STRANGER, persons, contracts. This word has several significations. 1. A person born out of the United States; but in this sense the term alien is more properly applied1, until he becomes naturalized. 2. A person who is not privy2 to an act or contract; example, he who is a stranger to the issue, shall not take advantage of the verdict. Bro. Ab. Record, pl. 3; Vin. Ab. h. t. pl. 1 and vide Com. Dig. Abatement3, H 54.
2. When a man undertakes to do a thing, and a stranger interrupts him, this is no excuse. Com. Dig. Condition, L 14. When a party undertakes that a stranger shall do a certain thing, he becomes liable as soon as the stranger refuses to perform it. Bac. Ab. Conditions, Q 4.
STRATAGEM4. A deception5 either by words or actions, in times of war, in order to obtain an advantage over an enenly.
2. Such stratagems6, though contrary to morality, have been justified7, unless they have been accompanied by perfidy8, injurious to the rights of humanity, as in the example given by Vattel of an English frigate9, which during a war between France and England, appeared off Calais and made signals of distress10 in order to allure11 some vessel12 to come to its relief, and seized a shallop and its crew, who had generously gone out to render it assistance. Vattel, Droit des Gens, liv. 3, c. 9, §178.
3. Sometimes stratagems are employed in making, contracts, this is unlawful and fraudulent, and avoids the contract. See Fraud.
STRATOCRACY. A military government; government by military chiefs of an army.
STREAM. A current of water. The right to a water course is not a right in the fluid itself so much as a right in the current of the stream. 2 Bouv. Inst. n. 1612. See River; Water Course.
STREET. A road in a village or city. In common parlance13 the word street is equivalent to highway. 4 Serg. & Rawle, 108.
2. A permission to the public for the space of eight, or even of six years, to use a street without bar or impediment, is evidence from which a dedication14 to the public maybe inferred. 11 East, R. 376; See 2 N. Hamp. 513; 4 B. & A. 447; 3 East, R. 294; 1 Law lntell. 134; 2 Smith's Lead. Cas. 94, n.; 2 Pick. R. 162; 2 Verm. R. 480; 5 Taunt15. R. 125; S. C. 1 E. C. L. R. 34; 4 Camp. R. 169; 1 Camp. R. 260: 7 B. & C. 257; S. C. 14 E. C. L. R. 39; 5 B & Ald. 454; S. C. 7 E. C. L. R. 159; 1 Blackf. 44; 2 Wend. 472; 8 Wend. 85; 11 Wend. 486; 6 Pet. 431; 1 Paige, 510; and the article Dedication.
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