an instrument made of iron, edged in the form of a crescent, and adapted to a handle. It is used by plumbers, to perform several parts of their work; by basket-makers, to cut the largest pieces of chestnut-trees and other wood; and by gardeners, to prune trees. When short, it is called a band-bill, and when long, a hedge-bill.

Bill, in Scots law, has two general significations: Every summary application in writing, by way of petition, to the court of session, is called a bill. But the word more commonly denotes a short obligation or mandate, by which one person obliges himself to pay a sum of money to another, or his order, against a certain time; or by which one person draws upon another for a sum payable to a third person: By this last kind of bill, money-matters are commonly transacted betwixt the inhabitants of different countries, and is called a bill of exchange: When the parties concerned live in Scotland, it is termed an inland bill. As to the solemnities of bills, methods of negotiating them, their legal privileges, &c. See Scots Law, tit. Obligations by word and writ.

Bill signifies also a paper, either written or printed, in very large characters, which is posted up in some open and public place, to give notice of the sale of any merchandize, or ship, or of the failing of any vessel into foreign parts.

Bill in trade, both wholesale and retail, as also among workmen, signifies an account of merchandizes or goods delivered to a person, or of work done for one. Settled Bill, a bill at the bottom of which they to whom the goods are delivered acknowledge that they have received them; that they are satisfied with the price, and promise to pay it.

Bill of credit, that which a merchant or banker gives to a person whom he can trust, empowering him to receive money from his correspondents in foreign countries.

Bill of entry, an account of the goods entered at the custom-house, both inwards and outwards. In this bill must be expressed, the merchant exporting or importing; the quantity of merchandize, and the divers species thereof; and whither transported, or from whence.

Bill of lading, an acknowledgment signed by the master of a ship, and given to a merchant, &c., containing an account of the goods which the master has received on board from that merchant, &c., with a promise to deliver them at an intended place for a certain salary. Each bill of lading must be treble, one for the merchant who loads the goods, another to be sent to the person to whom they are consigned, and the third to remain in the hands of the master of the ship. It must be observed, however, that a bill of lading is used only when the goods, sent on board a ship, are but part of the cargo: For when a merchant loads a whole vessel for his own personal account, the deed passed between him and the master of the ship is called charter-party. See Charter-party.

Bill of parcels, an account given by the seller to the buyer, containing the particulars of all the sorts and prices of the goods bought.

Bill of sale, is when a person wanting a sum of money, delivers goods as a security to the lender, to whom he gives this bill, empowering him to sell the goods, in case the sum borrowed is not repaid, with interest, at the appointed time.

Bill of store, a licence granted at the custom-house to merchants, by which they have liberty to carry, custom-free, all such stores and provisions as they may have occasion for during their voyage.

Bill of sufferance, a licence granted to a merchant, at the custom-house, suffering him to trade from one English port to another, without paying custom.

Bank-Bill, a private instrument whereby private persons become entitled to a part in the bank-stock. See Bank.

Bill denotes also a declaration in writing, expressing either some wrong the complainant has suffered by the defendant, or else a fault that the party complained of has committed against some law or statute of the realm. This bill is sometimes exhibited to justices at the general assizes, by way of indictment, or referred to others having jurisdiction; but more especially is addressed to the lord-chancellor, for inconceivable wrongs done. It contains the thing or fact complained of, the damage sustained, and a petition or process against the defendant for redress; and is used both in criminal and civil cases. In a criminal case, the words *Billa vera* are indorsed by the grand jury upon a presentment, thereby signifying, that they find the same made with probable evidence, and on that account worthy of farther consideration.

**Bill in parliament**, a paper containing propositions offered to the houses to be passed by them, and then presented to the king to pass into a law.

**Bill of attainder.** See **Attainder**.

**Bill of appeal.** See **Appeal**.

**Bill of mortality.** See **Mortality**.