ABSTRACT
The act forbidden is wrong in itself, if without lawful cause; I do not say illegal, but wrong … The statute … principally aims at seduction for carnal purposes … Let us remember what is the case supposed by the statute. It supposes that there is a girl – it does not say a woman, but a girl – something between a child and a woman; it supposes she is in the possession of her father or mother, or other person having lawful care or charge of her; and it supposes there is a taking, and that that taking is against the will of the person in whose possession she is … I say that done without lawful cause is wrong, and that the legislature meant it should be at the risk of the taker whether or no she was under sixteen. 2
