Bouvier's Law Dictionary

Noah Webster, for example, refers to the "whole truth" oath in a 1787 essay. The 1856 edition of Bouvier's Law Dictionary notes that, after swearing the oath, witnesses were expected to kiss the Bible.

Early Quakers were the first Americans to object to the witness oath, citing a prohibition in James 5:12 against any form of swearing.

"If any person in any case, matter, bearing, or other proceeding, when an oath or affirmation shall be required to be taken or administered under or by any law or laws of the United States, shall, upon the taking of such oath or affirmation, knowingly and willingly swear or affirm falsely, every person, so offending, shall be deemed guilty of perjury, and shall, on conviction thereof, be punished by fine, not exceeding two thousand dollars, and by imprisonment and confinement to bard labor, not exceeding five years, according to the aggravation of the offence. And if any person or persons shall knowingly or willingly procure any such perjury to be committed, every person so offending shall be deemed guilty of subornation of perjury, and shall on conviction thereof, be punished. by fine, not exceeding two thousand dollars, and by imprisonment and confinement to bard labor, not exceeding five years, according to the aggravation of the offence."

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

Plea in abatement, is when, for any default, the defendant prays that the writ or plaint do abate, that is, cease against him for that time.

when the jury are discharged at the request or with the consent of the prisoner and for his benefit, when ill practices have been used




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“As for the plaintiff, this court finds you guilty of false testimony. You are to pay Mr. Henry Coffin the sum of money you were seeking in restitution. Additionally, I sentence you to five years in the house of correction.