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Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Edition (1856)

BRIBERY, crim. law. The receiving or offering any undue reward by or to any
person whomsoever, whose ordinary profession or business relates to the
administration of public justice, in order to influence his behaviour in
office, and to incline him to act contrary to his duty and the known rules
of honesty and integrity. 3 Inst. 149; 1 Hawk. P. C. 67, s. 2 4 Bl. Com.
139; 1 Russ. Cr. 156.
2. The term bribery extends now further, and includes the offence of
giving a bribe to many other officers. The offence of the giver and of the
receiver of the bribe has the same name. For the sake of distinction, that
of the former, viz : the briber, might be properly denominated active.
bribery; while that of the latter, viz : the person bribed, might be called
passive bribery.
3. Bribery at elections for members of parliament, has always been a
crime at common law, and punishable by indictment or information. It still
remains so in England notwithstanding the stat. 24 Geo. H. c. 14 3 Burr.
1340, 1589. To constitute the offence, it is not necessary that the person
bribed should, in fact, vote as solicited to do 3 Burr. 1236; or even that
he should have a right to vote at all both are entirely immaterial. 3 Bur.
1590-1.
4. An attempt to bribe, though unsuccessful, has been holden to be
criminal, and the offender may be indicted. 2 Dall. 384; 4 Burr. 2500 3
Inst. 147; 2 Campb. R. 229; 2 Wash. 88; 1 Virg. Cas. 138; 2 Virg. Cas. 460.