One thing, however, has resulted from this investigation with irrefutable certainty. The principles of 1789 are in reality the principles of 1776.
FOOTNOTES:
[97] Kent, Commentaries on American Law, 10th ed., I, p. 611.
[98] Cf. Kent, I, pp. 612 et seq.; Stevens, loc. cit., pp. 208 et seq. They are universally designated to-day in America as "bills of rights". Their example undoubtedly influenced the declarations of 1776 and those after.
[99] Borgeaud, p. 27, cites a treatise by John Wyse as having had great influence in the democratizing of ideas in Massachusetts. This man, whose name was John Wise, has done nothing else than take Pufendorf's theories as the basis of his work, as he himself specifically declares. Cf. J. Wise, A Vindication on the Government of New England Churches, Boston, 1772, p. 22.
[100] Bancroft, IV, pp. 145, 146.
[101] Cf. John Adams, Works, X, Boston, 1856, p. 293.
[102] Analysis of the Laws of England, Chap. 4.
[103] It formed the basis of Blackstone's later Commentaries.
[104] Cf. Otis, The Rights of the British Colonies asserted and proved, 1764, reprinted London, p. 106.