Principal

* Leading; highest in importance.

See Primary.

1.

The original debt or sum loaned: as, in principal and interest.

See Interest, 3 (S). 2.

The moi'e worthy; opposed to accessory, appurtenant, incident, secondary, inferior, qq. V. Applied to estates, rights, and obligations. See Challenge,.

4. 3.

The person primarily liable; the original debtor; opposed to bail, surety, qq. v. 4. The employer of an agent or attorney; opposed to agent, q. v. One primarily and ordinarily concerned, and who is not an accessary or auxiliary; as, the person receiving goods or employing workmen for his own advantage. An " agent " is a person employed to manage the aifairs of another; as, he who receives or employs workmen for another.* ^ Vice-principal. A servant to whom his master deputes general supervision of his work, with the power of appointment and dismissal; a deputy master. Especially is he a vice-principal who is engaged to manage a business distinct from the principal's regular occupation. Theword "manager," asasynonym, is somewhat ambiguous."

See Manager, 1. 5.

The chief actor in a crime; opposed to accessary. Either the chief actor, that is, the actual perpetrator of the crime, or else he is present aiding and abetting the fact to be done.'

One present, consenting, aiding, procur- 1 Troy V. Evans, 97 U. S. 3 (1877); ib.

867, cases. ' Collins V. Gilbert, 94 U. S. 764 (1876), cases. s Commissioners v. Clark, 94 U. S. 285 (1876), cases. * li, p Hncipalis, taking'the first place; chief. » [Adams v. Whittlesey, 3 Conn. 567 (1821), Hosmer, Chief Justice. "Murphy v. Smith, 19 C. B. n. s. '366 (1865); Gallagher-d. Piper, 16 id. *669 (1864); Dwyer v. American. Express. Co.. 55 Wis. 436 (1882); Foley v. Chicago, &c. R Co., 64 Iowa, 630 (1884); 1 Shearm. & R. Neg. §§230ing, advising, or assisting in the commission of a crime. Each person present consenting to the commission of the offense, and doing any act which is either, an ingredient in the crime or immediately connected with or leading to its commission.! A principal in the first degree is he that is the actor or absolute perpetrator of the crime. A principal in the second degree is he who is present, aiding and abetting the fact to be done. 2 In treason and trespasses all participants are prin-, cipals. See further Aocessaby; Aid, 1; Presekob.