Two Tracts on Civil Liberty, the War with America, and the Debts and Finances of the Kingdom With a General Introduction and Supplement

A compact yet thorough collection of essays from the turbulent late‑1770s, this volume weaves together three urgent topics of its day: the nature of civil liberty, the ongoing war with America, and the mounting debts that strain the kingdom’s finances. The author sets out two rival pictures of government—one that sees authority as a limited trust granted by the people, the other as an unbounded divine commission—and makes a clear case for the former, arguing that citizens themselves must be the ultimate legislators. Alongside these philosophical debates, he offers a candid diagnosis of how careless borrowing has swollen the national burden, and why a more disciplined approach to public loans is essential.

The work also engages directly with contemporary critics, exposing the rhetoric that seeks to revive obsolete courts and impose boundless power over both Britain and its distant colonies. Listeners will find a thoughtful blend of political theory, fiscal analysis, and historical insight that still resonates with modern discussions about democracy and state responsibility.