Blacks Law Dict. 1st ed

704

LETTER OP CREDIT

LET

Lotting fiM anrtract is the choosing one from unong ths number of bidders, and the formal mak- -ng of the contract with him. The letting, or put sing out, is a different thing from the invitation to make proposals; the letting is subsequent to the invitation. It is the act of awarding the contract to the proposer, after the proposals have been re ceived and considered. See 85 Ala. S3, 55. LET, n. In old conveyancing. Hindrance; obstruction; interruption. Still occasionally aed in the phrase "without any let, suit, trouble," etc. LET IN. In practice. To admit a party us a matter of favor; as to open a judgment and "let the defendant in" to a defense. LETHAL WEAPON. In Scotch law. A deadly weapon. LETRADO. In Spanish law. An advo cate. White, New Recop. b. 1, tit. 1, o. 1, § 3, note. LETTER. 1. One of the arbitrary marks or characters constituting the alphabet, and used in written language as the representa tives of sounds or articulations of the human organs of speech. Several of the letters of the English alphabet have a special signifi cance in jurisprudence, as abbreviations and othei wise, or are employed as numerals. 2. A dispatch or epistle; a written or printed message; a communication in writ ing from one person to another at a distance. 3. In the imperial law of Rome, "letter" or "epistle" was the name of the answer re turned by the emperor to a question of law submitted to him by the magistrates. 4. A commission, patent, or written in strument containing or attesting the grant of some power, authority, or right. The word appears in this generic sense in many com pound phrases known to commercial law and jurisprudence; e. g., letter of attorney, letter missive, letter of credit, letters patent. The plural is frequently used. 5. Metaphorically, the verbal expression; the strict literal meaning. The letter of a statute, as distinguished from its spirit, means the strict and exact force of the lan guage employed, as distinguished from the general purpose and policy of the law. 6. He who, being the owner of a thing, lets it out to another for hire or compensa tion. Story, Bailm. § 369. LETTER-BOOK. A book in which a merchant or trader keeps copies of letters sent by him to his correspondents. LETTER-CARRIER. An employe of the post-office, whose duty it is -to carry let

ters from the post-office to the persons to whom they are addressed. LETTER MISSIVE. In English law. A letter from the king or queen to a dean and chapter, containing the name of the per son whom he would have them elect as bishop. 1 Steph. Comm. 666. A request addressed to a peer, peeress, or lord of parliament against whom a bill has been filed desiring the de fendant to appear and answer to the bill. In civil-law practice. The phrase "let ters missive," or "lettersdimissory," is some times used to denote the papers sent up on an appeal by the judge or court below to the superior tribunal, otherwise called the "apos tles," (q. v.) LETTER OP ADVICE. A communi cation from one person to another, advising or warning the latter of something which he ought to know, and commonly appris ing him beforehand of some act done by the writer which will ultimately affect the recip ient. It is usual and perfectly proper for the drawer of a bill of exchange to write a letter of advice to the drawee, as well to prevent fraud or alteration of the bill, as to let the drawee know what provision has been made for the payment of the bill. Chit. Bills, 162. LETTER OF ADVOCATION. In Scotch law. The process or warrant by which, on appeal to the supreme court or court of session, that tribunal assumes to itself jurisdiction of the cause, and discharges the lower court from all further proceedings in the action. Ersk. Inst. 732. LETTER OP ATTORNEY. A power of attorney; a written instrument by which one person constitutes another his true and lawful attorney, in order that the latter may do for the former, and in his place and stead, some lawful act. LETTER OP CREDENCE. In inter national law. The document which accred its an ambassador, minister, or envoy to the court or government to which he is sent; i. e., certifies to his appointment and qualifica tion, and bespeaks credit for his official ac tions and representations. LETTER OP CREDIT. An open or sealed letter, from a merchant in one place, directed to another, in another place or coun try, requiring him, if a person therein mamed, or the bearer of the letter, shall have occasion to buy commodities, or to want

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