Joseph Yates

I wish as sincerely as any man, that learned men may have all the encouragements, and all the advantages that are consistent with the general right and good of mankind.

The invention of an author is a species of property unknown to the common law of England. Its usages are immemorial; and the views of it tend to the benefit and advantage of the public with respect to the necessaries of life, and not to …

Improvement in learning was no part of the thoughts or attention of our ancestors.

No tort is assignable, in law or equity. It is not within any species of action at common law.

The law is too tenacious of private peace, to suffer litigations to be negotiable.

Nothing but what has visible substance, is capable of actual possession.

Ideas are free. But while the author confines them to his study, they are like birds in a cage, which none but he can have a right to let fly : for till he thinks proper to emancipate them, they are under his own dominion.

Great attention and respect is undoubtedly due to the decisions of a Lord Chancellor: but they are not conclusive upon a Court of common law.

If the custom be general, it is the law of the realm: if local only, it is lex loci, the law of the place. Now, all laws are general, as far as the law extends; and all customs of England are of course, immemorial.1 No usage, therefore, …

It is proper to inquire into the practice and precedents; and to see whether they have been uniform and concomitant.

The Courts can take no notice of anything but what comes judicially before them.

The Court must have ministers : the attornies are its ministers.

Old rights must remain: it would be very unreasonable if it should be otherwise.

The sheriffs of London have been immemorially the sheriff of Middlesex.