Fredericksburg: Published by Green and Cady, 1814. First edition. 8vo. viii, 656, (1, errata) pp. Full contemporary tree calf, red morocco spine label, stamped in gilt, scuffing to boards, large tears on front board, spine dry, joints and extremities rubbed; edges stained yellow; child's pencil scrawl and ownership signature, dated 1869, on front paste-down; small worming at bottom gutter of some leaves at front; scattered foxing to sheets; light pencil scrawl p. 357. 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."