From the Commonplace Book

“Examples [i.e., precedents] which have reference to laws should not be sought from historians, but from public acts and more careful traditions. For it is a misfortune even of the best historians, that they do not dwell sufficiently upon laws and judicial acts; or if by chance they use some diligence therein, yet they differ greatly from the authentic reporters.”
–Francis Bacon, Legal Aphorism No. 29