[Giovanna Clairval]

Teresa, it is true that sending the ms to oneself wouldn't hold in court (in the US), but it is a "beginning of evidence" in French Legalese, which must have its equivalent in English.

As for me, I deposited the ms in my solicitor's vault (she didn't ask for any fees).

Well, in France and Italy we have "notaires" and "notai", which I render with "solicitors" because the exact term does not exist in English (at least in the Islands). I believe your "notary public" covers a much more restricted area of intervention (recording of oaths and the like). Our "notaire" is the intermediary (sworn) person who records any private contract (marriages, estate acquisitions, donations within a family,...). It's strange that this profession, which goes back to the Roman Right, does not find its exact equivalent in your countries.