A Discourse Concerning Treasons and Bills of Attainder

Originally published in 1695, this work is a passionate defense of the rights of English citizens against the abuses of state power. Defoe and his collaborator Richard West argue that bills of attainder, which allowed the government to convict people of treason without a trial, violated both the principles of natural justice and the English constitution. Their arguments are as relevant today as they were three centuries ago, making this book an essential read for anyone interested in the intersection of law and politics.