The person appointed by the master of a ship or vessel, whose duty it is to take care of the ship's books, in which everything on board is inserted, as well the names of mariners as the articles of merchandise shipped. Rocc. Ins. note. 2. The act of congress concerning the naval establishment, passed March 30, 1812, provides, 6, That the pursers in the Navy of the United States … [Read more...]

Indian legal term, also spelled pursis, referring to any written information or a statement in writing that is provided to a court and wish for the information to be included as evidence. This can also refer to any settlements between the parties … [Read more...]

equity pleading. One which relies wholly on some matter dehors the bill as for example, a plea of a release or a settled account. 2. Pleas not pure, are so called in contradistinction to pure pleas; they are sometimes also denominated negative pleas. … [Read more...]

See Purshis. … [Read more...]

The act of cleansing or exonerating one's self of a crime, accusation, or suspicion of guilt, by denying the charge on oath or by ordeal. Canonical purgation was made by the party's taking his own oath that he was innocent of the charge, which was supported by the oath of twelve compurgators, who swore' they believed he spoke the truth. To this succeeded the mode of purgation … [Read more...]