OBSERVATIONS ON THE NATURE OF CIVIL LIBERTY, THE PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE JUSTICE AND POLICY OF THE WAR WITH AMERICA. TO WHICH ARE ADDED AN APPENDIX AND POSTSCRIPT, CONTAINING, A STATE OF THE NATIONAL DEBT, AN ESTIMATE OF THE MONEY DRAWN FROM THE PUBLIC BY THE TAXES, AND AN ACCOUNT OF THE NATIONAL INCOME AND EXPENDITURE SINCE THE LAST WAR. THE NINTH EDITION.
London: Printed for Edward and Charles Dilly, and Thomas Cadell, 1776. 48pp. Margins trimmed closely but no text affected. Bound in half red morocco and red cloth. Very Good.
The ninth edition of this work by the British friend of American liberty. It was printed at least thirteen times during this first year of its publication. "The encouragement derived from this book had no inconsiderable share in determining the American colonists to declare their independence" [Church]. It "ranks next to Paine's Common Sense as the most often reprinted work of its time. It is said to have had considerable influence on the drafting of the Declaration of Independence" [Decker].
Price adopts the Natural Rights theory of Liberty, and its axiom that government exists by the consent of the governed. "There is nothing that requires more to be watched than power. There is nothing that ought to be opposed with a more determined resolution than its encroachment."
ESTC T12967. Adams Controversy 76-118l. Adams Independence 224k. Sabin 65452. Item #42435
Price: $500.00