An Inquiry into the Principles and Policy of the Government of the United States [Hardcover]

John Taylor (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1886363463 | ISBN-13: 978-1886363465 | Publication Date: April 1998

Taylor, John. An Inquiry into the Principles and Policy of the Government of the United States. Fredericksburg: Green and Cady, 1814. With an introduction by Roy Franklin Nichols, Yale University Press, 1950. 562 pp. Reprinted 1998 by The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. LCCN 98-11147. ISBN 1-886363-46-3. Cloth. $75. Considered a political writing that "deserves to rank among the two or three really historic contributions to political science which have been produced in the United States" (Beard, Economic Origins of Jeffersonian Democracy), this work was originally conceived in 1794 as a response to John Adams' A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America and first published in 1814. He rejects the concept of "a natural aristocracy" of "paper and patronage" and a federal government based on a system of debt and taxes. Opposed to the extent of power awarded to the executive office, he calls for a shortening of the terms of the president and all elected officers. He considers the American government to be one of divided powers rather than classes, and its agents responsible to sovereign people alone. Taylor [1753-1824] was known as "John Taylor of Caroline County, Virginia" and served in the Continental Army and later in the Virginia House of Delegates, then served three separate terms as member of the United States Senate. He is considered to be one of the nation's greatest philosophers of agrarian liberalism, and wrote extensively on this topic as well as on political matters. One of the nation's first proponents of states rights, in 1798 he introduced into the Virginia legislature resolutions in support of the doctrine of delegated powers and the right of states to respond to confrontations by other powers. Dictionary of American Biography IX:331. Sabin, A Dictionary of Books Relating to America 94491. Cohen, Bibliography of Early American Law 5823.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Lawbook Exchange Ltd (April 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886363463
• ISBN-13: 978-1886363465
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.5 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 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: #5,005,961 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.