Treason

—

At Common Law

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

4 Bl. Comm. 75.

Treason was either: (1) High treason, which was the compassing of the king's death, the aiding and comforting of his enemies, the forging or counterfeiting of his coin, the counterfeiting of the privy seal, or the killing of the chancellor, or either of the king's justices. (2) Petit treason, which was where a wife murdered her husband, a servant his master, or an ecclesiastic his lord or ordinary.

4 Bl. Comm. 73.

In the United States. The constitution of the United States (article 3, § 3) defines treason against the United States to consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid or comfort This offense is pun^ ished with death.

Act April 30, 1790 (1 Story, U. S. Laws, 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.

See, generally, 3 Story, Const. 39, p. 667; 1 Bl. Comm. Append.

275, 276; 3 Wilson, Law Lect. 96-99; Foster, Disc. (I); Fed. Cas. No. 14, 692; 4 Cranch (U. S.) 126; 469-508; 1 Dall. (U. S.) 35; 2 Dall. (U. S.) 246, 355; 3 Wash. C. C. (U. S.) 234; 1 Johns. (N. Y.) 553; 11 Johns. (N. Y.) 549; Comyn, Dig. "Justices" (K); 1 East, P. C. 37-158; 2 Chit. Crim. Law, 60-102; Archb. Crim. PI.

378-387.