An affirmative statute is one which is enacted in affirmative terms; such a statute
does not take away the common law. If, for example, a statute without negative words, declares that when certain requisites shall have been complied with, deeds shall, have in evidence a certain effect, this does not prevent their being used in evidence, though the requisites have not been complied with, in the same manner as they might have been before the statute was passed. 2 Cain. R. 169. 2. A negative statute is one Bouvier's Law Dictionary, 1856 Edition - Letter S http://www.1215.org/lawnotes/bouvier/bouvier_s.htm 65 of 92 8/5/2012 11:43 PM expressed in negative terms, and so controls the common law, that it has no force in opposition to the statute. Bro. Parl. pl. 72; Bac. Ab. h. t. G.