The cases were State v Post and State v Van Beuren, 20 (Spencer) NJL 368 (May 1845) aff’d 21 (1 Zab) NJL 699 (Jan 1848). Stewart’s speech provides in a brief overview, some of the many legal principles making slavery unconstitutional. In this lengthy speech of about 33,000 words, that took some time (11 hours estimated) to deliver it, he covers a sweeping range of material. He cites the major precedent, the 1772 Somerset case. His section on constitutional due process dates from at least eight years before, 1837. Citing Bible precedents was still done in that era, witness his citing the Mosaic Exodus and the Ten Commandments
The cases were State v Post and State v Van Beuren, 20 (Spencer) NJL 368 (May 1845) aff’d 21 (1 Zab) NJL 699 (Jan 1848). Stewart’s speech provides in a brief overview, some of the many legal principles making slavery unconstitutional. In this lengthy speech of about 33,000 words, that took some time (11 hours estimated) to deliver it, he covers a sweeping range of material. He cites the major precedent, the 1772 Somerset case. His section on constitutional due process dates from at least eight years before, 1837. Citing Bible precedents was still done in that era, witness his citing the Mosaic Exodus and the Ten Commandments