The state of slavery is of such a nature, that it is incapable of being introduced on any reasons, moral or political, but only positive law, which preserves its force long after the reasons, occasion, and time itself from whence it was created, is erased from memory. It is so odious, that nothing can be suffered to support it, but positive law.

William Murray, Lord Mansfield

Somerset v. Stewart

More information about this quote

Topic

Slavery

Author

William Murray, Lord Mansfield

Source

Somerset v. Stewart

Medium

Legal opinion

Genre

Legal writing

Language

English

Time

1771 1770s 18th century

Occupation

Lawyer Politician

From

United Kingdom Europe

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Murray, William. King's Bench. Somerset v Stewart. 98 ER 499. 22 June 1772.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by William Murray, Lord Mansfield about slavery: “The state of slavery is of such a nature, that it is incapable of…”
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A quote by William Murray, Lord Mansfield about slavery: “The state of slavery is of such a nature, that it is incapable of…”
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A quote by William Murray, Lord Mansfield about slavery: “The state of slavery is of such a nature, that it is incapable of…”
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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote from the 1770s

The public seldom forgive twice.

Johann Kasper Lavater

More information about this quote
Topic
Public opinion Second chances

Author

Johann Kasper Lavater
Language
German
Time
1773 1770s 18th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Lavater, Johann Caspar. Aphorisms of Man. London: J. Johnson, 1788, no. 606.

Current Citation

Lavater, Johann Caspar. "Annotations to Lavater's Aphorisms on Man." The Complete Poetry and Prose of William Blake, edited by David Erdman. University of California Press, 2008.

Another quote about Slavery

A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved—I do not expect the house to fall—but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other.

Abraham Lincoln

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Read the full text of this speech at umich.edu
More information about this quote
Topic
Political division Slavery American Civil War
Speaker
Abraham Lincoln
Source
A House Divided
Medium
Speech
Genre
Political speech
Language
English
Time
1858 1850s 19th century
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "A House Divided." 16 Jun. 1858, Springfield, IL, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "'House Divided' Speech at Springfield, Illinois, June 16, 1858." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1832-1858, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.