A month later the governors of six more states, meeting in conference, enigmatically urged the impressment of slaves for “the public service as may be required.”
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Impressment — (colloquially, the Press or press ganging ) is the act of conscripting people to serve in the military or navy, usually by force and without notice. It was used by the Royal Navy, beginning in 1664 and during the 18th and early 19th centuries, in … Wikipedia
Impressment — Im*press ment ([i^]m*pr[e^]s ment), n. The act of seizing for public use, or of impressing into public service; compulsion to serve; as, the impressment of provisions or of sailors. [1913 Webster] The great scandal of our naval service… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
impressment — index abduction, attachment (seizure), compulsion (coercion), distress (seizure), duress, force … Law dictionary
impressment — (n.) 1796, act of impressing into service, from IMPRESS (Cf. impress) (v.) + MENT (Cf. ment) … Etymology dictionary
impressment — [im pres′mənt] n. [ IMPRESS1 + MENT] the practice or act of impressing men or property for the use or service of the public … English World dictionary
impressment — /im pres meuhnt/, n. the act of impressing people or property into public service or use. [1780 90; IMPRESS2 + MENT] * * * Enforcement of military or naval service on unwilling men. Until the early 19th century, it flourished in port towns… … Universalium
impressment — A power possessed by the English crown of taking persons or property to aid in the defense of the country, with or without the consent of the persons concerned. It is usually exercised to obtain hands for the royal ships in time of war, by taking … Black's law dictionary
impressment — A power possessed by the English crown of taking persons or property to aid in the defense of the country, with or without the consent of the persons concerned. It is usually exercised to obtain hands for the royal ships in time of war, by taking … Black's law dictionary
impressment — Forcing into service, particularly public service or military service. The seizure of seafaring men for compulsory service in the navy. The power to impress seamen appears to have had a common law origin, but even the early English statutes… … Ballentine's law dictionary
impressment — noun Date: 1787 the act of seizing for public use or of impressing into public service … New Collegiate Dictionary
