In the Somerset case, decided nearly a century ago, the great Lord Mansfield held that slavery was of such a nature that it must take its rise in positive (as distinguished from natural) law; and that in no country or age could it be traced back to any other source.
Speaking against the expansion of slavery, Lincoln cites a landmark British legal case defining slavery's origin in positive law, not natural law.
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More from Abraham Lincoln
I believe that it is not only possible, but in fact easier, to do this without deciding or even considering whether these States have ever been out of the Union, than with it.
I do the very best I know how--the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end.
If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.
I am considering, and shall not fail to act when satisfied that action will be proper.
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