Books and Manuscripts

Taylor, John  
An Inquiry into the Principles and Policy of the Government of the United States...
Fredericksburg: Published by Green and Cady, 1814. First edition. 8vo. viii, 656, (1, errata) pp. Modern quarter brown morocco over marbled paper-covered boards, black morocco spine label, stamped in gilt; scattered light spotting to text. Howes T-63; Shaw & Shoemaker 32910.

Scarce work by John Taylor of Caroline County, Virginia, considered one of the founders of the Libertarian school of political thought. In what is generally considered his most important work, Taylor urges control over the powers of the executive and claims that the greatest danger to American democracy lies in a monopoly of power built on "paper and patronage."