Treason

crim. law. This word imports a betraying, treachery, or breach of allegiance.

4 Bl. Com. 75.

The constitution of the United States, art.

3, s.

3, defines treason against the United States to consist mies, giving them aid or comfort.(4 This offence is punished with death. Act of 30th April, 1790, 1 Story’s Laws U.S. 83. By the same article of the constitution, no person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court. Vide, generally, 3 Story on the Const. ch. 39, p. 667; Serg. on the Const. ch. 30; United States v. Fries, Pamph.; 1 Tucker’s Blackst. Com. Appx. 275, 276; 3 Wils. Law Lect. 96 to 99; Foster, Disc. J.; Burr’s Trial; 4 Cranch, R. 126, 469 to 508; 2 Dall. R. 246, 355; 1 Dall. R. 35; 3 Wash. C. C. Rep. 234; 1 John. R. 553; 11 Johns. R. 549; Com. Dig. Justices, (K); 1 East, P. C. 37 to 158; 2 Chit. Cr. Law, 60 to 102; Arch. Cr. Pl. 378 to 387. ~ TREASURE-TROVE, found treasure. This name is given to such money or coin, gold, silver, plate, or bullion, which having been hidden or concealed in the earth or other private place, so long that its owner is unknown, has been discovered by accident. Should the owner be found it must be restored to him; and in case of not finding him, the property, according to the English law, belongs to the king. In the latter case, by the civil law, when the treasure was found by the owner of the soil, he was considered as entitled to it by the double title of owner and finder; when found on another’s property, one half belonged to the owner of the estate, and the other to the finder; when found on public property it belonged onehalf to the public treasury, and the other to the finder. Lecons du Dr. Rom. § 350-352. According to the French law, le trésor est toute chose cachée ou enfouie, sur laquelle personne ne peut justifier sa proprieté, Toull. n. 34. Vide, generally, 20 Vin. Ab. 414; 7 Com. Dig. 649; 1 Bro. Civ. Law, 237; 1 Bl. Com. 295; Poth. Traité du Dr. de Propriéte, art. 4.