Wilson, James. Lectures on Law (in his Works, ed. by Bird Wilson, 1804, last ed. by Andrews, 1896). - This is a publication of the first course of law lectures delivered in any American university, but it is so largely devoted to an exposition of the theory of government that it is properly referred to under this head. The author was one of the delegates from Pennsylvania to the Constitutional Convention and one of the signers of the Constitution. Subsequently he was the able advocate of the ratification of the proposed constitution in his state, and later a justice of the supreme court of the United States. What he says is of interest as a contemporaneous exposition of the theories entertained by one who was active and influential in the Convention itself and in securing the ratification of its work.

Lieber, Francis. Civil Liberty and Self-Government. (1853; 3d ed. by Wolsey, 1880.) Also, Contributions to Political Science. (Vol. II of his Miscellaneous Writings, 1881.) - Dr. Lieber exercised a large influence in arousing interest in the theory of our government. His books are popular in their method of treatment.

Burgess, John W. Political Science and Comparative Constitutional Law. (2 vols., 1890 ) - This is a philosophical treatment of the theory of government from a comparative standpoint.

Bateman, William O. Political and Constitutional Law of the United States of America. (1876.) - One of the first efforts to present in a methodical manner the theory of our state and federal systems as interdependent.

Wilson, Woodrow. The State; Elements of Historical and Practical Politics. (Rev. ed., 1900.) - An extremely thoughtful and discriminating presentation of the nature of the state from a philosophical point of view.

Willoughby, Westel Woodbury. The Nature of the State. (1896.) - A philosophical discussion of the grounds on which the exercise of authority by government may be justified.

Hurd, John Codman. The Theory of Our National Existence. (1881.) - An extremely theoretical discussion of the nature of our government, especially with reference to the doctrine of sovereignty.

Fisher, Sidney George. Evolution of the Constitution of the United States. (1897.) - An interesting account of the development of our written constitutions from the Colonial Charters.