from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
INNOCENT CONVEYANCES. This term is used in England, technically, to signify
those conveyances made by a tenant of his leasehold, which do not occasion a
forfeiture these are conveyances by lease and release, bargain and sale, and
a covenant to stand seised by a tenant for life. 1 Chit. Pr. 243, 244.
2. In this country forfeitures for alienation of a greater right than
the tenant possesses, are almost unknown. The more just principle prevails
that the conveyance by the tenant, whatever be its form, operates only on
his interest. Vide Forfeiture,