A person who is wholly subject to the will of another; one who has no freedom of action, but whose person and services are wholly under the control of another. Webster. One who is under the power of a master, and who belongs to him; so that the master may sell and dispose of his person, of his industry, and of his labor, without his being able to do anything, have anything, or … [Read more...]

In English practice. Officers of the court of chancery, who received and filed all bills, answers, replications, and other papers, signed office copies of pleadings, examined and signed dockets of decrees, etc., and had the care of all records in their oftlce. Holthouse; 3 Bl. Comm. 443. They were abolished by St 5 Vict. c. 5. … [Read more...]

criminal law. The infamous traffic in human flesh, which is now forbidden by the laws and treaties of most civilized states. 2. By the constitution of the United States, art. 1, s. 9, it is provided, that the migration or importation of such persons as any of the states now existing (in 1789,) shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the congress, prior to the … [Read more...]

In English law. A liquor license, containing a condition that the premises in respect of which the license is granted shall be closed during the whole of Sunday, granted under section 49 of the licensing act 1872 (35 & 36 Vict c. 94.) … [Read more...]

The condition of a slave; that civil relation in which one man has absolute power over the life, fortune, and liberty of another. … [Read more...]