CHIROGRAPH. In Conveyancing. A deed or public instrument in writing.
Chirographs were anciently attested by the sub scription and crosses of witnesses. Afterwards, to prevent frauds and concealments, deeds of mutual covenant were made in a script and teaeript, or in a part and counterpart; end in the middle, between the two copies, they drew the capital let ters of the alphabet, and then tallied, or cut asun der in an indented manner, the sheet or skin of parchment, one of which parts being delivered to each of the parties were proved authentic by match ing with and answering to one another. Deeds thus made were denominated ayugrapha by the canoeists, hecauee that word, hastead of the letters of the alphabet or the was used. 2 Blackstone, Comm. 296. This method of preventing counterfeiting, or of detecting counter felts, in now used, by having some ornament or some word engraved or printed et one end of certi ficates of stocks, checks, and a variety of other in struments, which are hound up in a book, and, after they are executed, are cut asunder through such ornament or word.
The last part of a fine of land.
It is called, more commonly, the foot of the fine. It is an instrument of writing, beginning with these words : " This is the final agreement," etc. It concludes the whole matter, reciting the parties, day, year, and place, and before whom the fine was acknowledged and levied. Cruise, Dig. t. 35, c. 2, s. 52.
In Civil and Canon Law. An instru ment written out and subscribed by the hands of the king or prince. An instrument writ ten out by the parties and signed by them.
The Normans, destroying these ehirographo, called the instruments substituted in their place eharta (charters), and declared that these chorta should be verified by the seal of the signer with the attest ation of three or four witnesses. DuCange; Cowel.
In Scotch Law. A written voucher for a debt. Bell, Diet. The possession of this instrument by the debtor raises a presump tion of payment by him. Bell, Diet.; Erskine, Inst. 1. 2, t. 4, 5.