MOIETY¹. The half of anything; as, if a testator bequeath one moiety of his estate to A, and the other to B, each shall take an equal part. Joint² tenants³ are said to hold by moieties⁴. Lit. 125; 3 M. G. & S. 274, 283

MOLESTATION⁵, Scotch⁶ law, The name of an action competent to the proprietor⁷ of a landed estate, against those who disturb his possession, It is chiefly used in questions of commonty, or, of controverted⁸ marches. Ersk. Prin. B. 4, t. 1, n. 48.

MOLITER MANUS IMPOSUIT, pleading. In an action of trespass⁹ to the person, the defendant¹⁰ frequently justifies¹¹ by pleading that he used no more force than was necessary to remove the plaintiff who, was unlawfully in the house of the defendant, and for this purpose he gently laid his hands upon him, molitur manus imposuit.

2. This plea may be used whenever the defendant laid hold of the plaintiff to prevent his committing a breach¹² of the peace.

3. When supported by evidence, it is a complete defence. Ham. N. P. 149; 2 Chit. Pl. 574, 576; 12 Vin. Ab. 182; Bac. Abr. Assault and Battery, C 8.

MOLITURA. Toll¹³ paid for grinding at a mill; multure. Not used.

MONARCHY¹⁴, government. That form of government in which the sovereign power is entrusted¹⁶ to the hands of a single magistrate¹⁷. Toull. tit. prÇl. n. 30. The country governed by a monarch¹⁵ is also called a monarchy.

MONEY. Gold, silver, and some other less precious metals, in the progress of civilization and commerce, have become the common standards of value; in order to avoid the delay and inconvenience of regulating their weight and quality whenever passed, the governments of the civilized¹⁸ world have caused them to be manufactured in certain portions, and marked with a Stamp which attests¹⁹ their value; this is called money. 1 Inst. 207; 1 Hale's Hist. 188; 1 Pardess. n. 22; Dom. Lois civ. liv. prel. t. 3, s. 2, n. 6.

2. For many purposes, bank notes; (q. v.) 1 Y. & J, 380; 3 Mass. 405; 14 Mass. 122; 2 N. H. Rep. 333; 17 Mass. 560; 7 Cowen, 662; 4 Pick. 74; Bravt. 24; a check; 4 Bing. 179; S. C. 13 E. C. L. R. 295; and negotiable notes; 3 Mass. 405; will be so considered. To support a count for money had and received, the receipt by the defendant of bank notes, promissory notes: 3 Mass. 405; 3 Shepl. 285; 9 Pick. 93; John. 132; credit in account, in the books of a third person; 3 Campb. 199; or any chattel²⁰, is sufficient; 4 Pick. 71; 17 Mass. 560; and will be treated as money. See 7 Wend. 311; 8 Wend. 641; 7 S. & R. 246; 8 T. R. 687; 3 B. & P. 559; 1 Y. & J. 380.

3. The constitution of the United States has vested in congress the power "to coin money, and regulate the value thereof." Art. 1, s. 8.

4. By virtue²¹ of this constitutional authority, the following provisions have been enacted²² by congress.