Note 51 — B. Interpretation of Property.
Reading edition
That property was created by law it is proved by Montesquieu and Bentham. In the Spirit of Laws, Montesquieu argues that civil law is Paladium of property, and as the people acquired by political laws liberty, so they acquired by the civil laws property. [The Spirit of Laws, book XXVI, ch. 15].—In The Principles of Civil Code, by J. Bentham, we find the same idea expressed in these words: “Property is entirely the creature of law.... Property and law are born and must die together. Before the laws, there was no property; take away the laws, all property ceases”. [The Principles of the Civil Code, pt. I, ch. VIII].