Black’s Law Dictionary 1st Edition, pages 196-197:
“CHARTER. v. In mercantile law. To hire or lease a vessel for a voyage. A “chartered” is distinguished from a seeking ship. 7 East, 24.
CHARTER. n. An instrument emanating from the sovereign power, in the nature of a grant, either to the whole nation, or to a class or portion of the people, or to a colony or dependency, and assuring to them certain rights, liberties, or powers. Such was the “Great Charter” or “Magna Charta,” and such also were the charters granted to certain of the English colonies in America. See Story, Const. § 161.
An act of the legislative department of government, creating a corporation, is called the “charter” of the corporation.
In old English law. the term denoted a deed of other written instrument under seal; a conveyance, covenant, contract.
In old Scotch law. A disposition made by a superior to his vassal, for something to be performed or paid by him. 1 Forb. Inst. pt. 2, b. 2, c. 1, tit. 1. A writing which contains the grant or transmission of the federal right to the vassal. Ersk. Inst. 2, 3, 19. ”
Black’s Law Dictionary 2nd Edition, pages 193:
CHARTER, V. In mercantile law. To hire or lease a vessel for a voyage. A “chartered” is distinguished from a “seeking” ship. 7 East, 24.
CHARTER. n. An instrument emanating from the sovereign power, in the nature of a grant, either to the whole nation, or to a class or portion of the people, or to a colony or dependency, and assuring to them certain rights, liberties, or powers. Such was the “Great Charter” or “Magna Charta,” and such also were the charters granted to certain of the English colonies in America. See Story, Const. § 161.
An act ‘Of the legislative department of government, creating a corporation, is called the “charter” of the corporation. Mernck v. Van Santvoord, 34 N. Y. 214; Bent v. Under down, 156 Ind. 516, 60 N. E. 307; Morris & E. R. Co. v. Com’rs, 37 N. J. Law, 237:
In old English law. The term denoted a deed or ‘Other written instrument under seal; a conveyance, covenant; or contract.
In old Scotch law. A disposition made by a superior to his vassal, for something to be performed or paid by him. 1 Forb. Inst. pt. 2, b. 2, c. 1, tit. 1. A writing which contains the grant or transmission of the feudal right to the vassal. Ersk. Inst. 2, 3, 19.
– Charter of Pardon. In English law. An instrument under the great seal, by which a pardon is granted to a man for a felony or other offense. Charter of the forest. See CHARTER DE FORESTA. – Charter rolls. Ancient English records of royal charter, granted between the years 1199 and 1516.
Black’s Law Dictionary 3rd Edition, page 315:
CHARTER, n. An instrument emanating from the sovereign power, in the nature of a grant, either to the whole nation, or to a class or portion of the people, or to a colony or dependency, and assuring to them certain rights, liberties, or powers. Such was the “Great Charter” or “Magna Oharta,” and such also were the charters granted to certain of the English colonies in America. See Story, Const. § 161; 1 Bla. Comm. 108.
A charter differs from a constitution, in that the former is granted by the sovereign, while the latter is established by the people themselves.
An act of a legislature creating a corporaion, or creating and defining the franchise of a corporation. Baker v. Smith, 41 R. I. 2 Bl. Comm. 90.
17, 102 A. 721, 723 ; Merrick v. Van Santvoord, 34 N. Y. 214 ; Bent v. Underdown, 156 Ind. 516, 60 N. E. 307 ; Morris & E. R. Co. v. Com’rs, 37 N. J. Law, 237.
Also a corporation’s constitution or organic law ; Schultz v:. City of Phcenix, 18 Ariz. 35, 156 P. 75, 16 ; C. J. Kubach Co. v. McGuire, 199 Cal. 215, 248 P. 67-6, 677; that is to say, the articles of incorporation taken in connection with the law under which the corporation was organized ; Chicago Open Board of Trade v. Bldg. C0., 136 Ill. App. 606 ; Bentler v. Cincinnati, O. & E. Ry. Co., 180 Ky. 497, 203 S. W. 199, 201, L. R. A. 1918E, 315 ; Fitzgerald v. City of Cleveland, 88 Ohio St. 338, 103 N. E. 512, 513, Ann. Cas. 1915B, 106; In re Hanson’s Estate, 38 S. D. 1, 159 N. W. 3’99, 400. The authority by virtue of which an organized body acts. Ryan v. Witt (Tex. Civ. App.) 173 S. W. 952, 959.
In Old English Law
A deed or other written instrument under seal; a conveyance covenant, or contract. Cowell; Spelman; Co. Litt. 6; 1 Co. 1; F. Moore 687.
In Old Scotch Law
A disposition made by a superior to his vassal, for something to be performed or paid by him. 1 Forb. Inst. pt. 2, b. 2, c. 1, tit. 1. A writing which contains the grant or transmission of the feudal right to the vassal. Ersk. Inst. 2, 3, 19.
Blank Charter
A document given to the agents of the crown in the reign of Richard II, with power to fill up as they pleased.
In General
– Charter of pardon. In English law. An instrument under the great seal, by which a pardon is granted to a man for a felony or other offense.
– Charter of the forest. See Charta de foresta.
– Charter rolls. Ancient English records of royal