Impressing Men - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition impressing-men

Definition :

Impressing men, compelling persons to serve in the Navy. This practice was allowed at Common Law [see Ex parte Fox, (1793) 5 TR 277], and was extensively followed until 1815, when it began to be gradually abandoned for the recruiting by voluntary enlistment, which has now entirely displaced it. The practice is still clearly legal, and is recognized impliedly by the (English) Naval Enlistment Act, 1835 (5 & 6 Wm. 4, c. 24), which, however, provides that no person shall be detained in the Royal Navy, against his consent, for a longer period than five years except in case of emergency. See also the (English) Naval Enlistment Act, 1853 (16 & 17 Vict. c. 69), which, perhaps, has the effect of limiting the liability to serve to seafaring men. Under the (English) Army Act (s. 112) and (English) Air Force Act the Crown has power to impress carriages, animals, drivers and aircraft for moving baggage and stores, etc. Compensation is payable, see (English) Army Act, s. 113, and Sched.