LETTER of attorney, in law, is a writing by which one person authorises another to do some lawful act in his stead; as, to give seisin of lands, to receive debts, sue a third person, &c.
The nature of this instrument is to transfer to the person to whom it is given, the whole power of the maker, to enable him to accomplish the act intended to be performed. It is either general or special; and sometimes it is made revocable, which is when a bare authority is only given; and sometimes it is irrevocable, as where debts, &c. are assigned from one person to another. It is generally held, that the power granted to the attorney must be strictly pursued; and that where it is made to three persons, two cannot execute it. In most cases, the power given by a letter of attorney determines upon the death of the person who gave it. No letter of attorney made by any seaman, &c. in any ship of war, or having letters of marque, or by their executors, &c. in order to empower any person to receive any share of prizes, or bounty-money, shall be valid, unless the same be made revocable, and for the use of such seamen, and be signed and executed before, and attested by, the captain and one other of the signing officers of the ship, or the mayor or chief magistrate of some corporation.