME OF HIS REPORTS TO THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS—THE SWAN LAW ADOPTED IN 1894 BY THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS—UNITED STATES TREASURY DEPARTMENT ADOPTS AN OFFICIAL INK IN 1901—UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO SECURE INK LEGISLATION IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK—COMMENTS OF THE PUBLIC PRESS OF THAT PERIOD—DIFFERENT WORKS WHICH MORE OR LESS DWELL ON THE SUBJECT OF INK FROM 1890 TO 1900—CITATIONS FROM ALLEN'S COMMERCIAL ORGANIC ANALYSIS—REFERENCE TO PAPER ABOUT INK READ BEFORE THE NEW YORK STATE BAR ASSOCIATION.

IT was not, however, until 1891 that the subject of the constitution of an enduring record ink received the consideration its importance deserved and in this the youngest of countries. To Robert T. Swan of Boston is all honor due for the very unique and comprehensive methods adopted in his investigations. Appointed "commissioner of public records" of the state of Massachusetts, he has set an example which may well be followed by other states, as has been done in a lesser degree by Connecticut and ten years later by the United States Treasury Department, which in this respect is so ably represented in part by Dr. Charles A. Crampton of Washington, D. C.

Mr. Swan in his reports to the legislature of his state for the last twelve years, deals with the subject of the constitution of "permanent inks" so thoroughly, and with it affords information of so practical and useful a character, that the fullest references to them prove both instructive and interesting. In his report of 1891 he remarks:

"Upon commencing an examination of the records in various places, I was impressed with the great importance of the use of inks which should be permanent, and the necessity of an investigation which might prevent the further use of inks that for one reason or another were unfit for use upon records. I found that, as a rule, the inks upon the most ancient records had preserved their color, many undoubtedly being blacker than when used, but that the later records lost the jet-black appearance of the older. This, it is true, is not wholly due to the change of inks, for the use of quills, the soft surface of the old paper, the absence of blotting paper and the greater time spent in writing, were all conducive to a heavier deposit of ink; but evidence is ample that in comparatively recent years inks of poor quality came in use. Proof of this is given by an examination of the records in the state house. Up to about 1850 it was the custom in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth to use for engrossing the acts, inks made of a powder which was mixed in the office; and until that time the acts which are engrossed upon parchment show, with but few exceptions, no signs of fading. From 1850 for several years the writing in many cases is becoming indistinct, that upon an act in 1851, and upon two in 1855, having nearly disappeared. Since 1860, acts showing different intensity of color are found, but whether this is their original color or not cannot be determined.

That the fading can be attributed to the parchment, as some claim, is disproved by the fact that of the signatures upon the same act a few have faded while others have not. Upon an act approved January 4, 1845, the signature of the President of the Senate has nearly disappeared, that of the Speaker of the House is more legible, while that of the Governor, and the figure 4, which he evidently inserted, are jet black.

"The indexes in the volumes of archives in the office of the secretary, which were written about 1840, were evidently made with a different ink from that used for engrossing, and faded so badly that the important words had to be rewritten.

"In the office of the State Treasurer the records to about 1867 are very black and distinct, but the ink used during a few years following has faded.

"The records of births, marriages and deaths, in the registration volumes in the secretary's office, furnish an excellent illustration of the different qualities of the inks now used. These records are original returns made by the city and town clerks, and from 1842 to 1889 show instances of the use of inks which are now almost illegible. Here again the fault cannot be attributed to the paper, for endorsements made in the secretary's office upon the most faded returns at the time of their receipt are as black as when made.