from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
SEDUCTION. The offence of a man who abuses the simplicity and confidence of
a woman to obtain by false promises what she ought not to grant.
2. The woman being particeps criminis, has no remedy for the mere
seduction, nor is there, to the discredit of the law, a direct remedy in her
parents. The seducer may be sued, though not. directly or ostensibly for the
seduction; but for the consequent inability to perform those services for
which she was accountable to her master, or to her parent, who, for this
purpose, is obliged to assume that less endearing relation; and if it cannot
be proved that she filled that office, the action cannot be sustained. 7
Mann. & Gr. 1033. It follows, therefore, that when the daughter is of full
age, and the father is not entitled to her services, and actually, she is
not in his service, the father can maintain no action for the seduction. 5
Harr. & J. 27; 1 Wend. 447; 3 Pennsyl. 49; 10 John. 115. Vide 2 Watts 474; 9
John. 387; 2 Wend. 459; 5 Cowen 106; 2 Penn. 583; 6 Munf. 587; 2 A. K.
Marsh. 128; 2 Overt. 93; 9 John. R. 387; 2 New Reports, 476; 6 East, 887;
Peake's Rep. 253; 11 East, 24; 5 East, 45; 2 T. R. 4; 2 Selw. N. P. 1001; 2
Phil. Ev. 156; 3 Chitt. Bl. Com. 140, n.; 7 Com. Dig. 318; 6 M. & W. 55.