Constitution Quote by William H. Seward
“I deem it established, then, that the Constitution does not recognize property in man, but leaves that question, as between the states, to the law of nature and of nations.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Senate Debate, 1865
The Constitution leaves property rights to individuals to be settled by natural law and international law rather than federal law.
In simple terms: Property rights are not defined by the Constitution.
Key Takeaway
Consider how law governs personal rights.
Themes
law
government
property
rights
states
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
political
legal
When to use this quote
- Legal disputes
- property negotiations
- government policy
- international treaties
Key Concepts
Constitutional law
natural law
international law
Questions to Reflect On
- How should modern societies handle property rights?
- What role should natural law play today?
A Different Perspective
Interpretation varies across jurisdictions and eras.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
