PORTION. That part of a parent's estate, or the estate of one standing1 in loco parentis, which is given to a child. 1 Vern. 204. Vide 8 Com. Dig. 539; 16 Vin. Ab. 4321; 1 Supp. to Ves. Jr. 34, 58, 303, 308; 2 Id. 46, 370, 404.
PORTORIA, civil law. Duties paid in ports on merchandise. Code, 4, 61, 3.
PORTSALES. Auctions2 were anciently so called, because they took place in ports.
POSITIVE. Express; absolute; not doubtful. This word is frequently used in composition.
2. A positive condition is where the thing which is the subject of it must happen; as, if I marry. It is opposed to a negative condition, which is where the thing which is the subject of it must not happen; as, if I do not marry.
3. A positive fraud is the intentional3 and successful employment of any cunning, deception4 or artifice5, to circumvent6, cheat, or deceive another. 1 Story, Eq. §186; Dig. 4, 3, 1, 2; Dig. 2, 14, 7, 9. It is cited in opposition7 to constructive8 fraud. (q. v.)
4. Positive evidence is that which, if believed, establishes the truth or falsehood of a fact in issue, and does not arise from any presumption9. It is distinguished10 from circumstantial evidence. 3 Bouv. Inst. n. 3057.
POSSE. This word is used substantively11 to signify a possibility. For example, such a thing is in posse, that is, such a thing may possibly be; when the thing is in being, the phrase to express it is, in esse. (q. v.)
POSSE COMITATUS. These Latin words signify the power of the county.
2. The sheriff has authority by the common law, while acting12 under the authority of the writ13 of the United States, commonwealth14 or people, as the case may be, and for the purpose of preserving the public peace, to call to his aid the posse comitatus.
3. But with respect to writs15 which issue, in the first instance, to arrest in civil suits, the sheriff is not bound to take the posse comitatus to assist him in the execution of them: though he may, if he pleases, on forcible resistance to the execution of the process. 2 Inst. 193; 3 Inst. 161.
4. Having the authority to call in the assistance of all, it seems to follow, that he may equally require that of any individual; but to this general rule there are some exceptions; persons of infirm health, or who want understanding, minors16 under the age of fifteen years, women, and perhaps some others, it seems, cannot be required to assist the sheriff, and are therefore not considered as a part of the power of the county. Vin. Ab. Sheriff, B.
5. A refusal on the part of an individual lawfully17 called upon to assist the officer in putting down a riot is indictable. 1 Carr. & Marsh18. 314. In this case will be found the form of an indictment19 for this offence.
6. Although the sheriff is acting without authority, yet it would seem that any person who obeys his command, unless aware of that fact, will be protected.
7. Whether an individual not enjoined20 by the sheriff to lend his aid, would be protected in his interference, seems questionable21. In a case where the defendant22 assisted sheriff's officers in executing a writ of replevin without their solicitation23, the court held him justified24 in so doing. 2 Mod. 244. Vide Bac. Ab. Sheriff, N; Hamm. N. P. 63; 5 Whart. R. 437, 440.