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Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Edition (1856)

PREAMBLE. A preface, an introduction or explanation of what is to follow:
that clause at the head of acts of congress or other legislatures which
explains the reasons why the act is made. Preambles are also frequently put
in contracts to, explain the motives of the contracting parties,
2. A preamble is said to be the key of a statute, to open the minds of
the makers as to the mischiefs which are to be remedied, and the objects
which are to be accomplished by the provisions of the statutes. It cannot
amount, by implication, to enlarge what is expressly given. 1 Story on
Const. B 3, c. 6. How far a preamble is to be considered evidence of the
facts it recites, see 4 M. & S. 532; 1 Phil. Ev. 239; 2 Russ. on Cr. 720;
and see, generally, Ersk. L. of Scotl. 1, 1, 18; Toull. liv. 3, n. 318; 2
Supp. to Ves. jr. 239; 4 L. R. 55; Barr. on the Stat. 353, 370.