so called from the commission of oyer and terminer directed to the judges,
empowering them to "inquire, hear and determine " all treasons, felonies, and
misdemeanors. This commission is now issued regularly, but was formerly used
only on particular occasions, as upon sudden outrage or insurrection in any place.

(Black's Law Dictionary, Henry Campbell Black, 6^th ed, p. 1106, West Pub. Co.,
St. Paul, MN, 1990)

Pledges

In common law pleading, those persons who became sureties for the prosecution
of the suit. Their names were anciently appended at the foot of the declaration.
In time it became purely a formal matter, because the plaintiff was no longer
liable to be amerced for a false claim, and the fictitious persons John Doe and
Richard Roe became the universal pledges, or they might be omitted altogether;
or inserted at any time before judgement; they are now omitted. (Black's Law
Dictionary, Henry Campbell Black, 6^th ed, p. 1153, West Pub. Co., St. Paul, MN,
1990)

Premisses

That which is put before; that which precedes; the foregoing statements. Thus
in logic, the two introductory propositions of the syllogism are called the "prem-
isses", and from them the conclusion is deduced. So, in pleading, the expression
"in consideration of the premises" means in consideration of the matters herein-
before stated. (Black's Law Dictionary, Henry Campbell Black, 6^th ed, p. 1180,
West Pub. Co., St. Paul, MN, 1990)

Presentment

The written notice taken by a grand jury of any offense, from their own knowledge
or observation, without any bill of indictment laid before them at the suit of the
government. A presentment is an accusation, initiated by the grand jury itself, and
in effect an instruction that an indictment be drawn. A written accusation of crime
made and returned by the grand jury upon its own initiative in the exercise of its
lawful inquisitorial powers, is in the form of a bill of indictment, and in practice is
signed individually by all of the grand jurors who return it. (Black's Law
Dictionary, Henry Campbell Black, 6^th ed, p. 1184, West Pub. Co., St. Paul, MN,
1990)

Propria Persona

see In propria persona.

Pro querente

For the plaintiff; usually abbreviated pro quer. (Black's Law Dictionary, Henry
Campbell Black, 6^th ed, p. 1220, West Pub. Co., St. Paul, MN, 1990)

Prorogue

To direct suspension of proceedings of parliament; to terminate a legislative
session. (Black's Law Dictionary, Henry Campbell Black, 6^th. ed., p. 1221, West
Pub. Co., St. Paul, MN, 1990)

Quash

To overthrow; to abate; to vacate; to annul; to make void; e.g. to quash an