Talk:Abortion (1500-1900)

Thomas Jefferson
In the section on Thomas Jefferson, an editor asserts that abortion was legal prior to 20 weeks in Jefferson's time. I believe he has badly misread the two sources he uses. The first source, Blackstone's, states that abortion or killing a child in utero after 20 weeks is considered manslaughter homicide, but prior to 20 weeks it is a less serious infraction, perhaps a misdemeanor (still a crime). The second source makes no assertions whatsoever about the legality of abortion but rather reaffirms life. Both these sources are legal commentary, not law. I would like this parenthetical section removed if proper substantiation for its assertion cannot be found.
 * The reasons for the inclusion of this quotation on this page are rather dubious as it's not specifically about abortion, so it's been removed. Cheers. --Aphorist (talk) 18:39, 27 September 2013 (UTC)