The sheriffs of London have been immemorially the sheriff of Middlesex

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

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, …

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

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

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

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.