VjGQ 
Chapter VIII, 
GIFTS. 
The Royal gift is irreclaimable, whether it consists in land, money, 
goods, slaves, or cattle ; and it descends in perpetuity to the heirs of 
the grantee, subject to the general and customary laws of inheritance. 
However well defined these laws are, they may, it is clear, be ren¬ 
dered nugatory, or be evaded, by any one who chuses to give away 
his property during his lifetime. 
It is obvious therefore that a holder has absolute power over his 
property both real and personal, and that he may proceed to alienate 
It from those to whom in equity it ought to, and by law must other¬ 
wise, descend. 
The digests examined, do not shew one instance where recourse 
may be had by an heir at law against the enjoyer of property thus 
unjustly disposed of, but human nature here contains the counter¬ 
acting principles within itself of love of kindred, and a dread of re¬ 
proach and of the execration of posterity. 
Gifts ought to be made in presence of a competent number of 
witnesses, and relatives have of course the power to protest against 
such, should they have reason to believe that the Bestower is not in a 
sound state of mind. Under this belief the giver is subjected to three 
separate examinations. Should doubts exist they are removed accor¬ 
ding to the law. 
An Officer of the rank of 10,000 fields [next to that of an ordain¬ 
ed Priest] must have disposed of his property by gift (the King’s 
share being always deducted) 45 days previous to his demise, and in 
presence of at least seven witnesses,, else his gifts will be invalid. All 
Officers who rank as holders of 1,000 or of any number of Na-a, 
fields, down to that of 800, must have given property away 35 days 
before their death, in presence of seven witnesses at the least. For 
those of the rank of 800 na-a, down to 400 na-a, 33 days must 
have intervened to render valid the deed of gift, which must have 
been made in presence of six witnesses. And all inferior officers and 
