Novanglus, and Massachusettensis; or, Political Essays

Published on the eve of the American Revolution, this volume of essays contains John Adams' earliest thoughts on the American republic. Adams attacks essays by Daniel Leonard that assert that the British Parliament had absolute control over the colonies. Adams thoroughly refutes Leonard's essays and then launches into a learned and nuanced counterargument. Using his deep knowledge of English and colonial legal history, Adams proves decisively that the British Parliament's jurisdiction is limited to domestic affairs. The colonies were connected to Britain only through the king.