The Principles of Natural Law. In Which the True Systems of Morality and Civil Government are Established; and the Different Sentiments of Grotius, ... Translated into English by Mr. Nugent.

by Jean Jacques Burlamaqui

Burlamaqui, J[ean] J[acques]. The Principles of Natural Law. In Which the True Systems of Morality and Civil Government are Established; and the Different Sentiments of Grotius, Hobbes, Puffendorf, Barbeyrac, Locke, Clark, and Hutchinson, occasionally considered. Translated into English by Mr. Nugent. J. Nourse, 1748. xlii, 312 pp. Reprinted 2004 by The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. 978-1-58477-295-8. 1-58477-295-6. Hardcover. $25.95. Reprint of the first English edition. Burlamaqui [1694-1748], a Swiss jurist and professor of civil and natural law at Geneva, outlined a constitutional system based on principles similar to those of the American founding fathers. "Burlamaqui formulated the principles of popular sovereignty, of delegated power, of a constitution as a fundamental law, of a personal and functional separation of powers into three independent departments... and finally, he provided for an institutional guardian of the fundamental law" (Harvey). Burlamaqui's other great achievement was to put Pufendorf's theories into systematic form. Marvin stated a general opinion when he observed that "his works are deservedly held in high esteem." Blackstone was one of many jurists influenced by Burlamaqui's work. The sequel, The Principles of Politic Law is also published by The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. Marvin, Legal Bibliography (1847) 162. Harvey, Jean Jacques A Liberal Tradition in American Constitutionalism 178-179.

356 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2004