SUBSCRIBING¹ WITNESS. One who subscribes² his name to a writing in order to be able at a future time to prove its due execution; an attesting³ witness.

2. In order to make a good subscribing witness, it is requisite⁴ he Should sign his name to the instrument himself, at the time of its execution, and at the request or with the assent⁵ of the party. 6 Hill, N. Y. R. 303; 11 M. & W. 168; 1 Greenl. Ev. §569 a, 4th ed. See Witness instrumentary; 5 Watts⁶, 399.

SUBSCRIPTION⁷, contracts. The placing a signature at the bottom of a written or printed engagement; or it is the attestation⁸ of a witness by so writing his name; but it has been holden that the attestation of an illiterate⁹ witness, by making his mark, is a sufficient subscription. 7 Bing. 457; 2 Ves. 454; Atk. 177; 1 Yes. jr. 11; 3 P. Wms. 253; 1 V. & B. 362. Vide To sign.

2. By subscription is also understood the act by which a person contracts, in writing, to furnish a sum of money for a particular purpose; as, a subscription to a charitable institution, a subscription for a book, for a newspaper, and the like.

SUBSCRIPTION LIST. The names of persons who have agreed to take a newspaper, magazine or other publication, placed upon paper, is a subscription list.

2. This is, an incident to a newspaper, and passes with the sale of the printing materials. 2 Watts, 111.

SUBSIDY¹⁰, Engl. law. An aid, tax or tribute granted by parliament to the king for the urgent occasions of the kingdom, to be levied¹¹ on every subject of ability, according to the value of his lands or goods. Jacob's Law. Dict. h. t.

2. The assistance given in money by one nation to another to enable it the better to carry on a war, when such nation does not join directly in the war, is called a subsidy. Vattel, liv. 3, §82. See Neutrality.