Proclamation

The act of causing some state matters to be published or made generally known. A written or printed document in which are contained such matters, issued by proper authority. 3 Inst 162; 1 Bl. Comm. 170. The word "proclamation" Is also used to express the public nomination made of any one to a high office; as, such a prince was proclaimed emperor.

In practice. The declaration made by the crier, by authority of the court, that something is about to be done.

In equity practice. Proclamation made by a sheriff upon a writ of attachment, summoning a defendant who has failed, to appear personally to appear and answer the plaintiff's bill. 3 Bl. Comm. 444.

— Proclamation by lord of manor. A proclamation made by the lord of a manor (thrice repeated) requiring the heir or devisee of a deceased copyholder to present himself, pay the fine, and be admitted to the estate; failing which appearance, the lord might seize the lands quousque (provisionally.)

— Proclamation of exigents. In old English law. When an exigent was awarded, a writ of proclamation issued, at the same time, commanding the sheriff of the county wherein the defendant dwelt to make three proclamations thereof in places the most notorious, and most likely to come to his knowledge, a month before the outlawry should take place. 3 BL. Comm. 284,

— Proclamation of a fine. The notice or proclamation which was made after the engrossment of a fine of lands, and which consisted in its being openly read in ceurt sixteen times, viz., four times in the term in which it was made, and four times in each of the three succeeding terms, which, however, was afterwards reduced to one reading in each term. Cowell. See 2 Bl. Comm. 352.

— Proclamation of rebellion. In old English law. A proclamation to be made by the sheriff commanding the attendance of a person who had neglected to obey a subpœna or attachment in chancery. If he did not surrender himself after this proclamation, a commission of rebellion, issued. 3 Bl. Comm. 444.

— Proclamation of recnsants. A proclamation whereby recusants were formerly convicted, on non-appearance at the assizes. Jacob.