Letters. A term applied in old English law to various instruments in writing, public and private. Litem dimissorisB. Dimissory letters, (q. v.) Liters humaniores. A term including Greek, Latin, general philology, logic, moral philosophy, metaphysics; the name of the principal course of study in the University of Oxford. Wharton. Literae mortuss. Dead letters ; fulfilling words of a statute. Lord Bacon observes that ”there are in every statute certain words which are as veins, where the life and blood of the statute cometh, and where all doubts do arise, and the rest are literm mortux, fulfilling words.” Bac. St. Uses, (Works, iv. 189.) Liters patentee. Letters patent; literally, open letters. Literae procuratorae. In old English law. Letters procure to ry: letters of procuration; letters of attorney. Bract fols. 40, 43. Literae reoognitionis. In maritime law. A bill of lading. Jac. Sea Laws, 172. Litersae seallata). In old English law. Sealed letters. The return of a sheriff was so called. Fleta, lib. 2, c. 64, $ 19.
Litersa patentee regis non emnt Taenia. 1 Bulst 6. The king’s letters patent shall not be void.
Literse scripts) manent. Written words last.