Index to the Public Official Bonds of Sonoma County, California, 1850-1892Bonds guaranteeing the faithful performance of the duties of their offices have been required of Californian public officials since the formation of the state. One of the first statutes passed by the California legislature was "An Act Concerning the Official Bonds of Officers," which set out the basic law governing bonds of both state and county public officials. Before taking office, a public official, known as the "principal" of the bond, was