An ancient hereditary revenue of the crown, consisting in the right to take a certain quantity from cargoes or wine imported into England. In Edward I.'s reign it was converted Into a pecuniary duty called "butlerage." 2 Steph. Comm. 561. … [Read more...]

Fr. In French law. Prize; captured property. Ord. Mar. liv. 3, tit 9. See Dole v. Insurance Co., 6 Allen (Mass.) 373. … [Read more...]

L. Fr. A taking in another place. A plea In abatement in the action of replevin. 2 Ld. Raym. 1016, 1017. … [Read more...]

A legal prison is the building designated by law, or used by the sheriff, for the confinement, or detention of those whose persons are judicially ordered to be kept in custody. But in cases of necessity, the sheriff may make his own house, or any other place, a prison. An illegal prison is one not authorized by law, but established by private authority; when the confinement is … [Read more...]

The act by which a prisoner, by force and violence, escapes from a place where he is lawfully in custody. This is an offence at common law. 2. To constitute this offence, there must be, 1. A lawful commitment of the prisoner; vide Regular and Irregular process. 2. An actual breach with force and violence of the prison, by the prisoner himself or by others with his privity and … [Read more...]