Evarts to Note .—In the several States and Territories penalties are imposed by the statutes for a failure to comply with the requirements as to license or return of the certificate—in some cases against the parties to the contract, in other cases against the party solemnizing the marriage, and in some instances against all parties; but in none of the States or Territories is the marriage null and void because of a non-compliance with the requirements of the statute, July 12, 1879

No. 62. Mr. Evarts to Mr. Van den Bossche.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 7th instant, and in reply to inclose herein copies of two circulars of the Department based on the report of the law officer of the Department regarding marriage laws in this country, referred to in the note of the Department of 3d instant. That report appears, however, to have been made in 1872, rather than in 1874, the date assigned in the above-mentioned note.

Accept, sir, a renewed assurance of my high consideration.