Essay on Government (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1810. Excerpt: ... OF PROPERTY. Property is acquired either by possession or by cession, and is afterwards increased by industry, and improved by the sagacity of the owqer. The original idea of possession seems to be this: an individual, or a certain number of individuals, being on a spot which is not already possessed by one or more persons, may plant and cultivate the soil; and when numbers increase, may build towns and cities, institute customs, and frame laws, which are, of course, supported and confirmed by general consent; those inhabitants enjoy property by possession. Property by cession is, when a certain number of men, on the supposition of some beneficial result, join in the views of those who may come on their territories, and make treaties with them, by which they either give up to, or share with, the new comers, part of the property they have With more immediate reference to civil society, property is acquired by purchase, or by inheritance. acquired. by possession. In the first instance the rigltt was m the men tltemselves; in the second instance they only enjoy it oy cession. It must be considered, however, that those treaties which confirm this right are valid, till altered or rendered null by mutual agreement. The primary eause of the inequality of property was the increase of numbers of mankind: the secondary eause was the difference of talents, which even in savage Hie was discernible among a multitude of individuals: to the same causes may be ascribed the establishment and improvement of trades, manufactures, &c. the profits of which all more or less enjoy, as all more or less con tribute to their support. The right of property which every individual has in a state, is mi an And only by this right; for if we were to affirm that pro-? petty may legally...