ABSTRACT
Considered in this point of view, the will of which it 2 is the expression must, as the definition intimates, be the will of the sovereign in a state. Now by a sovereign I mean any person or assemblage of persons to whose will a whole political community are (no matter on what account) supposed to be in a disposition to pay obedience: a and that in preference to the will of any other person. b Suppose the will in question not to be the will of a sovereign, that is of some sovereign or other; in such case, if it come backed with motives of a coercive nature, it is not a law, but an illegal mandate: and the act of issuing it is an offence. c
