The manuscript documents relating to the Colonial history of this State, now in the office of the Secretary of State, which were procured under and by virtue of an act of the Legislature, passed May 2, 1839, entitled ' An act to appoint an Agent to procure and transcribe documents in Europe relative to the Colonial history of this State,' or such portions thereof as the State officers hereinafter named shall deem advisable, shall be translated and printed for the use of the State. " <^ 2. The Governor, Secretary of State and Comptroller shall cause said documents to be prepared, printed, and bound in volumes of such size as they may determine upon, and for such purpose are hereby authorized to employ some suitable person to translate such parts thereof as are necessary, at a reasonable compensation to be fixed and certified by them. " § 3. The said State officers shall issue proposals for the printing and binding of such number of copies of said documents as they shall deem advisable to cause to be printed, not exceeding five thousand, in the same manner as proposals are required to be issued for the printing and binding of legislative documents, and shall make a contract for such printing and binding with such person or persons as shall have submitted proposals therefor, which, all things considered, they may deem most advantageous to the interests of the State, provided any of said proposals shall be by them considered reasonable. " % 4. The said State officers are hereby authorized to cause such portions of said documents to be stereotyped as they may deem the interests of the State to demand, and to secure or sell the copyright thereof, as in their judgment shall be for the interest of the State. " § 5.