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Commentaries on the Laws of England. Book 4: Of Public Wrongs

William Blackstone

The Commentaries on the Laws of England by Sir William Blackstone, are a prominent and authoritative 18th century dissertation on the common law of England which not only pertains to that country, but is also at the foundation of the American legal system. They were widely read and a huge influence on America's Founding Fathers and, to this day, are occasionally quoted in U.S. Supreme Court decisions when expounding upon principals of universal and enduring human justice.

The commentaries were divided into four books: On the Rights of Persons, On the Rights of Things, Of Private Wrongs, and Of Public Wrongs.

This fourth and final volume elaborates on the English laws, courts, procedures & punishments regarding the full range of criminal injuries, from misdemeanors on up through murder and high treason. It includes a section dealing with libel and seditious libel, which informed to a great extent the Founders’ understanding of the freedom of the press clause of the First Amendment. - Summary by Roy Haines