An Inquiry into the Principles and Policy of the Government of the United States (Dodo Press) [Paperback]

John Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 16, 2009 | ISBN-10: 140995997X | ISBN-13: 978-1409959977

John Taylor (1753-1824) was a politician and writer. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates and in the United States Senate. He was the author of several books on politics and agriculture. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat and his works provided inspiration to the later state's rights and libertarian movements. Taylor wrote in defense of slavery and called for the deportation of free African Americans. He criticized Thomas Jefferson's ambivalence towards slavery in Notes on the State of Virginia. Amongst his other works are An Inquiry into the Principles and Policy of the Government of the United States (1814), Construction Construed and Constitutions Vindicated (1820), Tyranny Unmasked (1821) and New Views on the Constitution (1823).

Product Details

• Paperback: 548 pages
• Publisher: Dodo Press (January 16, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140995997X
• ISBN-13: 978-1409959977
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,010,105 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true philosopher of the principles of Republicanism, February 14, 2005

By 

G. F Gori "Jeffersonian libertarian" (Manteca, ca United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Inquiry into the Principles and Policy of the Government of the United States (Hardcover)

John Taylor's "An Inquiry into the Principles and Policy of the Government of the United States" is political philosophy of the first order. John Taylor, a devout Jeffersonian, wrote this treatise to refute the monarchial ideas of John Adams as espoused in his "Defence of the Constitutions of the United States".

Taylor lays waste to Adams and other conservatives ideas that there must be a balance of orders among men in society and government. Taylor rejects the forms of the English government, lords, commons and king, and instead embraces the sovereignty of the people through a written constitution and republican government. Pointed out are the moral principles of republican government as embodied in the American Revolution, which Taylor considers as an epochial event which changed the way men viewed government. Taylor believes good government is nurtured by good principles at the foundation of a government. He rejects the ideals of fraud, force, and coercion to govern men, which Adams, Hobbes and Sir Robert Filmer believe to be man in his natural state. Taylor believes men can live free if their form of government has good moral priciples infused throughout. These principles are a division of power between state and federal authority, the sovereignty of the people, and local and statewide self government.

Taylor also rejects the idea of strong central government as in the British model, especially before the American Revolution. He rejects a central bank and subsidies for private enterprise as destructive to the public good, a vehicle to corrupt government and centralize power. He believes these events will destroy the principles of the American Revolution. Taylor also takes umbrage at Adams glorification of aristocracy and monarchy as faulty and based on the corruption of the English system.

Although this book is difficult reading, due to Taylor's expansive and complex vocabulary, it is well worth a purchase to investigate the true principles of the American Republic and Revolution. All those interested in liberty, freedom and self government will enjoy this large volume. Set time aside in a quiet place without interuption to read this book. Read it slowly and over several months time and the full effect will be felt.

A great read.