R:
RACK, punishments. An engine with which to torture a supposed
criminal, in order to extort a confession of his supposed crime,
and the names of his supposed accomplices. Unknown in the United
States.
2. This instrument, known by the nickname of the Duke of
Exeter's daughter, was in use in England. Barr. on the Stat. 866
12 S. & R. 227.
BACK RENT, Engl. law. The full extended value of land let by
lease, payable by tenant for life or Years. Wood's Inst. 192.
RADOUB, French law. This word designates the repairs made to a
ship, and a fresh supply of furniture and victuals, munitions and
other provisions required for the voyage. Pard. n. 602.
RAILWAY. A road made with iron rails or other suitable
materials.
2. Railways are to be constructed and used as directed by the
legislative acts creating them.
3. In general, a railroad company may take lands for the
purpose of making a road when authorized by the charter, by
paying a just value for the same. 8 S. & M. 649.
4. For most purposes a railroad is a public highway, but it
may be the subject of private property, and it has been held that
it may be sold as such, unless the sale be forbidden by the
legislature; not the franchise, but the land constituting the
road. 5 Iredell, 297. In. general, however, the public can only
have a right of way for it is not essential that the public
should enjoy the land itself, namely, its treasures, minerals,
and the like, as these would add nothing to the convenience of
the public.
5. Rail-road companies, like all other principals, are liable
for the acts of their agents, while in their employ, but they can
not be made responsible for accidents which could not be avoided.
2 Iredell, 234; 2 McMullan, 403.
RAIN WATER. The water which naturally falls from the clouds.
2. No one has a right to build his house so as to cause the
rain water to fall over his neighbor's land; 1 Rolle's Ab. 107;
2 Leo. 94; 1 Str. 643; Fortesc. 212; Bac. Ab. Action on. the
case, F.; 5 Co. 101; 2 Rolle, Ab. 565, 1. 10; 1 Com. Dig.
Action upon the case for a nuisance, A; unless he has acquired a
right by a grant or prescription.
3. When the land remains in a state of nature, says a learned
writer, and by the natural descent, the rain water would descend
from the superior estate over the lower, the latter is
necessarily subject to receive such water. 1 Lois des Batimens,
15, 16. Vide 2 Roll. 140; Dig. 39, 3; 2 Bouv. Inst. n. 1608.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 1 of 139
RANGE. This word is used in the land laws of the United States
to designate the order of the location of such lands, and in
patents from the United States to individuals they are described
as being within a certain range.
RANK. The order or place in which certain officers are placed
in the army and navy, in relation to others, is called their
rank.
2. It is a maxim, that officers of, an inferior rank are bound
to obey all the lawful commands of their superiors, and are
justified for such obedience.
RANKING. In Scotland this term is used to signify the order in
which the debts of a bankrupt ought to be paid.
RANSOM, contracts, war. An agreement made between the
commander of a capturing vessel with the commander of a
vanquished vessel, at sea, by which the former permits the latter
to depart with his vessel, and gives him a safe conduct, in
consideration of a sum of money, which the commander of the
vanquished vessel, in his own name, and in the name of the owners
of his vessel and cargo, promises to pay at a future time named,
to the other.
2. This contract is usually made in writing in duplicate, one
of which is kept by the vanquished vessel which is its safe
conduct; and the other by the conquering vessel, which is
properly called ransom bill.
3. This contract, when made in good faith, and not locally
prohibited, is valid, and may be enforeed. Such contracts have
never been prohibited in this country. 1 Kent, Com. 105. In
England they are generally forbidden. Chit. Law of Nat. 90 91;
Poth. Tr. du Dr. de Propr. n. 127. Vide 2 Bro. Civ. Law, 260;
Wesk. 435; 7 Com. Dig. 201; Marsh. Ins. 431; 2 Dall. 15; 15
John. 6; 3 Burr. 1734. The money paid for the redemption of such
property is also called the ransom.
RAPE, crim. law. The carnal knowledge of a woman by a man
forcibly and unlawfully against her will. In order to ascertain
precisely the nature of this offence, this definition will be
analysed.
2. Much difficulty has arisen in defining the meaning of
carnal knowledge, and different opinions have been entertained
some judges having supposed that penetration alone is sufficient,
while other's deemed emission as an essential ingredient in the
crime. Hawk. b. 1, c. 41, s. 3; 12 Co. 37; 1 Hale, P. C. 628;
2 Chit. Cr. L. 810. But in modern times the better opinion seems
to be that both penetration and emission are necessary. 1 East,
P. C. 439; 2 Leach, 854. It is, however, to be remarked, that
very slight evidence may be sufficient to induce a jury to
believe there was emission. Addis. R. 143; 2 So. Car. C. R. 351;
1 Beck's Med. Jur. 140. 4 Chit. Bl. Com. 213, note 8. In
Scotland, emission is not requisite. Allis. Prin. 209, 210. See
Emission; Penetration.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 2 of 139
3. By the term man in this definition is meant a male of the
human species, of the age of fourteen years and upwards; for an
infant, under fourteen years, is supposed by law incapable of
committing this offence. 1 Hale, P. C. 631; 8 C. & P. 738. But
not only can an infant uncler fourteen years, if of sufficient
mischievous discretion, but even a woman may be guilty as
principals in the second degree. And the hushand of a woman may
be a principal in the second degree of a rape committed upon his
wife, as where he held her while his servant committed the rape.
1 Harg St. Tr. 388.
4. The knowledge of the woman's person must be forcibly and
against her will; and if her consent has not been voluntarily
and freely given, (when she has the power to consent,) the
offence will be complete, nor will any subsequent acquiescence on
her part do away the guilt of the ravisher. A consent obtained
from a woman by actual violence, by duress or threats of murder,
or by the administration of stupefying drugs, is not such a
consent as will shield the offender, nor turn his crime into
adultery or fornication.
5. The matrmonial consent of the wife cannot be retracted,
and, therefore, her hushand cannot be guilty of a rape on her as
his act is not unlawful. But, as already observed, he may be
guilty as principal in the second degree.
6. As a child under ten years of age is incapable in law to
give her consent, it follows, that the offence may be committed
on such a child whether she consent or not. See Stat. 18 Eliz, c.
7, s. 4. See, as to the possibility of commi tting a rape, and as
to the signs which indicate it, 1 Beck's Med. Jur. ch. 12;
Merlin, Rep. mot Viol.; 1 Briand, Med. Leg. 1ere partic, c. 1,
p. 66; Biessy, Manuel Medico-Legal, &c. p. 149; Parent
Duchatellet, De la Prostitution dans la ville de Paris, c. 3, §5
Barr. on the Stat. 123; 9 Car. & P. 752 2 Pick. 380; 12 S. & R.
69; 7 Conn. 54 Const. R. 354; 2 Vir. Cas. 235.
RAPE, division of a country. In the English law, this is a
district similar to that of a hundred; but oftentimes containing
in it more hundreds than one.
RAPINE, crim. law. This is almost indistinguishable from
robbery. (q. v.) It is the felonious taking of another man's
personal property, openly and by violence, against his will. The
civilians define rapine to be the taking with violence, the
movable property of another, with the fraudulent intent to
appropriate it to one's own USC. Lec. El. Dr. Rom. §1071.
RAPPORT A SUCCESSION. A French term used in Louisiana, which
is somewhat similar in its meaning to our homely term hotch-pot.
It is the reunion to the mass of the succession, of the things
given by the deceased ancestor to his heir, in order that the
whole may be divided among the do-heirs.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 3 of 139
2. The obligation to make the rapport has a tripple
foundation. 1. It is to be presumed that the deceased intended in
making an advancement, to give only a portion of the inheritance.
2. It establishes the equality of a division, at least, with
regard to the children of the same parent, who all have an equal
right to the succession. 3. It preserves in families that
harmony, which is always disturbed by unjust favors to one who
has only an equal right. Dall. Dict. h. t. See Advancement;
Collation; Hotchpot.
RASCATL. An opprobrious term, applied to persons of bad
character. The law does not presume that a damage has arisen
because the defendant has been called a rascal, and therefore no
general damages can be recovered for it; if the party has
received special damages in consequence of being so called, be
can recover a recompense to indennify him for his loss.
RASURE. The scratching or scraping a writing, so as to prevent
some part of it from being read. The word writing here is
intended to include printing. Vide Addition; Erasure and
Interlineation. Also 8 Vin. Ab. 169; 13 Vin. Ab. 37; Bac. Ab.
Evidence, F.; 4 Com. Dig. 294; 7 Id. 202.
RATE. A public valuation or assessment of every man's estate;
or the ascertaining how much tax every one shall pay. Vide Pow.
Mortg. Index, h. t.; Harr. Dig. h. t.; 1 Hopk. C. R. 87.
RATE OF EXCHANGE. Among merchants, by rate of exchange is
understood the price at which a bill drawn in one country upon
another, may be sold in the former.
RATIFICATION, contracts. An agreement to adopt an act
performed by another for us.
2. Ratifications are either empress or implied. The former are
made in express and direct terms of assent; the latter are such
as the law presumes from the acts of the principal; as, if Peter
buy goods for James, and the latter, knowing the fact, receive
them and apply them to his own use. By ratifying a contract a man
adopts the agency, altogether, as well what is detrimental as
that which is for his benefit. 2 Str. R. 859; 1 Atk. 128; 4 T.
R. 211; 7 East, R. 164; 16 M. R. 105; 1 Ves. 509 Smith on Mer.
L. 60; Story, Ag. §250 9 B. & Cr. 59.
3. As a general rule, the principal has the right to elect
whether he will adopt the unauthorized act or not. But having
once ratified the act, upon a full knowledge of all the material
circumstances, the ratification cannot be revoked or recalled,
and the principal becomes bound as if he had originally
authorized the act. Story, Ag. §250; Paley, Ag. by Lloyd, 171;
3 Chit. Com. Law, 197.
4. The ratification of a lawful contract has a retrospective
effect, ana binds the principal from its date, and not only from
the time of the ratification, for the ratification is equivalent
to an original authority, according to the maxim, that omnis
ratihabitio mandate aeguiparatur. Poth. Ob. n. 75; Ld. Raym.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 4 of 139
930; Com. 450; 5 Burr. 2727; 2 H. Bl. 623; 1 B. & P. 316; 13
John.; R. 367; 2 John. Cas. 424; 2 Mass. R. 106.
5. Such ratification will, in general, relieve the agent from
all responsibility on the contract, when be would otherwise have
been liable. 2 Brod. & Bing. 452. See 16 Mass. R. 461; 8 Wend.
R. 494; 10 Wend. R. 399; Story, Ag. §251. Vide Assent, and Ayl.
Pand. *386; 18 Vin. Ab. 156; 1 Liv. on, Ag. c. 2, §4, p. 44,
47; Story on Ag. §239; 3 Chit. Com. L. 197; Paley on Ag. by
Lloyd, 324; Smith on Mer. L. 47, 60; 2 John. Cas. 424; 13
Mass. R. 178; Id. 391; Id. 379; 6 Pick. R. 198; 1 Bro. Ch. R.
101, note; S. C. Ambl. R. 770; 1 Pet. C. C. R. 72; Bouv. Inst.
Index, h. t.
6. An infant is not liable on his contracts; but if, after
coming of age, he ratify the contract by an actual or express
declaration, he will be bound to perform it, as if it had been
made after he attained full age. The ratification must be
voluntary, deliberate, and intelligent, and the party must know
that without it, he would not be bound. 11 S. & R. 305, 311; 3
Penn. St. R. 428. See 12 Conn. 551, 556; 10 Mass. 137,140; 14
Mass. 457; 4 Wend. 403, 405. But a confirmation or ratification
of a contract, may be implied from acts of the infant after he
becomes of age; as by enjoying or claiming a benefit under a
contract be might have wholly rescinded; 1 Pick. 221, 22 3; and
an infant partner will be liable for the contracts of the firm,
or at least such as were known to him, if he, after becoming of
age, confirm the contract of partnership by transacting business
of the firm, receiving profits, and the like. 2 Hill. So. Car.
Rep. 479; 1 B. Moore, 289.
RATIFICATION OF TREATIES. The constitution of the United
States, art. 2, s. 2, declares that the president shall have
power, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to make
treaties, provided two-thirds of the senators present concur. 2.
So treaty is therefore of any validity to bind the nation unless
it has been ratified by two-thirds of the members present in the
senate at the time its expediency or propriety may have been
discussed. Vide Treaty.
RATIHABITION, contracts. Confirmation; approbation of a
contract; ratification. Vin. Ab. h. t.; Assent. (q. v.)
RATIONALIBUS DIVISIS, WRIT DE. The name of a writ which lies
properly when two men have lands in several towns or hamlets, so
that the one is seised of the land in one town or hamlet, and the
other, of the other town or hamlet by himself; and they do not
know the bounds of the town or hamlet, nor of their respective
lands. This writ lies by one, against the other, and the object
of it is to fix the boundaries. F . N. B. 300.
RAVISHED, pleadings. In indictments for rape, this technical
word must be introduced, for no other word, nor any
circumlocution, will answer the purpose. The defendant should be
charged with having "feloniously ravished" the prosecutrix, or
woman mentioned in the indictment. Bac. Ab. Indictment, G l;
Com. Dig. Indictment, G 6; Hawk. B. 2, c. 25, s. 56; Cro. C. C.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 5 of 139
37; 1 Hale, 628: 2 Hale, 184 Co. Litt. 184, n. p.; 2 Inst.
180; 1 East, P. C. 447. The words "feloniously did ravish and
carnally know," imply that the act was done forcibly and against
the will of the woman. 12 S. & R. 70. Vide 3 Chit. Cr. Law, 812.
RAVISHMENT, crim. law. This word has several meanings. 1. It
is an unlawful taking of a woman, or an heir in ward. 2. It is
sometimes used synonymously with rape.
RAVISHMENT OF WARD, Eng. law. The marriage of an infant ward,
without the consent of the guardian, is called a ravishment of
ward, and punishable by statute. Westminster 2, c. 35.
READING. The act of making known the contents of a writing or
of a printed document.
2. In order to enable a party to a contract or a devisor to
know what a paper contains it must be read, either by the party
himself or by some other person to him. When a person signs or
executes a paper, it will be presumed that it has been read to
him, but this presumption may be rebutted.
3. In the case of a blind testator, if it can be proved that
the will was not read to him, it cannot be sustained. 3 Wash. C
C. R. 580. Vide 2 Bouv. Inst. n. 2012.
REAL. A term which is applied to land in its most enlarged
signification. Real security, therefore, means the security of
mortgages or other incumbrances affecting lands. 2 Atk. 806; S.
C. 2 Ves. sen. 547.
2. In the civil law, real has not the same meaning as it has
in the common law. There it signifies what relates to a thing,
whether it be movable or immovable, lands or goods; thus, a real
injury is one which is done to a thing, as a trespass to
property, whether it be real or personal in the common law sense.
A real statute is one which relates to a thing, in
contradistinction to such as relate to a person,
REAL ACTIONS. Those which concern the realty only, being such
by which the demandant claims title to have any lands or
tenements, rents, or other hereditaments, in fee simple, fee
tail, or for term of life. 3 Bl. Com. 117. Vide Actions.
2. In the civil law, by real actions are meant those which
arise from a right in a thing, whether it be movable or
immovable.
REAL CONTRACT, com. law. By this term are understood contracts
in respect to real property. 3 Rawle, 225.
2. In the civil law real contracts are those which require the
interposition of thing (rei,) as the subject of them; for
instance, the loan for goods to be specifically returned.
3. By that law, contracts are divided into those which are
formed by the mere consent of the parties, and therefore are
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 6 of 139
called consensual; such as sale, hiring and mandate, and those
in which it is necessary that there should be something more than
mere consent, such as the loan of money, deposit or pledge,
which, from their nature, require the delivery of the thing;
whence they are called real. Poth. Obl. p. 1, c. 1, s. 1, art. 2.
REAL PROPERTY, That which consists of land, and of all rights
and profits arising from and annexed to land, of a permanent,
immovable nature. In order to make one's interest in land, real
estate, it must be an interest not less than for the party's
life, because a term of years, even for a thousand years,
perpetually renewable, is a mere personal estate. 3 Russ. R. 376.
It is usually comprised under the words lands, tenements, and
hereditaments. Real property is corporeal, or incorporeal.
2. Corporeal consists wholly of substantial, permanent
objects, which may all be comprehended under the general
denomination of land. There are some chattels which are so
annexed to the inheritance, that they are deemed a part of it,
and are called heir looms. (q. v.) Money agreed or directed to be
laid out in land is considered as real estate. Newl. on Contr.
chap. 3; Fonb. Eq. B. 1, c. 6, §9; 3 Wheat. Rep. 577.
3. Incorporeal property, consists of certain inheritable
rights, which are not, strictly speaking, of a corporeal nature,
or land, although they are by their own nature or by use, annexed
to corporeal inheritances, and are rights issuing out of them, or
which concern them. These distinctions agree with the civil law.
Just. Inst. 2, 2; Poth. Traite de la Communaute, part 1, c. 2,
art. 1. The incorporeal hereditaments which subsist by the laws
of the several states are fewer than those recognized by the
English law. In the United States, there are fortunately no
advowsons, tithes, nor dignities, as inheritances.
4. The most common incorporeal hereditaments, are, 1. Commons.
2. Ways. 3. Offices. 4. Franchises. 5. Rents. For authorities of
what is real or personal property, see 8 Com. Dig. 564; 1 Vern.
Rep. by Raithby, 4, n.; 2 Kent, Com. 277; 3 Id. 331; 4 Watts'
R. 341; Bac. Ab. Executors, H 3; 1 Mass. Dig. 394; 5 Mass. R.
419, and the references under the article Personal property, (q.
v.) and Property. (q. v.)
5. The principal distinctions between real and personal
property, are the following: 1. Real property is of a permanent
and immovable nature, and the owner has an estate therein at
least for life. 2. It descends from the ancestor to the heir
instead of becoming the property of an executor or admin-istrator
on the death of the owner, as in case of personalty. 3. In case
of alienation, it must in general be made by deed, 5 B. & C. 221,
and in presenti by the common law; whereas leases for years may
commence in futuro, and personal chattels may be transferred by
parol or delivery. 4. Real estate when devised, is subject to the
widow's dower personal estate can be given away by will
discharged of any claim of the widow.
6. These are some interests arising out of, or connected with
real property, which in some respects partake of the qualities of
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 7 of 139
personally; as, for example, heir looms, title deeds, which,
though in themselves movable, yet relating to land descend from
ancestor to heir, or from a vendor to a purchaser. 4 Bin . 106.
7. It is a maxim in equity, that things to be done will be
considered as done, and vice versa. According to this doctrine
money or goods will be considered as real property, and land will
be treated as personal property. Money directed by a will to be
laid out in land is, in equity, considered as land, and will pass
by the words "lands, tenements, and hereditaments whatsoever and
wheresoever." 3 Bro. C. C. 99; 1 Tho. Co. Litt. 219, n. T.
REALITY OF LAWS. Those laws which govern property, whether
real or personal, or things; the term is used in persona
opposition to personality of laws. (q. v.) Story, Confl. of L.
23.
REALM. A kingdom; a country. 1 Taunt. 270; 4 Campb. 289;
Rose, R. 387.
REALTY. An abstract of real, as distinguished from personalty.
Realty relates to lands and tenements, rents or other
hereditaments. Vide Real Property.
REASON. By reason is usually understood that power by which we
distinguish truth from falsehood, and right from wrong; and by
which we are enabled to combine means for the attainment of
particular ends. Encyclopedie, h. t.; Shef. on Lun. Introd.
xxvi. Ratio in jure aequitas integra.
2. A man deprived of reason is not criminally responsible for
his acts, nor can he enter into any contract.
3. Reason is called the soul of the law; for when the reason
ceases, the law itself ceases. Co. Litt. 97, 183; 1 Bl. Com. 70;
7 Toull. n. 566.
4. In Pennsylvania, the judges are required in giving their
opinions, to give the reasons upon which they are founded. A
similar law exists in France, which Toullier says is one of
profound wisdom, because, he says, les arrets ne sont plus comme
autre fois des oracles muets qui commandent une obeissance
passive; leur autorite irrefragable pour ou contre ceux qui les
ont obtenus, devient soumise a la censure de la raison, quand on
pretend les eriger en re-gles a suivre en d'autres cas
semblables, vol. 6, n. 301; judgments are not as formerly silent
oracles which require a passive obedience; their irrefragable
authority, for or against those who have obtained them, is
submitted to the censure of reason, when it is pretended to set
them up as rules to be observed in other similar cases. But see
what Duncan J. says in 14 S. & R. 240.
REASONABLE. Conformable or agreeable to reason; just;
rational.
2. An award must be reasonable, for if it be of things
nugatory in themselves, and offering no advantage to either of
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 8 of 139
the parties, it cannot be enforeed. 3 Bouv. Inst. n. 2096. Vide
Award.
REASONABLE ACT. This term signifies such an act as the law
requires. When an act is unnecessary, a party will not be
required to perform it as a reasonable act. 9 Price's Rep. 43;
Yelv. 44; Platt. on Cov. 342, 157.
REASONABLE TIME. The English law, which in this respect, has
been adopted by us, frequently requires things to be done within
a reasonable time; but what a reasonable time is it does not
define: quam long-um debet esse rationabile tempus, non
definitur in lege, sed pendet ex discretione justiciariorum. Co.
Litt, 50. This indefinite requisition is the source of much
litigation. A bill of exchange, for example, must be presented
within a reasonable time Chitty, Bills, 197-202. An abandonment
must be made within a reasonable time after advice received of
the loss. Marsh. Insurance, 589.
2. The commercial code of France fixes a time in both these
cases, which varies in proportion to the distance. See Code de
Com. L. 1, t. 8, s. 1, §10, art. 160; Id. L. 5, t. 10, s. 3,
art. 373. Vide, generally, 6 East, 3; 7 East, 385; 3 B. & P.
599; Bayley on Bills, 239; 7 Taunt. 159, 397; 15 Pick. R. 92,;
3 Watts. R. 339; 10 Wend. R. 304; 13 Wend. R. 549; 1 Hall's R.
56 6 Wend. R. 369; Id. 443; 1 Leigh's N. P. 435; Co. Litt. 56
b.
REASSURANCE. When an insurer is desirous of lessening his
liability, he may procure some other insurer to insure him from
loss, for the insurance he has made this is called reassurance.
REBATE, mer. law. Discount; the abatement of inferest in
consequence of prompt payment. Merch. Dict. h. t.
REBEL. A citizen or subject who unjustly and unlawfully takes
up arms against the constituted authorities of the nation, to
deprive them of the supreme power, either by resisting their
lawful and constitutional orders, in some particular matter, or
to impose on them conditions. Vattel, Droit des Gens, liv. 3,
§328. In another sense it signifies a refusal to obey a superior,
or the commands of a court. Vide Commission of Rebellion.
REBELLION, crim. law. The taking up arms traitorously against
the govern- ment and in another, and perhaps a more correct
sense, rebellion signifies the forcible opposition and resistance
to the laws and process lawfully issued.
2. If the rebellion amount to treason, it is punished by the
laws of the United States with death. If it be a mere resistance
of process, it is generally punished by fine and imprisonment.
See Dalloz, Dict. h. t.; Code Penal, 209.
REBELLION, COMMISSION OF. A commission of rebellion is the
name of a writ issuing out of chancery to compel the defendant to
appear. Vide Commission of Rebellion.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 9 of 139
REBOUTER. To repel or bar. The action of the heir by the
warranty of his ancestor, is called to rebut or repel. 2 Tho. Co.
Litt. 247, 303.
TO REBUT. To contradict; to do away as, every homicide is
presumed to be murder, unless the contrary appears from evidence
which proves the death; and this presumption it lies on the
defendant to rebut by showing that it was justifiable or
excusable. Allis. Prin. 48.
REBUTTER, pleadings. The name of the defendant's answer to the
plaintiff's surrejoinder. It is governed by the same rules as the
rejoinder. (q. v.) 6 Com. Dig. 185.
REBUTTING EVIDENCE. That which is given by a party in the
cause to explain, repel, counteract or disprove facts given in
evidence on the other side. The term rebutting evidence is more
particularly applied to that evidence given by the plaintiff, to
explain or repel the evidence given by the defendant.
2. It is a general rule that anything may be given as
rebutting evidence which is a direct reply ta that produced on
the other side; 2 M'Cord, 161; and the proof of circumstances
may be offered to rebut the most positive testi-mony. Pet. C. C.
235. See Circumstances.
3. But there are several rules which exclude all rebutting
evidence. A party cannot impeach the validity of a promissory
note which he has made or en-dorsed; 3 John. Cas. 185; nor
impeach his own witness, though he may disprove, by other
witnesses, matters to which he has testified; 3 Litt. 465, nor
can be rebut or contradict what a witness has sworn to, which is
immaterial to the issue. 16 Pick. 153; 2 Bailey, 118.
4. Parties and privies are estopped from contradicting a
written instrument by parol proof, but this rule does not apply
to strangers. 10 John. 229. But the parties may prove that before
breach the agreement was abandoned, or annulled by a subsequent
agreement not in writing. 4 N. Hamp. Rep. 196. And when the
writing was made by another, as, where the log-book stated a
desertion, the party affected by it may prove that the entry was
false or made by mistake. 4 Mason, R. 541.
TO RECALL, international law. To deprive a minister of his
functions; to supersede him.
TO RECALL A JUDGMENT. To reverse a judgment on a matter, of
fact; the judgment is then said to be recalled or revoked, and
when it is reversed for an error of law, it is said simply to be
reversed, quod judicium reversetur.
RECAPTURE, war. By this term is understood the recovery from
the enemy, by a friendly force, of a prize by him captured. It
differs from rescue. (q. v.)
2. It seems incumbent on follow citizens, and it is of course
equally the duty of allies, to rescue each other from the enemy
when there is a reasonable prospect of success. 3 Rob. Rep. 224.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 10 of 139
3. The recaptors are not entitled to the property captured, as
if it were a new prize; the owner is entitled to it by the right
of postliminium. (q. v.) Dall. Dict. mots Prises maritmies, art.
2, §4.
RECAPTION, remedies. The act of a person who has been deprived
of the cus-tody of another to which he is legally entitled, by
which he regains the peaceable custody of such person; or of the
owner of personal or real property who has been deprived of his
possession, by which he retakes possession, peaceably. In each of
these cases the law allows the recaption of the person or of the
property, provided he can do so without occasioning a breach of
the peace, or an injury to a third person who has not been a
party to the wrong. 3 Inst. 134; 2 Rolle, Rep. 55, 6; Id. 208;
2 Rolle, Abr. 565; 3 Bl. Comm. 5; 3 Bouv. Inst. n. 2440, et
seq.
2. Recaption may be made of a person, of personal property, of
real property; each of these will be separately examined.
3. - 1. The right of recaption of a person is confined to a
hushand in re-taking his wife; a parent, his child, of whom he
has the custody; a master, his apprentice and, according to
Blackstone, a master, his servant; but this must be limited to a
servant who assents to the recaption; in these cases, the party
injured may peaceably enter the house of the wrongdoer, without a
demand being first made, the outer door being open, and take and
carry away the person wrongfully detained. He may also enter
peaceably into the house of a person harboring, who was not
concerned in the original abduction. 8 Bing. R. 186; S. C. 21
Engl. C. L. Rep. 265.
4. - 2. The same principles extend to the right of recaption
of personal property. In this sort of recaption, too much care
cannot be observed to avoid any personal injury or breach of the
peace.
5. - 3. In the recaption of real estate the owner may, in the
absence of the occupier, break open the outer door of a house and
take possession; but if, in regaining his possession, the party
be guilty of a forcible entry and breach of the peace, he may be
indicted; but the wrongdoer or person who had no right to the
possession, cannot sustain any action for such forcible regaining
possession merely. 1 Chit. Pr. 646.
RECEIPT, contracts. A receipt is an acknowledgment in writing
that the party giving the same has received from the person
therein named, the money or other thing therein specified.
2. Although expressed to be in full of all demands, it is only
prima facie evidence of what it purports to be and upon
satisfactory proof being made that it was obtained by fraud, or
given either under a mistake of facts or an ignorance of law, it
may be inquired into and corrected in a court of law as well as
in equity. 1 Pet. C. C. R. 182; 3 Serg. & Rawle, 355; S. P. 7
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 11 of 139
Serg. & Rawle, 309; 3 Serg. & Rawle, 564, 589; 12 Serg. &
Rawle, 131; 1 Sid. 44; 1 Lev. 43; 1 Saund. 285; 2 Lutw.
1173; Co. Lit. 373; 2 Stark. C. 382; 1 W., C. C. R. 328; 2
Mason's R. 541; 11 Mass. 27; 1 Johns. Cas. 145; 9 John. R.
310; 8 Johns. R. 389; 5 Johns. R. 68; 4 Har. & McH. 219; 3
Har. & McH. 433; 2 Johns. R. 378; 2 Johns. R., 319. A receipt
in full, given with a full knowledge of all the circumstances and
in the absence of fraud, seems to be conclusive. 1 Esp. C. 172;
Benson v. Bennet, 1 Camp. 394, n.
3. A receipt sometimes contains an acknowledgment of having
received a thing, and also an agreement to do another. It is only
prima facie evidence as far as the receipt goes, but it cannot be
contradicted by parol evidence in any part by which the party
engages to perform a contract. A bill of lading, for example,
partakes of both these characters; it may be contradicted or
explained as to the facts stated in the recital, as that the
goods were in good order and well conditioned; but, in other
respects, it cannot be contradicted in any other manner than a
common written contract. 7 Mass. R. 297; 1 Bailey, R. 174; 4
Ohio, R. 334; 3 Hawks, R. 580; 1 Phil. & Am. on Ev. 388;
Greenl. Ev. §305. Vide, generally, 1 B . & C. 704 S. C. 8 E. C.
L. R. 193; 2 Taunt. R. 141; 2 T. R. 366; 5 B. & A. 607; 7 E.
C. L. R. 206; 3 B. & C. 421; 1 East, R. 460.
4. If a man by his receipt acknowledges that he has received
money from an agent on account of his principal, and thereby
accredits the agent with the principal to that amount, such
receipt is, it seems, conclusive as to the payment by the agent.
For example, the usual acknowledgment in a policy of insurance of
the receipt of premium from the assured, is conclusive of the
fact as between the underwriter and the assured; Dalzell v.
Mair, 1 Camp. 532; although such receipt would not be so between
the underwriter and the broker. And if an agent empowered to
contract for sale, sell and convey land, enter into articles of
agreement by which it is stipulated that the vendee shall clear,
make improvements, pay the purchase money by installments, &c.,
and on the completion of the covenants to be performed by him,
receive from the vendor or his legal representatives, a good and
sufficient warranty deed in fee for the premises, the receipt of
the agent for Such parts of the purchase-money as may be paid
before the execution of the deed, is binding on the principal. 6
Serg. & Rawle, 146. See 11 Johns. R. 70.
5. A receipt on the back of a bill of exchange is prima facie
evidence of payment by the acceptor. Peake's C. 25. The giving of
a receipt does not exclude parol evidence of payment. 4 Esp. N.
P. C. 214.
6. In Pennsylvania it has been holden that a receipt, not
under seal, to one of several joint debtors, for his proportion
of the debt, discharges the rest. 1 Rawle, 391. But in New York a
contrary rule has been adopted. 7 John. 207. See Coxe, 81; 1
Root, 72. See Evidence.
RECEIPTOR. In Massachusetts this name is given to the person
who, on a trustee process being issued and goods attached,
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 12 of 139
becomes surety to the sheriff to have them forthcoming on demand,
or in time to respond the judgment, when the execution shall be
issued. Upon which the goods are bailed to him. Story, Bailm.
§124, and see Attachment; Remedies.
RECEPTUS, civil law. The name sometimes given to an
arbitrator, because he had been received or chosen to settle the
differences between the parties. Dig. 4, 8 Code, 2, 56.
TO RECEIVE. Voluntarily to take from another what is offered.
2. A landlord, for example, could not be said to receive the
key from his tenant, when the latter left it at his house without
his knowledge, unless by his acts afterwards, he should be
presumed to have given his consent.
RECEIVER, chancery practice. A person appointed by a court
possessing chan- cery jurisdiction to receive the rents and
profits of land, or the profits or produce of other property in
dispute.
2. The power of appointing a receiver is a discretionary power
exercised by the court. the appointment is provisional, for the
more speedy getting in of the estate in dispute, and scouring it
for the benefit of such person as may be entitled to it, and does
not affect the right. 3 Atk. 564.
3. It is not within the compass of this work to state in what
cases a receiver will be appointed; on this subject, see 2 Madd.
Ch. 233.
4. The receiver is an officer of the court, and as such,
responsible for good faith and reasonable diligence. When the
property is lost or injured by any negligence or dishonest
execution of the trust, he is liable in damages; but he is not,
as of course, responsible because there has been an embezzlement
or theft. He is bound to such ordinary diligence, as belongs to a
prudent and honest discharge of his duties, and such as is
required of all persons who receive compensation for their
services. Story, Bailm. §620, 621; and the cases there cited.
Vide, generally, 2 Mudd. Ch. 232; Newl. Ch. Pr. 88; 8 Com. Dig.
890; 18 Vin. Ab. 160; 1 Supp. to Ves. jr. 455; 2 Id. 57, 58,
74, 75, 442, 455; Bouv. Inst. Index, h. t.
RECEIVER OF STOLEN GOODS, crim. law. By statutory provision
the receiver of stolen goods knowing them to have been stolen may
be punished as the principal in perhaps all the United States.
2. To make this offence complete, the goods received must have
been stolen, and the receiver must know that fact.
3. It is almost always difficult to prove guilty knowledge;
and that must in general be collected from circumstances. If such
circumstances are proved which to a person of common
understanding and prudence and situated as the prisoner was, must
have satisfied him that they were stolen, this is sufficient. For
example, the receipt of watches, jewelry, large quantities of
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 13 of 139
money, bundles of clothes of various kinds, or personal property
of any sort, to a considerable value, from boys or persons
destitute of property, and with-out any lawful means of acquiring
them and specially if bought at untimely hours, the mind can
arrive at no other conclusion than that they were stolen. This is
further confirmed if they have been bought at an undervalue,
concealed, the marks defaced, and falsehood resorted to in
accounting for the possession of them. Alison's Cr. Law, 330; 2
Russ. Cr. 253; 2 Chit. Cr. Law , 951; Roscoe, Cr. Ev. h. t.; 1
Wheel. C. C. 202.
4. At common law receiving, stolen goods, knowing them to have
been stolen, is a misdemeanor. 2 Russ. Cr. 253.
RECESSION. A re-grant: the act of returning the title of a
country to a government which formerly held it, by one which has
it at the time; as the recession of Louisiana, which took place
by the treaty between France and Spain, of October 1, 1800. See 2
White's Coll. 516.
RECIDIVE, French law. The state of an individual who commits a
crime or misdemeanor, after having once been condemned for a
crime or misdemeanor; a relapse.
2. Many states provide, that for a second offence, the
punishment shall be increased in those cases the indictment
should set forth the crime or mis-dmeanor as a second offence.
3. The second offence must have been committed after tho
conviction for the first; a defendant could not be convicted of
a second offence, as such, until after he had suffered a
punishment for the first. Dall. Diet. h. t.
RECIPROCAL CONTRACT, civil law. One in which the parties enter
into mutual engagements.
2. They are divided into perfect and imperfect. When they are
perfectly reciprocal, the obligation of each of the parties is
equally a principal part of the contract, such as sale,
partnership, &c. Contracts imperfectly reciprocal are those in
which the obligation of one of the parties only is a principal
obligation of the contract; as, mandate, deposit, loan for use,
and the like. In all reciprocal contracts the consent of the
parties must be ex- pressed. Poth. Obl. n. 9; Civil Code of
Louis. art. 1758, 1759.
RECIPROCITY. Mutuality; state, quality or character of that
which is reci- procal.
2. The states of the Union are bound to many acts of
reciprocity. The constitution requires that they shall deliver to
each other fugitives from justice; that the records of one
state, properly authenticated, shall have full credit in the
other states; that the citizens of one state shall be citizens
of any state into which they may remove. In some of the states,
as in Pennsylvania, the rule with regard to the effect of a
discharge under the insolvent laws of another state, are
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 14 of 139
reciprocated; the discharges of those courts which respect the
discharges of the courts of Pennsylvania, are respected in that
state.
RECITAL, contracts, pleading. The repetition of some former
writing, or the statement of something which has been done.
Touchst. 76.
2. Recitals are used to explain those matters of fact which
are necessary to make the transaction intelligible. 2 Bl. Com.
298. It is said that when a deed of defeasance recites the deed
which it is meant to defeat, it must recite it truly. Cruise,
Dig. tit. 32, c 7, s. 28. In other cases it need not be so
particular. 3 Penna. Rep. 324; 3 Chan. Cas. 101; Co. Litt. 352
b; Com. Dig. Fait, E 1.
3. A party who executes a deed reciting a particular fact is
estopped from denying such fact; as, when it was recited in the
condition of a bond that the obligor had received divers sums of
money for the obligee which he had not brought to account, and
acknowledged that a balance was due to the obligee, it was holden
that the obligor was estopped to say that he had not received any
money for the use of the obligee. Willes, 9, 25; Rolle's Ab.
872, 3.
4. In pleading, when public statutes are recited, a small
variance will not be fatal, where by the recital the party is not
"tied up to the statute;" that is, if the conclusion be contra
formam statuti praediti. Sav. 42; 1 Chit. Crim. Law, 276 Esp. on
Penal Stat. 106. Private statutes must be recited in pleading,
and proved by an exemplified copy, unless the opposite party, by
his pleading admit them.
5. By the plea of nul tiel record, the party relying on a
private statute is put to prove it as recited, and a variance
will be fatal. See 4 Co. 76; March, Rep. 117, pl. 193; 3 Harr.
& McHen. 388. Vide. generally, 12 Vin. Ab. 129; 13 Vin. Ab. 417;
18 Vin. Ab. 162; 8 Com. Dig. 584; Com. Dig. Testemoigne-Evid. B
5; 4 Binn. R. 231; 1 Dall. R. 67; 3 Binn. R. 175; 3 Yeates,
R. 287; 4 Yeates, R. 362, 577; 9 Cowen, R. 86; 4 Mason, R.
268; Yelv. R. 127 a, note 1; Cruise, Dig. tit. 32, c. 20, s.
23; 5 Johns. Ch. Rep. 23; 7 Halst. R. 22; 2 Bailey's R. 101;
6 Harr. & Johns. 336; 9 Cowen's R. 271; 1 Dana's R. 327; 15
Pick. R. 68; 5 N. H. Rep. 467; 12 Pick. R, 157; Toullier in
his Droit Civil Francais, liv. 3, t. 3, c. 6, n. 157 et seq. has
examined this subject with his usual ability. 2 Hill. Ab. c. 29,
s. 30; 2 Bail. R. 430; 2 B. & A. 625; 2 Y. & J. 407; 5 Harr.
& John. 164; Cov. on Conv. Ev. 298, 315; Hurl. on Bonds, 33; 6
Watts & Serg. 469.
6. Formerly, in equity, the decree contained recitals of the
pleadings in the cause, which became a great grievance. Some of
the English chancellors endeavored to restrain this prolixity. By
the rules of practice for the courts in equity of the United
States it is provided, that in drawing up decrees and orders,
neither the bill, nor the answer, nor other pleading nor any part
thereof, nor the report of any master, nor any other prior
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 15 of 139
proceedings, shall be stated or recited in the decree or order.
Rule 86; 4 Bouv. Inst. n. 4443.
RECLAIM. To demand again, to insist upon a right; as, when a
defendant for a consideration received from the plaintiff, has
covenanted to do an act, and fails to do it, the plaintiff may
bring covenant for the breach, or assumpsit to reclaim the
consideration. 1 Caines, 47.
RECOGNITION, contracts. An acknowledgment that something which
has been done by one man in the name of another, was done by
authority of the latter.
2. A recognition by the principal of the agency of another in
the particular instance, or in similar instances, is evidence of
the authority of the agent, so that the recognition may be either
express or implied. As an instance of an implied recognition may
be mentioned the case of one who subscribes policies in the name
of another and, upon a loss happening, the latter pays the
amount. 1 Camp. R. 43, n. a; 1 Esp. Cas. 61; 4 Camp. R. 88.
RECOGNITORS, Eng. law. The name by which the jurors impanneled
on an assize are known. Barnet v. Ihrie, 17 S. & R. 174.
RECOGNIZANCE, contracts. An obligation of record entered into
before a court or officer duly authorized for that purpose, with
a condition to do some act required by law, which is therein
specified. 2 Bl. Com. 341; Bro. Ab. h. t.; Dick. Just. h. t.;
1 Chit. Cr. Law, 90.
2. Recognizances relate either to criminal or civil matters.
1. Recognizances in criminal cases, are either that the party
shall appear before the proper court to answer to such charges as
are or shall be made against him, that he shall keep the peace or
be of good behaviour. Witnesses are also required to be bound in
a recognizance to testify.
3. - 2. In civil cases, recognizances are entered into by
bail, conditioned that they will pay the debt, interest and costs
recovered by the plaintiff under certain contingencies. There are
also cases where recognizances are entered into under the
authority and requirements of statutes.
4. As to the form. The party need not sign it; the court,
judge or magis-trate having authority to take the same, makes a
short memorandum on the record, which is sufficient. 2 Binn. R.
481; 1 Chit. Cr. Law, 90; 2 Wash. C. C. R. 422; 9 Mass. 520;
1 Dana, 523; 1 Tyler, 291; 4 Verm. 488; 1 Stew. & Port. 465;
7 Vern. 529; 2 A. R. Marsh. 131; 5 S. & R. 147; Vide
generally, Com. Dig. Forcible Entry, D 27; Id. Obligation, K;
Whart. Dig. h. t. Vin. Ab. h. t.; Rolle's Ab. h. t.; 2 Wash. C.
C. Rep. 422; Id. 29; 2 Yeates, R. 437; 1 Binn. R. 98 , note 1
Serg. & Rawle, 328 3 Yeates, R. 93; Burn. Just. h. t. Vin. Ab.
h. t.; 2 Sell. Pract. 45.
RECOGNIZEE. He for whose use a recognizance has been taken.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 16 of 139
RECOGNISOR, contracts. He who enters into a recognizance.
RECOLEMENT, French law. The reading and reexamination by a
witness of a de-position, and his persistance in the saine, or
his making such alteration, as his better recollection may enable
him to do, after having read his deposition. Without such
reexamination the deposition is void. Poth. Proced. Cr. s. 4,
art. 4.
RECOMMENDATION. The giving to a person a favorable character
of another.
2. When the party giving the character has acted in good
faith, he is not responsible for the injury which a third person,
to whom such recommendation was given, may have, sustained in
consequence of it, although he was mistaken.
3. But when the recommendation is knowingly untrue, and an
injury is sus-tained, the party recommending is civilly
responsible for damages; 3 T. R. 51; 7 Cranch, 69; 14 Wend.
126; 7 Wend. 1; 6 Penn. St. R. 310 whether it was done merely
for the purpose of benefitting the party recommended, or the
party who gives the recommendation.
4. And in case the party recomended was a debtor to the one
recommending, and it was agreed prior to the transaction, that
the former should, out of the property to be obtained by the
recommendation, be paid; or in case of any other species of
collusion, to cheat the person to whom the credit is given, they
may both be criminally prosecuted for the conspiracy. Vide
Character, and Fell on Guar. ch. 8; 6 Johns. R. 181; 1 Davis
Ca. Er. 22; 13 Johns. R. 224; 5 N. S. 443.
RECOMPENSATION, Scolch law. When a party sues for a debt, and
the defendant pleads compensation, or set-off, the plaintiff may
allege a compensation on his part, and this is called a
recompensation. Bell's Dict. h. t.
RECOMPENSE. A reward for services; remuneration for goods or
other property.
2. In maritime law there is a distinction between recompense
and restitution. (q. v.) When goods have been lost by jettison,
if at any subsequent period of the voyage the remainder of the
cargo be lost, the owner of the goods lost by jettison cannot
claim restitution from the owners of the other goods; but in the
case of expenses incurred with a view to the general benefit, it
is clear that they ought to be made good to the party, whether he
be an agent employed by the master in a foreign port or the ship
owner himself.
RECOMPENSE OP RECOVERY IN VALUE. This phrase, is applied to
the matter reco- vered in a common recovery, after the vouchee
has disappeared, and judgment is given for the demandant. 2 Bouv.
Inst. n. 2093.
RECONCILIATION, contracts. The act of bringing persons to
agree together, who before, had had some difference.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 17 of 139
2. A renewal of cohabitation between hushand and wife is proof
of reconcil-iation, and such reconciliation destroys the effect
of a deed of separation. 4 Eccl. R. 238.
RECONDUCTION, civ. law. A renewing of a former lease;
relocation. (q. v.) Dig. 19, 2, 13, 11; Code Nap. art.
1737-1740.
RECONVENTION, civ. law. An action brought by a party who is
defendant against the plaintiff before the same judge.
Reconventio est petitio qua reus vicissim, quid ab actore petit,
ex eadem, vel diversa causa. Voet, in tit. de Judiciis, n. 78; 4
N. S. 439. To entitle the defendant to institute a demand in
reconvention, it is requisite that such demand, though different
from the main action, be nevertheless necessarily connected with
it and incidental to the same. Code of Pr. Lo. art. 375; 11 Lo.
R. 309; 7 N. S. 282; 8 N. S. 516.
2. The reconvention of the civil law was a species of
cross-bill. Story, Eq. Pl. §402. See Conventio; Bill in
chancery. Vide Demand in reconvention.
RECORD, evidence. A written memorial made by a public officer
authorized by law to perform that function, and intended to serve
as evidence of something written, said, or done. 6 Call, 78; 1
Dana, 595.
2. Records may be divided into those which relate to the
proceedings of congress and the state legislatures - the courts
of common law - the courts of chancery - and those which are made
so by statutory provisions.
3. - 1. Legislative acts. The acts of congress and of the
several legislatures are the highest kind of records. The printed
journals of congress have been so considered. 1 Whart. Dig. tit.
Evidence, pl. 112 and see Dougl. 593; Cowp. 17.
4. - 2. The proceedings of the courts of common law are
records. But every minute made by a clerk of a court for his own
future guidance in making up his record, is not a record. 4 Wash.
C. C. Rep. 698.
5. - 3. Proceedings in courts of chancery are said not to be,
strictly speaking, records; but they are so considered. Gresley
on Ev. 101.
6. - 4. The legislatures of the several states have made the
enrollment of certain deeds and other documents necessary in
order to perpetuate the memory of the facts they contain, and
declared that the copies thus made should have the effect of
records.
7. By the constitution of the United States, art. 4. s. 1, it
is declared that "full faith and credit shll be given, in each
state, to the public acts, records and judicial proceedings of
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 18 of 139
every other state; and the congress may, by general laws,
prescribe the manner in which such acts, records and proceedings
shall be proved, and the effect thereof." In pursuance of this
power, congress have passed several acts directing the manner of
authenticating public records, which will be found under the
article Authentication.
8. Numerous decisions have been made under these acts, some of
which are here referred to. 7 Cranch, 471; 3 Wheat. 234; 4
Cowen, 292; 1 N. H. Rep. 242; 1 Ohio Reports, 264; 2 Verm. R.
263; 5 John. R. 37; 4 Conn. R. 380; 9 Mass 462; 10 Serg. &
Rawle, 240; 1 Hall's N. York Rep. 155; 4 Dall. 412; 5 Serg. &
Rawle, 523; 1 Pet. S. C. Rep. 352. Vide, generally, 18 Vin. Ab.
17; 1 Phil. Ev. 288; Bac. Ab. Amendment, &c., H; 1 Kent, Com.
260; Archb. Civ. Pl. 395; Gresley on Ev. 99; Stark. Ev. Index,
h. t.; Dane's Ab. Index, h. t.; Co. Litt. 260; 10 Pick. R. 72;
Bouv. Inst. Index, h. t.
TO RECORD, the act of making a record. 2. Sometimes questions
arise as to when the act of recording is complete, as in the
following case. A deed of real estate was acknowledged before the
register of deeds and handed to him to be recorded, and at the
same instant a creditor of the grantor attached the real estate;
in this case it was held the act of recording was incomplete
without a certificate of the acknowledgment, and wanting that,
the attaching creditor had the preference. 10 Pick. Rep. 72.
3. The fact of an instrument being recorded is held to operate
as a constructive notice upon all subsequent purchasers of any
estate, legal or equitable, in the same property. 1 John. Ch. R.
394.
4. But all conveyances and deeds which may be de facto
recorded, are not to be considered as giving notice; in order to
have this effect the instruments must be such as are authorized
to be recorded, and the registry must have been made in
compliance with the law, otherwise the registry is to be treated
as a mere nullity, and it will not affect a subsequent purchaser
or encumbrancer unless he has such actual notice as would amount
to a fraud. 2 Sell. & Lef. 68; 1 Sch. & Lef. 157; 4 Wheat. R.
466; 1 Binn. R. 40; 1 John. Ch. R. 300; 1 Story, Eq. Jur.
§403, 404; 5 Greenl. 272.
RECORD OF NISI PRIUS, Eng. law. A transcript from the issue
roll; it contains a copy of the pleadings and issue. Steph. Pl.
105.
RECORDARI FACIAS LOQUELAM, English practice. A writ commanding
the sheriff, that he cause the plaint to be recorded which is in
his county, without writ, between the parties there named, of the
cattle, goods, and chattels of the complainant taken and unjustly
distrained as it is said, and that he have the said record before
the court on a day therein named, and that he prefix the same day
to the parties, that then they may be there ready to proceed in
the same plaint, 2 Sell. Pr. 166. See Refalo.
RECORDATUR. An order or allowance that the verdict returned on
the nisi prius roll, be recorded. Bac. Ab. Arbitr. &c., D.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 19 of 139
RECORDER. 1. A judicial officer of some cities, possessing
generally the powers and authority of a judge. 3 Yeates' R. 300;
4 Dall. Rep. 299; but see 1 Rep. Const. Ct. 45. Anciently,
recorder signified to recite or testify on re-collection as
occasion might require what had previously passed in court, and
this was the duty of the judges, thence called recordeurs. Steph.
Plead. note 11. 2. An officer appointed to make record or
onrolment of deeds and other legal instruments, authorized by law
to be recorded.
TO RECOUPE. This word is derived from the French recouper, to
cut again. In law it signifies the right and the act of making a
set-off, defalcation, or discount, by the defendant, to the claim
of the plaintiff. 21 Wend. It. 342. In another sense it signifies
to recompense. 19 Ves. 123.
RECOVERER. The demandant in a common recovery, after judgment
has been given in his favor, assumes the name of recoverer.
RECOVERY. A recovery, in its most extensive sense, is the
restoration of a former right, by the solemn judgment of a Court
of justice. 3 Murph. 169.
2. A recovery is either true or actual, or it is feigned or
common. A true recovery, usually known by the name of recovery
simply, is the procuring a former right by the judgment of a
court of competent jurisdiction; as, for example, when judgment
is given in favor of the plaintiff when he seeks to recover a
thing or a right.
3. A common recovery is a judgment obtained in a fictitious
suit, brought against the tenant of the freehold, in consequence
of a default made by the person who is last vouched to warranty
in such suit. Bac. Tracts, 148.
4. Common recoveries are considered as mere forms of
conveyance or common assurances; although a common recovery is a
fictitious suit, yet the same mode of proceeding must be pursued,
and all the forms strictly adhered to, which are necessary to be
observed in an adversary suit. The first thing therefore
necessary to be done in suffering a common recovery is, that the
person who is to be the demandant, and to whom the lands are to
be adjudged, would sue out a writ or praecipe against the tenant
of the freehold; whence such tenant is usually called the tenant
to the praecipe. In obedience to this writ the tenant appears in
court either in person or by his attorney; but, instead of
defending the title to the land himself, he calls on some other
person, who upon the original purchase is supposed to have
warranted the title, and prays that the person may be called in
to defend the title which he warranted, or otherwise to give the
tenant lands of equal value to those he shall lose by the defect
of his warranty. This is called the voucher vocatia, or calling
to warranty. The person thus called to warrant, who is usually
called the vouchee, appears in court, is impleaded, and enters
into the warranty by which means he takes upon himself the
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 20 of 139
defence of the land. The defendant desires leave of the court to
imparl, or confer with the vouchee in private, which is granted
of course. Soon after the demand and returns into court, but the
vouchee disappears or makes default, in consequence of which it
is presumed by the court, that he has no title to the lands
demanded in the writ, and therefore cannot defend them;
whereupon judgment is given for the demandant, now called the
recoverer, to recover the lands in question against the tenant,
and for the tenant to recover against the vouchee, lands of equal
value in recom-pense for those so warranted by him, and now lost
by his default. This is called the recompense of recovery in
value; but as it is, customary for the crier of the court to
act, who is hence called the common vouchee, the tenant can only
have a nominal, and not a real recompense, for the land thus
recovered against him by the demandant. A writ of habere facias
is then sued out, directed to the sheriff of the county in which
the lands thus recovered are situated; and, on the execution and
return of the writ, the recovery is completed. The recovery here
described is with single voucher; but a recovery may, and is
frequently suffered with double, treble, or further voucher, as
the exigency of the case may require, in which case there are
several judgments against the several vouchees.
5. Common recoveries were invented by the ecclesiastics in
order to evade the statute of mortmain by which they were
prohibited from purchasing or re-ceiving under the pretence of a
free gift, any land or tenements whatever. They have been used in
some states for the purpose of breaking the entail of estates.
Vide, generally, Cruise, Digest, tit. 36; 2 Saund. 42, n. 7; 4
Kent, Com. 487; Pigot on Common Recoveries, passim.
6. All the learning in relation to common recoveries is nearly
obsolete, as they are out of use. Rey, a French writer, in his
work, Des Institutions Judicaire del'Angleterre, tom. ii. p. 221,
points out what appears to him the absurdity of a common
recovery. As to common recoveries, see 9 S. & R . 330; 3 S. & R.
435; 1 Yeates, 244; 4 Yeates, 413; 1 Whart. 139, 151; 2
Rawle, 168; 2 Halst. 47; 5 Mass. 438; 6 Mass. 328; 8 Mass.
34; 3 Harr. & John. 292; 6 P. S. R. 45,
RECREANT. A Coward; a poltroon. 3 Bl. Com. 340.
RECRIMINATION, crim. law. An accusation made by a person
accused against his accuser, either of having committed the same
offence, or another.
2. In general recrimination does not excuse the person
accused, nor diminish his punishment, because the guilt of
another can never excuse him. But in applications for divorce on
the ground of adultery, if the party defendant, can prove that
the plaintiff or complainant has been guilty of the same offence,
the divorce will not be granted. 1 Hagg. C. Rep. 144; S. C. 4
Eccl. Rep. 360. The laws of Pennsylvania contain a provision to
the same effect. Vide 1 Hagg. Eccl. R. 790; 3 Hagg. Eccl. R. 77;
1 Hagg. Cons. R . 147; 2 Hagg. Cons. R. 297; Shelf. on Mar. and
Div. 440; Dig. 24, 3, 39; Dig. 48, 5, 13, 5; 1 Addams, R. 411;
Compensation; Condonation; Divorce,
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 21 of 139
RECRUIT. A newly made soldier.
RECTO. Right. (q.v.) Brevederecto, writ of right. (q. v.)
RECTOR, Eccl. law. One who rules or governs a name given to
certain officers of the Roman church. Dict. Canonique, h. v.
RECTORY, Engl. law. Corporeal real property, consisting of a
church, glebe lands and tithes. 1 Chit. Pr. 163.
RECTUS IN CURIA. Right in court. One who stands at the bar,
and no one objects any offence, or prefers any charge against
him.
2. When a person outlawed has reversed his outlawry, so that
he can have the benefit of the law, he is said to be rectus in
curia. Jacob, L. D. h. t.
RECUPERATORES, Roman civil law. A species of judges originally
established, it is supposed, to decide controversies between
Roman citizens and strangers, concerning the right to the
possession of property requiring speedy remedy; but gradually
extended to questions which might be brought before ordinary
judges. After this enlargement of their powers, the difference
between them and judges, it is supposed, was simply this: If the
praetor named three judges he called them recuperatores; if one,
he called him judex. But opinions on this subject are very
various. (Colman De Romano judicio recuperatorio,) Cicero's
oration pro Coecin, 1, 3, was addressed to Recuperators.
RECUSANTS, or POPISH RECUSANTS, Engl. law. Persons who refuse
to make the declarations against popery, and such as promote,
encourage, or profess the popish religion.
2. These are by law liable to restraints, forfeitures and
inconveniences, which are imposed upon them by various acts of
parliament. Happily in this country no religious sect has the
ascendency, and all persons are free to profess what religion
they conscientiously believe to be the right one.
RECUSATION, civ. law. A plea or exception by which the
defendant requires that the judge having jurisdiction of the
cause, should abstain from deciding upon the ground of interest,
or for a legal objection to his prejudice.
2. A recusation is not a plea to the jurisdiction of the
court, but simply to the person of the judge. It may, however,
extend to all the judges, as when the party has a suit against
the whole court. Poth. Proced. Civ. 1ere part., ch. 2, s. 5. It
is a personal challenge of the judge for cause.
3. It is a maxim of every good system of law, that a man shall
not be judge in his own cause. 2 L. R. 390; 6 L. R. 134 Ayl.
Parerg. 451; Dict. de Jur. h. t.; Merl. Repert. h. t.; vide
Jacob's Intr. to the Com. Civ. and Can. L. 11; 8 Co. 118 Dyer,
65. Dall. Diet. h. t.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 22 of 139
4. By recusation is also understood the challenge of jurors.
Code of Practice of Louis. art. 499, 500. Recusation is also an
act, of what nature soever it may be, by which a strange heir, by
deeds or words, declares he will not be heir. Dig. 29, 2, 95.
See, generally, 1 Hopk. Ch. R. 1; 5 Mart. Lo. R. 292; and
Challenge.
REDDENDO SINGULA SINGULIS, construction. By rendering each his
own; for example, when two descriptions of property are given
together in one mass, both the next of kin and the heir cannot
take, unless in cases where a construction can be made reddendo
singula singulis, that the next of kin shall take the personal
estate aud the heir at law the real estate. 14 Ves. 490. Vide 11
East,, 513, n.; Bac. Ab. Conditions, L.
REDDENDUM, contracts. A word used substantively, and is that
clause in a deed by which the grantor reserves something new to
himself out of that which he granted before, and thus usually
follows the tenendum, and is generally in these words "yielding
and paying."
2. In every good reddendum or reservation, these things must
concur; namely, 1. It must be apt words. 2, It must be of some
other thing issuing or coming out of the thing granted, and not a
part of the thing itself, nor of something issuing out of another
thing. 3. It must be of such thing on which the grantor may
resort to distrain 4. It must be made to one of the grantors and
not to a stranger to the deed. Vid 2 Bl. Com. 299; Co. Litt. 47;
Touchs 80; Cruise, Dig. tit. 32, c. 24, s. 1; Dane' Ab. Index,
h. t.
REDEMPTION, contracts. The act of taking back by the seller
from the buyer a thing which had been sold subject to th right of
repurchase.
2. The right of redemption then is an agreement by which the
seller reserves to himself the power of taking back the thing
sold by returning the price paid for it. As to the fund out of
which a mortgaged estate is to be redeemed, see Payment. Vide
Equity of redemption.
REDEMPTIONES. Heavy fines, contradistinguished from
misericordia. (q. v.)
REDHIBITION, civil law, and in Louisiana. The avoidance of a
sale on account of some vice or defect in the thing sold, which
renders it absolutely useless, or its use so inconvenient and
imperfect, that it must be supposed that the buyer would not have
purchased it, had he known of the vice. Civ. Code of Lo. 2496.
Redhibition is also the name of an action which the purchaser of
a defective movable thing may bring to cause the sale to be
annulled, and to recover the price he has paid for it. Vide Dig.
21, 1.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 23 of 139
2. The rule of caveat emptor, (q. v.) in the common law,
places a purchaser in a different position from his situation
under the like circumstances under the civil law; unless there
is an express warranty, he can seldom annul a sale or recover
damages on account of a defect in the thing sold. Chitty, Contr.
133, et seq.; Sugd. Vend. 222 2 Kent, Com. 374; Co. Litt. 102,
a; 2 B1. Com. 452; Bac. Ab. Action on the case, E; 2 Com.
Cont. 263.
REDIDIT SE, Eng. practice. He surrendered himself. This is
endorsed on the bail piece when a certificate has been made by
the proper officer that the defendant is in custody. Pr. Reg. 64;
Com. Dig. Bail Q 4.
REDITUS ALBI. A rent payable in money; sometimes called white
rent or, blanche farm. Vide Alba firma.
REDITUS NIGRI. A rent payable in grain, work, and the like;
It was also called black mail. This name was given to it to
distinguish it from reditus albi, which was payable in money.
Vide Alba firma.
RE-DRAFT, comm. law. A bill of exchange drawn at the place
where another bill was made payable, and where it was protested,
upon the place where the first bill was drawn, or when there is
no regular commercial intercourse rendering that practicable,
then in the next best or most direct practicable course. 1 Bell's
Com. 406, 5th ed. Vide Reexchange.
REDRESS. The act of receiving satisfaction for an injury
sustained. For the mode of obtaining redress, vide Remedies 1
Chit. Pr. Annal. Table.
REDUBBERS, crim law. Those who bought stolen cloth, and dyed
it of another color to prevent its being identified, were
anciently so called. 3 Inst. 134.
REDUNDANCY. Matter introduced in an answer, or pleading, which
is foreign to the bill or articles.
2. In the case of Dysart v. Dysart, 3 Curt. Ecc. R. 543, in
giving the judgment of the court, Dr. Lushigton says: "It may
not, perhaps, be easy to define the meaning of this term
[redundant] in a short sentence, but the true meaning I take to
be this: the respondent is not to insert in his answer any
matter foreign to the articles he is called upon to answer,
although such matter may be admissible in a plea; but he may, in
his answer, plead matter by way of explanation pertinent to the
articles, even if such matter shall be solely in his own
knowledge and to such extent incapable of proof; or he may state
matter which can be substantiated by witnesses; but in this
latter instance, if such matter be introduced into the answer and
not afterwards put in the plea or proved, the court will give no
weight or credence to such part of the answer."
3. A material distinction is to be observed between redundancy
in the alle- gation and redundancy in the proof. In the former
case, a variance between the allegation and the proof will be
fatal if the redundant allegations are descriptive of that which
is essential. But in the latter case, redundancy cannot vitiate,
because more is proved than is alleged, unless the matter
superfluously proved goes to contradict some essential part of
the allegation. 1 Greenl. Ev. §67; 1 Stark. Ev. 401.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 24 of 139
RE-ENTRY, estates. The resuming or retaking possession of land
which the-party lately had.
2. Ground rent deeds and leases frequently contain a clause
authorizing the landlord to reenter on the non-payment of rent,
or the breach of some cove-nant, when the estate is forfeited.
Story, Eq. Jur. §1315; 1 Fonb. Eq. B. 1, c. 6, §4, note h.
Forfeitures for the non-payment of rent being the most common,
will here alone be considered. When such a forfeiture has taken
place, the lessor or his assigns have a right to repossess
themselves of the demised premises.
3. Great niceties must be observed in making such reentry.
Unless they have been dispensed with by the agreement of the
parties, several things are required by law to be previously done
by the landlord or reversioner to entitle him to reenter. 3 Call,
424; 8 Watts, 51; 9 Watts, 258; 18 John. 450; 4 N. H. Rep.
254; 13 Wend. 524; 6 Halst. 270; 2 N. H. Rep. 164; 1 Saund.
287, n. 16.
4. - 1. There must be a demand of rent. Com. Dig. Rent, D 3 a
18 Vin. Ab. 482; Bac. Ab. Rent, H.
5. - 2. The demand must be of the precise rent due, for the
demand of a penny more or less will avoid the entry. Com. Dig.
Rent, D 5. If a part of the rent be paid, a reentry may be made
for the part unpaid. Bac. Ab. Conditions, O 4; Co. Litt. 203;
Cro. Jac. 511.
6. - 3. It must be made precisely on the day when the rent is
due and payable by the lease, to save the forfeiture. 7 T. R.
117. As where the lease contains a proviso that if the rent shall
be behind and unpaid, for the space of thirty, or any other
number of days, it must be made on the thirtieth or last day.
Com. Dig. Rent, D 7; Bac. Abr. Rent, I.
7. - 4. It must be made a convenient time before sunset, that
the money may be counted and a receipt given, while there is
light enough reasonably to do so therefore proof of a demand in
the afternoon of the last day, without showing in what part of
the afternoon it was made, and that it was towards sunset or late
in the afternoon, is not sufficient. Jackson v. Harrison, 17
Johns. 66; Com. Dig. Rent, D 7; Bac. Abr. Rent, I.
8. - 5. It must be made upon the land, and at the most
notorious place of it. 6 Bac. Abr. 31; 2 Roll. Abr. 428; see 16
Johns. 222. Therefore, if there be a dwelling-house upon the
laud, the demand must be made at the front door, though it is not
necessary to enter the house, notwithstanding the door be open;
if woodland be the subject of the lease, a demand ought to be
made at the gate, or some highway leading through the woods as
the most notorious. Co. Litt. 202; Com. Dig. Rent, D. 6.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 25 of 139
9. - 6. Unless a place is appointed where the rent is payable,
in which case a demand must be made at such place; Com. Dig.
Rent, D. 6; for the presumption is the tenant was there to pay
it. Bac. Abr. Rent, I.
10. - 7. A demand of the rent must be made in fact, although
there should be no person on the land ready to pay it. Bac. Ab.
Rent, I.
11. - 8. If after these requisites have been performed by the
lessor or reversioner, the tenant neglects or refuses to pay the
rent, and no sufficient distress can be found on the premises,
then the lessor or reversioner is to reenter. 6 Serg. & Rawle,
151; 8 Watts, R. 51; 1 Saund. 287, n. 16. He should then openly
declare before the witnesses he may have provided for the
purpose, that for the want of a sufficient distress, and because
of the non-payment of the rent demanded, mentioning the amount,
he reenters and re-possesses himself of the premises.
12. A tender of the rent by the tenant to the lessor, made on
the last day, either on or off the premises, will save the
forfeiture.
13. It follows as a necessary inference from what has been
premised, that a demand made before or after the last day which
the lessee has to pay the rent, in order to prevent the
forfeiture, or off the land, will not be sufficient to defeat the
estate. 7 T. R. 11 7.
14. The forfeiture may be waived by the lessor, in the case of
a lease for years, by his acceptance of rent, accruing since the
forfeiture, provided he knew of the cause. 3 Rep. 64.
15. A reentry cannot be made for nonpayment of rent if there
is any distrainable property on the premises, which may be taken
in satisfaction of the rent, and every part of the premises must
be searched. 2 Phil. Ev. 180.
16. The entry may be made by the lessor or reversioner
himself, or by attorney; Cro. Eliz. 601; 7 T. R. 117; the
entry of one joint tenant or tenant in common, enures to the
benefit of the whole. Hob 120.
17. After the entry has been made, evidence of it ought to be
perpetuated.
18. Courts of chancery will generally make the lessor account
to the lessee for the profits of the estate, during the time of
his being in possession; and will compel him, after he has
satisfied the rent in arrear, and the costs attending his entry,
and detention of the lands, to give up the possession to the
lessee, and to pay him the surplus profits of the estate. 1 Co.
Litt. 203 a, n. 3; 1 Lev. 170; T.. Raym. 135, 158; 3 Cruise,
299, 300. See also 6 Binn. 420; 18 Ves. 60; Bac. Ab. Rent, K;
3 Call, 491; 18 Ves. 58 2 Story, Eq. Jur. §1315; 4 Bing. R.
178; 33 En . C. L. It. 312 , 1 How. S. C. R. 211
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 26 of 139
REEVE. The name of an ancient English officer of justice,
inferior in rank to an alderman.
2. He was a ministerial officer, appointed to execute process,
keep the king's peace, and put the laws in execution. He
witnessed all contracts and bargains; brought offenders to
justice, and delivered them to punishment; took bail for such as
were to appear at the county court, and presided at the court or
folcmote. He was also called gerefa.
3. There were several kinds of reeves as the shire-gerefa,
shire-reeve or sheriff; the heh-gerefa, or high-sheriff,
tithing-reeve, burgh or borough-reeve.
RE-EXAMINATION. A second examination of a thing. A witness
maybe reexamined, in a trial at law, in the discretion of the
court, and this is seldom refused. In equity, it is a general
rule that there can be no reexamination of a witness, after he
has once signed his name to the deposition, and turned his back
upon the commissioner or examiner; the reason of this is that he
may be tam-pered with or induced to retract or qualify what he
has sworn to. 1 Meriv. 130.
RE-EXCHANGE, contracts, commerce. The expense incurred by a
bill's being dishonored in a foreign country where it is made
payable, and returned to that country in which it was made or
indorsed, and there taken up; the amount of this depends upon
the course of exchange between the two countries, through which
the bill has been negotiated. In other words, reexchange is the
difference between the draft and redraft.
2. The drawer of a bill is liable for the whole amount of
reexchange occasioned by the circuitous mode of returning the
bill through the various countries in which it has been
negotiated, as much as for that occasioned by a direct return.
Maxw. L. D. ii. t.; 5 Com. Dig. 150.
3. In some states, legislative enactments have been made which
regulate damages on reexchange. These damages are different in
the several states, and this want of uniformity, if it does not
create injustice, must be admitted to be a serious evil. 2 Amer.
Jur. 79. See Chit. on Bills. (ed. of 1836,) 666. See Damages on
Bills of Exchange.
REFALO. A word composed of the three initial syllables re. fa.
lo., for recordari facias loquelam. (q. v.) 2 Sell. Pr 160; 8
Dowl. R. 514.
REFECTION, civil law. Reparation, reestablishment of a
building. Dig. 19, 1, 6, 1.
REFEREE. A person to whom has been referred a matter in
dispute, in order that he may settle it. His judgment is called
an award. Vide Arbitrator; Reference.
REFERENCE, contracts. An agreement to submit to certain
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 27 of 139
arbitrators, mat- ters in dispute between two or more parties,
for their decision, and judgment. The persons to whom such
matters are referred are sometimes called referees.
REFERENCE, mercantile law. A direction or request by a party
who asks a cre-dit to the person from whom he expects it, to call
on some other person named in order to ascertain the character or
mercantile standing of the former.
REFERENCE, practice. The act of sending any matter by a court
of chancery or one exercising equitable powers, to a master or
other officer, in order that he may ascertain facts and report to
the court. By reference is also understood that part of an
instrument of writing where it points to another for the matters
therein contained. For the effect of such reference, see 1 Pick.
R. 27; 17 Mass. R. 443; 15 Pick. R. 66; 7 Halst. R. 25; 14
Wend. R. 619; 10 Conn. R. 422; 4 Greenl. R. 14, 471; 3 Greenl.
R. 393; 6 Pick. R. 460; the thing referred to is also called a
reference.
REFERENDUM, international law. When an amhassador receives
propositions touching an object over which he has no sufficient
power and he is without instruction, he accepts it ad referendum,
that is, under the condition that it shall be acted upon by his
government, to which it is referred. The note addressed in that
case to his government to submit the question to its
consideration is called a referendum.
REFORM. To reorganize; to rearrange as, the jury "shall be
reformed by putting to and taking out of the persons so
impanneled." Stat. 3 H. VIII. c. 12; Bac. Ab. Juries, A.
2. To reform an instrument in equity, is to make a decree that
a deed or other agreement shall be made or construed as it was
originally intended by the parties, when an error or mistake as
to a fact has been committed. A contract has been reformed,
although the party applying to the court was in the legal
profession, and he himself drew the contract, it appearing clear
that it was framed so as to admit of a construction inconsistent
with the true agreement of the parties. 1 Sim. & Stu. 210; 3
Russ. R. 424. But a contract will not be reformed in consequence
of an error of law. 1 Russ. & M. 418; 1 Chit. Pr. 124.
REFORMATION, criminal law. The act of bringing back a criminal
to such a sense of justice, so that he may live in society
without any detriment to it.
2. The object of the criminal law ought to be to reform the
criminal, while it protects society by his punishment. One of the
best attempts at reformation is the plan of solitary confinement
in a penitentiary. While the convict has time to reflect he
cannot be injured by evil example or corrupt communication.
TO REFRESH. To reexamine a subject by having a reference to
something connected with it.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 28 of 139
2. A witness has a right to examine a memorandum or paper
which he made in relation to certain facts, when the same
occurred, in order to refresh his memory, but the paper or
memorandum itself is not evidence. 5 Wend. 301; 12 S. & R. 328;
6 Pick. 222; 1 A. K. Marsh. 188; 2 Conn. 213. See 1 Rep. Const.
Ct. 336, 373, 423.
TO REFUND. To pay back by the party who has received it, to
the party who has paid it, money which ought not to have been
paid.
2. On a deficiency of assets, executors and administrators cum
testamento annexo, are entitled to have refunded to them legacies
which they may have paid, or so much as may be necessary. to pay
the debts of the testator; and in order to insure this, they are
generally authorized to require a refunding bond. Vide 8 Vin. Ab.
418; 18 In Vin. Ab. 273; Bac. Ab. Legacies, H.
REFUSAL. The act of declining to receive or to do something.
2. A grantee may refuse a title, vide Assent; one appointed
executor may refuse to act as such. la some cases, a neglect to
perform a duty which the party is required by law or his
agreement to do, will amount to a refusal.
REGENCY. The authority of the person in monarchical countries
invested with the right of governing the state in the name of the
monarch, during his minority, absence, sickness or other
inability.
REGENT. 1. A ruler, a governor. The term is usually applied to
one who governs a regency, or rules in the place of another.
2. In the canon law, it signifies a master or professor of a
college. Dict. du Dr. Call. h. t. 3. It sometimes means simply a
ruler, director, or superintendent; as, in New York, where the
board who have the superintendence of all the colleges, academies
and schools, are called the regents of the University of the
state of New York.
REGIAM MAJESTATEM. The name of an ancient law book ascribed to
David I of Scotland. It is, according to Dr. Robertson, a servile
copy of Glanville. Ro- bertson's Hist. of Charles V., vol. 1,
note 25, p. 262; Ersk. Prin. B. 1, t. 1, n. 13.
REGICIDE. The killing of a king, aud, by extension, of a
queen. Theorie des Lois Criminelles, vol. 1, p. 300.
REGIDOR. Laws of the Spanish empire of the Indies. One of a
body, never exceeding twelve, who formed a part of the
ayuntamiento or municipal council in every capital of a
jurisdiction. The office of regidor was held for life, that is to
say, during the pleasure of the supreme authority. In most places
the office was purchased; in some cities, however, they were
elected by persons of the district, called capitulares. 12 Pet.
R. 442, note.
REGIMIENTO. Laws of the Spanish empire of the Indies. The body
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 29 of 139
of regidores who never exceeded twelve, forming a part of the
municipal council or ayuntamiento, in every capital of a
jurisdiction. 12 Pet. Rep. 442, note.
REGISTER, evidence. A book containing a record of facts as
they occur, kept by public authority; a register of births,
marriages and burials.
2. Although not originally intended for the purposes of
evidence, public registers are in general admissible to prove the
facts to which they relate.
3. In Pennsylvania, the registry of births, &c. made by any
religious society in the state, is evidence by act of assembly,
but it must be proved as at common law. 6 Binn. R. 416. A copy of
the register of births and deaths of the Society of Friends in
England, proved before the lord mayor of London by an ex parte
affidavit, was allowed to be given in evidence to prove the death
of a person; 1 Dall. 2; and a copy of a parish register in
Barbadoes, certi-fied to be a true copy by the rector, proved by
the oath of a witness, taken before the deputy secretary of the
island and notary public, under his hand and seal was held
admissible to prove pedigree; the handwriting and office of the
secretary being proved. 10 Serg. & Rawle, 383.
4. In North Carolina, a parish register of births, marriages
and deaths, kept pursuant to the statute of that state, is
evidence of pedigree. 2 Murphey's R. 47.
5. In Connecticut, a parish register has been received in
evidence. 2 Root, R. 99. See 15 John. R. 226. Vide 1 Phil. Ev.
305; 1 Curt. R. 755; 6 Eng. Eccl. R. 452; Cov. on Conv. Ev.
304.
REGISTER, common law. The certificate of registry granted to
the person or persons entitled thereto, by the collector of the
district, comprehending the port to which any ship or vessel
shall belong; more properly, the registry itself. For the form,
requisites, &c. of certificate of registry, see Act of Con. Dec.
31, 1792; Story's Laws U. S. 269 3 Kent, Com. 4th ed. 141.
REGISTER or REGISTRAR. An officer authorized by law to keep a
record called a register or registry; as the register for the
probate of wills.
REGISTER FOR THE PROBATE OF WILLS. An officer in Pennsylvania,
who has gene- rally the same powers that judges of probates and
surrogates have in other states, and the ordinary has in England,
in admitting the wills of deceased persons to probate.
REGISTER OF WRITS. This is a book preserved in the English
court of chancery, in which were entered, from time to time, all
forms of writs once issued.
2. It was first printed and published in the reign of Henry
VIII. This book is still in authority, as containing, in general,
an accurate transcript of the forms of all writs as then framed,
and as they ought still to be framed in modern practice.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 30 of 139
3. It seems, however, that a variation from the register is
not conclusive against the propriety of a form, if other
sufficient authority can be adduced to prove its correctness.
Steph. Pl. 7, 8.
REGISTRARIUS. An ancient name given to a notary. In England
this name is confined to designate the officer of some court, the
records or archives of which are in his custody.
REGISTRUM BREVIUM. The name of an ancient book which was a
collection of writs. See Register of Writs
REGISTRY. A book authorized by law, in which writings are
registered or recorded. Vide To Record; Register.
REGNANT. One having authority as a king; one in the exercise
of royal authority.
REGRATING, crim. law. Every practice or device, by act,
conspiracy, words, or news, to enhance the price of victuals or
other merchandise, is so denomin-ated. 3 Inst. 196; 1 Russ. on
Cr. 169.
2. In the Roman law, persons who monopolized grain, and other
produce of the earth, were called dardanarii, and were variously
punished. Dig. 47, 11, 6.
REGRESS. Returning; going back opposed to ingress. (q. v.)
REGULAR DEPOSIT. One where the thing deposited must be
returned. It is distinguished from an irregular deposit.
REGULAR AND IRREGULAR PROCESS. Regular process is that which
has been lawfully issued by a court or magistrate, having
competent jurisdiction. Irregular process is that which has been
illegally issued.
2. When the process is regular, and the defendant has been
damnified, as in the case of a malicious arrest, his remedy is by
an action on the case, and not trespass: when it is irregular,
the remedy is by action of trespass.
3. If the process be wholly illegal or misapplied as to the
person intended to be arrested, without regard to any question of
fact, or whether innocent or guilty, or the existence of any
debt, then the party imprisoned may legally resist the arrest and
imprisonment, and may escape, be rescued, or even break prison;
but if the process and imprisonment were in form legal, each of
these acts would be punishable, however innocent the defendant
might be, for he ought to submit to legal process, and obtain his
release by due course of law. 1 Chit. Pr. 637; 5 East, R. 304,
308; S. C. 1 Smitt's Rep. 555; 6 T. R. 234; Foster, C. L. 312;
2 Wils. 47; 1 East, P. C. 310 Hawk. B. 2, c. 19, s. 1, 2.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 31 of 139
4. When a party has been arrested on process which has
afterwards been set aside for irregularity, he may bring an
action of trespass and recover damages as well against the
attorney who issued it, as the party, though such process will
justify the officer who executed it. 8 Adolph. & Ell. 449; S. C.
35 E. C. L. R. 433; 15 East, R. 615, note c; 1 Stra. 509; 2 W.
Bl. Rep., 845; 2 Conn. R. 700; 9 Conn. 141; 11 Mass. 500; 6
Greenl. 421; 3 Gill & John. 377; 1 Bailey, R. 441; 2 Litt.
234; 3 S. & R. 139 12 John. 257 3 Wils. 376; and vide Malicious
Prosecution.
REHABILlTATION. The act by which a man is restored to his
former ability, of which he had been deprived by a conviction,
sentence or judgment of a competent tribunal.
REHEARING. A second consideration which the court gives to a
cause, on a second argument.
2. A rehearing takes place principally when the court has
doubts on the subject to be decided; but it cannot be granted by
the supreme court after the cause has been remitted to the court
below to carry into effect the decree of the supreme court. 7
Wheat. 58.
REI INTERVENTUS. When a party is imperfectly bound in an
obligation, he may in general, annul such imperfect obligation;
but when he has permitted the opposite party to act as if his
obligation or agreement were complete, such things have
intervened as to deprive him of the right to rescind such
obligation; these circumstances are the rei interventus. Bell's
Com. 328, 329, 5th ed.; Burt. Man. P. R. 128.
RE-INSURANCE, mar. contr. An insurance made by a former
insurer, his executors, administrators, or assigns, to protect
himself and his estate from a risk to which they were liable by
the first insurance.
2. It differs from a double insurance (q. v.) in this, that in
the latter cases, the insured makes two insurances on the same
risk and the same interest.
3. The insurer on a re-insurance is answerable only to the
party whom he has insured, and not to the original insured, who
can have no remedy against him in case of loss, even though the
original insurer become insolvent, because there is no privity of
contract between them and the original insured. 3 Kent, Com. 227;
Park. on Ins. c. 15, p. 276; Marsh. Ins. B. 1, c. 4, s. 4
REISSUABLE NOTES. Bank notes, which after having been once
paid, may again be put into circulation, are so called.
2. They cannot properly be called valuable securities, while
in the hands of the maker; but in an indictment, may properly be
called goods and chattels. Ry. & Mood. C. C. 218; vide 5 Mason's
R. 537; 2 Russ. on Cr. 147. And such notes would fall within the
description of promissory notes. 2 Leach, 1090, 1093; Russ. &
Ry. 232. Vide Bank note; Note; Promissory note.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 32 of 139
REJOINDER, pleadings. The name of the defendant's answer to
the plaintiff's replication.
2. The general requisites of a rejoinder are, 1. It must be
triable. 2. It must not be double, nor will several rejoinders be
allowed to the same declaration. 3. It must be certain. 4. It
must be direct and positive, and not merely by way of recital or
argumentative. 5. it must not be repugnant or insensible. 6. It
must be conformable to, and not depart from the plea. Co. Litt.
304; 6 Com. Dig. 185 Archb. Civ. Pl. 278; U. S. Dig, Pleading,
XIII.
RELAPSE. The condition of one who, after having abandoned a
course of vice, returns to it again. Vide Recidive.
RELATION, civil law. The report which the judges made of the
proceedings in certain suits to the prince were so called.
2. These relations took place when the judge had no law to
direct him, or when the laws were susceptible of difficulties;
it was then referred to the prince, who was the author of the
law, to give the interpretation. Those reports were made in
writing and contained the pleadings of the parties, and all the
proceedings, together with the judge's opinion, and prayed the
emperor to order what should be done. The ordinance of the prince
thus required was called a rescript. (q. v.) the use of these
relations was abolished by Justinian, Nov. 125.
RELATION, contracts, construction. When an act is done at one
time, and it operates upon the thing as if done at another time,
it is said to do so by relation; as, if a man deliver a deed as
an escrow, to be delivered by the party holding it, to the
grantor, on the performance of some act, the delivery to the
latter will have relation back to the first delivery. Termes de
la Ley. Again, if a partner be adjudged a bankrupt, the
partnership is dissolved, and such dissolution relates back to
the time when the commission issued. 3 Kent, Com. 33. Vide 18
Vin. Ab. 285; 4 Com. Dig. 245; 5 Id. 339; Litt. S. C. 462-466;
2 John. 510; 4 John. 230; 15 John. 809; 2 Har. & John. 151,
and the article Fiction.
RELATIONS, kindred. In its most extensive signification, this
term includes all the kindred of the person spoken of. In a more
limited sense, it signifies those persons who are entitled as
next of kin under the statute of distribution.
2. A legacy to "relations" generally, or to "relations by
blood or marriage," without enumerating any of them, will,
therefore, entitle to a share, such of the testator's relatives
as would be entitled under the statute of distribution's in the
event of intestacy. 1 Madd. Ch. R. 45; 1 Bro. C. C. 33. See the
cases referred to under the word Relations, article Construction.
3. Relations to either of the parties, even beyond the ninth
degree, have been holden incapable to serve on juries. 3 Chit.
Pr. 795, note c.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 33 of 139
4. Relationship or affinity is no objection to a witness,
unless in the case of hushand and wife. See Witness.
RELATOR. A rehearser or teller; one who, by leave of court,
brings an information in the nature of a quo warranto.
2. At common law, strictly speaking, no such person as a
relator to an information is known; he being a creature of the
statute 9 Anne, c. 20.
3. In this country, even where no statute similar to that of
Anne prevails, informations are allowed to be filed by private
persons desirous to try their rights, in the name of the attorney
general, and these are commonly called relators; though no
judgment for costs can be rendered for or against them. 2 Dall.
112; 5 Mass. 231; 15 Serg. & Rawle, 127; 3 Serg. & Rawle, 52;
Ang. on Corp. 470. In chancery the relator is responsible for
costs. 4 Bouv. Inst. n. 4022.
RELATIVE. One connected with another by blood or affinity; a
relation, a kinsman or kinswoman. In an adjective sense, having
relation or connexion with some other person or thing; as
relative rights, relative powers.
RELATIVE POWERS. Those which relate to land, so called to
distinguish them from those which are collateral to it.
2. These powers are appendant, as where a tenant for life has
a power of making leases in possession. They are in gross when a
person has an estate in the land, with a power of appointment,
the execution of which falls out of the compass of his estate,
but, notwithstanding, is annexed in privity to it, and takes
effect in the appointee out of an interest appointed in the
appointer. 2 Bouv. Inst. n. 1930.
RELATIVE RIGHTS. Those to which a person is entitled in
consequence of his relation with others such as the rights of a
hushand in relation to his wife; of a father, as to his
children; of a master, as to his servant; of a guardian, as to
his ward.
2. In general, the superior may maintain an action for an
injury committed against his relative rights. See 2 Bouv. Inst.
n. 2277 to 2296; 3 Bouv. Inst. n. 3491; 4 Bouv. Inst. n. 3615
to 3618.
RELEASE. Releases are of two kinds. 1. Such as give up,
discharge, or abandon a right of action. 2. Such as convey a
man's interest or right to another, who has possession of it, or
some estate in the same. Touch. 320; Litt. sec. 444; Nels. Ab.
h. t.; Bac. Ab. h. t.; Vin. Ab. h. t.; Rolle's Ab. h. t.;
Com. Dig. h. t.
RELEASE, contracts. A release is the giving or discharging of
a right of action which a man has or may claim against another,
or that which is his. Touch. 320 Bac. Ab. h. t.; Co. Litt. 264
a.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 34 of 139
2. This kind of a release is different from that which is used
for the purpose of convoying real estate. Here a mere right is
surrendered; in the other case not only a right is given up, but
an interest in the estate is conveyed, and becomes vested in the
release.
3. Releases may be considered, as to their form, their
different kinds, and their effect. §1. The operative words of a
release are remise, release, quitclaim, discharge and acquit;
but other words will answer the purpose. Sid. 265; Cro. Jac.
696; 9 Co. 52; Show. 331.
4. - §2. Releases are either express, or releases in deed; or
those arising by operation of law. An express release is one
which is distinctly made in the deed; a release by operation of
law, is one which, though not expressly made, the law presumes in
consequence of some act of, the releasor; for instance, when,
one of several joint obligors is expressly released, the others
are also released by operation of law . 3 Salk. 298. Hob. 10;
Id. 66; Noy, 62; 4 Mod. 380; 7 Johns. Rep. 207.
5. A release may also be implied; as, if a creditor
voluntarily deliver to his debtor the bond, note, or other
evidence of his claim. And when the debtor is in possession of
such security, it will be presumed that it has been delivered to
him. Poth. Obl. n. 608, 609.
6. - §3. As to their effect, releases 1st, acquit the
releasee: and 2dly, enable him to be examined as a witness.
7. - 1st. Littleton says a release of all demands is the best
and strongest release. Sect. 508. Lord Coke, on the contrary,
says claims is a stronger word. Co. Litt. 291 b.
8. In general the words of a release will he restrained by the
particular occasion of giving it. 3 Lev. 273; 1 Show. 151: 2
Mod. 108, n.; 2 Show. 47; T. Raym. 399 3 Mod. 277; Palm. 218;
1 Lev. 235.
9. The reader is referred to the following cases where a
construction has been given to the expressions mentioned. A
release of "all actions, suits and demands," 3 Mod. 277: " all
actions, debts, duties, and demands," Ibid. 1 and 64; 3 Mod.
185; 8 Co. 150 b; 2 Saund. 6 a; all demands," 5 Co. 70, b; 2
Mod. 281; 3 Mod 278; 1 Lev. 99; Salk. 578; 2 Rolle's Rep. 12
Mod. 465; 2 Conn. Rep. 120; "all actions, quarrels, trespasses
" Dy. 2171 pl. 2; Cro. Jac. 487; " all errors, and all actions,
suits, and writs of error whatsoever," T. Ray. 3 99 all suits," 8
Co. 150 of covenants," 5 Co. 70 b.
10. - 2d. A release by a witness where he has an interest in
the matter which is the subject of the suit or release by the
party on whose side he is interested, renders him competent. 1
Phil. Ev. 102, and the cases cited in n. a. Vide 2 Chitt. It.
329; 1 D. & R. 361; Harr. Dig. h. t.; Bouv. Inst. Index, h. t.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 35 of 139
RELEASE, estates. The "conveyance of a man's interest or
right, which he hath unto a thing, to another that hath the
possession thereof, or some estate therein." Touch. 320.
2. The words generally used in such conveyance, are, "remised,
released, and forever quit claimed." Litt. s ec, 445.
3. Releases of land are, in respect of their operation,
divided into four sorts. 1. Releases that enure by way of passing
the estate, or mitter l'estate. (q. v.) 2. Releases that enure by
way of passing the right, or mitter le droit. 3. Releases that
enure by enlargement of the estate; and
4. Releases that enure by way of extinguishment. Vide 4
Cruise, 71; Co. Lit. 264; 3 Marsh. Decis. 185; Gilb. Ten. 82;
2 Sumn. R. 487; 10 Pick. R. 195; 10 John. R. 456; 7 Mass. R.
381; 8 Pick. R. 143; 5 Har. & John. 158; N. H. Rep. 402;
Paige's R. 299.
RELEASEE. A person to whom a release is made.
RELEASOR. He who makes a release.
RELEGATION, civil law. Among the Romans relegation was a
banishment to a certain place, and consequently was an
interdiction of all places except the one designated.
2. It differed from deportation. (q. v.) Relegation and
deportation agree upon these particulars: 1. Neither could be in
a Roman city or province. 2. Neither caused the party punished to
lose his liberty. Inst. 1,16 , 2; Digest, 48, 22, 4; Code, 9,
47,26.
3. Relegation and deportation differed in this. 1. Because
deportation deprived of the right of citizenship, which was
preserved notwithstanding the relegation. 2. Because deportation
was always perpetual, and relegation was generally for a limited
time. 3. Because deportation was always attended with
confiscation of property, although not mentioned in the sentence;
while a loss of property was not a consequence of relegation
unless it was perpetual, or made a part of the sentence. Inst. 1,
12, 1 & 2; Dig. 48, 20, 7, 5; Id. 48, 22, 1 to 7; Code, 9, 47,
8.
RELEVANCY. By this term is understood the evidence which is
applicable to the issue joined; it is relevant when it is
applicable to the issue, and ought to be admitted; it is
irrelevant, when it does not apply; and it ought then to be
excluded. 3 Hawks, 122; 4 Litt. Rep. 272; 7 Mart. Lo. R. N. S.
198. See Greenl. Ev. §49, et seq.; 1 Phil. Ev. 169; 11 S. & R.
134; 7 Wend. R. 359; 1 Rawle, R. 311; 3 Pet. R. 336; 5 Harr.
& Johns. 51, 56; 1 Watts. & Serg. 362; 6 Watts. R. 266; 1 S. &
R. 298.
RELEVANT EVIDENCE. That which is applicable to the issue and
which ought to be received; the phrase is used in opposition to
irrelevant evidence, which is that which is not so applicable,
and which must be rejected. Vide Relevancy.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 36 of 139
RELICT. A widow; as A B, relict of C D.
RELICTA VFRIFICATIONE. When a judgment is confessed by
cognovit actionem after plea pleaded, and then the plea is
withdrawn, it is called a confession or cognovit actionem relicta
verificatione. He acknowledges the action having abandoned his
plea. See 5 Halst. 332.
RELICTION. An increase of the land by the sudden retreat of
the sea or a river.
2. Relicted lands arising from the sea and in navigable
rivers, (q. v.) generally belong to the state and all relicted
lands of unnavigable rivers generally belong to the proprietor of
the estate to which such rivers act as boundaries. Schultes on
Aqu. Rights, 138; Ang. on Tide Wat. 75. But this reliction must
be from the sea in its usual state for if it should inundate the
land and then recede, this would be no reliction. Harg. Tr. 15.
Vide Ang. on Wat. Co. 220.
3. Reliction differs from avulsion, (q. v.) and from alluvion.
(q. v.)
RELIEF, Engl. law. A relief was an incident to every feudal
tenure, by way of fine or composition with the lord for taking up
the estate which was lapsed or fallen in by the death of the last
tenant. At one time the amount was arbitrary; but afterwards the
relief of a knight's fee became fixed at one hundred shillings. 2
Bl. Com. 65.
RELIEF, practice. That assistance which a court of chancery
will lend to a party to annul a contract tinctured with fraud, or
where there has been a mistake or accident; courts of equity
grant relief to all parties in cases where they have rights, ex
aequo et bono, and modify and fashion that relief according to
circumstances.
RELIGION. Real piety in practice, consisting in the
performance of all known duties to God and our fellow men.
2. There are many actions which cannot be regulated by human
laws, and many duties are imposed by religion calculated to
promote the happiness of society. Besides, there is an infinite
number of actions, which though punishable by society, may be
concealed from men, and which the magistrate cannot punish. In
these cases men are restrained by the knowledge that nothing can
be hidden from the eyes of a sovereign intelligent Being; that
the soul never dies, that there is a state of future rewards and
punishments; in fact that the most secret crimes will be
punished. True religion then offers succors to the feeble,
consolations to the unfortunate, and fills the wicked with dread.
3. What Montesquieu says of a prince, applies equally to an
individual. "A prince," says he, " who loves religion, is a lion,
which yields to the hand that caresses him, or to the voice which
renders him tame. He who fears religion and hates it, is like a
wild beast, which gnaws, the chain which re-strains it from
falling on those within its reach. He who has no religion is like
a terrible animal which feels no liberty except when it devours
its victims or tears them in pieces." Esp. des , Lois, liv. 24,
c. 1.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 37 of 139
4. But religion can be useful to man only when it is pure. The
constitution of the United States has, therefore, wisely provided
that it should never be united with the state. Art. 6, 3. Vide
Christianity; Religious test; Theo- cracy.
RELIGIOUS TEST. The constitution of the United States, art. 6,
s. 3, de-clares that "no religious test shall ever be required as
a qualification to any office, or public trust under the United
States."
2. This clause was introduced for the double purpose of
satisfying the scruples of many respectable persons, who feel an
invincible repugnance to any religious test or affirmation, and
to cut off forever every pretence of any alliance between church
and state in the national government. Story on the Const. §1841.
RELINQUISHMENT, practice. A forsaking, abandoning, or giving
over a right; for example, a plaintiff may relinquish a bad
count in a declaration, and proceed on the good: a man may
relinquish a part of his claim in order to give a court
jurisdiction.
RELOCATION, Scotch law, contracts. To let again to renew a
lease, is called a relocation.
2. When a tenant holds over after the expiration of his lease,
with the consent of his landlord, this will amount to a
relocation.
REMAINDER, estates. The remnant of an estate in lands or
tenements expectant on a particular estate, created together with
the same, at one time. Co. Litt. 143 a.
2. Remainders are either vested or contingent. A vested
remainder is one by which a present interest passes to the party.
though to be enjoyed in future; and by which the estate is
invariably fixed to remain to a determinate person, after the
particular estate has been spent. Vide 2 Jo ins. R. 288; 1
Yeates, R. 340.
3. A contingent remainder is one which is limited to take
effect on an event or condition, which may never happen or be
performed, or which may not happen or be performed till after the
determination of the preceding particular estate; in which case
such remainder never can take effect.
4. According to Mr. Fearne, contingent remainders may properly
be distin-guished into four sorts. 1. Where the remainder depends
entirely on a contin-gent determination of the preceding estate
itself. 2. Where the contingency on which the remainder is to
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 38 of 139
take effect, is independent of the determination of the preceding
estate. 3. Where the condition upon which the remainder is
limited, is certain in event, but the determination of the
particular estate may happen before it. 4. Where the person, to
whom the remainder is limited, is not yet ascertained, or not yet
in being. Fearne, 5.
5. The pupillary substitutions of the civil law somewhat
resembled contingent remainders. 1 Brown's Civ. Law, 214, n.;
Burr. 1623. Vide, generally, Viner's Ab. h. t.; Bac. Ab. h. t;
Com. Dig. h. t.; 4 Kent, Com. 189; Yelv. 1, n.; Cruise, Dig.
tit. 16; 1 Supp. to Ves. jr. 184; Bouv. Inst. Index, h. t.
REMAINDER-MAN. One who is entitled to the remainder of the
estate after a particular estate carved out of it has expired.
TO REMAND. To send back or recommit. When a prisoner is
brought before a judge on a habeas corpus, for the purpose of
obtaining his liberty, the judge hears the case, and either
discharges him or not; when there is cause for his detention, he
remands him.
REMANDING A CAUSE, practice. The sending it back to the same
court out ofwhich it came for the purpose of having some action
on it there. March, R. 100.
REMANENT PRO DEFECTU EMPTORUM, practice. The return made by
the sheriff to a writ of execution when he has not been able to
sell the property seized, that the same remains unsold for want
of buyers: in that case the plaintiff is entitled to a
venditioni exponas. Com. Dig. Execution, C. 8.
REMANET, practice. The causes which are entered for trial, and
which cannot be tried during tho term, are remanets. Lee's Dict.
Trial, vii.; 1 Sell. Pr. 434; 1 Phil. Ev., 4.
REMEDIAL. That which affords a remedy; as, a remedial
statute, or one which is made to supply some defects or abridge
some superfluities of the common law. 1 131. Com. 86. The term
remedial statute is also applied to those acts which give a new
remedy. Esp. Pen. Act. 1.
REMEDY. The means employed to enforce a right or redress an
injury.
2. The importance of selecting a proper remedy is made
strikingly evident by tho following statement. "Recently a common
law barrister, very eminent for his legal attainments, sound
opinions, and great practice, advised that there was no remedy
whatever against a married woman, who, having a considerable
separate estate, had joined with her hushand in a promissory note
for X2500, for a debt of her hushand, because he was of opinion
that the contract of a married woman is absolutely void, and
referred to a decision to that effect, viz. Marshall v. Rutton, 8
T. R. 545, he not knowing, or forgetting, that in equity, under
such circumstances, payment might have been enforced out of the
separate estate. And afterwards, a very eminent equity counsel,
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 39 of 139
equally erroneously advised, in the same case, that the remedy
was only in equity, although it appeared upon the face of the
case, as then stated, that, after the death of her hushand, the
wife had promised to pay, in consideration of forbearance, and
upon which promise she might have been arrested and sued at law.
If the common law counsel had properly advised proceedings in
equity, or if the equity counsel had advised proceedings by
arrest at law, upon the promise, after the death of the hushand,
the whole debt would have been paid. But, upon this latter
opinion, a bill in chancery was filed, and so much time elapsed
before decree, that a great part of the property was dissipated,
and the wife escaped with the residue into France, and the
creditor thus wholly lost his debt, which would have been
recovered, if the proper proceedings had been adopted in the
first or even second instance. This is one of the very numerous
cases almost daily occurring, illustrative of the consequences of
the want of, at least, a general knowledge of every branch of
law."
3. Remedies may be considered in relation to 1. The
enforcement of contracts. 2. The redress of torts or injuries.
4. - §1. The remedies for the enforcement of contracts are
generally by action. The form of these depend upon the nature of
the contract. They will be briefly considered, each separately.
5. - 1. The breach of parol or simple contracts, whether
verbal or written, express or implied, for the payment of money,
or for the performance or omission of any other act, is
remediable by action of assumpsit. (q, v.) This is the proper
remedy, therefore, to recover money lent, paid, and had and
re-ceived to the use of the plaintiff; and in some cases though
the money have been received tortiously or by duress of, the
person or goods, it may be recovered.in this form of action, as,
in that case, the law implies a contract. 2 Ld. Raym. 1216; 2
Bl. R. 827; 3 Wils. R. 304; 2 T. R. 144; 3 Johns. R. 183. This
action is also the proper remedy upon wagers, feigned issues, and
awards when the submission is not by deed, and to recover money
due on foreign judgments; 4 T. R. 493; 3 East, R. 221; 11
East, R; 124; and on by-laws. 1 B. & P. 98.
6. - 2. To recover money due and unpaid upon legal
liabilities, Hob. 206; or upon simple contracts either express
or implied, whether verbal or written, and upon contracts under
seal or of record, Bull. N. P. 167; Com. Dig. Debt, A 9; and on
statutes by a party grieved, or by a common informer, whenever
the demand is for a sum certain, or is capable of being readily
reduced to a certainty; 7 Mass. R. 202; 3 Mass. R. 309, 310;
the remedy is by action of debt. Vide Debt.
7. - 3. When a covenantee, has sustained damages in
consequence of the non-performance of a promise under seal,
whether such promise be contained in a deed poll, indenture, or
whether it be express or implied by law from the terms of the
deed; or whether the damages be liquidated or unliquidated, the
proper remedy is by action of covenant. Vide Covenant.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 40 of 139
8. - 4. For the detention of a cliattel, which the party
obtained by virtue of a contract, as a bailment, or by some other
lawful means, as by finding, the. owner, may in general support
an action of detinue, (q. v.) and replevin; (q. v.) or when he
has converted the property to his own use, trover and conversion.
(q. v.)
9. - §2 . Remedies for the redress of injuries. These remedies
are either public, by indictment, when the injury to the
individual or to Iiis property affects the public; or private,
when the tort is only injurious to the individual.
10. There are three kinds of remedies, namely, 1. The
preventive. 2. That which seeks for a compensation. 3. That which
has for its object punishment.
11. - 1. The preventive, or removing, or abating remedies, are
those which may be by acts of the party aggrieved, or by the
intervention of legal proceedings; as, in the case of injuries
to the. person, or to personal or real property, defence,
resistance, recaption, abatement of nuisance, and surety of the
peace, or injunction in equity and perhaps some others.
12. - 2. Remedies for compensation are those which may he
either by the acts of the party aggrieved, or summarily before
justices, or by arb itration, or action, or suit at law or in
equity.
13. - 3. Remedies which have for their object punishments, or
compensation and punishments, are either summary proceedings
before magistrates, or indictment, &c. The party injured in many
cases of private injuries, which are also a public offence, as,
batteries and libels, may-have both remedies, a public indictment
for the criminal offence, and a civil action for the private
wrong. When the law gives several remedies, the party entitled to
them may select that best calculated to answer his ends. Vide 2
Atk. 344; 4 Johns. Ch. R. 140; 6 Johns. Ch. Rep. 78; 2 Conn.
R. 353; 10 Johns. R. 481; 9 Serg. & Rawle, 302. In felony and
some other cases, the private injury is so far merged in the
public crime that no action can be maintained for it, at least
until after the public prosecution shall have been ended. Vide
Civil remedy.
14. It will be proper to consider, 1. The private remedies,
as, they seek the prevention of offences, compensation for
committing them, and the punishment of their authors. 2. The
public remedies, which have for their object protection and
punishment.
15. - 1. Private remedies. When the right invaded and the
injury committed are merely private, no one has a right to
interfere or seek a remedy except the party immediately injured
and his professional advisers. But when the remedy is even
nominally public, and prosecuted in the name of the commonwealth,
any one may institute the proccedings, although not privately
injured. 1 Salk. 174; 1 Atk. 221; 8 M. & S. 71.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 41 of 139
16. Private remedies are, 1, By the act of the party, or by
legal proceedings to prevent the commission or repetition of an
injury, or to remove it; or, 2. They are to recover compensation
for the injury which has been committed.
17. - 1. The preventive and removing remedies are principally
of two descriptions, namely, 1st. Those by the act of the party
himself, or of certain relations or third persons permitted by
law to interfere, as with respect to the person, by self-defence,
resistance, escape, rescue, and even prison breaking, when the
imprisonment is clearly illegal; or in case of personal
property, by resistance or recaption; or in case of real
property, resistance or turning a trespasser out of his house or
off his land, even with force; 1 Saund. 81, 140, note 4; or by
apprehending a wrong-doer, or by reentry and re-gaining
possession, taking care not to commit a forcible entry, or a
breach of the peace; or, in case of nuisances, public or
private, by abatement; vide Abatement of nuisances; or remedies
by distress, (q. v.) or by set off or re-tainer. See, as to
remedies by act of the parties, 1 Dane's Ab. c. 2, p. 130.
18. - 2. When the injury is complete or continuing, the
remedies to obtain compensation are either specific or in
damages. These are summary before jus-tices of the peace or
others; or formal, either by action or suit in courts of law or
equity, or in the admiralty courts. As an example of summary
proceedings may be mentioned the manner of regaining possession
by applying to magis-trates against forcible entry and detainer,
where the statutes authorize the proceedings. Formal proceedings
are instituted when certain rights have been invaded. If the
injury affect a legal right, then the remedy is in general by
action in a court of law; but if an equitable right, or if it
can be better investigated in a court of equity,' then the remedy
is by bill. Vide Chancery.
19. - 2. Public remedies. These may be divided into such as
are intended to prevent crimes, and those where the object is to
punish them. 1. The preven-tive remedies may be exercised without
any warrant either by a constable, (q. v.) or other officer, or
even by a private citizen. Persons in the act of committing a
felony or a broach of the peace may arrested by any one. Vide
Arrest. A public nuisance may be abated without any other warrant
or authority than that given by the law. Vide Nuisance. 2. The
proceedings intended as a punishment for offences, are either
summary, vide Conviction; or by indict- ment. (q. v.)
20. Remedies are specific and cumulative; the former are
those which can alone be applied to restore a right or punish a
crime; for example, where a statute makes unlawful what was
lawful before, and gives a particular remedy, that is specific
and must be pursued, and no other. Cro. Jac. 644; 1 Salk. 4 5;
2 Burr. 803. But when an offence was antecedently punishable by a
common law proceeding, as by indictment, and a statute prescribes
a particular remedy, there such particular remedy is cumulative,
and proceedings may be had at common law or under the statute. 1
Saund. 134, n. 4. Vide Bac. Ab. Actions in general, B; Bouv.
Inst. Index, h. t.; Actions; Arrest; Civil remedy; Election
of Actions.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 42 of 139
REMEMBRANCERS; Eng. law. Officers of the exchequer, whose
duty it is to remind the lord treasurer and the justices of that
court of such things as are to be called and attended to for the
benefit of the crown.
REMISE. A French word which literally means a surrendering or
returning a debt or duty.
2. It is frequently used in this sense in releases; as,
"remise, release and forever quit-claim." In the French law the
word remise is synonymous with our word release. Poth. Du Contr.
de Change, n. 176; Dalloz, Dict, h. t.; Merl. Rep. h. t.
REMISSION, civil law. A release.
2. The remission of the debt is either conventional, when it
is expressly granted to the debtor by a creditor having a
capacity to alienate; or tacit, when the creditor voluntarily
surrenders to his debtor the original title under private
signature constituting the obligation. Civ. Code of Lo. art.
2195.
3. By remission is also understood a forgiveness or pardon of
an offence. It has the effect of putting back the offender into
the same situation he was before the commission of the offence.
Remission is generally granted in cases where the offence was
involuntary, or committed in self defence. Poth. Pr. Civ. sec t.
7, art. 2, §2.
4. Remission is also used by common lawyers to expresss the
act by which a forfeiture or penalty is forgiven. 10 Wheat. 246.
TO REMIT. To annul a fine or forfeiture.
2. This is generally done by the courts where they have a
discretion by law: as, for example, when a juror is fined for
nonattendance in court, after being duly summoned and, on
appearing, he produces evidence to the court that he was sick and
unable to attend, the fine will be remitted by the court.
3. In commercial law, to remit is to send money, bills, or
something which will answer the purpose of money.
REMITTANCE, comm. law. Money sent by one merchant to another,
either in specie, bill of exchange, draft or otherwise.
REMITTEE, contracts. A person to whom a remittance is made.
Story on Bailm. §75.
REMITTER, estates. To be placed back in possession.
2. When one having a right to lands is out of possession, and
afterwards the freehold is cast upon him by some defective title,
and he enters by virtue of that title, the law remits him to his
ancient and more certain right and by an equitable fiction,
supposes him to have gained possession under it. 3 Bl. Com. 190;
18 Vin. Ab. 431; 7 Com. Dig. 234.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 43 of 139
REMITTIT DAMNA. An entry on the record by which the plaintiff
declares that he remits the damages or a part of the damages
which have been awarded him by the jury, is so called.
2. In some cases, a misjoinder of actions may be cured by the
entry of a remittit damna. 1 Chit. Pl. *207.
REMITTOR, contracts. A person who makes a remittance to
another.
REMITTITUR DAMNUM, or DAMNA, practice. The act of the
plaintiff upon the record, whereby he abates or remits the excess
of damages found by the jury beyond the sum laid in the
declaration. See 1 Saund. 285, n. 6; 4 Conn. 109; Bouv. Inst.
Index, h. t.
REMITTUR OF RECORD. After a record has been removed to the
supreme court, and a judgment has been rendered, it is to be
remitted or sent back to the court below, for the purpose of
re-trying the cause, when the judgment has been reversed, or of
issuing an execution when it has been affirmed. The act of so
returning the record, and the writ issued for that purpose, bear
the name of remittitur.
REMONSTRANCE. A petition to a court, or deliberative or
legislative body, in which those who have signed it request that
something which it is in contemplation to perform shall not be
done.
REMOTE. At a distance; afar off, not immediate. A remote
cause is not in general sufficient to charge a man with the
commission of a crime, nor with being the author of a tort.
2. When a man suffers an injury in consequence of the
violation of a contract, he is in general entitled to damages for
the violation of such contract, but not for remote consequences,
unconnected with the contract, to which he may be subjected; as,
for example, if the maker of a promissory note should not pay it
at maturity; the holder will be entitled to damages arising from
the breach of the contract, namely, the principal and interest;
but should the holder, in consequence of the non-payment of such
note, be compelled to stop payment, and lose his credit and his
business, the maker will not be responsible for such losses, on
account of the great remoteness of the cause; so if an agent who
is bound to account should neglect to do so, and a similar
failure should take place, the agent would not be responsible for
the damages thus caused. 1 Brock. Cir. C. R. 103; see 3 Pet. 69,
84, 89; 5 Mason's R. 161; 3 Wheat. 560; 1 Story, R. 157; 3
Sumn. R. 27, 270; 2 Sm. & Marsh. 340; 7 Hill, 61. Vide Cause.
REMOVAL FROM OFFICE. The act of a competent officer or of the
legislature which deprives an officer of his office. It may be
express, that is, by a notification that the officer has been
removed, or implied, by the appointment of another person to the
same office. Wallace's C. C. R. 118. See 13 Pet. 130; 1 Cranch,
137.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 44 of 139
REMOVER. practice. When a suit or cause is removed out of one
court into another, which is effected by writ of error,
certiorari, and the like. 11 Co.41.
REMUNERATION. Reward; recompense; salary. Dig. 17, 1, 7.
RENDER. To yield; to return; to give again; it is the
reverse of prender.
RENDEZVOUS. A place appointed for meeting.
2. Among seamen it is usual when vessels sail under convoy, to
have a rend ezvous in case of dispersion by storm, an enemy, or
other accident,
3. The place where military men meet and lodge, is also called
a rendezvous.
RENEWAL. A change of something old for for something new; as,
the renewal of a note; the renewal of a lease. See Novation, and
1 Bouv. Inst. n. 800.
TO RENOUNCE. To give up a right; for example, an executor may
renounce the right of administering the estate of the testator;
a widow the right to administer to her intestate hushand's
estate.
2. There are some rights which a person cannot renounce; as,
for example, to plead the act of limitation. Before a person can
become a citizen of the United States he must renounce all titles
of nobility. Vide Naturalization; To Repudiate.
RENT, estates, contracts. A certain profit in money,
provisions, chattels, or labor, issuing out of lands and
tenements in retribution for the use. 2 Bl. Com. 41; 14 Pet.
Rep. 526; Gilb., on Rents, 9; Co. Litt. 142 a; Civ. Code of
Lo. art. 2750; Com. on L. & T. 95; 1 Kent, Com. 367; Bradb. on
Distr. 24; Bac. Ab. h. t.; Crabb, R. P. SSSS 149-258.
2. A rent somewhat resembles an annuity, (q. v.) their
difference consists in the fact that the former issues out of
lands, and the latter is a mere personal charge.
3. At common law there were three kinds of rents; namely,
rent-service, rent-charge, and rent-seek. When the tenant held
his land by fealty or other corporeal service, and a certain
rent, this was called rent-service; a right of distress was
inseparably incident to this rent.
4. A rent-charge is when the rent is created by deed and the
fee granted; and as there is no fealty annexed to such a grant
of rent, the right of distress is not in incident; and it
requires an express power of distress to be annexed to the grant,
which gives it the name of a rent-charge, because the lands are,
by the deed, charged with a distress. Co. Litt. 143 b.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 45 of 139
5. Rent-seek, or a dry or barren rent, was rent reserves by
deed, without a clause of distress, and in a case in which the
owner of the rent had no future interest or reversion in the
land, he was driven for a remedy to a writ of annuity or writ of
assize.
6. But the statute of 4 Geo. II. c. 28, abolished all
distinction in the several kinds of rent, so far as to give the
remedy by distress in cases of rents-seek, rents of assize, and
chief rents, as in the case of rents reserved upon a lease. In
Pennsylvania, a distress is inseparably incident to every species
of rent that may be reduced to a certainty. 2 Rawle's Rep. 13. In
New York, it seems the remedy by distress exists for all kinds of
rent. 3 Kent Com. 368. Vide Distress; 18 Viner's Abr. 472;
Woodf, L. & T. 184 Gilb. on Rents Com. Dig. h. t.. Dane's Ab.
Index, h. t.
7. As to the time when the rent becomes due, it is proper to
observe, that there is a distinction to be made. It becomes due
for the purpose of making a demand to take advantage of a
condition of reentry, or to tender it to save a forfeiture, at
sunset of the day on which it is due: but it is not actually due
till midnight, for any other purpose. An action could not be
supported which had been commenced on the day it became due,
although commenced after sunset; and if the owner of the fee
died between sunset and midnight of that day, the heir and not
the executor would be entitled to the rent. 1 Saund. 287; 10 Co.
127 b; 2 Madd. Ch. R. 268; 1 P. Wms. 177; S. C. 1 Salk, 578.
See generally, Bac. Ab. h. t.; Bouv. Inst. Index h. t.; and
Distress; Reentry.
RENT-ROLL. A roll of the rents due to a particular person or
public body. See Rental.
RENTAL. A roll or list of the rents of an estate containing
the description of the lands let, the names of the tenants, and
other particulars connected with such estate. This is the same as
rent roll, from which it is said to be corrupted.
RENTE. In the French funds this word is nearly synonymous with
our word annuity.
RENTE FONCIERE. This is a technical phrase used in Louisiana.
It is a rent which issues out of land, and it is of its essence
that it be perpetual, for if it be made but for a limited time,
it is a lease. It may, however, be extinguished. Civ. Code of Lo.
art. 2750, 2759; Poth. h. t. Vide Ground-rent.
RENTE VIAGERE, French law. This term, which is used in
Louisiana, signifies an annuity for life. Civ. Code of Lo. art.
2764; Poth. Du Contract de Constitution de Rente, n. 215.
RENUNCIATION. The act of giving up a right.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 46 of 139
2. It is a rule of law that any one may renounce a right which
the law has established in his favor. To this maxim there are
many limitations. A party may always renounce an acquired right;
as, for example, to take lands by descent; but one cannot always
give up a future right, before it has accrued, nor to the benefit
conferred by law, although such advantage may be introduced only
for the benefit of individuals.
3. For example, the power of making a will; the right of
annulling a future contract, on the ground of fraud; and the
right of pleading the act of limitations, cannot be renounced.
The first, because the party must be left free to make a will or
not; and the latter two, because the right has not yet accrued.
4. This term is usually employed to signify the abdication or
giving up of one's country at the time of choosing another. The
act of congress requires from a foreigner who applies to become
naturalized a renunciation of all allegiance and fidelity to any
foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, whereof such
alien may, at the time, be a citizen or subject. See Citizen;
Expatriation; Naturalization; To renounce.
REPAIRS. That work which is done to an estate to keep it in
good order.
2. What a party is bound to do, when the law imposes upon him
the duty to make necessary repairs, does not appear to be very
accurately defined. Natural and unavoidable decay in the
buildings must always be allowed for when there is no express
covenant to the contrary; and it seems, the lessee will satisfy
the obligation the law imposes on him, by delivering the premises
at the expiration of his tenancy, in a habitable state. Questions
in relation to repairs most frequently arise between the landlord
and tenant.
3. When there is no express agreement between the parties, the
tenant is always required to do the necessary repairs. Woodf. L.
& T. 244: Arch. L. & T. 188. He is therefore bound to put in
windows or doors that have been broken by him, so as to prevent
any decay of the premises, but he is not required to put a new
room on an old worn out house. 2 Esp. N. P. C. 590.
4. An express covenant on the part of the lessee to keep a
house in repair, and leave it in as good a plight as it was when
the lease was made, does not bind him to repair the ordinary and
natural decay. Woodf. L. & T. 256. And it has been held that such
a covenant does not bind him to rebuild a house which had been
destroyed by a public enemy. 1 Dall. 210.
5. As to the time when the repairs are to be made, it would
seem reasonable that when the lessor is bound to make them he
should have the right to enter and make them, when a delay until
after the expiration of the lease would be injurious to the
estate: but when no such damage exists, the landlord should have
no right to enter without the consent of the tenant. See 18
Toull. n. 297. When a house has been destroyed by accidental
fire, neither the tenant nor the landlord is bound to rebuild
unless obliged by some agreement so to do. 4 Paige R. 355; 1 T.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 47 of 139
R. 708; Fonbl. Eq. B. 1, c. 6, s. S. Vide 6 T. R. 650; 4 Camp.
R. 275; Harr. Dig. Covenant VII. Vide Com. Rep. 627; 6 T. R.
650; 21 Show. 401; 3. Ves. Jr. 34; Co. Litt., 27 a, note 1; 3
John. R. 44; 6 Mass. R. 63; Platt on Cov. 266; Com. L. & T.
200; Com. Dig. Condition, L 12; Civil Code of Louis. 2070; 1
Saund. 322, n. 1; Id. 323, n. 7; 2 Saund, 158 b, n. 7 & 10;
Bouv. Inst. Index. h. t.
REPARATION. The redress of an injury; amends for a tort
inflicted. Vide Remedy; Redress.
REPARTIONE, FACIENDA, WRIT DE. The name of an ancient writ
which lies by one or more joint tenants against the other joint
tenants, or by a person owning a house or building against the
owner of th; adjoining building, to compel the reparation of
such, joint property. F. N. B. 295.
REPEAL, legislation. The abrogation or destruction of a law
by a legislative act.
2. A repeal is express; as when it is literally declared by
a subsequent law or implied, when the new law contains provisions
contrary to or irreconcilable with those of the former law.
3. A law may be repealed by implication, by an affirmative as
well as by a negative statute, if the substance is inconsistent
with the old statute. 1 Ham. 10: 2 Bibb, 96; Harper, 101; 4 W.
C. C. R. 691.
4. It is a general rule that when a penal statute punishes an
offence by a certain penalty, and a new statute is passed
imposing a greater or a lesser penalty, for the same offence, the
former statute is repealed by implication. 5 Pick. 168; 3 Halst.
48; 1 Stew. 506; 3 A. K. Marsh. 70; 21 Pick. 373. See 1 Binn.
601; Bac. Ab. Statute D 7 Mass. 140.
5. By the common law when a statute repeals another, and
afterwards the repealing statute is itself repealed, the first is
revived. 2 Blackf. 32. In some states this rule has been changed,
as in Ohio and Louisiana. Civ. Code of:Louis. art. 23.
6. When a law is repealed, it leaves all the civil rights of
the parties acquired under the law unaffected. 3. L. R. 337; 4
L. R. 191; 2 South. 689; Breese, App. 29; 2 Stew. 160.
7. When a penal statute is repealed or so modified as to
exempt a class from its operation, violations committed before
the repeal are also exempted, unless specifically reserved, or
unless there have been some private right divested by it. 2 Dana,
330; 4 Yeates, 392; 1 Stew. 347; 5 Rand. 657; 1 W. C. C. R.
84; 2 Virg. Cas. 382. Vide Abrogation; 18 Vin. Ab. 118.
REPERTORY. This word is nearly synonymous with inventory, and
is so called because its contents are arranged in such order as
to be easily found. Clef des Lois Rom. h . t.; Merl. Repertoire,
h. t.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 48 of 139
2. In the French law, this word is used to denote theinventory or minutes which notaries are required to make of all
contracts which take place before them. Dict. de Jur. h. t.
REPETITION, construction of wills. A repetition takes place
when the same testator, by the same testamentary instrument,
gives to the same legatee legacies of equal amount and of the
same kind; in such case the latter is considered a repetition of
the former, and the legatee is entitled to one only. For example,
a testator gives to a legatee "œ30 a year during his life;" and
in another part of the will he gives to the same legatee "an
annuity of œ3O for his life payable quarterly," he is entitled to
only one annuity of thirty pounds a year. 4 Ves. 79, 90; 1 Bro.
C. C. 30, note.
REPETITION, civil law. The act by which a person demands and
seeks to recover what he has paid by mistake, or delivered on a
condition which has not been performed. Dig. 12, 4, 5. The name
of an action which lies to recover the payment which has been
made by mistake, when nothing was due.
2. Repetition is never admitted in relation to natural
obligations which have been voluntarily acquitted, if the debtor
had capacity to give his consent. 6 Toull. n. 386. The same rule
obtains in our law. A person who has voluntarily acquitted a
natural or even a moral obligation, cannot recover back the money
by an action for money had and received, or any other form of
action. D. & R. N. P. C. 254; 2 T. R. 763; 7 T. R. 269; 4 Ad.
& Ell. 858; 1 P. & D. 253; 2 L. R. 431; Cowp. 290; 3 B. & P.
249, note; 2 East, R. 506; 3 Taunt. R. 311; 5 Taunt. R. 36;
Yelv. 41, b, note; 3 Pick. R. 207; 13 John. It. 259.
3. In order to entitle the payer to recover back money paid by
mistake it must have been paid by him to a person to whom he did
not owe it, for otherwise he cannot recover it back, the creditor
having in such case the just right to retain the money. Repetitio
nulla est ab eo qui suum recepit.
4. How far money paid under a mistake of law is liable to
repetition, has been discussed by civilians, and opinions on this
subject are divided. 2 Poth. Ob. by Evans, 369, 408 to 487; 1
Story, Eq. Pl. §111, note 2.
REPETITION, Scotch law. The act of reading over a witness
deposition, in order that he may adhere to it, or correct it at
his choice. The same as Recolement, (q. v.) in the French law. 2
Benth. on Ev. B. 3, c. 12, p. 239.
REPLEADER, practice. When an immaterial issue has been formed,
the court will order the parties to plead de novo, for the
purpose of obtaining a better issue this is called a repleader.
2. In such case, they must begin to replead at the first
fault. If the declaration, plea and replication be all bad, the
parties must begin de novo, if the plea and replication be both
bad and a repleader is awarded, it must be as to both; but if
the declaration and plea be good, and the replication only bad,
the parties replead from the replication only.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 49 of 139
3. In order to elucidate this point, it may be proper to give
an instance, where the court awarded a repleader for a fault in
the plea, which is the most ordinary cause of a repleader. An
action was brought against hushand and wife, for a wrong done by
the wife alone, before the marriage, and both pleaded that they
were not guilty of the wrong imputed to them, which was held to
be bad, because there was no wrong alleged to have been committed
by the hushand, and therefore a repleader was awarded, and the
plea made that the wife only was not guilty. Cro. Jac. 5. See
other instances in: Hob. 113: 5 Taunt. 386.
4. The following rules as to repleaders were laid down in the
case of Staples v. Haydon, 2 Salk. 579. First. That at common
law, a repleader was allowed before trial, because a verdict did
not cure an immaterial issue, but now a repleader ought not to be
allowed till after trial, in any case when the fault of the issue
might be helped by the verdict, or by the statute of jeofails.
Second. That if a repleader be allowed where it ought not to be
granted, or vice versa, it is error. Third. That the judgment of
repleader is general, quod partes replacitent, and the parties
must begin at the first fault, which occasioned the immaterial
issue. Fourth. No costs are allowed on either side. Fifth. That a
repleader cannot be awarded after a default at nisi prius; to
which may be added, that in general a repleader cannot be awarded
after a demurrer or writ of error, without the consent of the
parties, but only after issue joined; where however, there is a
bad bar, and a bad replication, it is said that a repleader may
be awarded upon a demurrer; a repleader will not be awarded
where the court can give judgment on the whole record, and it is
not grantable in favor of the person who made the first fault in
pleading. See Com. Dig. Pleader, R 18; Bac. Abr. Pleas, M; 2
Saund. 319 b, n. 6; 2 Vent. 196; 2 Str. 847; 5 Taunt. 386; 8
Taunt. 413; 2 Saund. 20; 1 Chit. Pl. 632; Steph. pl. 119;
Lawes, Civ. Pl. 175.
5. The difference between a repleader and a judgment non
obstante veredicto, is this; that when a plea is good in form,
though not in fact, or in other words, if it contain a defective
title or ground of defence by which it is apparent to the court,
upon the defendant's own showing, that in any way of putting it,
he can have no merits, and the issue joined thereon be found for
him there, as the awarding of a repleader could not mend the
case, the court for the sake of the plaintiff will at once give
judgment non obstante veredicto; but where the defect is not so
much in the title as in the manner of stating it, and the issue
joined thereon is immaterial, so that the court know not for whom
to give judgment, whether for the plaintiff or defendant, there
for their own sake they will award a repleader; a judgment,
therefore, non obstante veredicto, is always upon the merits, and
never granted but in a very clear case; a repleader is upon the
form and manner of pleading. Tidd's Pr. 813, 814; Com. Dig.
Pleader, R 18 Bac. Abr. Pleas, M; 18 Vin. Ab. 567; 2 Saund. 20;
Doct. Plac. h. t.; Arch. Civ. Pl. 258; 1 Chit. Pl. 632; U. S.
Dig. XII.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 50 of 139
REPLEGIARE, To redeem a thing detained or taken by another, by
putting in legal sureties. See Replevin.
REPLEVIN, remedies. The name of an action for the recovery of
goods and chattels.
2. It will be proper to consider, 1. For what property this
action will lie. 2. What interest the plaintiff must have in the
same. 3. For what injury. 4. The pleadings. 5. The judgment.
3. - 1. To support replevin, the property affected must be a
personal chattel, and not an injury to the freehold, or to any
matter which is annexed to it; 4 T. R. 504; nor for anything
which has been turned into a chattel by having been separated
from it by the defendant, and carried away at one and the same
time; 2 Watts, R. 126; 3 S. & R. 509 6 S. & R. 4761; 10 S. &
R. 114; 6 Greenl. R. 427; nor for writings which concern the
realty. 1 Brownl. 168.
4. The chattel also must possess indicia or ear-marks, by
which it may be distinguished from all others of the same
description; otherwise the plaintiff would be demanding of the
law what it has not in its power to bestow; replevin for loose
money cannot, therefore, be maintained; but it may be supported
for money tied up in a bag, and taken in that state from the
plaintiff. 2 Mod. R. 61. Vide 1 Dall. 157; 6 Binn. 2; 3 Serg. &
Rawle, 562; 2 P. A. Browne's R. 160; Addis. R. 134; 10 Serg. &
Rawle, 114; 4 Dall. Appx. i.; 2 Watt's R. 126; 2 Rawle's R.
423.
5. - 2. The plaintiff, at the time of the caption, must have
been possessed, or, which amounts to the same thing, have had an
absolute property in and be entitled to the possession of the
chattel, or it could not have been taken from him. He must, in
other words, have had a general property, or a special property,
as the bailee of the goods. His right to the possession must also
be continued down to the time of judgment pronounced, otherwise
he has no claim to the restoration of the property. Co. Litt.
145, b. It has however, been doubted whether on a more naked
tailment for safe keeping, the bailee can maintain replevin. 1
John. R. 380; 3 Serg. & Rawle, 20.
6. - 3. This action lies to recover any goods which have been
illegally taken. 7 John R. 140; 5 Mass. R. 283; 14 John. R. 87;
1 Dall. R. 157; 6 Binn. R. 2; 3 Serg. & Rawle, 562; Addis. R.
134; 1 Mason, 319; 2 Fairf. 28. The primary object of this
action, is to recover back the chattel itself, and damages for
taking and detaining it are consequent on the recovery. 1 W. & S.
513; 20 Wend. 172; 3 Shepl. 20. When the properly has been
restored this action cannot, therefore, be maintained. But the
chattel is considered as detained, not-withstanding the defendant
may have destroyed it before the suit was commenced; for he
cannot take advantage of his own wrong.
7. - 4. This being a local action, the declaration requires
certainty in the description of the place where the distress was
taken. 2 Chit: Pl. 411, 412; 10 John. R. 53. But it has been
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 51 of 139
held in Pennsylvania, that the declaration is sufficient, if the
taking is laid to be in the county. 1 P. A. Browne's Rep. 60. The
strictness which formerly prevailed on this subject, has been
relaxed. 2 Saund. 74, b. When the distress has been taken for
rent, the defendant usually avows or makes cognizance, in order
to obtain a return of the goods to which avowry or cognizance the
plaintiff pleads in bar, or the defendant may, in proper cases,
plead non cepit, cepit in alio loco, guilty. 1 Chit. Pl. 490,
491.
8. - 5. As to the judgment, Vide article Judgment in Replevin.
Vide, gen-erally, Bac. Ab. h. t.; 1 Saund. 347, n. 1; 2 Sell.
Pr. 153; Doct. Pl. 414; Com. Dig. h. t.; Dane's Ab. h. t.;
Petersd. Ab. h. t.; 18 Vin. Ab. 576; Yelv. 146, a; 1 Chit.,
Pl. 157; Ham. N. P. ch. 3, p. 372 to 498; Amer. Dig. h. t.;
Harr. Dig. h. t.; Bouv. Inst. Index, h. t. As to the evidence
required in replevin, see Roscoe's Civ. Ev. 353. Vide, also,
article Detinuit.
REPLEVY. To re-deliver goods which have been distrained to the
original possessor of them, on his giving pledges in all action
of replevin. It signifies also the bailing or liberating a man
from prison, on his finding bail to answer. See Replevin.
REPLIANT. One who makes a replication.
REPLICATION, pleading. The plaintiff's answer to the
defendant's plea.
2. Replications will be considered, 1. With regard to their
several kinds. 2. To their form. 3. To their qualities.
3. - §1. They are to pleas in abatement and to pleas in bar.
4. - 1. When the defendant pleads to the jurisdiction of the
court, the plaintiff may reply, and in this case the replication
commences with a statement that the writ ought not to be quashed,
or that the court ought not to be ousted of their jurisdiction,
because &c., and concludes to the country, if the replication
merely deny the subject-matter of the plea. Rast. Entr. 101
Thomps. Entr. 2; Clift's Entr. 17; 1 Chit. Pl. 434. As a
general rule, when the plea is to the misnomer of the plaintiff
or defendant, or when the plea consists of matter of fact which
the plaintiff denies, the replication may begin without any
allegation that the writ or bill ought not to be quashed. 1 Bos.
& Pull. 61.
5. - 2. The replication is, in general, governed by the plea,
and most frequently denies it. When the plea concludes to the
country, the plaintiff must, in general, reply by adding a
similiter; but when the plea concludes with a verification, the
replication must either, 1. Conclude the defendant by matter of
estoppel; or, 2. May deny the truth of the matter alleged in the
plea, either in whole or in part; or, 3. May confess and avoid
the plea; or, 4. In the case of an evasive plea, may new assign
the cause of action. For the several kinds of replication as they
relate to the different forms of action, see 1 Chit. Pl. 551, et
seq.; Arch. Civ. Pl. 258.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 52 of 139
6. - §2. The form of the replication will be considered with
regard to, 1. The title. 2. The commencement. 3. The body. 4. The
conclusion.
7. - 1. The replication is usually entitled in the court and
of the term of which it is pleaded, and the names of the
plaintiff and defendant are stated in the margin, thus "A B
against C D." 2 Chit. Pl. 641.
8. - 2. The commencement is that part of the replication which
immediately follows the statement of the title of the court and
term, and the names of the parties. It varies in form when it
replies to matter of estoppel from what it does when it denies,
or confesses and avoids the plea; in the latter case it
commences with an allegation technically termed the preclude non.
(q. v.) It generally commences with the words, "And the said
plaintiff saith that the said defendant," &c. 1 Chit. Pl. 573.
9. - 3. The body of the replication ought to contain either.
1. Matter of estoppel. 2. Denial of the plea. 3. A confession and
avoidance of it; or, 4. In case of an evasive plea, a new
assignment. 1st. When the matter of estoppel does not appear from
the anterior pleading, the replication should set it forth; as,
if the matter has been tried upon a particular issue in trespass,
and found by the jury, such finding may be replied as an
estoppel. 3 East, R. 346; vide 4 Mass. R. 443. 2d. The second
kind of replication is that which denies or traverses the truth
of the plea, either in part or in whole. Vide Traverse, and 1
Chit. Pl. 576, note a. 3d. The third kind of replication admits,
either in words or in effect, the fact alleged in the plea, and
avoids the effect of it by stating new matter. If, for example,
infancy be pleaded, the plaintiff may reply that the goods were
necessaries, or that the defen-dant, after he came of full age,
ratified and confirmed the promise. Vide Confession and
Avoidance. 4th. When the plea is such as merely to evade the
allegation in the declaration, the plaintiff in his replication
may reassign it. Vide New Assignment, and 1 Chit. Pl. 601.
10. - 4. With regard to the conclusion, it is a general rule,
that when the replication denies the whole of the defendant's
plea, containing matter of fact, it should conclude to the
country. There are other conclusions in particular cases, which
the reader will find fully stated in 1 Chit. Pl. 615, et seq.;
Com. Dig. Pleader, F 5 vide 1 Saund. 103, n.; 2 Caines' R. 60 2
John. R. 428; 1 John. R. 516; Arcb. Civ. Pl. 258; 19 Vin. Ab
29; Bac. Ab. Trespass, I 4; Doct. Pl. 428; Beames' Pl. in Eq.
247, 325, 326.
11. - §3. The qualities of a replication are, 1. That it must
answer so much of the defendant's plea as it professes to answer,
and that if it be bad in part, it is bad for the whole. Com. Dig.
Pleader, F 4, W 2; 1 Saund. 338; 7 Cranch's Rep. 156. 2. It
must not depart from the allegations in the declaration in any
material matter. Vide Departure, and 2 Saund . 84 a, note 1; Co.
Lit. 304 a. See also 3 John. Rep. 367; 10 John. R. 259; 14
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 53 of 139
John., R. 132; 2 Caines' R. 320. 3. It must be certain. Vide
Certainty. 4. It must be single. Vide U. S. Dig. Pleading, XI.;
Bouv. Inst. Index, h. t.; Duplicity; Pleadings.
REPORT, legislation. A statement made by a committee to a
legislative assembly, of facts of which they were charged to
inquire.
REPORT, practice. A certificate to the court made by a master
in chancery, commissioner or other person appointed by the court,
of the facts or matters to be ascertained by him, or of something
of which it is his duty to inform the court.
2. If the parties in the case accede to the report, find no
exceptions are filed, it is in due time confirmed; if exceptions
are filed to the report, they will, agreeably to the rules of the
court, be heard, and the report will either be confirmed, set
aside, or referred. back for the correction of some error. 2
Madd. Ch. 505; Blake's Ch. Pr. 230; Vin. Ab. h. t.
REPORTER. A person employed in making out and publishing the
history of cases decided by the court.
2. The act of congress of August 26, 1842, sect., 2, enacts,
that in the supreme court of the United States, one reporter
shall be appointed by the court with the salary of twelve hundred
and fifty dollars; provided that he deliver to the secretary of
state for distribution, one hundred and fifty copies of each
volume of reports that he shall hereafter prepare and publish,
immediately after the publication thereof, which publication
shall be made annually within four months after the adjournment
of the court at which the decisions are made.
3. In some of the states the reporters are appointed by
authority of law; in others, they are volunteers.
REPORTS. Law books, containing a statement of the facts and
law of each case which has been decided by the courts; they are
generally the most certain proof of the judicial decisions of the
courts, and contain the most satisfactory evidence, and the most
authoritative and precise application of the rules of the common
law. Lit. s. 514; Co. Lit. 293 a; 4 Co. Pref.; 1 Bl. Com. 71
Ram. on Judgm. ch. 13.
2. The number of reports has increased to an inconvenient
extent, and should they multiply in the same ratio which of late
they have done, they will so soon crowd our libraries as to
become a serious evil. The indiscriminate re-port of cases of
every description is deserving of censure. Cases where first
principles are declared to be the law, are reported with as much
care as those where the most abstruse questions are decided. But
this is not all; sometimes two reporters, with the true spirit
of book-making, report the same set of cases, and thereby not
only unnecessarily increase the lawyer's already encumbered
library, but create confusion by the discrepancies which
occasionally appear in the report of the same case.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 54 of 139
3. The modern reports are too often very diffuse and
inaccurate. They seem too frequently made up for the purpose of
profit and sale, much of the matter they contain being either
useless or a mere repetition, while they are deficient in stating
what is really important.
4. A report ought to contain, 1. The name of the case. 2. The
court in which it originated; and, when it has been taken to
another by appeal, certiorari, or writ of error, it ought to
mention by whom it was so taken, and by what proceeding. 3. The
state of the facts, including the pleadings, as far as requisite.
4. The true point before the court. 5. The manner in which that
point has been determined, and by whom. 6. The date.
5. The following is believed to be a correct list of the
American and English Reports; the former arranged under the
heads of the respective states; and the latter in chronological
order. It is hoped this list will be useful to the student.
AMERICAN REPORTS.
UNITED STATES.
1. Supreme Court.
Dallas' Reports. From August term, 1790, to August term, 1800. 4
vols.
Cranch's Reports. From 1800 to February term, 1815. 9 vols.
Wheaton's Reports. From February term, 181 to January term,
1827, inclusive.
12 vols.
Peters' Reports. 16 vols.
Peters' Condensed Reports of Supreme Court of the United States.
These volumes
contain condensed reports of all the cases in second, third,
and
fourth Dallas, the nine volumes of Cranch, and the twelve
volumes of
Wheaton.
Howard's Reports. From 1843 to 1852. 11 vols.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 55 of 139
2. Circuit Courts - First Circuit.
Gallison's Reports. From 1812 to 1815, inclusive. 2 vols.
Mason's Reports. From 1816 to 1830, inclusive. 5 vols.
Sumner's Reports. From 1830 t. 1837. 2 vol.
Story's Reports. From 1839 to l845. 3 vols.
Woodbury and Minot's Reports. From 1845 to 1847. 2 vols.
Second Circuit.
Paine's Reports. From 1810 to 1826. 1 vol.
Third Circuit.
Dallas' Reports. The second, third and fourth volumes contain
cases decided in
this court. From Washington's C. C. Reports. From 1803 to
1827. 4
vols.
Peters' C. C. Reports. From 1803 to 1818. 1 vol.
Baldwin's Reports. From Oct. term, 1829, to April term 1833
inclusive. 1 vol.
Wallace's Reports. Include the cases of May Sessions, 1801. 1
vol.
Wallace, Jr's. Reports. 1 vol.
Fourth Circuit.
Marshall's Decisions. From 1802 to 1832, published since the
death of Chief
Justice Marshall, from his manuscripts, by John M.
Brockenbrough. 2
vols.
Seventh Circuit.
McLean's Reports. From 182 9 to 1845. 3 vols,
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 56 of 139
3. District Courts - District of New York.
Van Ness' Reports. I vol.
District of Pennsylvania.
Peters' Admiralty Decisions. From 1792 to 1807. 2 vols.
Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Gilpin's Reports. From Nov. term, 1828, to Feb. term, 1836,
inclusive. 1 vol.
District of South Carolina.
Bee's Admiralty Reports. From 1792 to 1805. 1 vol.
District of Maine.
Reports of cases argued and determined in the District Court of
the United States, for the District of Maine, from 1822 to 1839.
1 vol. Cited Ware's Reports.
STATE REPORTS.
Alabama.
Alabama Reports. By Henry Minor. From 1820 to 1826. 1 vol.
Stewart's Reports. From 1827 to 1831. 3 vols.
Stewart & Porter's Reports. From 1831 to 1833. 5 vols.
Porter's Reports. From 1834 to 1839. 9 vols.
Alabama Reports. From 1840 to 1849. 14 vols.
Arkansas.
Pike's Reports. From 1837 to 1842. 5 vols.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 57 of 139
Connecticut.
Kirby's Reports,. From 1785 to 1788. 1 vol.
Root's Reports. From 1799 to 1798. 2 vols.
Day's Reports, From 1802 to 1813. 5 vols.
Connecticut Reports. By Thomas Day. From June, 1814 to 1847. 18
vols.
Delaware.
Harrington's Reports. From 1832 to 1847. 4 vols.
Florida.
Florida Reports. From 1846 to 1847. 2 vols.
Georgia.
T. U. P. Chariton's Reports. A Cases decided previous to 1810. 1
vol.
Dudley's Reports. From 1831 to 1833. 1 vol.
R. M. Charlton's Reports. From 1811 to 1837. 1 vol.
Kelly's Reports, 3 vols.
Georgia Reports. From 1846 to 1849. 6 vols.
Illinois.
Breese's Reports. From 1819 to 1830. 1 vol.
Scammond's Reports. From 1832 to 1843. 4 vols.
Gilman's Reports. From 1844 to 1847. 4 vols.
Indiana.
Blackford's Reports. From May, 1817, to May, 1838, inclusive, 7
vols.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 58 of 139
Iowa.
Green's Reports. 1 vol.
Kentucky
Hughes' Reports. From 1785 to 1801. 1 vol.
Kentucky Decisions. From 1801 to 1806. 1 vol.
Hardin's Reports. Fr@m 1805 to 1806. 1 vol.
Bibb's Reports. From 1808 to 1817. 4 vols.
A. K. Marshall's Reports. From 1817 to 1821 3 vols.
Littells Reports. From 1822 to 1824. 6 vols.
Littells Select Cases. From 1795 to 1821. 1 vol.
Munro's Reports. From 1824 to 1828. 7 vols
J. S. Marshall's Reports. From 1829 to 1832 7 vols.
Dana's Reports. From 1833 to 1840. 9 vols.
B. Monroe's Reports. From 1840 to 1848. 8 vols.
Louisiana.
Orleans Term Reports. By Martin. From 1809 to 1812. 2 vols in 1.
Louisiana Term Reports. By Martin, From 1812 to 1823. 10 vols.
Martin's Reports, N. S. (sometimes cited simply New Series,)
1823 to 1830. 8 vols.
The whole of Martin's Reports amount to twenty volumes; the
first twelve, namely, the Orleans and the Louisiana Term Reports,
are cited as Martin's Reports; from the twelfth, they are
sometimes cited as first, second, &c., Martin's New Series, and
sometimes simply New Series. Louisiana Reports. 19 vols. The
first five volumes, from 1830 to August term, 1834, and the first
part of the sixth volume, are the work of Branch W. Miller. The
remainder were reported by Mr. Currey, and are continued to June
term, 1839. The whole of the 19 volumes are cited Louisiana
Reports. Robinson's Reports. From 1841 to 1843. 12 vols.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 59 of 139
Maine.
By a resolve of the legislature, passed in 1836, each volume
subsequent to the third volume of Fairfield's Reports, shall be
entitled and lettered upon the back thereof, "Maine Reports;" and
the first volume subsequent to the third volume of Fairfield's
shall be numbered the thirteenth Volume of Maine Reports.
Maine Reports. 26 vols.
These reports consist of Greenleaf's Reports. From 1820 to 1832.
The first 9
vols.
Fairfield's Reports. From 1833 to 1835. The 10th, 11th, and 12th
vols.
Shepley's Reports. From 1836 to 18401. The 13th to 18th vols.,
inclusive. 6
vols.
Appleton's Reports. The 19th vol. 2 vols.
Appleton, part of vol. 20.
Shepley's Reports, part of vol. 20 and vol. 21 to 28, inclusive.
From 1841 to
1846. 8 vols.
Maryland.
Harris & McHenry's Reports. From 1709 to 1799. 4 vols. Sometimes
cited
Maryland Reports.
Harris & Johnson. From 1800 to 1826. 7 vols.
Harris & Gill. From 1826 to 1829. 2 vols.
Gill & Johnson. From 1829 to 1840. 12 vols.
Bland's Chancery Reports. From 1811 to 1832. 3 vols.
Gill's Reports. From 1813 to 1849. 5 vols.
Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Reports.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 60 of 139
The first volume is reported by Ephraim Williams. His reports
commenced with September term, 1804, in Berkshire, and terminate
with June term, 1805, in Hancock. The 16 volumes from the second
to the seventeenth, inclusive, are reported by Dudley Alkins
Tyng, and embrace from March term, 1806, in Suffolk, to March
term, 1822, in Suffolk. The reports of Williams and Tyng are
cited Massachusetts Reparts.
Pickering's Reports. From 1832 to March 1840. 24 vols.
Metcalf's Reports. From 1840 to 1848. 1 vols.
Michigan.
Harrington's Reports. 1 vol.
Walker's Chancery Cases. From 1842 to 1845. 1 vol.
Douglass' Reports. From 1843 to 1847. 2 vols.
Mississippi.
Walker's Reports. From 1818 to 1832. 1 vol.
Howard's Reports. From 1834 to 1843. 7 vols.
Smedes & Marshall's Reports. From 1843 to 1849. 12 vols.
Freeman's Chancery Reports. From 1839 to 1843. 1 vol.
Smedes & Marshall's Chancery Reports. From 1840 to 1843. 1 vol.
Missouri.
Missouri Reports. From 1821 to 1846. 9 vols.
New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Reports. From 1816 to 1842. 13 vols.
Nathaniel Adams reported cases from 1816 to 1819, which makes
the first volume of N. H. Rep. Levi Woodbury and William
Richardson reported the cases from 1819, to 1823; and William
Richardson from 1823 to 1832, making the third fourth and fifth
volumes of N. H. Rep. They are continued under the direction of
the supreme court, and already make thirteen volumes.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 61 of 139
New Jersey.
Coxes' Reports. From 1790 to 1795. 1 vol.
Pennington's Reports. From 1806 to 1813. 2 vols.
Southard's Reports. From 1816 to 1820. 2 vols.
Halstead's Reports. From 1821 to 1831. 7 vols.
Green's Reports. From 183@ to 1836. 3 vols.
Harrison's Reports. From 1837 to 1842. 4 vols.
Sexton's Chancery Reports. From 1830 to 1832. 1 vol.
Green's Chancery Reports, 1838 to 1846. 3 vols.
Spencer's Reports. From 1842 to 1845. 1 vol.
Halsted's Chancery Reports. From 1845 to 1846. 1 vol.
New York.
Coleman & Caine's Cases. From 1794 to 1805. 1 vol.
Caine's Reports. From 180,3 to 1805. 3 vols.
Caine's Cases. For 1804 and 1805. 2 vols.
Anthon's Nisi Prias Cases. From 1808 to 1818. 1 vol.
Roger's New York City Hall Recorder. From 1816 to 1821. 6 vols.
Wheeler's Criminal Cases. 3 vols.
Hall's Reports. For 1828 and 1829. 2 vols.
Hoffman's Vice Chancery Reports. From 1839 to 1840. 1 vol.
Edwards' Vice Chancery Reports. From 1831 to 1842. 3 vols.
Clarke's Vice Chancery Reports. From 1839 to 1841., 1 vol.
Johnson's Cases. From 1799 to 1803. 3 vols.
Johnson's Repoets. From 1806 to 1823. 20 vols.
Cowen's Reports. From 1823 to 1828. 9 vols,
Wendell's Reporti. From 1828 to 1841. 26 vols.
Hill's Reports from 1841 to 1845. 7 vols.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 62 of 139
John ns &a cery Reparts. From 1814 to 1823. 7 vols.
Howard's Practice Reports. For 1844 and 1845. 3 vols.
Denio's Reports. From 1845 to 1847. 5 vols.
Hopkin's Chancery Reports. From 1823 to 1826. 1 vol.
Paige's Chancery Reports. From 1828 to 1845. 11 vols.
Sandford's Vice Chancery Reports. From 1843 to 1846. 3 vols.
Barbour's Chancery Reports. From 1845 to 1849. 3 vols.
Barbour's Superior Court. For 1847 and 1848. 4 vols.
Sandford's Superior Court. For 1847 and 1848. 1 vol.
Lockwood's Reversed Cases. From 1799 to 1847. 1 vol.
Comstock's Supreme Court. For 1847 and 1848. 1 vol.
North Carolina
Martin's Reports. 1 vol.
Heywood's Reports. From 1789 to 1806. 2 vols.
Taylor's Reports. From 1789 to 1802. 1 vol.
North Carolina Term Reports, (sometimes bound and lettered are
cited as the third Law Repository.) It is a second volume of
Reports by John Louis Taylor; it contains cases from 1816 to
1818. 1 vol.
Conference Reports. By Cameron & Norwood. From 1800 to 1804. 1
vol.
Murphy's Reports. From 1804 to 1819. 3 vols.
Carolina Law Repository. From 1813 to 1816. 2 vols.
Hawks' Reports. From 1820 to 1826. 4 vols.
Ruin's Reports, (bound with Hawks' Reports.)
Devereux's Reports. From 1826 to 1834. 4 vols.
Devereux's Equity Reports. From 1826 to 1834. 2 vols.
Devereux & Battle's Reports. From 1834 to 1840. 4 vols.
Deveretlx & Battle's Equity Reports. From 1834 to 1840. 2 vols.
Iredell's Reports, Law. From 1840 to 1849. 9 vols.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 63 of 139
Iredell's Reports, Chancery. From 1840 to 1848, 5 vols.
Ohio.
Ohio Reports. 15 vols.
These reports are composed of Hammond's Reports. From 1821 to
1839. 9 vols.
Wright's Reports. From 1831 to 1834. 1 vol.
Wilcox's Reports. From 1840 to 1841. 1 vol.
Stanton's Reports. From 1841 to 1843. 3 vols.
Griswold's Reports. From 1844 to 1846. 2 vols.
Pennsylvania.
Dallas' Reports. From 1754 to 1806. 4 vols. Vide Supra.
Yeates' Reports. From 1791 to 1808. 4 vols.
Binney's Reports. From 1799 to 1814. 6 vols
Sergeant & Rawle's Reports. From 1818 to 1829. 17 vols
Rawle's Reports. trom 1828 to 1835. 5 vols.
Wharton's Reports. From 1835 to 1841. 6 vols.
Pennsylvania Reports, reported by William Rawle, Charles B.
Penrose, and Frederick Watts. From 1829 to 1832. 3 vols.
Watts' Reports. From 1832 to 1840. 10 vols.
Watts & Sergeant's Reports. 9 vols.
Browne's Reports. From 1806 to 1814. 2 vols.
Miles' Reports. For 1835 and 1841. 2 vols.
Addison's Reports. From 1791 to 1799. 1 vol.
Ashmead's Reports. From 1808 to 1841. 2 vols.
Pennsylvania State Reports. By Robert M.
Barr. From 1844 to 1849. 10 vols. 1849 to 1850. 2 vol. By J.
Pringle Jones.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 64 of 139
1830 to 1852. 4 vols. By Geo. W. Harris.
South Carolina.
Bay's Reports. From 1783 to 1804. 2 vols.
Dessaussure's Equity Reports. From the Revolution to 1813. 4
vols.
Brevard's Reports. From 1793 to 1816. 3 vols.
South Carolina Reports. From 1812 to 1816. 2 vols.
Nott & M'Cord's Reports. From 1817 to 1820. 2 vols.
Mills' Constitutional Reports, N. S. For 1817 and 1818. 2 vols.
Harper's Reports. For 1823 and 1824. 1 vol.
Harper's Equity Reports. For 1824. 1 vol.
M'Cord's Reports. From 1820 to 1829. 4 vols.
M'Cord's Chancery Reports. From 1825 to 1827. 2 vols.
Bailey's Reports. From 1828 to 1832. 2 vols.
Bailey's Cbancery. From 1830 to 1831. 1 vol.
Hill's Reports. From 1833 to 1837. 3 vols.
Hill's Chancery Reports. For 1838. 2 vols.
Riley's Chancery Cases. From 1836 to 1887. 1 vol
Riley's Law Cases. From 1836 to 1837. 1 vol.
Dudley's Law Reports. From 1837 to 1838 1 vol.
Dudley's Equity Reports. From 1837 to 1838 1 vol.
Rice's Reports. Frlom 1838 to 1839. 1 vol.
Rice's Chancery Reports. From 1838 to 1839. 1 vol.
Cheves' Reports. From 1839 to 1840. 2 vols.
McMullan's Chancery. From 1840 to 1842. 1 vol.
McMullen's Law. FTOM 1835 to 1842. 2 vols.
Spear's Equity. From 1842 to 1844. 1 vol.
Spear's Law. For 1843. 2 vols.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 65 of 139
Richardson's Law Reports. From 1844 to 1847. 3 vols.
Richardson's Equity Reports. From 1844 to 1846. 2 vols.
Strobhart's Law Reports. From 1846 to 1848. 3 vols.
Strobhart's Equity Reports. From 1846 to 1848. 2 vols.
Statutes at Large, For 1838. 9 vols.
Tennessee.
Tennessee Reports. From 179i to 1815. 2 vols. These cases were
reported by John Overton. They are cited Tenn. Rep. Cooke's
Reports. From 1811 to 1814. 1 vol.
Heywood's Reports. From 1816 to 1818. 3 vols. These volumes are
numbered
three, four, and five, in a series with Judge Heywood's
North
Carolina Reports, volumes one and two.
Peck's Reports. From 1822 to 1824. 1 vol.
Martin & Yerger's Reports. From 1825 to 1828. 1 vol.
Yerger's Reports. From 1832 to 1837. 10 vols.
Meigs' Reports. From 1838 to 1839. 1 vol.
Humphrey's Reports. From 1839 to 1846. 8 vols.
Vermont.
N. Chipman's Reports. From 1789 to 1791. 1 vol.
Tyler's Reports. From 1801 to 1803. 2 vols
Brayton's Reports. From 1815 to 1819. 1 vol.
D. Chipman's Reports. Containing Select Cases from N. Chipman's
Reports, and cages down to 1825. 2 vols.
Aiken's Reports. For 1826 and 1827. 2 vols.
Vermont Reports. From 1826 to 1846. 18 vols. These reports are
composed of Judges Reports, the first 9 vols.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 66 of 139
Shaw's Reports. The 10th and part of the 11th vol.
Watson's Reports. Part of 11th, the whole of 12th, 13th, and
14th vols.
Slade's Reports. The 15th vol.
Washburne's Reports. The 16th, 17th, and 18th vols.
Virginia.
Wythe's Chancery Reports. From 1790 to 1795. 1 vol.
Washington's Reports. From 1790 to 1796. 2 vols.
Call's Reports. From 1790 to 1818. 6 vols.
Henning and Mumford's Reports. From 1806 to 1809. 4 vols.
Mumford's Reports. From 1810 to 1820. 6 vols. I
Gilmer's Reports, (sometimes cited Virginia Reports.) During
1820 and 1821.
1 vol.
Randolph's Reports. From 1821 to 1828. 6 vols.
Leigh's Reports. From 1829 to 1841. 12 vols.
Jefferson's Reports. From 1730 to 1772. 1 vol.
Virginia cases. From 1789 to 1826. 2 vols.
The first of these volumes is by Judges Brockenbrough and
Holmes, and contains cases decided from 1789 to 1814; the second
volume is by Judge Brockenbrough, and contains cases decided from
1815 to 1826.
Robinson's Reports. From 1842 to 1844. 2 vols.
Grattan's Reports. From 1844 to 1848. 5 vols.
Wisconsin.
Burritt's Reports. 1 Vol.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 67 of 139
ENGLISH AND IRISH REPORTS.
6. The following is a chronological list of English and Irish
contemporary Reports, alphabetically arranged under each reign.
Henry III. Oct. 19, 1216. Nov. 16, 1272.
Jenkins, Ex., 4, 19, 21.
Edward I. Nov. 16, 1272. July 7, 1307.
Jenkins, Ex., 18, 34.
Keilwey, K. B. and C. P., 6.
Year Book, K. B., C. P. and Exchequer, part 1.
Edward II. July 7, 1307. Jan. 25, 1327.
Jenkins, Ex., 5, 15, 18.
Year Book, K. B., C. P;, and Ex., part I.
Edward III. Jan. 25, 1327., June 21, 1377.
Benloe, K. B. and C. P., 32.
Jenkins, Ex., I to 47.
Keilwey, K. B. and C. P. 1 to 47.
Year Book' K. B. and C. P., part 2-1 to 10.
Year Book: K. B. and C. P., P.,t 3-17, 18, 21 to 28, 38, 89.
Year Book, K. B. and C. P., part 4-40 to 50.
Year Book, part 5, Liber Assisarum, 1 to 51.
Richard II. June 21, 1377. Sept. 29, 1399.
Bellewe, K. B. and C. P., 1 to 22.
Jenkins, Ex., I to 22.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 68 of 139
Henry IV. Sept. 29, 1399. Mar. 20, 1413.
Jenkins, Ex., 1 to 14.
Year Book, K. B. and C. P., part 6, 1 to 14.
Henry V. Mar. 20, 1413. Aug. 31, 1422.
Jenkins, Ex., 1 to 10.
Year Book, K. B. and C. P., part 6 - 1, 2, 5, 7 to 10.
Henry VI. Aug. 31, 1422. Mar. 4, 1461.
Benloe, K. B. and C. P., 2, 18.
Jenkins, Ex., I to 39.
Year Book, K. B. and C. P., parts 7 and 8 - 4, 7 to 12, 14, 18
to 22, 27, 28, 30 to 39.
Edward IV. Mar. 4, 1461. April 9, 1483.
Jenkins, Ex., 1 to 21.
Year Book, K. B. and C. P., part 9 - 1 to 22.
Year Book, K. B., C. P., and Ex., part 10-5.
Edward V. April 9, 1483. June 22, 1483.
Jenkins, Ex.
Year Book, X. B. and C. P., part 11.
Richard III. June 22, 1483., Aug. 22, 1485.
Jenkins, Ex., 1, 2. 1
Year Book, K. B. and C. P., part 11 - 1, 2.
Henry VII. Aug. 22, 1485. April 22, 1509.
Benloe, K. B. and C. P. 1.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 69 of 139
Jenkins, Ex., 1 to 21.
Keilwey, K. B. and C. P.; 12, 13, 17 to 24.
Moore, K. B. and C. P., Ex. and Chan., 1 to 2
Year Book, K. B, and C. P., part 11 - 1 to 16, 20 to 24.
Henry VIII. April 22, 1509. Jan. 28, 1547.
Anderson, C. P., 25, &c.
Benloe, C. P., 1 to 38.
Benloe, (New), K. B., C. P., and Ex., 22, &c
Benloe, Keilwey and Ashe, K. B., C. P and Ex.
Brooke's New Cases, K. B., C. P., and Exchequer.
Dalison, C. P., 38.
Dyer, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan. 4, &c.
Jenkins, Ex., 1 to 38.
Keilwey, K. B. and C. P., 1 to 11, and 21.
Moore, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., 3.
Year Book, K. B., and C. P., part 11-13, 14, 18, 19, 26, 27, 29
to 38.
Edward VI. Jan, 28, 1547. July 6, 1553.
Anderson, C. P., 1 to 6.
Benloe and Dalison, C. P., 2,
Brooke's New Cases, K. B., C. P. and Ex.
Benloe (New), K. B., C. P. and Ex. 1 to 6.
Dyer, K. B., C. P.; Ex. and Chan. 1 to 6.
Jenkins, Ex., 1 to 6.
Moore, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., 1 to 6.
Plowden, K. B., C. P. and Exchequer, 4 to 6.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 70 of 139
Mary. - July 6, 1553. Nov. 17, 1558.
Anderson, C. P., 1 to 6.
Benloe and Dalison, C P., 1 to 5.
Benloe in Keilwey and Ashe, K. B., C. P. a Ex., 1 to 5.
Benloe (New), K. B., C. P. and Ex., 1 to 5.
Booke's New Cases, K. B., C. P., and Ex., 1 to 5.
Cary, Chan., 5.
Dyer, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., 1 to 5.
Dalison, in Keilwey and Ashe, C. P., 1, 4, 5.
Jenkins, Ex., 1 to 5.
Leonard, K. B., C. P., and Ex., 1 to 5.
Owen, K. B. and C. P., 4, 5.
Plowden, K. B., C. P. and Ex., I to 5.
Elizabeth. Nov. 17, 1558. Mar. 24, 1603.
Anderson, C. P., 1 to 45.
Benloe in Keilwey and Ashe, K. B., C. P., and Ex., 2 to 20.
Benloe, K. B., C. P., and Ex., 1 to 17.
Benloe, C. P., 1 to 21.
Brownlow and Goldeshorough, C. P., 11 to 45.
Cary, Chan., 1 to 45.
Coke, K. B , C. P., Ex. and Chan., 14 to 45.
Croke, K. B., and C. P., 24 to 45.
Dalison, C. P., 1 to 16.
Dalison in Keilwey and Ashe, C. P., 2 to 7.
Dickens, Chan., a few cases.
Dyer, K. B. and C. P., 1 to 23.
Godbolt, K. B., &c., 17 to 45.
Goldeshorough, K. B., &c., 28 to 31, 39 to 43.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 71 of 139
Hobart, K. B., &c., a few cases.
Hutton, C. P., 26 to 38.
Jenkins, Ex., I to 45.
Leonard, K. B., C. P. and Ex., 1 to 45.
Moore, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan. 1 to 45.
Noy. K. B. and C. P., 1 to 45.
Owen, K. B. and C. P., I to 45.
Plowden, K. B., C. P. and Ex.
Popham, K. B., C. P. and Chan., 34, 9
Savill e, C. P. and Ex., 22 to 36.
Tothill, Chan., 1 to 45.
YelveKton, K. B. 44, 45.
James I. Mar. 24, 1603. Mar. 27, 1625.
Anderson, C. P., 1.
Benloe, K. B., C. P., and Ex., 19 to 23.
Bridgman, C. P , 12 to 19.
Brownlow and Goldeshorough, C. P., 1 to 23.
Bulstrode, K. B., 7 to 15.
Cary, Chan. 1.
Coke, K. B., C. P, Ex. and Chan., 1 to 13.
Croke, K. B. and C. P. 1, 23.
Davis, K. B., C. P. and Ex., 2 to 9.
Glanville, election before committee of H. C., 21, 22.
Godbolt, K. B., &c., 1 to 23.
Hobert, K. B., &c., 1 to 23.
Hutton, C. P., 10 to 23.
Jenkins, Ex., 1 to 21.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 72 of 139
Jones (W.) K. B. and C. P., 18 to 33.
Lane, Ex., 3 to 9.
Leonard, K. B., C. P. and Ex., 1 to 12.
Ley, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Court of Wards, 6 to 23.
Moore, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., 1 to 18.
Noy, K. B. and C. P. 1 to 23.
Owen, K. B. and C. P., 1 to 12.
Palmer, K. B., 17 to 23.
Popham, K. B., C. P., and Chan., 15 to 23.
Reports in Chancery, 13.
Rolle, K. B., 12 to22.
Tothill, Chan., 1 to 23.
Winch, C. P., 19 to 23.
Yelverton, K. B., 1 to 10.
Charles I. - Mar. 27, 1625. Jan. 30, 1649.
Aleyn, K. B., 22 to 24.
Benloe, K. B., C. P. and Ex., 1 to 3.
Bulstrode, K. B., 1 to 14.
Clayton, Pleas of As. York, 7 to 24.
Croke, K. B. and C. P., 1 to 16
Godbolt, K. B., &c., 1 to 13.
Hetley, C. P., 3 to 7.
Hutton, C. P.. 1 to 14.
Jones, (W.) K. B. and C. P., 1 to 16.
Latch, K. B., 1 to 3.
Ley, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Court of Wards, 1 to 4.
Littleton, C. P. and Ex., 2 to 7.
March, K. B. and C. P., 15 to 18.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 73 of 139
Nelson, Chan., 1 to 24.
Noy, K. B. and C. P., 1 to 24.
Palmer, K. B. and C. P., 1 to 4.
Popham, K.,B., C. P. and Chan., 1, 2.
Reports in Chancery, 1 to 24.
Style, K. B., 21 to 24.
Tothill, Chan., I to 21.
Charles II. May 29, 1660. Feb. 6, 1685.
Bridgman, C. P., 1 to 8.
Carter, C. P., 16 to 27.
Cases in Chancery, part 1-12 to 30.
Cases in Chancery, part 2-26 to 37. Most of these cases in 2 C.
C. are grossly misreported, said per Lord Loughborough,* 1 H.
Bl. 332
Cayton, Pleas of As. York, 1, 2.
Dickens, Chan., a few cases.
Finch, Chan., 25 to 32.
Freeman, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., 22 to 37.
Hardres, Ex., 7 to 21.
Jones (Tho.) K. B. and C. P., 19 to 37
Krebi K. B., 13 to 30.
Kelyng (Sir J.) Crown Cades and in K. B., 14 to 20.
Levinz, X. B. and C. P., 12 to 37
Lutwyche, C. P., 34 to 37.
Modern, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., vols. 1, 2 - 1 to 29.
Modern, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Cban., vol. 2 - 26 to 30.
Modern, K. C., C. P., Ex. and Chan., vol. 3 - 34 to 37.
Nelson, Chan., 1 to 37.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 74 of 139
Parker, Ex., 30.
Pollexfen, K. B., C. P. and Chan., 22 to 37.
Raymond, (T.) K. B., C. P. and Ex., 12 to 35.
Reports in Chancery, 1 to 37.
Saunders, k. B., 18 to 24.
Select Cases in Chancery, 33.
Shower, K. B., 30 to 37.
Siderlin, K. Ii., C. P. and Ex., 9 to 22.
Skinner, K. B., 33 to 37.
Style, K. B., I to 7.
Vaughan, C. P., 17 to 25.
Ventris, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., 20 to 37.
Vernon, Chan., 32 to 37,
James II. Feb. 6, 1685. Feb. 13, 1689.
Carthew, K. B., 2 to 4. N
Cases in Chancery, part 2 - 1 to 3.
Cases of Settlement, K. B., 2 to 4.
Comberbach, K. B., 1 to 4. Comberbach is said, by Lord Thurlow,
to be bad authority. 1 Bro. C. C. 97.
Freeman, K. B., C. P., Ex. lind Chan., 1 to 4.
Levinz, K. B. and C. P., 1, 2.
Lutwyche, C. P. 1 to 4. N
Modern, K B., C. P. and Chan. vol. 3 - 1 to 4.
Parker, Ex., 3, 4.
Reports in Chancery, 1 to 3.
Shower, K. B., 1 to 4.
Skinner, K. B., 1 to 4.
Ventris, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., 1 to 4.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 75 of 139
Vernon, Ch., 1 to 4.
William III. & Mary. Feb. 13, 1682. Mar. 8, 1702.
Carthew, K. B., 1 to 12.
Cases concerning Settlements, X. B., 1 to 14.
Colles, Parliamentary Cases, 9 to 14.
Comberbach, K. B., 1 to 10.
Comyns, K. B., C. P., Ex. Chan. and before the Delegates, 7 to
14.
Fortescue, K: B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., 7 to 14.
Freeman, K B., C. P., I Ex. and Chan., 1 to 14.
Kelyng, (Sir J.) Crown Canes, and in K. B., 8 to 13.
Levinz, K. B. and C. P., 1 to 18.
Lutwyche, C. P., I to 14.
Modern, K. B,., C. P., Ex. and Chan., vol. 3 - 1, 2.
Modern, K. B., C. P., Fx- and Chan., vol. 4 - 3 to 7.
Modern, K. B., C. P., Ex- and Chan., vol. 5 - 5 to 11.
Modern, K. B., C. 'P., Ex. and Chan., vol. 12 - 2 to 14.
Parker, Ex., 4 to 13.
Peere Williams, Chan. and K. B., 7 to 14.
Precedents in Chancery, 1 to 4.
Raymond, (Lord) K. B. and C. P., 4 to 14.
Reports in Chancery, vol. 2-5.
Reports temp. Holt, K. B., C. P.,Ex. and Chan., 1 to 14.
Salkeld, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chair., 1 to 14.
Select Cases in Chancery, 5,,9.
Shower, K. B., 1 to 6.
Skinner, K. B , I to 9.
Ventris, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., 1, 2.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 76 of 139
Vernon, Chan., 1 to 14.
Anne. Mar. 8, 1702. dug. 1, 1714,
Brown's Parliamentary Cases, 1 to 1.3.
Banbury, Ex., 12, 13.
Cases concerning Settlements, K. B., 1 to 13.
Cases on Practice, C. P., 5 to 13.
Colles, Parliamentary Cases, 1 to 8.
Comyns, K. B., C. P., Ex. Chanc. and before the Delegates, 1 to
13.
Dickens, Chan., a few cases.
Fortesque, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., 1 to 13.
Freeman, K. J3., C. P., Ex. and Chan., 1 to 5.
Gilbert's Cases in Law an Equity, 12, 13.
Gilbert, K. B.,.Chan. and Ex., 4 to 43.
Relyng, (Sir J.) Crown Cases, and in K. B.
Lutwyche, C. P., 1, 2.
Modern, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., vol. 6 - 2, 3.
Modern, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., vol. 7 - 1.
Modern, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., vol. 10 - 8 to 13.
Modern, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., vol. 11 - 4 to 8.
Parker, Ex., 6 to 12.
Peere Williams, Chan. and K. B., 1 to 13.
Practical Register, C. P.) 3 to 13.
Precedents in Chancery, 1 to 13.
Raymond, (Lord) K. B. and C. P., 1 to 13.
Reports in Chancery, 4 to 8.
Reports temp. Holt, 1 to 9.
Robertson's App. Cases, 5 to 13.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 77 of 139
Salkeld, K.,B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., 1 to 10.
Session Cases, K. B., 9 to 13
Vernon, Chan., 1 to 13.
George I. Aug. 1, 1714. June 11, 1727.
Barnardiston, K. B., 12, 13. This book is said to be "not of
much authority;" Dougl. 333, n.; "of still less authority than
10 Mod.;" Dougl. 669, n; "a bad reporter." 1, East, 642, n.
Brown's Parliamentary Cases, 1 to 13.
Bunbury, Ex., 1 to 13. Mr. Bunbury never meant that those cases
should be published; they are very loose notes. 5 Burr. 2568.
Cases concerning Settlements, K. B., 1 to 13.
Cases of Practice, C. P., 1 to 13.
Comyns, K. B., C. P., Ex. Chanc. and before the Delegates, 1 to
13.
Dickens, Chan., 1 to 13.
Fortescue, K.@ B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., 1 to 13.
Gilbert, K. B., Chan. and Ex., 1 to 12.
Modern, K. B., C. P., Ex.,and Chan., vols. 8 and 9 - 8 to 12.
Modern, K. B., C. P.,. Ex., and Chan., vol. 10 - 1 to 11.
Mosely' Chan., 12, 13.
Parker, Ex., 4 to 13.
Peere Williams, Chan. and K. B., 1 to 13.
Practical Register, C. P., 1 to 13.
Precedents in Chancery, 1 to 8.
Raymond (Lord) K. B. and C. P., 1 and 10 to 13.
Robertson's Appeal Cases, 1 to 13.
Select Cases in Chan., 10 to 12.
Sessions Cases, K. B., 1 to 13.
Strange, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., 2 to 13.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 78 of 139
Vernon, Chan. 1 to 5.
George II. June 11, 1727. Oct. 25, 1760.
Ambler, Chap. and Ex. 11 to 34.
Andrews, K. B., 11, 12.
Atkyn's Chan., 9 to 27.
Barnardiston, C. B., 1 to 7.
Barnardiston, Chan., 13, 14.
Barnes, C. P., 5 to 34.
Belt's Supplement to Vesey, Chan., 20 to 28.
Blackstone (Wm.) K. B. and C. P., 20 to 24, and 30 to 34. These
reports are said not to be very accurate, per Lord Mansfield,
Doug. 92, n.
Brown's Parl. Cases, 1 to 34.
Bunbury, Ex., 1 to 14.
Burrow's K. B., 30 to 34.
Burrow's Settlement Cases, K. B., 5 to 34.
Cases of Settlement, K. B., 1 to 5.
Cases of Practice, K. P., 1 to 20.
Cases temp. Talbot, Chan. K. B., C. P., 7, 10.
Comyns, Ex., Chan. and before the Delegates, 1 to 13.
Cunningham, K. B., 7, 8.
Dickens, Chan., 1 to 34. Mr. Dickens was a very attentive and
diligent
register; but his notes being rather loose, are not to be
considered
as of very high authority, per Lord Redesdale, 1 Sch. & Lef.
240. Vide
also Sug. Vend. 146.
Eden, Chan., 30 to 34.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 79 of 139
Fitzgibbon, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., 1 to 5.
Fortescue, 1 to 10.
Foster, Crown Cases, 16 to 34.
Kelynge, (W.) K. B.; C. P. and Chan., 1 to 8.
Konyon, K. B., &c., 26 to 30.,
Leach, Crown Cases, 4 to 34.
Lee, (Sir Geo.) Ecclesiastical, 25 to 32.
Moseley, Chan., 1 to 3.
Parker, Fx , 16 to 34.
Peere Williams, Chan. and K. B., 1 to 8.
Practical Register, C. P., I to 15.
Raymond, (Lord) K. B. and C. P., 1 to 6.
Reports temp. Hardwicke, K. B., 7, 10.
Robertson's Appeal Cases, a few.
Sayer, K. B., 25 to 29.
Select Cases in Chancery, 6.
Sessions Cases, K. B., 1 to 20.
Strange, K. B., C. P., Ex. and Chan., 1 to 21.
Vesey, (sen.) Chan., 20 to 28.
Willes, C. P., Exch., Chan. and House of Lords. 11 to 32.
Wilson, K. B., C. P., 16 to 34.
George III. Oct. 25, 1762. Jan. 29, 1820.
Acton, Appeal Cases, 49, 50.
Ambler, Chan. and Ex., 1 to 24.
Anstruther, Ex., 32 to 37.
Ball and Beatty, Irish Chan., 47 to 54.
Barnewell and Alderson, K. B., 58 to 60.
Blackstone, (Sir W.) K. B. and C.,P., 1 to 20.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 80 of 139
Blackstone, (H.) C. P. and Ex. Chamb., 28 to 36.
Bligh, Appeal Cases, 59, 60.
Bosanquet and Puller, C. P., and Exch. Chamb., to 47.
Bott, Settlement Cases, 1 to 60.
Broderip and Bingham, C. P., 59, 60.
Brown, Chancery, 18 to 34.
Brown, Parl. Cases, 1 to 40.
Buck, Bankruptcy, 57 to 60.
Burrow, K. B., 1 to 12.
Burrow, Settlement Cases, K. B., 1 to 16.
Caldecot, Settlement Cases, K. B., 17 to 26.
Campbell, Nisi Prius, K. B., C. P., and Home Circuit, 48 to 56.
Cases of Practice, K. B., 1 to 14.
Chitty, K. B., 47 to 60.
Cooper, Chan., 55.
Corbet and Daniel, Election Cases.
Cowper, K. B., 14 to 18.
Cox, Chan., 23 to 36.
Daniell, Ex., 57 to 60.
Dickens, Chan., I to 38.
Dodson, Admiralty, 51 to 57.
Douglas, K. B., 19 to 25.
Dow, H. of Lords, 53 to 58.
Durnford and East, K. B., 26 to 40.
East, K. B., 41 to 52.
Edwards, Admiralty, 48, 49.
Eden, Cban., 1 to 7.
Espinasse, Nisi Prius, K. B., C. P. and Home Circuit, 33 to 47.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 81 of 139
Forrest, Ex., 41@
Fraser, Elec., H. Com. 32.
Gow, Nisi Prius, C. P., 59, 60.
Haggard, Consistory Court, 29 to 60.
Holi, Nisi Prius, C. P. and North Circuit, 55 to 18.
Jacob & Walker, Chan., 60.
Kenyon, K. B., &c.
Leach's Crown Cases, 1 to 55.
Lofft, K. B., C. P. and Chan., 12 to 14.
Luders, Election Cases, 25 to 30.
Mariott, Admiralty, 16 to 19.
Marshall, C. P., 54 to 57.
Maddock, Vice Chan., 55 to 60.
Maule & Selwyn,, K. B., 53 to 57
Merivate, Chan., 57 to 58.
Moore, C. P., 57 to 60.
Nolan, K. B., 32 to 34.
Parker, Ex., 1 to 7.
Peake, Nisi Prius, K. B., 30 to 35.
Peckwell, Election Cases, 45,46.
Phillimore, Ecclesiastical, 49 to 60.
Price, Ex., 54 to 60.
Robinson, Admiralty, 39 to 48.
Rose, Bankruptcy 50 to 56.
Russell & Ryan, Crown Cases, 39, &c.
Schoales & Lefroy, Irish Chan., 42 to 44.
Smith, K. B. and Chan., 44 to 46.
Starkie, Nisi Prius, K. B., C. P. and North Cir., 5 to 60.
Swanston, Chan., 58 to 60.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 82 of 139
Taunton, C. P., 48 to 58.
Vesey, jun., Chan., 29 to 52.
Vesey & Beames, dhan., 52 to 54.
Wightwick, Ex., 50, 51.
Wilson, K. B. and C. .P., 1 to 14.
Wilson, Chan., 58 to 60.
Wilson; Ex., 57.
George IV. Jan. 29, 1820, June 26, 1830.
Addams, Eccl. 2 to 6.
Barnwell & Alderson, K. B., 1 to 3.
Barnewall & Cresswell, K. B., 3 to 10.
Adolphus, K. B., 10, &c.
Batty, K. B., (Ireland) 5 & 6.
Beitty, Chan., (do.) 7 & 8.
Bingham, C. P., 3, &c.
Bligh, H. of Lords, 1, &c.
Bott, Settlement Cases, 1 to 7.
Broderip & Bingham, C. P., 1 to 3.
Carrington & Payne, N. P., 4, &c.
Chitty, K. B., 1 to 3.
Cresswell, Insolvent, 7 to 9.
Daniell, Exchequer.
Danson & Lloyd, Mercantile Cases, 8, 9.
Dowling & Ryland, 2 to 7.
Fox & Smith, K. B., (Ireland) 3 to 5.
Glyn & Jameson, Bankruptcy.
Haggard, Eccles. 7 to 10.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 83 of 139
Hogan, Rolls, (rreland) 6 & 7.
Hudson & Brooke, K. B., (Ireland) 7 to 11.
Jacob & Walker, Chan., 1, 2.
Jacob, Chan., 2, 3.
Lloyd & Welshy, Mercantile Cases, 10, &c.
Maddock, Vice-Chan., I to 3.
Manning & Ryland, K. B., 7 to 9.
Molloy, Chan., (Ireland) 7 to 11.
Moody & Malkin, N. P., 7, &c.
Moore, C. P., 1 to 7.
Moore & Payne, C. P., 7, &c.
Phillimore, Eccles., 1, 2.
Price, Exchequer, 1, &c.
Russell & Ryan, Cro. Cases, 1 to 3.
Russell, Chan., 6 &c.
Russell & Mylne, 9, &c.
Ryan & Moody, N. P., 4 to 7.
Ryan & Moody, Cro. Cases, 4 to 10.
Simon & Stuart, Vice-Chan., 2 to 7.
Simons, Vice-Chan., 7 &c.
Smith & Batty, K B., (Ireland) 4, & 5
Starke, N. P., 1 &c.
Turner, Chan., 3, &c.
Younge & Jervis, Ex., 7, &c.
Younge, Ex. Eq., 11, &C.
William IV. June 26, 1830. June 20, 1837.
Adolphus & Ellis, K. B., 4 to
Barnewell & Adolphus, X. B., 1 to 3.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 84 of 139
Bingham, C. P., 1 to
Bligh, H. of Lords, 1 to
Carrington & Payne' N. P., 1 to
Clark & Finnelli, 2 to
Cockburn & Rowe, 3.
Crompton & Jervis, Exch., 1 & 2,
Crompton & Meeson, Exch., 3 & 4,
Crompton, Meeson & Roscoe, Ech., 4 to 6.
Curteis, 5 to
Deacon & Chitty, Bankruptcy, 2 to 5.
Deacon, Bankruptcy, 6 to
Dow & Clarke, H. of Lords, 1 to
Dowling, Practice, Cases, 1 to
Haggard, Ecclesiastical, 1 to
Haggard, Admiralty, 1 to
Hayes, Exch., (Ireland) 1 to 3.
Knapp, Appeal Cases, 1 to
Knapp & Ombler, Election Cases, 5 to
Lloyd & Goold, Irish Chan., 5 to
Manning & Ryland, K. B., 1 to
Meeson & Welshy, 6.
Montagu & Bligh, Bankruptcy, 2 & 3.
Montagu & Ayrton, Bankruptch, 3 to
Moody & Malkin, N. P., 1 to
Moore & Payne, C. P., 1 to
Moore & Scott, C. P., 1 to
Mylne & Craig.
Mylne & Keen, Chan., 3 to
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 85 of 139
Neville & Manning, K. B., 3
Perry & Knapp, election Cases, 3 to 5.
Russell & Mylne, Chan., 1 to 3.
Scott, C. P., 5 tyo
Simons, Vice-Chan. 1 to
Tamlyn, Rolls, 1 to
Tyrwhitt, Exch., 1 to
Tyrwhitt & Granger.
Wilson & Shaw. H. of Lords, 1 to
Wilson & Courtenay, H. of Lords, 2 to
Younge, Equity Exch., 1 to
Younge & Collyer, Equity Exch., 4,to
Victoria. June 20, 1837.
Adolphus & Ellis, K. B.
Adolphus & Ellis, New Series.
Alcock & Napier, K. B., (Ireland)
Alcock's REgistry Cases.
Armstrong & Mercartney, N. P. (Ireland)
Baron & Austin, Election Cases.
Baron & Arnold, Election Cases.
Beavan, Rolls Court.
Bells, Appeal Cases to H. of L., (Ireland)
Bell, Murray, Young & Tennent, Session Cases, (Ireland)
Brown, High Court of Justiciary, (Ireland.)
Bingham, C. P., 1 to
Bligh, House of Lords.
Bligh, New Series.
Carrington & Kirwan, N. P.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 86 of 139
Carrington & Marshman, N. P., C. P. and Exch.
Carrington & Payne, N. P., Q. P., C. P. Exch.
Carrow, Hammerton & Allen, Magistrates' Cases.,
Clark & Finnelly, H. of Lords.
Collyer, Chancery.
Connor & Lawson, Chancery, (Ireland.)
Cooper, Chancery Practice Caset.
Cooper tempore Brougham, Chancery.
Craig & Phillips, Chancery.
Crawford & Dix, Abridged Cases in all the Courts, (Ireland.)
Crawford & Dix, Circuit Cases, (Ireland)
Curtis, Ecclesiastical.
Davison & Manning, Q. B.
Deacon, Bankruptcy.
Denison, Crown Cases, reserved.
De Gex & Smales, Chancery.
Dow & Clark, H. of L.
Dowling & Lowndes, Points of Practice.
Dowling, Practice Cases
Dowling, New Series.
Drury & Walsh, Chancery, (Ireland)
Drury & Warren, Chancery, (Ireland)
Dunlap, Bell, Murray, Sessions Cases, (Ireland)
Dunlap, BeIl, Murray & Donaldson, Sessions cases, (Ireland.)
Exchequer Reports, by Welshy, Hurstone & Gordon.
Falconer & Fitzherbert, Election.
Flanagan & Kelle, Rolls, (Ireland.)
Gale & Davison, K. B.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 87 of 139
Haggard, Admiralty,
Hare, Chancery.
Jebb & Bourke, Q. B., (Ireland.)
Jebb & Symes, K. B., (Ireland.)
Jones & Latouche, Q. B., (Ireland.)
Jones Exchequer, (Ireland.)
Jones & Carey, Exchequer, (Ireland.)
Keen, Rolls.
Law Recorder, in all the Courts, (Ireland.)
Longfield & Townsend, Exch., (Ireland.)
McLean & Robinson, H. of L (Ireland.)
Manning & Granger, C. P.
Manning, Granger & Scott, C. P.
Meeson & Welshy, Exch.
Montagu & Ayrton, Bankruptcy.
Montagu & Chitty, Bankruptcy.
Montagu, Deacon & De Gex, Bankruptcy.
Montagu & Neale, Election.
Moody, N. P. and Crown Cases.
Moodv & Robinson, Nisi Prius.
Moore, Appeal Cases.
Moore, East India Appeals.
Moore, Privy Council.
Mylne & Craig, Chancery.
Neville & Perry, K. B.
Perry & Davidson, K. B.,
Phillips, Chancery.
Robinson, Admiralty.
Robinson, House of Lords.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 88 of 139
Sausse & Scully, Rolls, (Ireland.)
Scott, C. P.
Scott, New Series.
Shaw & Maclean, House of Lords.
Smyth; C. P., (Ireland.)
Simons, Vice-Chancellor.
Welsh, Registry Cases, (Ireland.)
West, Parl. Reports.
Younge & Collyer, Equity Ex.
REPRESENTATIVE. One who represents or is in the place of
another.
2. In legislation, it signifies one who has been elected a
moraber of that branch of the legislature called the house of
representatives.
3. A representative of a deceased person, sometimes called a
"personal representative," or legal personal representative," is
one who is executor or administrator of the person described. 6
Madd. 159; 5 yes. 402.
REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY. A form of government where the
powers of the sovereignty are delegated to a body of men, elected
from time to time, who exercise them for the benefit of the whole
nation. 1 Bouv. Inst. n. 31.
TO REPRESENT. To exhibit; to expose before the eyes: to
represent a thing is to produce it publicly. Dig. 10, 4, 2, 3.
REPRESENTATION, insurances. A representation is a collateral
statement, either by writing not inserted in the policy, or by
parol, of such facts or circumstances relative to the proposed
adventure, as are necessary to be communicated to the
underwriters, to enable them to form a just estimate of the risk.
2. A representation, like a warranty, may be either
affirmative, as where the insured avers the existence of some
fact or circumstance which may affect the risk; or promissory,
as where he engages the performance of, something executory.
3. There is a material difference between a representation and
a warranty.
4. A warranty, being a condition upon which the contract is to
take effect, is always a part of the written policy, and must
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 89 of 139
appear on the face of it. Marsh. Ins. c. 9, §2. Whereas a
representation is only a matter of collateral information or
intelligence on the subject of the voyage insured, and makes no
part of the policy. A warranty being in the nature of a condition
precedent, must be strictly and literally complied with; but it
is sufficient if the representation be true in substance, whether
a warranty be material to the risk or not, the insured stakes his
claim of indemnity upon the precise truth of it, if it be
affirmative, or upon the exact performance of it, if executory;
but it is sufficient if a representation be made without fraud,
and be not false in any material point, or if it be
substantially, though not literally, fulfilled. A false warranty
avoids the policy, as being a breach of the condition upon which
the contract is to take effect; and the insurer is not liable
for any loss though it do not happen in consequence of the breach
of the warranty; a false representation is no breach of the
contract, but if material, avoids the policy on the ground of
fraud, or at least because the insurer has been misled by it.
Marsh. Insur. B. 1, c. 10, s. 1; Dougl. R. 247: 4 Bro. P. C.
482.
See 2 Caines' R. 155; 1 Johns. Cas. 408; 2 Caines' Cas. 173,
n.; 3 Johns. Cas. 47; 1 Caines' Rep. 288; 2 Caines' R. 22;
Id. 329; Sugd. Vend. 6; Bouv. Inst. Index, h. t. and
Concealment; Misrepresentation.
REPRESENTATION, Scotch law. The name of a plea or statement
presented to a lord ordinary of the court of sessions, when his
judgment is brought under review.
REPRESENTATION OF PERSONS; A fiction of the law, the effect
of which is to put the representative in the place, degree, or
right of the person represen-ted.
2. The heir represents his ancestor. Bac. Abr. Heir and
Ancestor, A. The devisee, his testator; the executor, his
testator; the administrator, his intestate; the successor in
corporations, his predecessor. And generally speaking they are
entitled to the rights of the persons whom they represent, and
bound to fulfil the duties and obligations, which were binding
upon them in those characters.
3. Representation was unknown to the Romans, and was invented
by the commentators and doctors of the civil law. Toull. Dr. Civ.
Fr. liv. 3, t. 1, c. 3, n. 180. Vide Ayl. Pand. 397; Dall. Diet.
mot Succession, art. 4, §2.
REPRIEVE, crim. law practice. This term is derived from
reprendre, to take back, and signifies the withdrawing of a
sentence for an interval of time, and operates in delay of
execution. 4 Bl. Com. 394. It is granted by the favor of the
pardoning power, or by the court who tried the prisoner.
3. Reprieves are sometimes granted ex necessitate legis; for
example, when a woman is convicted of a capital offence, after
judgment she may allege pregnancy in delay of execution. In
order, however, to render this plea available she must be quick
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 90 of 139
with child, (q. v.) the law presuming, perhaps absurdly enough,
that before that period, life does not commence in the foetus. 3
Inst. 17; 2 Hale, 413; 1 Hale, 368; 4 Bl. Com. 395.
4. The judge is also bound to grant a reprieve when the
prisoner becomes insane. 4 Harg. St. Tr. 205, 6; 3 Inst. 4;
Hawk B. 1, c. 1, s. 4; 1 Chit. Cr. Law, 757.
REPRIMAND, punishment. The censure which in some cases a
public office pronounces against an offender.
2. This species of punishment is used by legislative bodies to
punish their members or others who have been guilty of some
impropriety of conduct towards them. The reprimand is usually
pronounced by the speaker.
REPRISALS, war. The forcibly taking a thing by one nation
which belonged to another, in return or satisfaction for a injury
committed by the latter on the former. Vatt. B., 2, ch. 18, s.
342; 1 Bl. Com. ch. 7.
2. Reprisals are used between nation and nation to do
themselves justice, when they cannot otherwise obtain it.
Congress have the power to grant letters of marque (q. v.) and
reprisal. Const. art. 1, s. 8 cl. 11.
3. Reprisals are made in two ways either by embargo, in which
case the act is that of the state; or, by letters of marque and
reprisals, in which case the act is that of the citizen,
authorized by the government. Vide 2 Bro. Civ. Law, 334.
4. Reprisals are divided into negative, when a nation refuses
to fulfil a perfect obligation, which it has contracted, or to
permit another state to enjoy a right which it justly claims; or
positive, when they consist in seizing the persons and effects
belonging to the other nation, in order to obtain satisfaction.
5. They are also general or special. They are general when a
state which has received, or supposes it has received an injury
from another nation delivers commissions to its officers and
subjects to take the persons and property belonging to the other
nation, in retaliation for such acts, wherever they may be found.
It usually amounts to a declaration of war. Specia reprisals are
such as are granted in times of peace, to particular individuals
who have suffered an injury from the citizens or subjects of the
other nation. Bynker. Quaest. Jur. Pub. lib. 1, Duponce, au's
Translation, p. 182, note; Dall. Diet. Prises maritimes, axt. 2,
§5.
6. The property seized in making reprisals is preserved, while
there is any hope of obtaining satisfaction or justice, as soon
as that hope disappears, it is confiscated, and then the reprisal
is complete. Vattel, B. 2, c. 18, §342.
REPRISES. The deductions and payments out of lands, annuities,
and the like, are called reprises, because they are taken back;
when we speak of the clear yearly value of an estate, we say it
is worth so much a year ultra reprises, besides all reprises.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 91 of 139
2. In Pennsylvania, lands are not to be sold when the rents
can pay the encumbrances in seven years, beyond all reprises.
REPROBATION, eccl. law. The propounding exceptions either
against facts, persons or things; as, to allege that certain
deeds or instruments have not been duly and lawfully executed;
or that certain persons are such that they are incompetent as
witnesses; or that certain things ought not for legal reasons to
be admitted.
REPUBLIC. A commonwealth; that form of government in which
the administration of affairs is open to all the citizens. In
another sense, it signifies the state, independently of its form
of government. 1 Toull. n. 28, and n. 202, note. In this sense,
it is used by Ben Johnson. Those that, by their deeds make it
known, whose dignity they do sustain; And life, state, glory,
all they gain, Count the Republic's, not their own, Vide Body
Politic; Nation; State.
REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT. A government in the republican form; a
government of the people; it is usually put in opposition to a
monarchical or aristocratic government.
2. The fourth section of the fourth article of the
constitution, directs that "the United States shall guaranty to
every state in the Union a republican form of government." The
form of government is to be guaranteed, which supposes a form
already established, and this is the republican form of
government the United States have undertaken to protect. See
Story, Const. §1807.
REPUBLICATION. An act done by a testator from which it can be
concluded that be intended that an instrument which had been
revoked by him, should operate as his will; or it is the
re-execution of a will by the testator, with a view of giving it
full force and effect.
2. The republication is express or implied. It is express when
there has been an actual re-execution of it; 1 Ves. 440; 2
Rand. R. 192; 9 John, R. 312; it is implied when, for example,
the testator by a codicil executed according to the statute of
frauds, reciting that he had made his will, added, "I hereby
ratify and confirm my said will, except in the alterations after
mentioned." Com. R. 381.; 3 Bro. P. C. 85, The will might be at
a distance, or not in the power of the testator, and it may be
thus republished. 1 Ves. 437; 3 Bing. 614; 1 Ves. jr. 486; 4
Bro. C. C. 2.
3. The republication of a will has the effect; 1st. To give
it all the force of a will made at the time of the republication;
if, for example, a testator by his will devise "all his lands in
A," then revokes his will, and afterwards buys other lands in A,
the republication, made after the purchase, will pass all the
testator's lands in A. Cro. Eliz. 493. See 1 P. Wms. 275. 2d. It
sets up a will which had been revoked. See, generally, 2 Hill.
Ab. 509; 3 Lomax, Dig. tit. 28, c. 6; 2 Bouv. Inst. n. 216 4.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 92 of 139
TO REPUDIATE. To repudiate a right is to express in a
sufficient manner, a determination not to accept it, when it is
offered.
2. He who repudiates a right cannot by that act transfer it to
another. Repudiation differs from renunciation in this, that by
the former he who repudiates simply declares that he will not
accept, while he who renounces a right does so in favor of
another. Renunciation is however sometimes used in the sense of
repudiation. See To Renounce; Renunciation; Wolff, Inst. 339.
REPUDIATION. In the civil law this term is used to signify the
putting away of a wife or a woman betrothed.
2. Properly divorce is used to point out the separation of
married persons; repudiation, to denote the separation either of
married people, or those who are only affianced. Divortium est
repudium et separatio maritorum; repodium est renunciatio
sponsalium, vel etiam est divortium. Dig. 50, 16, 101, 1.
Repudiation is also used to denote a determination to have
nothing to do with any particular thing; as, a repudiation of a
legacy, is the abandonment of such legacy, and a renunciation of
all right to it.
3. In the canon law, repudiation is the refusal to accept a
benefice which has been conferred upon the party repudiating.
REPUGNANCY, contracts. That which in a contract, is
inconsistent with something already contracted for; as, for
example, where a man by deed grants twenty acres of land,
excepting one, this latter clause is repugnant, and is to be
rejected. But if a farm or tract of land is conveyed by general
terms, in exception of any number of acres, or any particular
lot, it is not repugnant, but valid. 4 Pick. 54; Vide 3 Pick.
272; 6 Cowen, 677.
REPUGNANCY, pleading. Where the material facts stated in a
declaration or other pleading, are inconsistent one with another
for example, where in an action of trespass, the plaintiff
declared for taking and carring away certain timber, lying in a
certain place, for the completion of a house then lately built;
this declaration was considered bad, for repugnancy; for the
timber could not be for the building of a house already built. 1
Salk. 213.
2. Repugnancy of immaterial facts, and what is merely
redundant, and which need not have been put into the sentence,
and contradicting what was before alleged, will not, in general,
vitiate the pleading. Gilb. C. P. 131; Co. Litt. 303 b; 10
East, R. 142; 1 Chit. Pl. 233. See Lawes, Pl. 64; Steph. Pl.
378; Com. Dig. Abatement H 6; 1 Vin. Ab. 36; 19 Id. 45; Bac.
Ab. Amendment, &c. E 2 Bac. Ab. Pleas, Ac. I 4 Vin. Ab. h. t.
REPUGNANT. That which is contrary to something else; a
repugnant condition is one contrary to the contract itself; as,
if I grant you a house and lot in fee, upon condition that you
shall not aliens, the condition is repugnant and void. Bac. Ab.
Conditions, L.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 93 of 139
REPUGNANT CONDITION. One which is contrary to the contract
itself; as, if I grant you a house and lot in fee, upon
condition that you shall not aliens, the condition is repugnant
and void, as being consistent with the right granted.
REPUTATION, evidence. The opinion generally entertained by
persons who know another, as to his character, (q. v.) or it is
the opinion generally entertained by person; who know a family
as to its pedigree, and the like.
2. In general, reputation is evidence to prove, 1st. A man's
character in society. 2d. A pedigree. (q. v.) 3d. Certain
prescriptive or customary rights and obligations and matters of
public notoriety. (q. v.) But as such evidence is in its own
nature very weak, it must be supported. 1st. When it relates to
the exercise of the right or privilege, by proof of acts of
enjoyment of such right or privilege, within the period of living
memory; 1 Maule & Selw. 679; 5 T. R. 32; afterwards evidence
of reputation may be given. 2d. The fact must be of a public
nature. 3d. It must be derived from persons likely to know the
facts. 4th. The facts must be general and, not particular. 5th.
They must be free from suspicion. 1 Stark. Ev. 54 to 65. Vide 1
Har. & M'H. 152; 2 Nott & M'C. 114 5 Day, R. 290; 4 Hen. & M.
507; 1 Tayl. R. 121; 2 Hayw. 3; 8 S. & R. 159; 4 John. R. 52;
18 John. R. 346; 9 Mass. R. 414; 4 Burr. 2057; Dougl. 174;
Cowp. 594; 3 Swanst. 400; Dudl. So. Car. R. 346; and arts.
Character; Memory.
REQUEST, contracts. A notice of a desire on the part of the
person making it, that the other party shall do something in
relation to a contract.
2. In general when a debt exists payable immediately, the law
does not impose on the creditor to make a request of payment. But
when by the express terms of a contract, a request is necessary,
it must be made. And in some cases where there is no express
agreement a request is also requisite; as where A sells a horse
to B to be paid for on delivery, a demand or request to deliver
must be made before B can sustain an action; 5 T. R. 409; 1
East, 209; or, it must be shown that A has incapacitated himself
to deliver the horse because he has sold the horse to another
person. 10 East. 359; 5 B. & A. 712. On a general promise to
marry, a request must be made before action, unless the proposed
defendant has married another. 2 Dow. & Ry. 55. Vide Demand.
3. A request, like a notice, ought to be in writing and state
distinctly what is required to be done without any ambiguous
terms. 1 Chit. Pr. 497, 498.
REQUEST, pleading. The statement in the plaintiff's
declaration that a demand or request has been made by the
plaintiff from the defendant, to do some act which he was bound
to perform, and for which the action is brought.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 94 of 139
2. A request is general or special. The former is called the
licet saepius requisitus, (q. v.) or "although often requested so
to do;" though generally inserted in the common breach to the
money counts, it is of no avail in pleading, and the omission of
it will not vitiate the declaration. 2 Hen. Bl. 131; 1 Bos. &
Pull. 59, 60; and see 1 John. Cas. 100. Whenever it is essential
to the cause of action, that the plaintiff should have requested
the defendant to perform his contract, such request must be
stated in the declaration and proved. The special request must
state by whom, and the time and place when it was made, in order
that the court may judge of its sufficiency. 1 Str. 89. , Vide
Com. Dig. Pleader, C 69, 70; 1 Saund. 33; 2 Ventr. 75; 3 Bos.
& Pull. 438; 3 John. R. 207; 1 John. Cas. 319; 10 Mass. R.
230; 3 Day's R. 327; and the articles Demand; Licet saepius
requisitus.
REQUEST NOTES, Engl. law. Certain notes or requests from
persons amenable to the excise laws, to obtain a permit for
removing any excisable goods or articles from one place to
another.
REQUISITION. The act of demanding a thing to be done by virtue
of some right. 2. The constitution of the United States, art. 4,
s. 2, provides that fugitives from justice shall be delivered up
to the authorities of the state from which they are fugitives, on
the demand of the executive from such state. The demand made by
the governor of one state on the governor of another for a
fugitive is called a requisition.
RES, property. Things. The terms "Res," "Bona," "Biens," used
by jurists who have written in the Latin and French languages,
are intended to include movable or personal, as well as immovable
or real property. 1 Burge, Confl. of Laws, 19. See Biens; Bona;
Things.
RES GESTA, evidence. The subject matter; thing done.
2. When it is necessary in the course of a cause to inquire
into the nature of a particular act, or the intention of the
person who did the act, proof of what the person said at the time
of doing it, is admissible evidence, as part of the res gesta,
for the purpose of showing its true character. On an indictment
for a rape, for example, what the girl said so recently after the
fact as to exclude the possibility of practising on her, has been
held to be admissible evidence, as a part of the transaction.
East, P. C. 414; 2 Stark. Cas. 241; 1 Stark. Ev. 47; 1 Phil.
Ev. 218: Bouv. Inst. Index, h. t.
RES INTEGRA. An entire thing; an entirely new or untouched
matter. This term is applied to those points of law which have
not been decided, which are "untouched by dictum or decision." 3
Meriv. R. 269; 1 Burge on the Confl. of Laws, 241.
RES INTER ALIOS ACTA, evidence. This is a technical phrase
which signifies acts of others, or transactions between others.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 95 of 139
2. Neither the declarations nor any other acts of those who
are mere stran-gers, or, as it is usually termed, any res inter
alios ada, are admissible in evidence against any one when the
party against whom such acts are offered in evidence, was privy
to the act, the objection ceases; it is no longer res inter
alios. 1 Stark Ev. 52; 3 Id 1300.
RES TUDIC ATA, practice. The decision of a legal or equitable
issue, by a court of competent jurisdiction.
2. It is a general principle that such decision is binding and
conclusive upon all other courts of concurrent power. This
principle pervades not only our own, but all other systems of
jurisprudence, and has become a rule of universal law, founded on
the soundest policy. If, therefore, Paul sue Peter to recover the
amount due to him upon a bond and on the trial the plaintiff
fails to prove the due execution of the bond by Peter, in
consequence of which a verdict is rendered for the defendant, and
judgment is entered thereupon, this judgment, till reversed on
error, is conclusive upon the parties, and Paul cannot recover in
a subsequent suit, although he may then be able to prove the due
execution of the bond by Peter, and that the money is due to him,
for, to use the language of the civilians, res judicata facit ex
albo nigrum, ex nigro album, ex curvo redum, ex recto curvum.
3. The constitution of the United States and the amendments to
it declare, that no fact, once tried by a jury, shall be
otherwise reexaminable in any court of the United States than
according to the rules of the common law. 3 Pet. 433; Dig. 44,
2; and Voet, Ibid; Kaime's Equity, vol. 2, p. 367; 1 Johns.
Ch. R. 95; 2 M. R. 142; 3 M. R. 623; 4 M. R. 313, 456, 481; 5
M. R. 282, 465; 9 M. R. 38; 11 M. R. 607; 6 N. S. 292; 5 N.
S. 664; 1 L. R. 318; 8 L. R. 187; 11 L. R. 517. Toullier,
Droit Civil Francais, vol. 10, No. 65 to 259.
4. But in order to make a matter res judicata there must be a
concurrence of the four conditions following, namely: 1.
Identity in the thing sued for. 2. Identity of the cause of
action; if, for example, I have claimed a right of way over
Blackacre, and a final judgment has been rendered against me, and
afterwards I purchase Blackacre, this first decision shall not be
a bar to my recovery, when I sue as owner of the land, and not
for an easement over it, which I claimed as a right appurtenant
to My land Whiteacre. 3. Identity of persons and of parties to
the action; this rule is a necessary consequence of the rule of
natural justice: ne inauditus condemnetur. 4. Identity of the
quality in the persons for or against whom the claim is made;
for example, an action by Peter to recover a horse, and a final
judgment against him, is no bar to an action by Peter,
administrator of Paul, to recover the same horse. Vide, Things
adjudged.
RES MANCIPI, Rom. civ. law. Those things which might be sold
and alienated, or the property of them transferred from one
person to another. The division of things in to res mancipi and
res nec mancipi, was one of ancient origin, and it continued to a
late period in the empire. Res mancipi (Ulph. Frag. xix.) are
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 96 of 139
praedia in italico solo, both rustic and urban also, jura
rusticorum praediorum or servitutes, as via, iter, aquaeductus;
also slaves, and four-footed animals, as oxen, horses, &c., qum
collo dorsove domantur. Smith, Diet. Gr. and Rom. Antiq. To this
list, may be added children of Roman parents, who were, according
to the old law, res mancipi. The distinction between res mancipi
and nec mancipi was abolished by Justinian in his code. Id.;
Coop. Ins. 442.
RES NOVA. Something new; something not before decided.
RES NULLIUS. A thing which has no owner. A thing which has
been abandoned by its owner is as much res nullius as if it had
never belonged to any one.
2. The first possessor of such a thing becomes the owner, res
nullius fit primi occupantis. Bowy. Com. 97.
RES PERIT DOMINO. The thing is lost to the owner. This phrase
is used to express that when a thing is lost or destroyed, it is
lost to the person who was the owner of it at the time. For
example, an article is sold; if the seller have perfected the
title of the buyer so that it is his, and it be destroyed, it is
the buyer's loss; but if, on the contrary, something remains to
be done before the title becomes vested in the buyer, then the
loss falls on the seller. See Risk.
RES UNIVERSATIS. Those things which belong to cities or
municipal corporations are so called; they belong so far to the
public that they cannot be appropriated to private use; such as
public squares, market houses, streets, and the like. 1 Bouv.
Inst. n. 446.
RESALE. A second sale made of an article; as, for example, if
A sell a horse to B, and the latter not having paid, for him,
refuse to take him away, when by his contract he was bound to do
so, and then A sells the horse to C.
2. The effect of a resale, is not always to annul the first
sale, because, as in this case, B would be liable to A for the
difference of the price between the sale and resale. 4 Bing. 722;
Blackb. on Sales, 336; 4 M. & G. 898.
RESCEIT. The act of receiving or admitting a third person to
plead his right in a cause commenced by two; as when an action
is brought against a tenant for life or term of years, the
reversioner is allowed to defend. Cowell.
RESCEIT or RECEIT. The admission or receiving of a third
person to plead his right in a cause formerly commenced between
two other persons; as, when an action is brought against a
tenant for life or years, or any other particular tenant, and he
makes default, in such case the reversioner may move that he may
be received to defend his right, and to plead with the demandant.
Jacob, L. D. h. t. Resceit is also applied to the admittance of a
plea, when the controversy is betweeen the same two persons. Co.
Litt. 192; 3 Nels. Ab. 146.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 97 of 139
RESCISSION OF A CONTRACT. The destruction or annulling of a
contract.
2. The right to rescind a contract seems to suppose not that
the contract has existed only in appearance; but that it has
never had a real existence on account of the defects which
accompanied it; or which prevented its actual execution. 7 Toul.
n. 551 17 Id. n. 114.
3. A contract cannot, in general, be rescinded by one party
unless both parties can be placed in the same situation, and can
stand upon the same terms as existed when the contract was made.
5 East, 449; 15 Mass. 819; 5 Binn. 355; 3 Yeates, 6. The most
obvious instance of this rule is, where one party by taking
possession, &c., has received a partial benefit from the
contract. Hunt v. Silk. 5 East, 449.
4. A contract cannot be rescinded in part. It would be unjust
to destroy a contract in toto, when one of the parties has
derived a partial benefit, by a performance of the agreement. In
such case it seems to have been the practice formerly to allow
the vendor to recover the stipulated price, and the vendee to
recover, by a cross-action, damages for the breach of the
contract. 7 East, 480, in the note. But according to the later
and more convenient practice, the vendee, in such case, is
allowed in an action for the price, to give evidence of the
inferiority of the goods in reduction of damages, and the
plaintiff who has broken his contract is not entitled to recover
more than the value of the benefit the defendant has actually
derived from the goods or labor; and when the latter has derived
no benefit, the plaintiff cannot recover at all. Stark. on
Evidence, part 4, tit. Goods sold and delivered; Chitty on
Contr. 276.
5. A sale of land, by making a deed for the same, and
receiving security for the purchase money, may be rescinded
before the deed has been recorded, by the purchaser surrendering
the property and, the deed to the buyer, and receiving from him
the securities he had given; in Pennsylvania, these acts revest
the title in the original owner. 4 Watts, 196, 199. But this
appears contrary to the current of decisions in other states and
in England. 4 Wend. 474; 2 John. 86; 5 Conn. 262; 4 Conn. 350;
4 N. H. Rep. 191; 9 Pick. 105; 2 H. Bl. 263, 264; Pre. in-
Chan. 235; 6 East, 86; 4 B. & A. 672. See 7 East, 484; 1 Mass.
R. 101 14 Mass. 282; Whart on's Dig. 119, 120 10 East, 564; 1
Campb. 78, 190; 3 Campb. 451; 3 Starkie, 32; 1 Stark. R. 108;
2 Taunt. 2; 2 New Rep. 136; 6 Moore, 114; 3 Chit. Com. L. 153;
1 Saund. 320, b. note; l Mason, 437; 1 Chip. R. 159; 2 Stark.
Ev. 97, 280 8 lb. 1614, 1645 3 New Hamp. R. 455; 2 South, R. 780
Day's note to Templer v. McLachlan, 2 N. R. 141; 1 Mason, 93;
20 Johns. 196; 5 Com. Dig. 631, 636; and Com. Dig. Action upon
the case upon Assumpsit, A 1, note x, .p. 829, for a very full
note; Com. Dig. Biens, D 3, n. s.
6. As to the cases where a contract will be rescinded in
equity on the ground of mistake, see Newl. Cont. 432; or where
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 98 of 139
heirs are dealing with, their expectancies, lbid. 435; sailors
with their prize money, Ibid. 443; children dealing with their
parents, Ibid. 445; guardians with their wards, Ibid. 448;
attorney with his client, Ibid. 453; cestui que trust, with
trustee, Ibid. 459; where contracts are rescinded on account of
the turpitude of their consideration, Ibid. 469; in fraud of
marital rights, Ibid. 424 in fraud of marriage agreement, Ibid.
417 on account of imposition, Ibid. 351; in fraud of creditors,
lb. 369; in fraud of purchasers, Ib. 391; in fraud of a deed of
composition by creditors, lb. 409.
RESCOUS, crim. law, torts. This word is used synonymously with
rescue, (q. v.) and denotes the illegal taking away and setting
at liberty a distress taken, or a person arrested by due process
of law. Co. Litt. 160.
2. In civil cases when a defendant is rescued the officer will
or will not be liable, as the process under which the arrest is
made, is or is not final. When the sheriff executes a fi. fa. or
ca. sa. he may take the posse comitatus; Show. 180; and,
neglecting to do so, he is responsible; but on mesne or original
process, if the defendant rescue himself, vi et armis, the
sheriff is not answerable. 1 Holt's R. 537; 3 Engl. Com. Law
Rep. 179, S. C. Vide Com. Dig. h. t.; Yelv. 51; 2 T. R. 156;
Woodf. T. 521 Bac. Ab. Rescue, D; Doct. Pl. 433.
RESCRIPT, conv. A counterpart.
2. In the canon law, by rescripts are understood apostolical
letters, which emanate from the pope, under whatever form they
may be. The answers of the pope in writing are so called. Diet.
Dr. Can. h. v. Vide Chirograph; Counterpart; Part.
RESCRIPTION, French law. A rescription is a letter by which
the maker requests some one to pay a certain sum of money, or to
account for him to a third person for it. Poth. Du Contr. de
Change, n. 225.
2. According to this definition, bills of exchange are a
species of rescription. The difference appears to be this, that a
bill of exchange is given when there has been a contract of
exchange between the drawer and the payee; whereas the
rescription is sometimes given in payment of debt, and at other
times it is lent to the payee. Id.
RESCRIPTS, civ. law. The answers of the prince at the request
of the parties respecting some matter in dispute between them, or
to magistrates in relation to some doubtful matter submitted to
him.
2. The rescript was differently denominated, according to the
character of those who sought it. They were called annotations or
subnotations, when the answer was given at the request of private
citizens; letters or epistles, when he answered the consultation
of magistrates; pragmatic sanctions, when he answered a
corporation, the citizens of a province, or a municipality.
Lecons El. du Dr. Rom. §53; Code, 1, 14, 3.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 99 of 139
RESCUE, crim. law. A forcible setting at liberty against law
of a person duly arrested. Co. Litt. 160; 1 Chitty's Cr, Law,
*62; 1 Russ. on Cr. 383. The person who rescues the prisoner is
called the rescuer.
2. If the rescued prisoner were arrested for felony, then the
rescuer is a felon; if for treason, a traitor; and if for a
trespass, he is liable to a fine as if he had committed the
original offence. Hawk. B. 5, c. 21. If the principal be
acquitted, the rescuer may nevertheless be fined for the
misdemeanor in the obstruction and contempt of public justice. 1
Hale, 598.
3. In order to render the rescuer criminal, it is necessary he
should have knowledge that the person whom he sets at liberty has
been apprehended for a criminal offence, if he is in the custody
of a private person; but if he be under the care of a public
officer, then he is to take notice of it at his peril. 1 Hale,
606.
4. In another sense, rescue is the taking away and setting at
liberty, against law, a distress taken for rent, or services, or
damage feasant. Bac. Ab. Rescue, A.
5. For the law of the United States on this subject, vide Ing.
Dig. 150. Vide, generally, 19 Vin. Ab. 94.
RESCUE, mar. war. The retaking by a party captured of a prize
made by the enemy. There is still another kind of rescue which
partake's of the nature of a recapture; it occurs when the
weaker party before he is overpowered, obtains relief from the
arrival of fresh succors, and is thus preserved from the force of
the enemy. 1 Rob. Rep. 224; 1 Rob. Rep. 271.
2. Rescue differs from recapture. (q. v.) The rescuers do not
by the rescue become owners of the property, as if it had been a
new prize - but the property is restored to the original owners
by the right of postliminium. (q. v.)
RESCUSSOR. The party making a rescue, is sometimes so called,
but more properly he is a rescuer.
RESERVATION, contracts. That part of a deed or other
instrument which reserves a thing not in esse at the time of the
grant, but newly created. 2 Hill. Ab. 359; 3 Pick. R. 272; It
differs from an exception. (q. v.) See 4 Verm. 622; Brayt. R.
230; 9 John. R. 73; 20 John, R. 87; 3 Ridg. P. C. 402; Co.
Litt. 43 a; 2 Tho Co. Litt. 412
RESET OF THEFT, Scotch law. The receiving and keeping of
stolen goods knowing them to be stolen, with a design of
feloniously retaining them from the real owner. Alis. Pr. Cr.
328.
RESETTER, Scotch law. A receiver of stolen goods, knowing them
to have been stolen.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 100 of 139
RESIANCE. A man's residence or permanent abode. Such a man is
called a resiant. Kitch. 33.
RESIDENCE. The place of one's domicil. (q. v.) There is a
difference between a man's residence and his domicil. He may have
his domicil in Philadelphia, and still he may have a residence in
New York; for although a man can have but one domicil, he may
have several residences. A residence is generally tran-sient in
its nature, it becomes a domicil when it is taken up animo
manendi. Roberts; Ecc. R. 75.
2. Residence is prima facie evidence of national character,
but this may at all times be explained. When it is for a special
purpose and transient in its nature, it does not destroy the
national character.
3. In some cases the law requires that the residence of an
officer shall be in the district in which he is required to
exercise his functions. Fixing his residence elsewhere without an
intention of returning, would violate such law. Vide the cases
cited under the article Domicil; Place of residence.
RESIDENT, international law. A minister, according to
diplomatic language, of a third order, less in dignity than an
ambassador, or an envoy. This term formerly related only to the
continuance of the minister's stay, but now it is confined to
ministers of this class.
2. The resident does not represent the prince's person in his
dignity, but only his affairs. His representation is in reality
of the same nature as that of the envoy; hence he is often
termed, as well as the envoy, a minister of the second order,
thus distinguishing only two classes of public ministers, the
former consisting of ambassadors who are invested with the
representative character in preeminence, the latter comprising
all other ministers, who do not possess that exalted character.
This is the most necessary distinction, and indeed the only
essential one. Vattel liv. 4, c. 6, 73.
RESIDENT, persons. A person coming into a place with intention
to establish his domicil or permanent residence, and who in
consequence actually remains there. Time is not so essential as
the intent, executed by making or beginning an actual
establishment, though it be abandoned in a longer, or shorter
period. See 6 Hall's Law Journ. 68; 3 Hagg. Eccl. R. 373; 20
John. 211 2 Pet. Ad. R. 450; 2 Scamm. R. 377.
RESIDUARY LEGATEE. He to whom the residuum of the estate is
devised or bequeathed by will. Roper on Leg. Index, h. t.;
Powell Mortg. Index, h. t.; 8 Com. Dig. 444.
RESIDUE. That which remains of something after taking away a
part of it; as, the residue of an estate, which is what has not
been particularly devised by will.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 101 of 139
2. A will bequeathing the general residue of personal
property, passes to the residuary legatee everything not
otherwise effectually disposed of and it makes no difference
whether a legacy falls into the estate by lapse, or as void at
law, the next of kin is equally excluded. 15 Ves. 416; 2 Mer.
392. Vide 7 Ves. 391; 4 Bro. C. C. 55; 1 Bro. C. C. 589; Rop.
on Leg. Index, h. t.; Worth. on Wills, 454.
RESIGNATION. The act of an officer by which he declines his
office, and renounces the further right to use it. It differs
from abdication. (q. v.)
2. As offices are held at the will of both parties, if the
resignation of a officer be not accepted, he remains in office. 4
Dev. R. 1.
RESIGNEE. One in favor of whom a resignation is made. 1 Bell's
Com. 125 n.
RESISTANCE. The opposition of force to force.
2. Resistance is either lawful or unlawful. 1. It is lawful to
resist one who is in the act of committing a felony or other
crime, or who maliciously endeavors to commit such felony or
crime. See self defence. And a man may oppose force to force
against one who endeavors to make an arrest, or to enter his
house without lawful authority for the purpose; or, if in
certain cases he abuse such authority, and do more than he was
authorized to do; or if it turn out in the result he has no
right to enter, then the party about to be imprisoned, or whose
house is about to be illegally entered, may resist the illegal
imprisonment or entry by self-defence, not using any dangerous
weapons, and may escape, be rescued, or even break prison, and
others may assist him in so doing. 5 Taunt. 765; 1 B. & Adol,
166; 1 East, P. C. 295; 5 East, 304; 1 Chit. Pr. 634. See
Regular and Irregular Process.
3. - 2. Resistance is unlawful when the persons having a
lawful authority to arrest, apprehend, or imprison, or otherwise
to advance or execute the public justice of the country, either
civil or criminal, and using the proper means for that purpose,
are resisted in so doing; and if the party guilty of such
resistance, or others assisting him, be killed in the struggle,
such homicide is justifiable; while on the other hand, if the
officer be killed, it will, at common law, be murder in those who
resist. Fost. 270; 1 Hale, 457; 1 East, P. C. 305.
RESOLUTION. A solemn judgment or decision of a court. This
word is frequently used in this sense, in Coke and some of the
more ancient reporters. It also signifies an agreement to a law
or other thing adopted by a legislature or popular assembly. Vide
Dict. de Jurisp. h. t.
RESOLUTION, Civil law. The act by which a contract which
existed and was good, is rendered null.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 102 of 139
2. Resolution differs essentially from rescission. The former
presupposes the contract to have been valid, and it is owing to a
cause posterior to the agreement that the resolution takes place;
while rescission, on the contrary, supposes that some vice or
defect annulled the contract from the beginning. Resolution may
be by consent of the parties or by the decision of a competent
tribunal; rescission must always be by the judgment of a court.
7 Troplong, de la Vente, n. 689; 7 Toull. 551; Dall. Dict. h.
t.
RESOLUTORY CONDITION. On which has for its object, when
accomplished, the revocation of the principal obligation; for
example, I will sell you my crop of cotton, if my ship America
does not arrive in the United States, within six months. My ship
arrives in one month, my contract with you is revoked. 1 Bouv.
Inst. n. 764.
RESORT. The authority or jurisdiction of a court. The supreme
court of the United States is a court of the last resort.
RESPECTABLE WITNESS. One who is competent to testify in a
court of justice. To pass lands in Alabama, a will must be
attested by three or more respectable witnesses. See Attesting
witness; Competent witness; Credible witness and Witness.
RESPIRATION, Med. jur. Breathing, which consists of the
drawing into, inhaling, or more technically, inspiring,
atmospheric air into the lungs, and then: forcing out,
expelling, or technically expiring, from the lungs the air
therein. Chit. Med. Jur. 92 and 416, note n.
RESPITE, contracts, civil law. An act by which a debtor who is
unable to satisfy his debts at the moment, transacts (i. e.
compromises) with his creditors, and obtains from them time or
delay for the payment of the sums which he owes to them. Louis.
Code, 3051.
2. The respite is either voluntary or forced; it is voluntary
when all the creditors consent to the proposal, which the debtor
makes to pay in a limited time the whole or a part of his debt;
it is forced when a part of the credi-tors refuse to accept the
debtor's proposal, and when the latter is obliged to compel them
by judicial authority, to consent to what the others have
deter-mined in the cases directed by law. Id. 3052; Poth.
Proced. Civ. 5eme partie, ch. 3.
3. In Pennsylvania, there is a provision in the insolvent act
of June 16, 1836, s. 41, somewhat similar to involuntary respite.
It is enacted, that whenever a majority in number and value of
the creditors of any insolvent, as aforesaid, residing within the
United States, or having a known attorney therein, shall consent
in writing thereto, it shall be lawful for the court by whom such
insolvent shall have been discharged, upon the application of
such debtor, and notice given thereof, in the manner hereinbefore
provided for giving notice of his original petition, to make an
order that the estate and effects which such insolvent may
afterwards acquire, shall be exempted for the term of seven years
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 103 of 139
thereafter from execution, for any debt contracted, or cause of
action existing previously to such discharge, and if after such
order and consent, any execution shall be issued for such debt or
cause of action, it sliall be the duty, of any judge of the court
from which such execution issued, to set aside the same with
costs.
4. Respite also signifies a delay, forbearance or continuation
of time.
RESPITE, crim. law. A suspension of a sentence, which is to be
executed at a future time. It differs from a pardon, which is in
abolition of the crime. See Abolition; Pardon.
RESPONDEAT OUSTER. The name of a judgment when an issue in
law, arising on a dilatory plea, has been decided for the
plaintiff, that the defendant answer over. See 1 Meigs, 122; 1
Ala. R. 442; 3 Ala. R. 278; 3 Pike, 339; 4 Pike, 445; 4
Misso. R. 366; 5 Blackf. 167; 5 Metc. 88; 1 Gilm. R. 395 16
Conn. 436; 24 Pick. 49. Vide Judgment of Respondeat Ouster.
RESPONDENT, practice. The party who makes an answer to a bill
or other proceeding in chancery. In the civil law, this term
signifies one who answers or is security for another; a
fidejussor. Dig. 2, 8, 6.
RESPONDENTIA, maritime law. A loan of money on maritime
interest, on goods laden on board of a ship, which, in the course
of the voyage must, from their nature, be sold or exchanged, upon
this condition, that if the goods should be lost in the course of
the voyage, by any of the perils enumerated in the contract, the
lender shall lose his money; if not, that the borrower shall pay
him the sum borrowed, with the interest agreed upon,
2. The contract is called respondentia, because the money is
lent on the personal responsibility of the borrower. It differs
principally from bottomry, in the following circumstances:
bottomry is a loan on the ship; respondentia is a loan upon the
goods. The money is to be repaid to the lender, with mari-time
interest, upon the arrival of the ship, in the one case and of
the goods, in the other. In all other respects the contracts are
nearly the same, and are governed by the same principles. In the
former, the ship and tackle, being hypothecated, are liable, as
well as the person of the borrower; in the latter, the lender
has, in general, only the personal security of the borrower.
Marsh. Ins. B. 2, c. 1, p. 734. See Lex Mer. Amer. 354; Com.
Dig. Merchant, E 4; 1 Fonb. Eq. 247, n. I.; Id. 252, n. o.; 2
Bl. Com. 457; Park. Ins. ch. 21; Wesk. Ins. 44; Beawes' Lex.
Mex. 143; 3 Chitty's Com. Law, 445 to 536; Bac. Abr. Merchant
and Merchandise, K; Bottomry.
RESPONDERE NON DEBET. The prayer of a plea where the defendant
insists that he ought not to answer, as when he claims a
privilege; for example, as being a member of congress, or a
foreign amhassador. 1 Chit. Pl. *433.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 104 of 139
RESPONSA PRUDENTUM, civil law. Opinions given by Roman
lawyers. Before the time of Augustus, every lawyer was authorized
de jure, to answer questions put to him, and all such answers,
response prudentum had equal authority, which had not the force
of law, but the opinion of a lawyer. Augustus was the first
prince who gave to certain distinguished jurisconsults the
particular privi-lege of answering in his name; and from that
period their answers required greater authority. Adrian
determined in a more precise manner the degree of authority which
these answers should have, by enacting that the opinions of such
authorized jurisconsults, when unanimously given, should have the
force of law (legis vicenz,) and should be followed by the
judges; and that when they were divided, the judge was allowed
to adopt that which to him appeared the most equitable.
2. The opinions of other lawyers held the same place they had
before, they were considered merely as the opinions of learned
men. Mackel. Man. Intro. §43; Mackel. Hist. du Dr. Rom. SSSS 40,
49; Hugo, Hist. du Dr. Rom. §313; Inst. 1, 2, 8,; Institutes
Expliquees, n. 39.
RESPONSALIS, old Eng. law., One who appeared for another in
court. Fleta, lib. 6, c., 21. In the ecclesiastical law, this
name is sometimes given to a proctor.
RESPONSIBILITY. The obligation to answer for an act done, and
to repair any injury it may have caused.
2. This obligation arises without any contract, either on the
part of the party bound to repair the injury, or of the party
injured. The law gives to the person who has suffered loss, a
compensation in damages.
3. it is a general rule that no one is answerable for the acts
of another unless he has, by some act of his own, concurred in
them. But when he has sanctioned those acts, either explicitly or
by implication, he is responsible. An innkeeper in general,
civilly liable for the acts of his servants towards his guests,
for anything done in their capacity of servants. The owner of a
carriage is also, civilly responsible to a passenger for any
injury done by the driver as such. See Driver.
4. There are cases where persons are made civilly responsible
for the acts of others by particular laws and statutory
provisions, when they have not done anything by which they might
be considered as participating in such acts. The responsibility
which the hundred (q. v.) in England formerly incurred to make
good any robbery committed within its precincts, may be mentioned
as an instance. A somewhat similar liability is incurred now in
some places in this country by a county, when property has been
destroyed by a mob.
5. Penal responsibility is always personal, and no one can be
punished for the commission of a crime but the person who has
committed it or his accomplice. Vide Damages; Injury; Loss.
RESTITUTION, maritime law. The placing back or restoring
articles which have been lost by jettison; this is done when the
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 105 of 139
remainder of the cargo has been saved at the general charge of
the owners of the cargo; but when the remainder of the goods are
afterwards lost, there is not any restitution. Stev. on Av. 1, c.
1, s. 1, art. 1, ii., 8. Vide Recompense.
RESTITUTION, practice. The return of something to the owner of
it, or to the person entitled to it.
2. After property has been taken into execution, and the
judgment has been reversed or set aside, the party against whom
the execution was sued out shall have restitution, and this is
enforced by a writ of restitution. Cro. Jac. 698; 4 Mod. 161.
When the thing levied upon under an execution has not been sold,
the thing itself shall be restored; when it has been sold, the
price for which it is sold is to be restored. Roll. Ab. 778;
Bac. Ab. Execution, Q; 1 Al. & S. 425.
3. The phrase restitution of conjugal rights frequently occurs
in the ecclesiastical courts. A suit may there be brought for
this purpose whenever either the hushand or wife is guilty of the
injury of subtraction, or lives separate from the other without
sufficient reason; by which the party injured may compel the
other to return to cohabitation. 1 Bl. Com. 94; 1 Addams, R.
305; 3 Hagg. Eccl. R. 619.
TO RESTORE. To return what has been unjustly taken; to place
the owner of a thing in the state in which he formerly was. By
restitution is understood not only the return of the thing
itself, but all its accessories. It is to return the thing and
its fruits. Dig. 60, 16, 35, 75 et 246, §1.
RESTRAINING. Narrowing down, making less extensive; as, a
restraining statute, by which the common law is narrowed down or
made less extensive in its operation.
RESTRAINING POWERS. A term used in equity. When the donor of a
power, who is the owner of the estate, imposes certain
restrictions by the terms of the powers, these restrictions are
called restraining powers.
RESTRAINT. Something which prevents us from doing what we
would desire to do.
2. Restraint is lawful and unlawful. It is lawful when its
object is to prevent the violation of the law, or the rights of
others. It is unlawful when it is used to prevent others from
doing a lawful act; for example, when one binds himself not to
trade generally; but an agreement not to trade in a particular
place is lawful. A legacy given in restraint of marriage, or on
condition that the legatee shall not marry, is good, and the
condition alone is void. The Roman civil law agrees with ours in
this respect; a legacy given on condition that the legatee shall
not marry is void. Clef des Lois Rom. mot Passion. See Condition;
Limitation.
RESTRICTIVE INDORSEMENT, contracts. One which confines the
negotiability of a promissory note or bill of exchange, by using
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 106 of 139
express words to that effect, as by indorsing it "payable to A,
Bonly." 1 Wash. C. C. 512; 2 Murph. 138; 1 Bouv. Inst. n. 1138.
RESULTING TRUSTS, estates. Resulting, implied or constructive
trusts, are those which arise in cases where it would be contrary
to the principles of equity that be in whom the property becomes
vested, should hold it otherwise than as a trustee. 2 Atk. 150.
2. As an illustration of this description of a resulting
trust, may be mentioned the case of a contract made for the
purchase of a real estate; on the completion of the contract, a
trust immediately results to the purchaser, and the vendor
becomes a trustee for him till the conveyance of the legal estate
is made. Again, when an estate is purchased in the name of one
person, and the purchase money is paid by another, there is a
resulting trust in favor of the person who gave or paid the
consideration. Willis on Tr. 55; 1 Cruise, Dig. tit. 12, s. 40,
41; Ch. Ca. 39; 9 Mod. 78; 7 Ves. 725; 3 Hen. & Munf. 367; 1
Supp. to Ves. jr. 11; Pow. Mortg. Index, h. t.; 2 John. Ch. R.
409, 450; 3 Bibb, R. 15, 506; 4 Munf. R. 222; 1 John. Ch. Rep.
450, 582; Sugd. on Vend. ch. 15, s. 2 Cox, Ch. Rep. 93; Bac.
Ab. Trusts, C; Bouv. last. Index, h. t. Vide Trusts; Use.
RESULTING USE, estates. One which having been limited by deed,
expires or cannot vest; it then returns back to him who raised
it, after such expiration, or during such impossibility.
2. When the legal seisin and possession of land is transferred
by any common law conveyance, and no use is expressly declared,
nor any consideration nor evidence of intent to direct the use,
such use shall result back to the original owner of the estate;
for in such case, it cannot be supposed that it was intended to
give away the estate. 2 Bl. Com. 335; Cruise, Dig. t. 11, c. 4,
s. 20, et seq.; Bac. Tracts, Read. on Stat. of Use's, 351; Co.
Litt. 23, a.; Id. 271, a; 2 Binn. R. 387; 3 John. R. 396.
RESUMPTION. To reassume; to promise again; as, the
resumption of payment of specie by the banks is general. It also
signifies to take things back; as the government has resumed the
possession of all the lands which have not been paid for
according to the requisitions of the law, and the contract of the
purchasers. Cow. Int. h. t.
RETAIL. To sell by retail, is to sell by small parcels, and
not in the gross. 5 N. S. 279.
RETAILER OF MERCHANDISE. One who deals in merchandise by
selling it in smaller quantities than he buys, generally with a
view to profit.
TO RETAIN, practice. To engage the services of an attorney or
counsellor to manage a cause, at which time it is usual to give
him a fee, called the re-taining fee. The act by which the
attorney is authorized to act in the case is called a retainer.
2. Although it is not indispensable that the retainer should
be in writing, unless required by the other side, it is very
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 107 of 139
expedient. It is therefore recommended, particularly when the
client is a stranger, to require from him a written retainer,
signed by himself; and, in order to avoid the insinuation that
it was obtained by contrivance, it should be witnessed by one or
more respectable persons. When there are several plaintiffs, it
should be signed by all and not by one for himself and the
others, especially if they are trustees or assignees of a
bankrupt or insolvent. The retainer should also state whether it
be given for a general or a qualified authority. Vide the form of
a retainer in 3 Chit. Pr. 116, note m.
3. There is an implied contract on the part of an attorney who
has been retained, that he will use due diligence in the course
of legal proceedings, but it is not an undertaking to recover a
judgment. Wright, R. 446. An attorney is bound to act with the
most scrupulous honor, he ought to disclose to his client if he
has any adverse retainer which may affect his judgment, or his
client's interest; but the concealment of the fact does not
necessarily imply fraud. 3 Mason's R. 305; 2 Greenl. Ev. §139.
RETAINER. The act of withholding what one has in one's own
hands by virtue of some right.
2. An executor or administrator is entitled to retain in
certain cases, for a debt due to him by the estate of a testator
or intestate.
3. It is proposed to inquire, 1. Who may retain. 2. Against
whom. 3. On what claims. 4. What amount may be retained.
4. - 1. In inquiring who may retain, it is natural to
consider, 1st. Those cases where there is but one executor or
administrator. 2d, Where there are several, and one of them only
has a claim against the estate of the deceased.
5. - 1. A sole executor may retain in those cases where, if
the debt had been due to a stranger, such stranger might have
sued the executor and recov-ered judgment; or where the executor
might, in the due administration of the estate, have paid the
same. 3 Burr. 1380. He may, therefore, retain a debt due to
himself; 3 Bl. Com. 18; or to himself in right of another; 3
Burr. 1380; or to another in trust for him; 2 P. Wms. 298: the
debt may be retained when administration is committed to another
for the use of the creditor who is a lunatic; 3 Bac. Abr. 10, n;
Com. Dig. Administration, C or an infant entitled to
administration. 4 Ves. 763. An executor may retain if he be the
executor of the first testator; but an executor of one of the
executors of the first tes-tator, the other executor, being still
living, is not an executor of the first testator, and therefore
cannot retain. 11 Vin. Abr. 363, An executor may re-tain before
he has proved the will, and if he die after having intermeddled
with the goods of the testator and before probate, his executor
has the same power. 3 P. Wms. 183, and note B.; 11 Vin. Abr.
263.
6. - 2. Where there are several executors, and one has a claim
against the estate of the deceased, he may retain with or without
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 108 of 139
the consent of the others; Off. Ex. 33; but where several of
them have debts of equal degree they can retain only pro rata.
Bac. Abr. Executors, A 9.
7. - II. Against whom. In those cases, 1. Where the deceased
was alone bound. 2. Where he was bound with others. 3. Where the
executor of the obligee is also his executor.
8. - 1. Where the deceased was sole obligor, his executor may
clearly retain.
9. - 2. Where two are jointly and severally bound, and one of
them appoints the obligee his executor; Rob. 10; 2 Lev. 73;
Bac. Abr. Executors, A 9; Com. Dig. Administration,, C 1; or
the obligee takes out letters of administration to him, the debt
is immediately satisfied by way of retainer, if, the executor or
administrator have sufficient assets.
10. - 3. If the obligee make the administrator of the obligor
his executor, it is a discharge of the debt, if the administrator
have assets of the estate of the obligor; but if he have fully
administered, or if no assests to pay the debt came to his hands,
it is no discharge, for there is nothing for him to retain. 8
Serg. & Rawle, 17.
11. - III. On what claims. 1. As to the priority of the claim.
2. As to its nature.
12. - 1. In the payment of the debts of a decedent, the law
gives a preference to certain debts over others, an executor
cannot, therefore, retain his debt, while there are unpaid debts
of a superior degree, because if he could have brought an action
for the recovery of his claim, he could not have re-covered in
prejudice of such a creditor. 5 Binn. 167 Bac. Ab. Executors, A
9; Com. Dig. Administration, C 2; 1 Hayw. 413. He may retain
only where he has superior claim, or one of equal degree. 3 Bl.
Com. 18; 11 Vin. Abr. 261; Com. Dig. Administration, C 1. And
in a case where two men were jointly bound in a bond, one as
principal, the other as surety, after which the principal died
intestate, and the surety took out administration to his estate,
the bond being forfeited, the administrator paid the debt; it
was held he could not retain as a specially creditor because
being a party to the bond it became his own debt; 11 Vin. Abr.
265; Godb. 149, Pl. 194; but see 7 Serg. & Rawle, 9; after
having paid the debt, however, he became a simple contract
creditor, and might retain it as such. Com. Dig. Administration,
C 2, n.
13. - 2. As to the nature of the claim for which an executor
may retain, it seems that damages which are in their nature
arbitrary cannot be retained, because, till judgment, no man can
foretel their amount; such are damages upon torts. But where
damages arise from the breach of a pecuniary contract, there is a
certain measure for them, and such damages may well be retained.
2 Bl. Rep. 965; and see 3 Munf. 222. A debt barred by the act of
limitation may be retained, for the executor is not bound to
plead the act against others, and it shall, therefore, not
operate against him. 1 Madd. Ch. 583.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 109 of 139
14. - IV. What amount may be retained. 1. By the common law an
executor is entitled to retain his debt in preference to all
other creditors in an equal degree. 3 Bl. Com. 18; 11 Vin. Abr.
261. This he might do, because he is to be placed in the
situation of the most vigilant creditor, who by suing and
obtaining a judgment might have obtained a preference. Where
however, the exec-utor cannot, by bringing suit, obtain a
preference, the reason seems changed, and therefore in
Pennsylvania, when do such preference can be obtained, the
executor is entitled to retain only pro rata with creditors of
the same class. 8 Serg. & Rawle, 17; 5 Binn. 167. A creditor
cannot obtain a reference by bringing suit and obtaining judgment
against executors in the following states, namely: Alabama; 4
Griff. L. R. 582; Connecticut; 3 Griff. L. R. 75; Illinois;
Id. 422; Louisiana;, 4 Griff. L. R. 693; Maine; Id. 1004;
Maryland; Id. 938; Massachusetts; 3 Griff. L. R. 516
Mississippi; 4 Griff. L. R. 669; Missouri Id. 625; Now
Hampshire; 3 Griff. L. R 46; Ohio; Id. 402; Pennsylvania;
Id. 262; 8 Serg. & Rawle, 17; 5 Binn. 1 67; Rhode Island; 8
Griff. L. R. 114; South Carolina; 4 Griff. L. R. 860; Vermont;
3 Griff. L. R. 20. Such a preference can be given by the laws of
the following states, namely: Delaware; 4 Griff. L. R. 1064;
Kentucky; Id. 1135; North Carolina; 3 Griff. L. R. 221; Now
Jersey; 4 Griff. L. R. 1282; New York; 3 Griff. L. R, 141;
Tennessee; 4 Griff. L. R. 791; Virginia; 3 Griff. L. R. 360,
In Georgia; 3 Griff. L. R. 444; and Indiana.; Id. 467; the
matter is doubtful.
15. - 2. Where the estate is solvent an executor may of course
retain for the whole of his debt, with interest.
RETAINER, practice. The act of a client, by which he engages
an attorney or counsellor to manage a cause, either by
prosecuting it, when he is plaintiff, or defending it, when he is
defendant.
2. "The effect of a retainer to prosecute or defend a suit,"
says Professor Greenleaf; Ev. vol. ii. §141; "is to confer on
the attorney all the powers exercised by the forms and usages of
the courts, in which the suit is pending. He may receive payment;
may bring a second suit after being non-suited in the first for
want of formal proof; may sue a writ of error on the judgment;
may discontinue the suit; may restore an action after a non
pros; may claim an appeal and bind his client in his name for
the prosecution of it; way submit the suit to arbitration; may
sue out an alias execution; may receive livery of seisin of land
taken by an extent may waive objections to evidence, and enter
into stipulation for the admission of facts or conduct of the
trial and for release of bail; may waive the right of appeal,
review, notice, and the like, and confess judgment. But he has no
authority to execute a discharge of a debtor but upon the actual
payment of the full amount of the debt, and that in money only;
nor to release sureties; nor to enter a retraxit; nor to act
for the legal representatives of his deceased client; nor to
release a witness."
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 110 of 139
RETAINING FEE. A fee given to counsel on being consulted in
order to insure his future services.
RETAKING. The taking one's goods, wife, child, &c., from
another, who with-out right has taken possession thereof. Vide
Recaption; Rescue.
RETALIATION. The act by which a nation or individual treats
another in the same manner that the latter has treated them. For
example, if a nation should lay a very heavy tariff on American
goods, the United States would be justi-fied in return in laying
heavy duties on the manufactures and productions of such country.
Vatt. Dr. des Gens, liv. 2, c. 18, §341. Vide Lex talionis.
RETENTION, Scottish law. The right which the possessor of a
movable has, of holding the same until he shall be satisfied for
his claim either against such movable or the owner of it; a
lien.
2. The right of retention is of two kinds, namely, special or
general. 1. Special retention is the right of withholding or
retaining property of goods which are in one's possession under a
contract, till indemnified for the labor or money expended on
them. 2. General retention is the right to withhold or detain the
property of another, in respect of any debt which happens to be
due by the proprietor to the person who has the custody; or for
a general balance of accounts arising on a particular train of
employment. 2 Bell's Com. 90, 91, 5th ed. Vide Lien.
RETORNO HABENDO. The name of a writ issued to compel a party
to return property which has been adjudged to the other in an
action of replevin. Vide Writ pro retorno habendo.
RETORSION, war. The name of the act employed by a government
to impose the same hard treatment on the citizens or subjects of
a state, that the latter has used towards the citizens or
subjects of the former, for the purpose of obtaining the removal
of obnoxious measures. Vattel, liv. 2, c. 18, §341; De Martens,
Precis, liv. 8, c. 2, §254; Kluber, Droit dos Gens, s. 2 c. 1,
§234; Mann. Comm. 105.
2. Retorsion signifies also the act by which an individual
returns to his adversary evil for evil; as, if Peter call Paul
thief, and Paul says you are a greater thief.
TO RETRACT. To withdraw a proposition or offer before it has
been accepted.
2. This the party making it has a right to do is long as it
has not been accepted; for no principle of law or equity can,
under these circumstances, require him to persevere in it.
3. The retraction may be express, as when notice is given that
the offer is withdrawn; or, tacit as by the death of the
offering party, or his inability to complete the contract; for
then the consent of one of the parties has been destroyed, before
the other has acquired any existence; there can therefore be no
agreement. 16 Toull. 55.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 111 of 139
4. After pleading guilty, a defendant will, in certain cases
where he has entered that plea by mistake or in consequence of
some error, be allowed to retract it. But where a prisoner
pleaded guilty to a charge of larceny, and sentence has been
passed upon him, he will not be allowed to retract his plea, and
plead not guilty. 9 C. & P. 346; S. C. 38 E. C. L. R. 146; Dig.
12, 4, 5.
RETRAXIT, practice. The act by which a plaintiff withdraws
his. suit; it is so called from the fact that this was the
principal word used when the law entries were in Latin.
2. A retraxit differs from a nonsuit, the former being the act
of the plain-tiff himself, for it cannot even be entered by
attorney; 8 Co. 58; 3 Salk.245; 8 P. S. R. 157, 163; and it
must be after declaration filed; 3 Leon. 47; 8 P. S. R. 163;
while the latter occurs in consequence of the neglect merely of
the plaintiff. A retraxit also differs from a nolle prosequi. (q.
v.) The effect of a retraxit is a bar to all actions of a like or
a similar nature; Bac. Ab. Nonsuit, A; a nolle prosequi is not
a bar even in a criminal prosecution. 2 Mass. R. 172. Vide 2
Sell. Pr. 338; Bac. Abr. Nonsuit; Com. Dig. Pleader, X 2. Vide
article Judgment of retraxit.
RETRIBUTION. 1. That which is given to another to recompense
him for what has been received from him; as a rent for the hire
of a house. 2. A salary paid to a person for his services. 3. The
distribution of rewards and punishments.
RETROCESSION, civil law. When the assignee of heritable rights
conveys his rights back to the cedent, it is called a
retrocession. Erskine, Prin. B. 3, t. 5, n. 1; Dict. do Jur. h.
t.
RETROSPECTIVE. Looking backwards.
2. This word is usually applied to those acts of the
legislature, which are made to operate upon some subject,
contract or crime which existed before the passage of the acts,
and they are therefore called retrorospective laws. These laws
are generally unjust and are, to a certain extent, forbidden by
that article in the constitution of the United States, which
prohibits the passage of ex post facto laws or laws impairing
contracts.
3. The right to pass retrospective laws, with the exceptions
above mentioned, exists in the several states, according to their
own constitutions, and become obligatory if not prohibited by the
latter. 4 S. & R. 364; 3 Dall. R. 396; 1 Bay, R. 179; 7 John.
R. 477; vide 4 S. & R. 403; 1 Binn. R. 601; 3 S. & R. 169; 2
Cranch. R. 272 2 Pet. 414; 8 Pet. 110; 11 Pet. 420; 1 Bald. R.
74; 5 Penn. St. R. 149. 4. An instance may be found in the laws
of Connecticut. In 1795, the legislature passed a resolve,
setting aside a decree of a court of probate disapproving of a
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 112 of 139
will and granted a new hearing; it was held that the resolve not
being against any constitutional principle in that state, was
valid. 3 Dall. 386. And in Pennsylvania a judgment was opened by
the act of April 1, 1837, which was holden by the supreme court
to be constitutional. 2 Watts & Serg. 271.
5. Laws should never be considered as applying to cases which
arose previously to their passage, unless the legislature have
clearly declared such to be their intention. 12 L. R. 352 Vide
Barringt. on the Stat. 466, n. 7 John. R. 477; 1 Kent, Com. 455;
Tayl. Civil Law, 168; Code, 1, 14, 7; Bracton, lib. 4, fo. 228;
Story, Cons. §1393; 1 McLean, Rep. 40; 1 Meigs, Rep. 437; 3
Dall. 391; 1 Blackf.R.193; 2 Gallis. R. 139; 1 Yerg. R. 360;
5 Yerg. R. 320; 12 S. & R. 330; and see Ex post facto.
RETURN, contracts, remedies. Persons who are beyond the sea
are exempted from the operation of the statute of limitations of
Pennsylvania, and of other states, till after a certain time has
elapsed after their returning. As to what shall be considered a
return, see 14 Mass. 203; 1 Gall. 342; 3 Johns. 263; 3 Wils.
145; 2 Bl. Rep. 723; 3 Littell's Rep. 48; 1 Harr. & Johns. 89,
350; 17 Mass. 180.
RETURN DAY. A day appointed by law when all writs are to be
returned which have issued since the preceding return day. The
sheriff is in general not required to return his writ until the
return day. After that period he may be ruled to make a return.
RETURN OF WRITS, practice. A short account in writing, made by
the sheriff, or other ministerial officer, of the manner in which
he has executed a writ. Steph. on Pl. 24.
2. It is the duty of such officer to return all writs on the
return day; on his neglecting to do so, a rule may be obtained
on him to return the writ and, if he do not obey the rule, he may
be attached for contempt. See 19 Vin. Ab. 171; Con]. Dig.
Return; 2 Lilly's Abr. 476; Wood. b. 1, c. 7; 1 Penna. R. 497;
1 Rawle, R. 520; 3 Yeates, 17; 3 Yeates, 47; 1 Dall. 439.
REUS, civil law. This word has two different meanings. 1. A
party to a suit, whether plaintiff or defendant; Reus est qui
cum altero litem contestatem habet, sive legit, sive cum eo adum
est. 2. A party to a contract; reus credendi is be to whom
something is due, by whatever title it may be; reus debendi is
he who owes, for whatever cause. Poth. Pand. lib. 50, h. t.
REVENDICATION, civil and French law. An action by which a man
demands a thing of which he claims to be owner. It applies to
immovables as well as movables; to corporeal or encorporeal
things. Merlin, Repert. h. t.
2. By the civil law, he who has sold goods for cash or on
credit may demand them back from the purchaser, if the
purchase-money is not paid according to contract. The action of
revendication is used for this purpose. See an attempt to
introduce the principle of revendication into our law, in 2
Hall's Law Journal, 181.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 113 of 139
3. Revendication, in another sense, corresponds, very nearly,
to the stoppage in transitu (q. v.) of the common law. It is used
in that sense in the Code de Commerce, art. 577. Revendication,
says that article, can take place only when the goods sold are on
the way to their place of destination, whether by land or water,
and before they have been received into the warehouse of the
insolvent, (failli,) or that of his factor or agent, authorized
to sell them on account of the insolvent. See Dig. 14, 4, 15;Dig.
18, 1, 19, 53; Dig. 19, f, 11.
REVENUE. The income of the government arising from taxation,
duties, and the like; and, according to some correct lawyers,
under the idea of revenue is also included the proceeds of the
sale of stocks, lands, and other property owned by the
government. Story, Const. §877. Vide Money Bills. By revenue is
also understood the income of private individuals and
corporations.
REVERSAL, international law. First. A declaration by which a
sovereign promises that he will observe a certain order, or
certain conditions, which have been once established,
notwithstanding any changes that may happen to cause a deviation
therefrom; as, for example, when the French court, consented for
the first time, in 1745, to grant to Elizabeth, the Czarina of
Russia, the title of empress, exacted as a reversal, a
declaration purporting that the assumption of the title of an
imperial government, by Russia, should not dero-gate from the
rank which France had held towards her. Secondly. Those letters
are also termed reversals, Litterae Reversales, by which a
sovereign declares that, by a particular act of his, he does not
mean to prejudice a third power. Of this we have an example in
history: formerly, the emperor of Germany, whose coronation,
according to the golden ball, ought to have been solemnized at
Aix-la-Chapelle, gave to that city when he was crowned elsewhere,
reversals, by which he declared that such coronation took place
without prejudice to its rights, and without drawing any
consequences therefrom for the future.
TO REVERSE, practice. The decision of a superior court by
which the judgment, sentence or decree of the inferior court is
annulled.
2. After a judgment, sentence or decree has been rendered by
the court below, a writ of error may be issued from the superior
to the inferior tribunal, when the record and all proceedings are
sent to the supreme court on the return to the writ of error.
When, on the examination of the record, the superior court gives
a judgment different from the inferior court, they are said to
reverse the proceeding. As to the effect of a reversal, see 9 C.
& P. 513 S, C. 38 E. C. L. Rep. 201.
REVERSION, estates. The residue of an estate left in the
grantor, to commence in possession after the determination of
some particular estate granted out by him; it is also defined to
be the return of land to the grantor, and Iiis heirs, after the
grant is over. Co. Litt. 142, b.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 114 of 139
2. The reversion arises by operation of law, and not by deed
or will, and it is a vested interest or estate, and in this it
differs from a remainder, which can never be limited unless by
either deed or devise. 2 Bl. Comm. 175; Cruise, Dig. tit. 17;
Plowd. 151; 4 Kent, Comm. 349; 19 Vin. Ab. 217; 4 Com. Dig.
27; 7 Com. Dig. 289: 1 Bro. Civil Law, 213 Wood's Inst. 151 2
Lill. Ab. 483. A reversion is said to be an incorporeal
hereditament. Vide 4 Kent, Com. 354. See, generally, 1 Hill. Ab.
c. 52, p. 418; 2 Bouv. Inst. n. 1850, et seq.
REVERSIONER, estates. One entitled to a reversion.
2. Although not in actual possession, the reversioner having a
vested interest in the reversion, is entitled to his action for
an injury done to the inheritance. 4 Burr. 2141. The reversioner
is entitled to the rent, and this important incident passes with
a grant or assignment of the reversion. It is not inseparable
from it, and may be severed and excepted out of the grant by
special words. Co. Litt. 143, a, 151, a, b Cruise, Digest, t. 17,
s. 19.
REVERSOR, law of Scotland. A debtor who makes a wadset and to
whom the right of reversion is granted. Ersk. Pr. L. Scotl. B. 2,
t. 8, sect. 1. A reversioner. Jacob, L. D. h. t.
REVERTER. Reversion. A formedon in reverter is a writ which
was a proper remedy when the donee in tail or issue died without
issue and a stranger abated: or they who were seised by force of
the entail discontinued the same. Bac. Ab. Formedon, A 3.
REVIEW, practice. A second examination of a matter. For
example, by the laws of Pennsylvania, the courts having
jurisdiction of the subject may grant an order for a view of a
proposed road; the viewers make a report, which when confirmed
by the court would authorize the laying out of the same. After
this, by statutory provision, the parties may apply for a review,
or second examination; and the last viewers may make a different
report. For the practice of reviews in chancery, the reader is
referred to Bill of Review, and the cases there cited.
REVIVAL, contracts. An agreement to renew the legal obligation
of a just debt, after it has been barred by the act of limitation
or lapse of time, is called its revival. Vide Promise.
REVIVAL, practice. The act by which a judgment, which has lain
dormant or without any action upon it for a year and a day is, at
common law, again restored to its original force.
REVIVE, practice. When a judgment is more than a day and a
year old, no execution can issue upon it at common law; but till
it has been paid, or the presumption arises from lapse of time,
that it has been satisfied, it may be revived and have all its
original force, which was merely suspended. This may be done by a
scire facias, or an action of debt on the judgment. Vide Scire
facias; Wakening.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 115 of 139
REVIVOR. the name of a bill in chancery used to renew an
original bill which for some reason has become inoperative. Vide
Bill of Revivor.
REVOCATION. The act by which a person having authority, calls
back or annuls a power, gift, or benefit, which had been bestowed
upon another. For example, a testator may revoke his testament;
a constituent may revoke his letter of attorney; a grantor may
revoke a grant made by him, when he has reserved the power in the
deed.
2. Revocations are expressed or implied. An express revocation
of a will must be as formal as the will itself. 2 Dall. 289; 2
Yeates, R. 170. But this is not the rule in all the states. See 2
Conn. Rep. 67; 2 Nott & McCord, Rep. 485; 14 Mass. 208; 1
Harr. & McHenry, R. 409; Cam. & Norw. Rep. 174 2 Marsh. Rep. 17.
3. Implied revocations take place, by marriage and birth of a
child, by the English law. 4 Johns. Ch. R. 506, and the cases
there cited by Chancellor Kent. 1 Wash. Rep. 140; 3 Call, Rep.
341; Cooper's Just. 497, and the cases there cited. In
Pennsylvania, marriage or birth of a child, is a revocation as to
them. 3 Binn. 498. A woman's will is revoked by her subsequent
marriage, if she dies "before her hushand. Cruise, Dig. tit. 38,
c. 6, s. 51. 4. An alienation of the estate by the devisor has
the same effect of revoking a will. 1 Roll. Ab. 615. See
generally, as to revoking wills, Lovelass on Wills, oh. 3, p. 177
Fonbl. Eq. c. 2, s. 1; Robertson Wills, ch . 2, part 1.
5. Revocation of wills may be effected, 1. By cancellation or
obliteration. 2. By a subsequent testamentary disposition. 3. By
an express revocation contained in a will or codicil, or in any
other distinct writing. 4. By the republication of a prior wili;
by presumptive or implied revocation. Williams on Wills, 67; 3
Lom. on Ex'rs, 59. Vide Domat, Loix Civ. liv. 3, t. 1, s. 5.
6. The powers and authority of an attorney or agent may be
revoked or deter-mined by the acts of the principal; by the acts
of the attorney or agent; and by operation of law.
7. - 1. By the acts of the principal, which may be express or
implied. An express revocation is made by a direct and formal and
public declaration, or by an informal writing, or by parol. An
implied revocation takes place when such circumstances occur as
manifest the intention of the principal to revoke the authority;
such, for example, as the appointment of another agent or
attorney to perform acts which are incompatible with the exercise
of the power formerly given to another; but this presumption
arises only when there is such incompatibility, for if the
original agent has a general authority, and the second only a
special power, the revocation will only operate pro tanto. The
performance by the principal himself of the act which he has
authorized to be done by his attorney, is another example; as,
if the authority be to collect a debt, and afterwards the
principal receive it himself.
8. - 2. The renunciation of the agency by the attorney will
have the same effect to determine the authority.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 116 of 139
9. - 3. A revocation of an authority takes place by operation
of law. This may be done in various ways: 1st. When the agency
terminates by lapse of time; as, when it is created to endure
for a year, it expires at the end of that period; or when a
letter of attorney is given to transact the constituent's
business during his absence, the power ceases on his return.
Poth. du Mandat, n. 119; Poth. Ob. n. 500.
10. - 2d. When a change of condition of the principal takes
place so that he is rendered incapable of performing the act
himself, the power he has delegat-ed to another to do it must
cease. Liverm. Ag. 306; 8 Wheat. R, 174. If an unmarried woman
give a power of attorney and afterwards marry, the marriage does,
ipso facto, operate as a revocation of the authority; 2 Kent,
Com. 645, 3d edit. Story Bailm. §206; Story, Ag. §481; 5 East,
R. 206; or if the principal become insane, at least after the
establishment of the insanity by an inquisition. 8 Wheat. R. 174,
201 to 204. When the principal becomes a bankrupt, his power of
attorney in relation to property or rights of which he was
dives-ted by the bankruptcy, is revoked by operation of law. 2
Kent, Com. 644, 3d edit.; 16 East, R. 382.
11. - 3d. The death of the principal will also have the effect
of a revocation of the authority. Co. Litt. 52; Paley, Ag. by
Lloyd, 185; 2 Liverm. Ag. 301; Story, Ag. §488; Story, Bailm.
§203; Bac. Ab. Authority, E; 2 Kent, Com. 454, 3d edit.; 3
Chit. Com. Law, 223.
12. - 4th. When the condition of the agent or attorney has so
changed as to render him incapable to perform his obligation
towards the principal. When a married woman is prohibited by her
hushand from the exercise of an authority given to her, it
thereby determines. When the agent becomes a bankrupt, his
authority is so far revoked that he cannot receive any money on
account of his principal; 5 B. & Ald. 645, 3d edit.; but for
certain other purposes, the bankruptcy of the agent does not
operate as a revocation. 3 Meriv. 322; Story, Ag. §486. The
insanity of the agent would render him unfit to act in the
business of the agency, and would determine his authority.
13. - 5th. The death of the agent puts an end to the agency.
Litt. §66.
14. - 6th. The extinction of the subject-matter of the agency,
or of the principal's power over it, or the complete execution of
the trust confided to the agent, will put an end to and determine
the agency.
15. It must be remembered that an authority, coupled with an
interest, cannot be revoked either by the acts of the principal,
or by operation of law. 2 Mason's R. 244, 342; 8 Wheat. R. 170;
1 Pet. R. 1; 2 Esp. R. 565; 10 B. & Cr. 731; Story Ag. §477, 483.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 117 of 139
16. It is true in general, a power ceases with the life of the
person making it; but if the interest or estate passes with the
power, and vests in the person by whom the power is exercised,
such person acts in his own name. The es-tate being in him,
passes from him by a conveyance in his own name. He is no longer
a substitute acting in the name of another, but is the principal
acting in his own name in pursuance of powers which limit the
estate. The legal reason which limits the power to the life of
the person giving it exists no long-er, and the rule ceases with
the reason on which it is founded. 8 Wheat. R. 174.
17. The revocation of the agent is a revocation of any
substitute he may have appointed. Poth. Mandat, n. 112; 2
Liverm. Ag. 307; Story, Ag. §469. But in some cases, as in the
case of the master of a ship, his death does not revoke the power
of the mate whom he had appointed; and in some cases of public
appointments, on the death or removal of the principal officer,
the depu-ties appointed by him are, by express provisions in the
laws, authorized to continue in the performance of their duties.
18. The time when the revocation takes effect must be
considered, first, with regard to the agent, and secondly, as it
affects third persons. 1. When the revocation can be lawfully
made, it takes effect, as to the agent, from the moment it is
communicated to him. 2. As to third persons, the revocation has
no effect until it is made known to them; if, therefore, an
agent, knowing of the revocation of his authority, deal with a
third pers6n in the name of his late principal, when such person
was ignorant of the revocation, both the agent and the principal
will be bound by his acts. Story, Ag. §470; 2 Liverm. Ag. 306;
2 Kent, Com. 644, 3d edit.; Paley, Ag. by Lloyd, 108, 570;
Story, Bailm. §208; 5 T. R. 215. A note or bill signed, accepted
or indorsed by a clerk, after his discharge, who had been
authorized to sign, indorse, or accept bills and notes for his
principal while in his employ, will be binding upon the latter,
unless notice has been given of his discharge and the revocation
of his authority. 3 Chit. Com. Law, 197.
REVOCATOR. Recalled. This word is used when a judgment is
annulled for an error in fact, the judgment is then said to be
recalled, revocatur; and not reversed, which is the word used
when a judgment is annulled for an error in law. Tidd's Pr. 1126.
REVOLT, crim. law. The act of congress of April 30, 1790, s.
8, 1 Story's L. U. S. 84, punishes with death any seaman who
shall lay violent hands upon his commander, thereby to hinder or
prevent his fighting in defence of his ship, or goods committed
to his trust, or shall make a revolt in the ship. What is a
revolt is not defined in the act of congress nor by the common
law; it was therefore contended, that it could not be deemed an
offence for which any person could be punished. 1 Pet. R. 118.
2. In a case which occurred in the circuit court for the
eastern district of Pennsylvania, the defendants were charged
with an endeavour to make a revolt. The judges sent up the case
to the supreme court upon a certificate of division of opinion of
the judges; as to the definition of the word revolt. 4 W. C. C.
R. 528. The opinion of the supreme court was delivered by
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 118 of 139
Washington, J., and is in these words "This case comes before the
court upon a certificate of division of the opinion of the judges
of the circuit court for the eastern district of Pennsylvania,
upon the following point assigned by the defendants as a reason
in arrest of judgment, viz. that the act of congress does not
define the offence of endeavoring to make a revolt; and it is
not competent to the court to give a judicial definition of an
offence heretofore unknown.
"This court is of opinion that although the act of congress
does not define this offence, it is nevertheless, competent to
the court to give a judicial definition of it. We think that the
offence consists in the endeavor of the crew of a vessel, or any
one or more of them, to overthrow the legitimate authority of her
commander, with intent to remove him from his command; or
against his will to take possession of the vessel by assuming the
government and navigation of her; or by transferring their
obedience from the lawful commander to some other person." 11
Wheat. R. 417. Vide 4 W. C. C. R. 528, 405; Mason's R. 147 4
Mason, R. 105; 4 Wash. C. C. R. 548 1 Pet. C. C. R. 213; 5
Mason, R. 464; 1 Sumn. 448; 3 Wash. C. C. R. 525; 1 Carr. &
Kirw. 429.
3. According to Wolff, revolt and rebellion are nearly
synonymous; he says it is the state of citizens who unjustly
take up arms against the prince or government. Wolff, Dr. de la
Nat. 1232.
REWARD. An offer of recompense given by authority of law for
the performance of some act for the public good; which, when the
act has been performed, is to be paid; or it is the recompense
actually paid.
2. A reward may be offered by the government or by a private
person. In criminal prosecutions, a person may be a competent
witness although he expects, on conviction of the prisoner, to
receive a reward. 1 Leach, 314, n 9 Barn. & Cresw. 556; S. C.
Eng. C. L. R. 441; 1 Leach, 134; 1 Hayw. Rep. 3 1 Root, R. 249;
Stark. Ev. pt. 4, p. 772, 3; Roscoe's Cr. Ev. 104; 1 Chit. Cr.
Law, 881; Hawk. B. 2, c. 12, s. 21 to 38; 4 Bl. Com. 294;
Burn's Just. Felony, iv. See 6 Humph. 113.
3. By the common law, informers, who are entitled under penal
statutes to part of the penalty, are not in general competent
witnesses. But when a stat-ute can receive no execution, unless a
party interested be a witness, then it seems proper to admit him,
for the statute must not be rendered ineffectual for want of
proof. Gilb. 114. In many acts of the legislature there is a
provision that the informer shall be a witness, notwithstanding
the reward. 1 Phil. Ev. 92, 99.
RHODE ISLAND. The name of one of the original states of the
United States of America. This state was settled by emigrants
from Massachusetts, who assumed the government of themselves by a
voluntarry association, which was soon discovered to be
insufficient for their protection. In 1643, a charter of
incorporation of Providence Plantations was obtained; and in
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 119 of 139
1644, the two houses of parliament, during the forced absence of
Charles the First, granted a char-ter for the incorporation of
the towns of Providence, Newport and Portsmouth, for the absolute
government of themselves, according to the laws of England. Soon
after the restoration of Charles the Second, in July, 1663, the
inhabi-tants obtained a new charter from the crown. Upon the
accession of James, the inhabitants were accused of a violation
of their charter; and a quo warranto was filed against them,
when they resolved to surrender it. In 1686, their government was
dissolved, and Sir Edward Andros assumed, by royal authority, the
administration of the colony. The revolution of 1688 put an end
to his power and the colony immediately resumed its charter, the
powers of which, with some interruptions, it continued to
maintain and exercise down to the period of the American
Revolution.
2. This charter remained as the fundamental law of the state
until the first Tuesday of May, one thousand eight hundred and
forty-three. A convention of the people assembled in November,
1842, and adopted a constitution which went into operation in
May, 1843, as above mentioned.
3. By the third article of the constitution the powers of the
government are distributed into three departments; the
legislative, the executive, and the judicial.
4. - §1. The fourth article regulates the legislative power as
follows, to wit: Sect. 1. This constitution shall be the supreme
law of the state, and any law inconsistent therewith shall be
void. The general assembly shall pass all laws necessary to carry
this constitution into effect.
5. - Sect. 2. The legislative power, under this constitution,
shall be vested in two houses, the one to be called the senate,
the other the house of representatives; and both together the,
general assembly. The concurrence of the two houses shall be
necessary to the enactment of laws. The style of their laws shall
be, It is enacted by the general assembly as follows.
6. - Sect. 3. There shall be two sessions of the general
assembly holden annually; one at Newport, on the first Tuesday
of May, for the purposes of election and other business; the
other on the last Monday of October, which last session shall be
holden at South Kingstown once in two years, and the intermediate
years alternately at Bristol and East Greenwich; and an
adjournment for the October session shall be holden annually at
Providence.
7. - Sect. 4. No member of the general assembly shall take any
fee, or be of counsel in any case pending before either house of
the general assembly, under penalty of forfeiting his seat, upon
proof thereof to the satisfaction of the house of which he is a
member.
8. - Sect. 5. The person of every member of the general
assembly shall be exempt from arrest and his estate from
attachment, in any civil action, during the session of the
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 120 of 139
general assembly, and two days before the commencement, and two
days after the termination thereof; and all process served
contrary hereto shall be void. For any speech in debate in either
house, no member shall be questioned in any other place.
9. - Sect. 6. Each house shall be the judge of the elections
and qualifications of its members; and a majority shall
constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may
adjourn from day to day, and may compel the atten-dance of absent
members, in such manner, and under such penalties, as may be
prescribed by such house or by law. The organization of the two
houses may be regulated by law, subject to the limitations
contained in this constitution.
10. - Sect. 7. Each house may determine its rules of
proceeding, punish contempts, punish its members for disorderly
behaviour, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a
member; but not a second time for the same cause.
11. - Sect. 8. Each house shall keep a journal of its
proceedings. The yeas and nays of the members of either house,
shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered on
the journal.
12. - Sect. 9. Neither house shall, during a session, without
the consent of the other, adjourn for more than two days, nor to
any other place than that in which they may be sitting.
13. - Sect. 10. The general assembly shall continue to
exercise the powers they have heretofore exercised, unless
prohibited in this constitution.
14. - Sect. 11. The senators and representatives shall receive
the sum of one dollar for every day of attendance, and eight
cents per mile for travelling expenses in going to and returning,
from the general assembly. The general assembly shall regulate
the compensation of the governor and all other officers, subject
to the limitations contained in this constitution.
15. - Sect. 12. All lotteries shall hereafter be prohibited in
this state, except those already authorized by the general
assembly.
16. - Sect. 13. The general assembly shall have no power
hereafter, without the express consent of the people, to incur
state debts to an amount exceeding fifty thousand dollars, except
in time of war, or in case of insurrection or invasion, nor shall
they in any case, without such consent, pledge the faith of the
state for the payment of the obligations of others. This section
shall not be construed to refer to any money that may be
deposited with this state by the government of the United States.
17. - Sect. 14. The assent of two-thirds of the members
elected to each house of the general assembly shall be required
to every bill appropriating the public money or property for
local or private purposes.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 121 of 139
18. - Sect. 15. The general assembly shall, from time to time,
provide for making new valuations of property for the assessment
of taxes, in such manner as they may deem best. A new estimate of
such property shall be taken before the first direct state tax,
after the adoption of this constitution, shall be assessed.
19. - Sect. 16. The general assembly may provide by law for
the continuance in office of any officers of annual election or
appointment, until other persons are qualified to take their
places.
20. - Sect. 17. Hereafter when any bill shall be presented to
either house of the general assembly, to create a corporation for
any other than for religious, literary or charitable purposes, or
for a military or fire company, it shall be continued until
another election of members of the general assembly shall have
taken place, and such public notice of the pendency thereof shall
be given as may be required by law.
21. - Sect 18. It shall be the duty of the two houses upon the
request of either, to join in grand committee for the purpose of
electing senators in congress, at such times and in such manner
as may be prescribed by law for said elections.
22. Having disposed of the rules which regulate both houses, a
detailed statement of the powers of the house of representatives
will here be given.
23. - 1. The house of representatives is regulated by the
fifth article as follows; Sect. 1. The house of representatives
shall never exceed seventy-two members, and shall be constituted
on the basis of population, always allowing one representative
for a fraction, exceeding half the ratio; but each town or city
shall always be entitled to at least one member; and no town or
city shall have more than one-sixth of the whole number of
members to which the house is hereby limited. The present ratio
shall be one representative to every fifteen hundred and thirty
inhabitants, and the general assembly may, after any new census
taken by the authority of the United States or of this state,
re-apportion the representation by altering the ratio; but no
town or city shall be divided into districts for the choice of
representatives.
25. - Sect. 2. The house of representatives shall have
authority to elect its speaker, clerks and other officers. The
senior member from the town of Newport, if any be present, shall
preside in the organization of the house.
26. - 2. The senate is the subject of the sixth article, as
follows: Sect. 1. The senate shall consist of the
lieutenant-governor and of one senator from each town or city in
the state.
27. - Sect. 2. The governor, and, in his absence the
lieutenant-governor, shall preside in the senate and in grand
committee. The presiding officer of the senate and grand
committee shall have a right to vote in case of equal division,
but not otherwise.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 122 of 139
28. Sect. 3. If, by reason of death, resignation, absence, or
other cause, there be no governor or lieutenant governor present,
to preside in the senate, the senate shall elect one of their own
members to preside during such absence or vacancy, and until such
election is made by the senate, the secretary of state shall
preside.
29. - Sect. 4. The secretary of state shall, by virtue of his
office, be secretary of the senate, unless otherwise provided by
law; and the senate may elect such other officers as they may
deem necessary.
30. - §2. The seventh article regulates the executive power.
It provides: Sect. 1. The chief executive power of this state
shall be vested in a governor, who, together with a lieutenant
governor, shall be annually elected by the people.
31. - Sect. 2. The governor shall take care that the laws be
faithfully executed.
32. - Sect. 3. He shall be captain general and
commander-in-chief of the military and naval force of this state,
except when they shall be called into the service of the United
States.
33. - Sect. 4. He shall have power to grant reprieves after
conviction, in all cases except those of impeachment, until the
end of the next session of the general assembly.
34. - Sect. 5. He may fill vacancies in office not otherwise
provided for by this constitution, or by law, until the same
shall be filled by the general assembly, or by the people.
35. - Sect. 6. In case of disagreement between the two houses
of the general assembly, respecting the time or place of
adjournment, certified to him by either, he may adjourn them to
such time and place as he shall think proper; provided that the
time of adjournment shall not be extended beyond the day of the
next stated session.
36. - Sect. 7. He may, on extraordinary occasions, convene the
general assembly at any town or city in this state, at any time
not provided for by law; and in case of danger from the
prevalence of epidemic or contagious disease, in the place in
which the general assembly are by law to meet, or to which they
may have been adjourned; or for other urgent reasons, he may, by
proc-lamation, convene said assembly, at any other place within
this state.
37. - Sec. 8. All commissions shall be in the name and by the
authority of the state of Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations; shall be sealed with the state seal, signed by the
governor and attested by the secretary.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 123 of 139
38. - Sect. 9. In case of vacancy in the office of governor,
or of his inability to serve, impeachment, or absence from the
state, the lieutenant governor shall fill the office of governor
and exercise the powers and authority appertaining thereto, until
a governor is qualified to act, or until the office is filled at
the next annual election.
39. - Sect. 10. If the offices of governor and lieutenant
governor be both vacant by reason of death, resignation,
impeachment, absence, or otherwise, the person entitled to
preside over the senate for the time being, shall in like manner
fill the office of governor during such absence or vacancy.
40. - Sec. 11. The compensation of the governor and lieutenant
governor shall be established by law, and shall not be diminished
during the term for which they are elected.
41. - Sect. 12. The duties and powers of the secretary,
attorney general, and general treasurer, shall be the same under
this constitution as are now established, or as from time to time
may be prescribed by law.
42. - §3. The judicial power is regulated by the tenth article
as follows: Sect. 1. The judicial power of this state shall be
vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior courts as the
general assembly may from time to time, ordain and establish.
43. - Sect. 2. The several courts shall have such jurisdiction
as, may from time to time be prescribed by law. Chancery powers
may be conferred on the supreme court, but on no other court to
any greater extent than is now provided by law.
44. - Sect. 3. The judges of the supreme court shall in all
trials, instruct the jury in the law. They shall also give their
written opinion upon any question of law whenever requested by
the governor, or by either house of the general assembly.
45. - Sect. 4. The judges of the supreme court shall be
elected by the two houses in grand committee. Each judge shall
hold his office until his place be declared vacant by a
resolution of the general assembly to that effect; which
resolution shall be voted for by a majority of all the members
elected to the house in which it may originate, and be concurred
in by the same majority of the other house. Such resolution
sliall not be entertained at any other than the annual session
for the election of public officers: and in default of the
passage thereof at said session, the judge shall hold his place
as herein provided. But a judge of any court shall be removed
from office, if, upon impeachment, he shall be found guilty of
any official misdemeanor.
46. - Sect. 5. In case of vacancy by death, resignation,
removal from the state or from office, refusal or inability to
serve, of any judge of the supreme court, the office may be
filled by the grand committee, until the next annual election,
and the judge then elected shall hold his office as before
provided. In cases of impeachment, or temporary absence or
inability, the governor may appoint a person to discharge the
duties of the office during the vacancy caused thereby.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 124 of 139
47. - Sect. 6. The judges of the supreme court shall receive a
compensation for their services, which shall not be diminished
during their continuance in office.
48. - Sect. 7. The towns of New Shoreham and Jamestown may
continue to elect their wardens as heretofore. The other towns
and the city of Providence, may elect such number of justices of
the peace resident therein, as they may deem proper. The
jurisdiction of said justices and wardens shall be regulated by
law. The justices shall be commissioned by the governor.
RHODIAN LAW. A code of marine laws established by the people
of Rhodes, bears this name. Vide Law Rhodian.
RIAL OF PLATE, and RIAL OF VELLON, comm. law. Denominations of
money of Spain.
2. In the ad valorem duty upon goods, &c., the former are
computed at ten cents, and the latter at five cents each. Act of
March 2, 1799, s. 61, 1 Story's Laws U. S. 626. Vide Foreign
Coins.
RIBAUD. A rogue; a vagrant. It is not used.
RIDER, practice, legislation. A schedule or small piece of
paper or parchment added to some part of the record; as, when,
on the reading of a bill in the legislature, a new clause is
added, this is tacked to the bill on a separate piece of paper,
and is called a rider.
RIDING, Eng. law. An ascertained district, part of a county.
This term has the same meaning in Yorkshire which division has in
Lincolnshire. 4 T. R. 459.
RIEN. This is a French word which signifies nothing. It has
generally this meaning; as, rien in arrere; rien passe per le
fait, nothing passes by the deed; rien per descent, nothing by
descent; it sometimes signifies not, as rien culpable, not
guilty. Doct. Plac. 435.
RIEN EN ARRERE, pleading. Nothing in arrear; nothing
remaining due and unpaid.
2. The plea in an action of debt for rent, may be rien en
arrere. This is a good general issue. Cowp. 588: Bac. Ab. Pleas,
I; 12 Saund. 297, n. 1; 2 Lord Raym. 1503; 2 Chit. Pl. 486; 4
Bouv. Inst. n. 3576.
RIENS PASSA PAR LE FAIT. The name of a plea; it signifies
that nothing pass-ed by the deed; for example, when a deed is
acknowledged in court, a man cannot plead non est factum, because
the act was done in court, which cannot be denied; but when the
deed has been acknowledged in a court not having jurisdiction,
the party may avoid the effect or operation of the deed by
pleading riens passa par le fait, for this plea does not impeach
the court where it was acknowledged. Bac. Ab. Evidence F; 1
Gilb. ET. by Lofft, 326.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 125 of 139
RIGHT. This word is used in various senses: 1. Sometimes it
signifies a law, as when we say that natural right requires us to
keep our promises, or that it commands restitution, or that it
forbids murder. In our language it is seldom used in this sense.
2. It sometimes means that quality in our actions by which they
are denominated just ones. This is usually denominated rectitude.
3. It is that quality in a person by which he can do certain
actions, or possess certain things which belong to him by virtue
of some title. In this sense, we use it when we say that a man
has a right to his estate or a right to defend himself. Ruth,
Inst. c. 2, §1, 2, 3; Merlin,; Repert. de Jurisp. mot Droit.
See Wood's Inst. 119.
2. In this latter sense alone, will this word be here
considered. Right is the correlative of duty, for, wherever one
has a right due to him, some other must owe him a duty. 1 Toull.
n. 96.
3. Rights are perfect and imperfect. When the things which we
have a right to possess or the actions we have a right to do, are
or may be fixed and determinate, the right is a perfect one; but
when the thing or the actions are vague and indeterminate, the
right is an imperfect one. If a man demand his property, which is
withheld from him, the right that supports his demand is a
perfect one; because the thing demanded is, or may be fixed and
determinate.
4. But if a poor man ask relief from those from whom he has
reason to expect it, the right, which supports his petition, is
an imperfect one; because the relief which he expects, is a
vague indeterminate, thing. Ruth. Inst. c. 2, §4; Grot. lib. 1,
c. §4.
5. Rights are also absolute and qualified. A man has an
absolute right to recover property which belongs to him; an
agent has a qualified right to recover such property, when it had
been entrusted to his care, and which has been unlawfully taken
out of his possession. Vide Trover.
6. Rights might with propriety be also divided into natural
and civil rights but as all the rights which man has received
from nature have been modified and acquired anew from the civil
law, it is more proper, when considering their object, to divide
them into political and civil rights.
7. Political rights consist in the power to participate,
directly or indirectly, in the establishment or management of
government. These political rights are fixed by the constitution.
Every citizen has the right of voting for public officers, and of
being elected; these are the political rights which the humblest
citizen possesses.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 126 of 139
8. Civil rights are those which have no relation to the
establishment, support, or management of the government. These
consist in the power of acquiring and enjoying property, of
exercising the paternal and marital powers, and the like. It will
be observed that every one, unless deprived of them by a
sen-tence of civil death, is in the enjoyment of his civil
rights, which is not the case with political rights; for an
alien, for example, has no political, although in the full
enjoyment of his civil rights.
9. These latter rights are divided into absolute and relative.
The absolute rights of mankind may be reduced to three principal
or primary articles: the right of personal security, which
consists in a person's legal and uninter-rupted enjoyment of his
life, his limbs, his body, his health, and his reputation; the
right of personal liberty, which consists in the power of
locomotion, of changing situation, or removing one's person to
whatsoever place one's inclination may direct, without any
restraint, unless by due course of law; the right of property,
which consists in the free use, enjoyment, and disposal of all
his acquisitions, without any control or diminution, save only by
the laws of the land. 1 Bl. 124 to 139.
10. The relative rights are public or private: the first are
those which subsist between the people and the government, as the
right of protection on the part of the people, and the right of
allegiance which is due by the people to the government; the
second are the reciprocal rights of hushand and wife, parent and
child, guardian and ward, aud master and servant.
11. Rights are also divided into legal and equitable. The
former are those where the party has the legal title to a thing,
and in that case, his remedy for an infringement of it, is by an
action in a court of law. Although the person holding the legal
title may have no actual interest, but hold only as trustee, the
suit must be in his name, and not in general, in that of the
cestui que trust. 1 East, 497 8 T. R. 332; 1 Saund. 158, n. 1;
2 Bing. 20. The latter, or equitable rights, are those which may
be enforced in a court of equity by the cestui que trust. See,
generally, Bouv. Ins t. Index, h. t. Remedy.
RIGHT OF DISCUSSION, Scottish law. The right which the
cautioner (surety) has to insist that the creditor shall do his
best to compel the performance of the contract by the principal
debtor, before he shall be called upon. 1 Bell's Com. 347, 5th
ed. Vide 8 Serg. & Rawle, 116; 15 Serg. & Rawle, 29, 30 and the
articles Surety. Suretyship.
RIGHT OF DIVISION, Scottish law. The right which each of
several cautioners (sureties) has to refuse to answer for more
than his own share of the debt. To entitle the cautioner to this
right, the other cautioners must be solvent, and there must be no
words in the bond to exclude it. 1 Bell's Com. 347, 5th ed.
RIGHT OF HABITATION. By this term, in Louisiana, is understood
the right of dwelling gratuitously in a house, the property of
another. Civ. Code, art. 623; 3 Toull. ch. 2, p. 325; 14 Toull.
n. 279, p. 330; Poth. h. t., n. 22-25.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 127 of 139
RIGHT OF RELIEF, Scottish law. The right which the cautioner
(surety) has against the principal debtor when he has been forced
to pay his debt. 1 Bell's Com. 347, 5th ed.
RIGHT PATENT. The name of an ancient writ, which Fitzherbert
says, "ought to be brought of lands and tenements, and not of an
advowson, or of common, and lieth only of an estate of fee
simple, and not for him who has a lesser estate, as tenant in
tail, tenant in frank marriage, or tenant for life." F. N. B. 1.
RIGHT, WRIT OF. Breve de recto. Vide Writ of light.
RING DROPPING, crim. law. This phrase is applied in England to
a trick frequently practised in committing larcenies. It is
difficult to define it; it will be sufficiently exemplified by
the following cases. The prisoner, with some accomplices, being
in company with the prosecutor, pretended to find a valuable ring
wrapped up in a paper, appearing to be a jeweller's receipt for
"a rich brilliant diamond ring." They offered to leave the ring
with the prosecutor, if he would deposit some money and his watch
as a security. The prosecutor having accordingly laid down his
watch and money on a table, was beckoned out of the room by one
of the confederates, while the others took away his watch and
money. This was held to amount to a larceny. 1 Leach, 238; 2
East, P. C. 678. In another case under similar circumstances, the
prisoner procured from the prosecutor twenty guineas, promising
to return them the next morning, and leaving the false jewel with
him. This was also held to be larceny. 1 Leach, 314; 2 East, P.
C. 679. In these cases the prosecutor had no intention of parting
with the property in the money or goods stolen. It was taken, in
the first case while the transaction was proceeding, without his
knowledge; and, in the last, under the promise that it should be
returned. Vide 2 Leach, 640.
RINGING THE CHANGE, crim. law. A trick practised by a
criminal, by which, on receiving a good piece of money in payment
of an article, he pretends it is not good, and, changing it,
returns to the buyer a counterfeit one, as in the following case:
The prosecutor having bargained with the prisoner, who was
selling fruit about the streets, to have five apricot's for
sixpence, gave him a good shilling to change. The prisoner put
the shilling into his mouth, as if to bite it in order to try its
goodness, and returning a shilling to the prosecutor, told him it
was a bad one. The prosecutor gave him another good shilling
which he also affected to bite, and then returned another
shilling, saying it was a bad one. The prosecutor gave him
another good shilling with which he practised this trick a third
time the shillings returned by him being in every respect, bad. 2
Leach, 64.
2. This was held to be an uttering of false money. 1 Russ. on
Cr. 114.
RIOT, crim. law. At common law a riot is a tumultuous
disturbance of the peace, by three persons or more assembling
together of their own authority, with an intent, mutually to
assist each other against any who shall oppose them, in the
execution of some enterprise of a private nature, and afterwards
actually executing the same in a violent and turbulent manner, to
the terror of the people, whether the act intended were of itself
lawful or unlawful.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 128 of 139
2. In this case there must be proved, first, an unlawful
assembling; for if a number of persons lawfully met together;
as, for example, at a fire, in a theatre or a church, should
suddenly quarrel and fight, the offence is an affray and not a
riot, because there was no unlawful assembling; but if three or
more being so assembled, on a dispute occurring, they form into
parties with promises of mutual assistance, which promises may be
express, or implied from the circumstances, then the offence will
no longer be an affray, but a riot; the unlawful combination
will amount to an assembling within the meaning of the law. In
this manner any lawful assembly may be converted into a riot. Any
one who joins the rioters after they have actually commenced, is
equally guilty as if he had joined them while assembling.
3. Secondly, proof must be made of actual violence and force
on the part of the rioters, or of such circumstances as have an
apparent tendency to force and violence, and calculated to strike
terror into the public mind. The definition requires that the
offenders should assemble of their own authority, in order to
create a riot; if, therefore, the parties act under the
authority of the law, they may use any necessary force to enforce
their mandate, without committing this offence.
4. Thirdly, evidence must be given that the defendants acted
in the riot, and were participants in the disturbance. Vide 1
Russ. on Cr. 247 Vin. Ab. h. t.; Hawk. c. 65, s. 1, 8, 9; 3
Inst. 176; 4 Bl. Com. 146 Com. Dig. h. t.; Chit. Cr. Law,
Index, h. t. Roscoe, Cr. Ev. h. t.
RIOTOUSLY, pleadings. A technical word properly used in an
indictment for a riot, and ex vi termini, implies violence. 2
Sess. Cas. 13; 2 Str. 834; 2 Chit. Cr. Law, 489.
RIPA. The bank of a river, or the place beyond which the
waters do not in their natural course overflow.
2. An extraordinary overflow does not change the banks of the
river. Poth. Pand. lib. 50, h. t. See Banks of rivers; Riparian
proprietors; Rivers.
RIPARIAN PROPRIETORS, estates. This term, used by the
civilians, has been adopted by the common lawyers. 4 Mason's Rep.
397. Those who own the land bounding upon a water course, are so
called.
2. Such riparian proprietor owns that portion of the bed of
the river (not navigable) which is adjoining his land usque ad
filum aquce; or, in other words, to the thread or central line
of the stream. Harg. Tr. 5; Holt's R. 499; 3 Dane's Dig. 4; 7
Mass. R. 496; 5 Wend. R. 423; 3 Caines, 319 2 Conn. 482; 20
Johns. R. 91; Angell, Water Courses, 3 to 10; 9 Porter, R. 577:
Kames, Eq. part 1, c. 1, s. 1; 26 Wend. R. 404; 11 Stanton,
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 129 of 139
138; 4 Hill, 369. The proprietor of land adjoining a navigable
river has an exclusive right to the soil, between high and low
water marks, for the purpose of erecting wharves or buildings
thereon. 7 Conn. 186. But see 1 Pennsyl. 462. Vide River.
RIPUARIAN LAW. A code of laws of the Franks, who occupied the
country upon the Rhine, the Meuse and Scheldt, who were
collectively known by the name Ripuarians, and their laws as
Ripuarian law.
RISK. A danger, a peril to which a thing is exposed. The
subject will be divided by considering, 1. Risks with regard to
insurances. 2. Risks in the contracts of sale, barter, &c.
2. - §1. In the contract of insurance, the insurer takes upon
him the risks to which the subject of the insurance is exposed,
and agrees to indemnify the insured when a loss occurs. This is
equally the case in marine and terrestrial insurance. But as the
rules which govern these several contracts are not the same, the
subject of marine risks will be considered, and, afterwards, of
terrestrial risks.
3. - 1st. Marine risks are perils which are incident to a sea
voyage; 1 Marsh. Ins. 215; or those fortuitous events which may
happen in the course of the voyage. Poth. Contr. d'assur. n. 49;
Pardes. Dr. Com. n. 770. It will be proper to consider, 1. Their
nature. 2. Their duration.
4. - 1. The nature of the risks usually insured against. These
risks may be occasioned by storms, shipwreck, jetsom, prize,
pillage, fire, war, reprisals, detention by foreign governments,
contribution to losses experienced for the common benefit, or for
expenses which would not have taken place if it had not been for
such events. But the insurer may by special contract limit his
responsibility for these risks. He may insure against all risks,
or only against enumerated risks; for the benefit of particular
persons, or for whom it may concern. 2 Wash. C. C. R. 346; 1
John. Cas. 337; 2 John. Cas. 480 1 Pet. 151 2 Mass.,365; 8
Mass. 308. The law itself has made some exceptions founded on
public policy, which require that in certain cases men shall not
be permitted to protect themselves against some particular perils
by insurance; among these are, first, that no man can insure any
loss or damage proceeding directly from his own fault. 1 John.
Cas. 337; Poth. h. t. n. 65; Pard. h. t. n. 771; Marsh. Ins.
215. Secondly, nor can be insure risks or perils of the sea, upon
a trade forbidden by the laws. Thirdly, the risks excluded by the
usual memorandum (q. v.) contained in the policy. Marsh. Ins.
221.
5. As the insurance is upon maritime risks, the accidents must
have happened on the sea, unless the agreement include other
risks. The loss by accidents which might happen on land in the
course of the voyage, even when the unloading may have been
authorized by the policy, or is required by local regulations, as
where they are necessary for sanitary measures, is not borne by
the insurer. Pard. Dr. Com. n. 770.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 130 of 139
6. - 2. As to the duration of the risk. The commencement and
end of the risk depend upon the words of the policy. The insurer
may take and modify what risks he pleases. The policy may be on a
voyage out, or a voyage in, or it may be for part of the route,
or for a limited time, or from port to port. See 3 Kent, Com.
254; Pard. Dr. Com. n. 775; Marsh. 246; 1 Binn. 592. The
duration of the risk on goods is considered in Marsh. Ins. 247 a;
on ships, p. 280; on freight, p. 278, and 12 Wheat. 383.
7. - 2d. In insurances against fire, the risks and losses
insured against, are all losses or damages by fire; but, as in
cases of marine insurances, this may be limited as to the things
insured, or as to the cause or occasion of the accident, and many
policies exclude fires caused by a mob or the enemies of the
commonwealth. The duration of the policy is Iimited by its own
provisions.
8. - 3d. In insurances on lives, the risks are the death of
the party from whatever cause, but in general the following risks
are excepted, namely: 1. Death abroad or in a district excluded
by the terms of the policy. 2. Entering into the naval or
military service without the consent of the insurer. 3. Death by
suicide. 4. Death by duelling. 5. Death by the hands of justice.
See Insurance on lives. The duration of the risks is limited by
the terms of the policy.
9. - §2. As a general rule, whenever the sale has been
completed; the risk of loss of the things sold is upon the
buyer; but until it is complete, and while something remains to
be done by either party, in relation to it, the risk is on the
seller; as, if the goods are to be weighed or measured. See
Sale.
10. In sales, the risks to which property is exposed and the
loss which may occur, before the contract is fully complete, must
be borne by him in whom the title resides: when the bargain,
therefore, is made and rendered binding by giving earnest, or by
part payment, or part delivery, or by a compliance with the
requisitions of the statute of frauds, the property, and with it
the risk, attaches to the purchaser. 2 Kent, Com. 392.
11. In Louisiana, as soon as the contract of sale is
completed, the thing sold is at the risk of the buyer, but with
the following modifications: Until the thing sold is delivered
to the buyer, the seller is obliged to guard it as a faithful
administrator, and if through his want of care, the thing is
de-stroyed, or its value diminished, the seller is responsible
for the loss. He is released from this degree of care, when the
buyer delays obtaining the possession: but he is still liable
for any injury which the thing sold may sus-tain through gross
neglect on his part. If it is the seller who delays to de-liver
the thing, and it be destroyed, even by a fortuitous event, it is
be who sustains the loss, unless it appears that the fortuitous
event would equally have occasioned the destruction of the thing
in the buyer's possession, after delivery. Art. 2442-2445. For
the rules of the civil law on this subject, see Inst. 2, 1, 41;
Poth. Contr. de Vente, 4eme partie, n. 308, et seq.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 131 of 139
RIVER. A natural collection of waters, arising from springs or
fountains, which flow in a bed or canal of considerable width and
length, towards the sea.
2. Rivers may be considered as public or private.
3. Public rivers are those in which the public have an
interest.
4. They are either navigable, which, technically understood,
signifies such rivers in which the tide flows; or not navigable.
The soil or bed of such a navigable river, understood in this
sense, belongs not to the riparian proprietor, but to the public.
3 Caines' Rep. 307; 10 John. R. 236; 17 John. R. 151; 20 John.
R. 90; 5 Wend. R. 423; 6 Cowen, R. 518; 14 Serg. & Rawle, 9;
1 Rand. Rep. 417; 3 Rand. R. 33; 3 Greenl. R. 269; 2 Conn. R.
481; 5 Pick. 199.
5. Public rivers, not navigable, are those which belong to the
people in general, as public highways. The soil of these rivers
belongs generally, to the riparian owner, but the public have the
use of the stream, and the authors of nuisances and impediments
over such a stream are indictable. Ang. on Water Courses, 202;
Davies' Rep. 152; Callis on Sewers, 78; 4 Burr. 2162.
6. By the ordinance of 1787, art. 4, relating to the
north-western territory, it is provided that the navigable
waters, leading into the Mississippi and St. Lawrence, and the
carrying places between the same, shall be common highways, and
forever free. 3 Story, L. U. S. 2077.
7. A private river, is one so naturally obstructed, that there
is no passage for boats; for if it be capable of being so
navigated, the public may use its waters. 1 M'Cord's Rep. 580.
The soil in general belongs to the riparian proprietors. (q. v.)
A river, then, may be considered, 1st. As private, in the case of
shallow and obstructed streams. 2d. As private property, but
subject to public use, when it can be navigated; and, 3d. As
public, both with regard to its use and property. Some rivers
possess all these qualities. The Hudson is mentioned as an
instance; in one part it is entirely private property; in
another the public have the use of it; and it is public property
from the mouth as high up as the tide flows. Ang. Wat. Co. 205,
6.
8. In Pennsylvania, it has been held that the great rivers of
that state, as the Susquehanna, belong to the public, and that
the riparian proprietor does not own the bed or canal. 2 Binn. R.
75; 14 Serg. & Rawle, 71. Vide, generally, Civ. Code of Lo. 444;
Bac. Ab. Prerogatives, B 3; 7 Com. Dig. 291; 1 Bro. Civ. Law,
170; Merl. Repert, h. t.; Jacobsen's Sea Laws, 417; 2 Hill.
Abr. c. 13; 2 Fairf. R. 278 3 Ohio Rep. 496; 6 Mass. R. 435;
15 John. R. 447; 1 Pet. C. C. Rep. 64; 1 Paige's Rep. 448; 3
Dane's R. 4; 7 Mass. Rep. 496; 17 Mass. Rep. 289; 5 Greenl. R.
69; 10 Wend. R. 260; Kames, Eq. 38; 6 Watts & Serg. 101. As to
the boundaries of rivers, see Metc. & Perk. Dig. Boundaries, IV.;
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 132 of 139
as to the grant of a river, see 5 Cowen, 216; Co. Litt. 4 b;
Com. Dig. Grant, E 5.
RIX DOLLAR. The name of a coin. The rix dollar of Bremen, is
deemed as money of account, at the custom-house, to be of the
value of seventy-eight and three quarters cents. Act of March 3,
1843. The rix dollar is computed at one hundred cents. Act of
March 2, 1799, s. 61. Vide Foreign coins.
RIXA, civil law. A dispute; a quarrel. Dig. 48, 8, 17.
RIXATRIX. A common scold. (q. v.)
ROAD. A passage through the country for the use of the people.
3 Yeates, 421.
2. Roads are public or private. Public roads are laid out by
public author-ity, or dedicated by individuals to public use. The
public have the use of such roads, but the owner of the land over
which they are made and the owners of land bounded on the
highway, have, prima facie, a fee in such highway, ad medium
filum vice, subject to the easement in favor of the public. 1
Conn. 193; 11 Conn. 60; 2 John. 357 15 John. 447. But where the
boundary excludes the highway, it is, of course, excluded. 11
Pick. 193. See 13 Mass. 259. The proprietor of the soil, is
therefore entitled to all the fruits which grow by its side; 16
Mass. 366, 7; and to all the mineral wealth it contains. 1
Rolle, 392, 1. 5; 4 Day, R. 328; 1 Conn'. Rep, 103; 6 Mass. R.
454; 4 Mass, R. 427; 15 Johns. Rep. 447, 583; 2 Johns. R. 357;
Com. Dig. Chimin, A 2; 6 Pet. 498; 1 Sumn. 21; 10 Pet. 25; 6
Pick. 57; 6 Mass. 454; 12 Wend. 98.
3. There are public roads, such as turnpikes and railroads,
which are constructed by public authority, or by corporations.
These are kept in good order by the respective companies to which
they belong, and persons travelling on them, with animals and
vehicles, are required to pay toll. In general these companies
have only a right of passage over the land, which remains the
property, subject to the easement, of the owner at the time the
road was made or of his heirs or assigns.
4. Private roads are, such as are used for private individuals
only, and are not wanted for the public generally. Sometimes
roads of this kind are wanted for the accommodation of land
otherwise enclosed and without access to public roads. The soil
of such roads belongs to the owner of the land over which they
are made.
5. Public roads are kept in repair at the public expense, and
private roads by those who use them. Vide Domain; Way. 13 Mass.
256; 1 Sumn. Rep. 21; 2 Hill. Ab. c. 7; 1 Pick. R. 122; 2
Mass. R. 127 6 Mass. R. 454; 4 Mass. R. 427; 15 Mass. Rep. 33;
3 Rawle, R. 495; 1 N. H. Rep. 16; 1 M'Cord, R. 67; 1 Conn. R.
103; 2 John. R. 357; 1 John. Rep. 447; 15 John. R. 483; 4
Day, Rep. 330; 2 Bailey, Rep. 271; 1 Burr. 133; 7 B. & Cr.
304; 11 Price R. 736; 7 Taunt. R. 39; Str. 1004. 1 Shepl. R.
250; 5 Conn. Rep. 528; 8 Pick. R. 473; Crabb, R. P. §§102-104.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 133 of 139
ROAD, mar. law. A road is defined by Lord Hale to be an open
passage of the sea, which, from the situation of the adjacent
land, and its own depth and wideness, affords a secure place for
the common riding and anchoring of vessels. Hale de Port. Mar. p.
2, c. 2. This word, however, does not appear to have a very
definite meaning. 2 Chit. Com. Law, 4, 5.
ROARING. A disease among horses occasioned by the circumstance
of the neck of the windpipe being too narrow for accelerated
respiration; the disorder is frequently produced by sore throat
or other topical inflammation.
2. A horse affected with this malady is rendered less
serviceable, and he is therefore unsound. 2 Stark. R. 81; S. C.
3 Engl. Com. Law Rep. 255; 2 Camp. R. 523.
ROBBER. One who commits a robbery. One who feloniously and
forcibly takes goods or money to any value from the person of
another by violence or putting him, in fear.
ROBBERY, crimes. The felonious and forcible taking from the
person of another, goods or money to any value, by violence or
putting him in fear. 4 Bl. Com. 243 1 Bald. 102.
2. By "taking from the person" is meant not only the immediate
taking from his person, but also from his presence when it is
done with violence and against his consent. 1 Hale, P. C. 533; 2
Russ. Crimes, 61. The taking must be by violence or putting the
owner in fear, but both these circumstances need not concur, for
if a man should be knocked down and then robbed while be is
insensible, the offence is still a robbery. 4 Binn. R. 379. And
if the party be put in fear by threats and then robbed, it is not
necessary there should be any greater violence.
3. This offence differs from a larceny from the person in
this, that in the latter, there is no violence, while in the
former the crime is incomplete without an actual or constructive
force. Id. Vide 2 Swift's Dig. 298. Prin. Pen. Law, ch. 22, §4,
p. 285; and Carrying away; Invito Domino; Larceny; Taking.
ROD. A measure sixteen feet and a half long; a perch.
ROGATORY, LETTERS. A kind of commission from a judge
authorizing and requesting a judge of another jurisdiction to
examine a witness. Vide Letters Rogatory.
ROGUE. A French word, which in that language signifies proud,
arrogant. In some of the ancient English statutes it means an
idle, sturdy beggar, which is its meaning in law. Rogues are
usually punished as vagrants. Although the word rogue is a word
of reproach, yet to charge one as a rogue is not actionable. 5
Binn. 219. See 2 Dev. 162 Hardin, 529.
ROLE D'EQUIPAGE. The list of a ship's crew; the muster roll.
ROLL. A schedule of parchment which may be turned up with the
hand in the form of a pipe or tube. Jacob, L. D. h. t.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 134 of 139
2. In early times, before paper came in common use, parchment
was the substance employed for making records, and, as the art of
bookbinding was but little used, economy suggested as the most
convenient mode of adding sheet to sheet, as were found
requisite, and they were tacked together in such manner that the
whole length might be wound up together in the form of spiral
rolls.
3. Figuratively it signifies the records of a court or office.
In Pennsylvania the master of the rolls was an officer in whose
office were recorded the acts of the legislature. 1 Smith's Laws,
46.
ROOD OF LAND. The fourth part of an acre.
ROOT. That part of a tree or plant under ground from which it
draws most of its nourishment from the earth.
2. When the roots of a tree planted in one man's land extend
into that of another, this circumstance does not give the latter
any right to the tree, though such is the doctrine of the civil
law; Dig. 41, 1, 7, 13; but such person has a right to cut off
the roots up to his line. Rolle's R. 394, vide Tree.
3. In a figurative sense, the term root is used to signify the
person from whom one or more others are descended. Vide Descent;
Per stirpes.
ROSTER. A list of persons who are in their turn to perform
certain duties, required of them by law. Tytler , on Courts Mart.
93.
ROUBLE. The name of a coin. The rouble of Russia, as money of
account, is deemed and taken at the custom-house, to be of the
value of seventy-five cents. Act March 3, 1843.
ROUT, crim. law. A disturbance of the peace by persons
assembled together with an intention to do a thing, which, if
executed, would have made them rioters, and actually making a
motion towards the execution of their purpose.
2. It generally agrees in all particulars with a riot, except
only in this, that it may be a complete offence without the
execution of the intended enterprise. Hawk. c. 65, s. 14; 1
Russ. on Cr. 253; 4 Bl. Com. 140; Vin. Abr. Riots, &c., A 2
Com. Dig. Forcible Entry, D 9.
ROUTOUSLY, pleadings. A technical word properly used in
indictments for a rout as descriptive of the offence. 2 Salk.
593.
ROYAL HONORS. In diploniatic language by this term is
understood the rights enjoyed by every empire or kingdom in
Europe, by the pope, the grand duchies of Germany, and the
Germanic, and Swiss confederations, to precedence over all others
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 135 of 139
who do not enjoy the same rank, with the exclusive right of
sending to other states public ministers of the first rank, as
ambassadors, together with other distinctive titles and
ceremonies. Vattel, Law of Nat. B. 2, c. 3, §38; Wheat. Intern.
Law, pt. 2, c. 3, §2.
RUBRIC, civil law. The title or inscription of any law or
statute, because the copyists formerly drew and painted the title
of laws and statutes rubro colore, in red letters. Ayl. Pand. B.
1, t. 8; Diet. do Juris. h. t.
RUDENESS, crim. law. An impolite action; contrary to the
usual rules observed in society, committed by one person against
another.
2. This is a relative term which it is difficult to define:
those acts which one friend might do to another, could not be
justified by persons altogether unacquainted persons moving in
polished society could not be permitted to do to each other, what
boatmen, hostlers, and such persons might perhaps justify. 2
Hagg. Eccl. R. 73. An act done by a gentleman towards a lady
might be considered rudeness, whicb, if done by one gentleman to
another might not be looked upon in that light. Russ. & Ry. 130.
3. A person who touches another with rudeness is guilty of a
battery. (q. v.)
RULE. This is a metaphorical expression borrowed from
mechanics. The rule, in its proper and natural sense, is an
instrument by means of which may be drawn from one point to
another, the shortest possible line, which is called a straight
line.
2. The rule is a means of comparison in the arts to judge
whether the line be straight, as it serves in jurisprudence, to
judge whether an action be just or unjust, it is just or right,
when it agrees with the rule, which is the law. It is unjust and
wrong, when it deviates from it. lt is the same with our will or
our intention.
RULE OF LAW. Rules of law are general maxims, formed by the
courts, who having observed what is common to many particular
cases, announce this conformity by a maxim, which is called a
rule; because in doubtful and unforeseen cases, it is a rule for
their decision; it embraces particular cases within general
principles. Toull. Tit. prel. n. 17; 1 Bl. Com. 44; Domat, liv.
prel. t. 1, s. 1 Ram on Judgm. 30; 3 Barn. & Adol. 34; 2 Russ.
R. 216, 580, 581; 4 Russ. R. 305; 10 Price's R. 218, 219, 228;
1 Barn. & Cr. 86; 7 Bing. R. 280; 1 Ld. Raym. 728; 5 T. R. 5;
4 M. & S. 348. See Maxim.
RULE OF COURT. An order made by a court having competent
jurisdiction.
2. Rules of court are either general or special; the former
are the laws by which the practice of the court is governed; the
latter are special orders made in particular cases.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 136 of 139
3. Disobedience to these is punished by giving judgment
against the disobedient party, or by attachment for contempt.
RULE TO SHOW CAUSE. An order made by the court, in a
particular case, upon motion of one of the parties calling upon
the other to appear at a particular time before the court, to
show cause, if any he have, why a certain thing should not be
done.
2. This rule is granted generally upon the oath or affirmation
of the applicant; but upon the hearing, the evidence of
competent witnesses must be given to support the rule, and the
affidavit of the applicant is insufficient.
RULE OF THE WAR, l756, comm. law, war. A rule relating to
neutrals was the first rule practically, established in 1756, and
universally promulgated, that "neutrals are not to carry on in
times of war, a trade which was interdicted to them in times of
peace." Chit. Law of Nat. 166; 2 Rob. n. 186; 4 Rob. App.;
Reeve on Shipp. 271; 1 Kent, Com. 82; Mann. Law Nat. 196 to
202.
RULE, TERM, English practice. A term rule is in the nature of
a day rule, by which a prisoner is enabled by the terms of one
rule, instead of a daily rule, to quit the prison or its rules
for the purpose of transacting his business. lt is obtained in
the same manner as a day rule. See Rules.
TO RULE. This has several meanings: 1. To determine or
decide; as, the court rule the point in favor of the plaintiff.
2. To order by rule; as rule to plead.
RULES, English law. The rules of the King's Bench and Fleet
are certain limits without the actual walls of the prisons, where
the prisoner, on proper security previously given to the marshal
of the king's bench, or warden of the fleet, may reside; those
limits are considered, for all legal and practical purposes, as
merely a further extension of the prison walls.
2. The rules or permission to reside without the prison, may
be obtained by any person not committed criminally; 2 Str. R.
845; nor for contempt Id. 817; by satisfying the marshal or
warden of the security with which he may grant such permission.
RULES OF PRACTICE. Certain orders made by the courts for the
purpose of regulating the practice of members of the bar and
others.
2. Every court of record has an inherent power to make rules
for the transaction of its business; which rules they may from
time to time change, alter, rescind or repeal. While they are in
force they must be applied to all cases which fall within them;
they can use no discretion, unless such discretion is authorized
by the rules themselves. Rules of court cannot, of course,
contra-vene the constitution or the law of the land. 3 Pick. R.
512; 2 Har. & John. 79; 1 Pet. S. C. R. 604; 3 Binn. 227, 417;
3 S. & R. 253; 8 S. & R. 336; 2 Misso. R. 98; 11 S. & R. 131;
5 Pick. R. 187.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 137 of 139
RUMOR. A general public report of certain things, without any
certainty as to their truth.
2. In general, rumor cannot be received in evidence, but when
the question is whether such rumor existed, and not its truth or
falsehood, then evidence of it may be given.
RUNCINUS. A nag. 1 Tho. Co. Litt. 471.
RUNNING DAYS. In settling the lay days, (q. v.) or the days of
demiurrage, (q. v.) the contract sometimes specifies "running
days;" by this exprression is, in general, understood, that the
days shall be reckoned like the days in a bill of exchange 1
Bell's Comm. 577, 5th ed.
RUNNING OF THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS. A metaphorical
expression, by which is meant that the time mentioned in the
statute of limitations is considered as passing. 1 Bouv. Inst. n.
861.
RUNNING WITH THE LAND. A technical expression applied to
covenants real, which affect the land; and if a lessee covenants
that he and his assigns will repair the house demised, or pay a
ground-rent, and the lessee grants over the term, and the
assignee does not repair the house or pay the ground-rent, an
action lies against the assignee at common law, because this
covenant runs with the land. Bro. Covenant, 32 Rolle's Ab. 522;
Bac. Ab. Covenant, E 4.
2. The same principle which regulates the annexation of
incorporeal to corporeal property, determines what covenants may
be annexed to a tenure. Those alone which tend directly, not
merely through the intervention of collateral causes, to improve
the estate, give stability to the tenant's title, assure him,
from a defective one, or add to the lord's means on the one hand,
the tenant's on the other, of enforcing the stipulations between
them, are of this sort. Cro. Eliz. 617; Cro. Jac. 125; 2 H. Bl.
133 T. Jones, 144; Cro. Car. 137, 503.
3. Covenants running with the land pass with the tenure,
though not made with assigns. The parties to them are not A and
B, but the tenant and the landlord in those characters. When the
landlord assigns the reversion, the assignee becomes lord in his
room, fills the precise situation and character the assignor was
clothed with, and is therefore entitled to the privileges annexed
to that character. Whether the tenant is sued by the landlord or
his assigns, be is sued by the same person, namely, his lord. The
same argument, changing its terms, applies to the tenant's
assignee. 5 Co. 24; Cro. Eliz. 552; 3 Mod. 538; 10 Mod. 152;
12 Mod. 371.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 138 of 139
4. To make a covenant run with the land, it is not requisite
that the cove-nantor should be possessed of any estate; be may
be an entire stranger to the land, but the covenantee must have
some transferable interest in it, to which the covenant can
attach itself, for otherwise the covenant is merely personal. Co.
Litt. 385 a; 3 T. R. 393; 2 Sc. 630 2 Bing. N. S. 411. And to
make the assignee liable, he must take the estate the covenantee
had in the land, and no other, for when he takes another and a
different estate in the same land, he cannot sue upon the
covenants. 6 East, 289. Vide Breach; Covenant.
5. A covenant running with the land passes to the heir at law,
on the death of the ancestor, whether the heir be named in such
covenant or not. 2 Lev. 92; 2 Saund. 367 a. Vide Covenant.
RUPEE, comm. law. A denomination of money in Bengal. In the
computation of ad valorem duties, it is valued at fifty-five and
one half cents. Act of March 2, 1799, s. 61; 1 Story's L. U. S.
627. Vide Foreign coins.
2. The rupee of British India as money of account at the
custom-house, shall be deemed and taken to be of the value of
forty-four and one half cents. Act of March 3, 1848.
RURAL. That which relates to the country, as rural servitudes.
See Urban.
RUSE DE GUERRE. Literally a trick in war; a stratagem. It is
said to be lawful among belligerents, provided it does not
involve treachery and falsehood. Grot. Droit de la Guerre, liv.
3, c. 1, §9.
RUTA, civ. law. The name given to those things which are
extracted or taken from land, as sand, chalk, coal, and such
other things. Poth. Pand. liv. 50, h. t.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary : R1 : Page 139 of 139
# # #
Return to Table of Contents for
Bouvier's Law Dictionary