from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
ARTICLES OF THE PEACE, Eng. practice. An instrument which is presented to a
court of competent jurisdiction, in which the exhibitant shows the
grievances under which be labors, and prays the protection of the court. It
is made on oath. See a form in 12 Adol. & Ellis, 599; 40 E. C. L. R. 125,
126; 1 Chit. Pr. 678.
2. The truth of the articles cannot be contradicted, either by
affidavit or otherwise; but the defendant may either except to their
sufficiency, or tender affidavits in reduction of the amounts of bail. 13
East. 171.