Legal Terms

Answer: “In … admiralty division, an answer is the pleading by which the respondent puts forward his defense to the petition.” Black’s Law Dictionary, 2 ed. 1910, 101.

Attachment: “The act or process of taking, apprehending, or seizing persons or property, by virtue of a writ, summons or other judicial order, and bringing the same into the custody of the law; used either for the purpose of bringing a person before the court, or acquiring jurisdiction over the property seized…” Black’s Law Dictionary, 2 ed. 1910, 101.

Commission: “A commission Is a process issued under the seal of the court and the signature of the clerk, directed to some person designated as commissioner, authorizing him to examine the witness upon oath on interrogatories annexed thereto, to take and certify the deposition of the witness, and to return it according to the directions given with the commission.” Black’s Law Dictionary, 2 ed. 1910, 222-223.

Condemnation: “In admiralty law. The judgement or sentence of a court having jurisdiction and acting in rem, by which it is declared that a vessel which has been captured at sea as a prize was lawfully so seized and is liable to be treated as a prize.” Black’s Law Dictionary, 2 ed. 1910, 239.

Libel: “The initiatory pleading on the part of the plaintiff or complainant in an admiralty or ecclesiastical cause. corresponding to the declaration, bill, or complaint.” Black’s Law Dictionary, 2 ed. 1910, 710.

Plea: “..the first pleading on the part of the defendant. In the strictest sense, the answer which the defendant in an action at law makes to the plaintiff’s declaration, and in which he sets up matter of fact as defense..” Black’s Law Dictionary, 2 ed. 1910, 903.

Restitution: “The return of something to the owner of it or to the person to entitled to it, upon reversal or setting aside of the judgement or order of court under which it was taken from him.” Black’s Law Dictionary, 2 ed. 1910, 1030.

Naval Terms

Cut Out: “to seize and remove from under the guns of an enemy; as a ship from a convoy or a vessel from a harbor.” A Naval Encyclopedia (Philadelphia, L.R. Hamersly, 1881), p 326.

Guineaman: “A negro slave-ship” A Naval Encyclopedia (Philadelphia, L.R. Hamersly, 1881), p 326. The name originates from the trafficking of goods, particularly slaves,  to and from the Guinea coast in West Africa.

Landsman: “A rate in the navy which includes persons who have no knowledge of the duties of a seaman.” A Naval Encyclopedia (Philadelphia, L.R. Hamersly, 1881), p 422.