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
Whenever I hear any one arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.
Now, therefore, in the name and by the authority of the President of the United States, I do hereby make known that a reward of $1,000 will be paid at this Department for the capture of each of such offenders, upon his conviction by a…
Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.
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