The Judgment of Whole Kingdoms and Nations, Concerning the Rights...
Classic Essay on the Rights of Englishmen Somers (Sommers), Lord [John] [1651-1716], Attributed. Defoe, Daniel [1661?-1731], Attributed. Dunton, John [1659-1733], Attributed. The Judgment of Whole Kingdoms and Nations, Concerning the Rights, Power and Prerogative of Kings, And the Rights, Priviledges, And Properties of the People: Shewing, The Nature of Government in General, Both from God and Man. An Account of the British Government; And the Rights and Priviledges of the People in the Time of the Saxons, And Since the Conquest. The Government Which God Ordain'd Over the Children of Israel; And that All Magistrates and Governors Proceed From the People, By Many Examples in Scripture and History; And the Duty of Magistrates From Scripture and Reason. An Account of Eleven Emperors, And Above Fifty Kings Depriv'd for Their Evil Government. The Rights of the People and Parliament of Britain, To Resist and Deprive Their Kings for Evil Government, By King Henry's Charter, And Likewise in Scotland, By Many Examples.... London: Reprinted and Sold by J. William, 1771. [viii], 168 pp. Octavo (7-1/2" x 4-1/2"). Nineteenth-century three-quarter calf over marbled boards, raised bands and lettering piece to spine. Moderate rubbing to boards and extremities, light chipping to head of spine, corners bumped, front hinge starting. Light toning to text, light foxing to a few leaves. An attractive copy. $750. * Tenth (stated) edition, corrected. This highly popular tract was first published in 1709 with the title Vox Populi, Vox Dei, Being True Maxims of Government. Somers, a barrister of the Middle Temple, was Lord Chancellor of England and the author of The Security of Englishmen's Lives (1681), a tract on juries and one's right to a jury trial. The present work outlines the development of English freedoms, and calls for religious freedom, resistance to tyranny and a limited monarchy. It found a ready audience in the colonies on the eve of the American Revolution and was issued by presses in Philadelphia, Boston and Newport. It was read by several Founding Fathers, including Thomas Jefferson, who owned the 1773 Philadelphia imprint. This work is attributed sometimes to John Dunton or Daniel Defoe. See Sowerby, Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson 2712. English Short-Title Catalogue T29265.
Price: $750.00
Book number 68878