§ 73. Power to administer oaths and take acknowledgments. The attorney-general of the state of New York and all deputies and assistants appointed by him pursuant to section sixty-two of the executive law, who have duly qualified, shall have the power, while acting as such, to administer oaths and take affidavits and acknowledgments and proofs of written instruments to be read in evidence, anywhere within the state of New York, except such instruments as now are required by law to be recorded to create constructive notice thereof.