In common parlance, blackmail is extortion- the exaction of money for the performance of a duty, the prevention of an injury, or the exercise of an influence. It imports an unlawful service and an involuntary payment. Frequently the money is extorted by threats, or by operating upon the fears or credulity, or by promises to conceal, or threats to expose the weakness, the folly, or the criminal acts of another.311

306 State vs. Toney, 15 S. C, 409;

Com. vs. Walden, 3 Cush.

(Mass.), 558; Duncan vs. State, 49 Miss., 331; Mosely vs. State, 28 Ga., 190. 307 Funderburk vs. State, 75 Miss..

20.

308 State vs. Marsh, 91 N. C, 633. 309 Com. vs. Curry, 150 Mass., 509;

Com. vs. Edmonds, 162 Ma 517.

310 U. S. vs. Boston & Co., 15 Fed.

209.

311 Anderson's Law Dictionary, Blackmailing is an unlawful act though not classed as a distinct offense. To charge one with blackmailing is equivalent to charging him with a crime.312

Extortion is an abuse of public justice which consists in any officer's unlawfully taking, by color of his office, from any man, any money or thing of value, that is not due to him, or before it is due. The punishment is fine and imprisonment and sometimes a forfeiture of the office.313 Extortion, in a larger sense, signifies any oppression under color of right, but that in a strict sense it signifies the taking of money by any officer by color of his office, either where none at all is due, or not so much is due, or where it is not yet due.314

Statutes exist defining extortion substantially as defined by common law.315