Supreme Court of Virginia February 2, 1824 (Maria v. Surbaugh)

The Judges delivered their opinions. *

Judge Green.

I agree with the Counsel of the appellee, that in deciding upon questions of liberty and slavery, such as that presented in this case, it is the duty of the Court, uninfluenced by considerations of humanity on the one hand, or of policy (except so far as the policy of the law appears to extend) on the other, to ascertain and pronounce what the