James Wilson's Lectures on Law (1789 to 1791)
Constituting America
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Chapter I Introductory Lecture Of The Study Of The Law In The United StatesChapter II Of The General Principles Of Law And ObligationChapter III Of The Law Of NatureChapter IV Of The Law Of NationsChapter V Of Municipal LawChapter VI Of Man, As An IndividualChapter VII Of Man, As A Member Of SocietyChapter VIII Of Man, As A Member Of A ConfederationChapter IX Of Man, As A Member Of The Great Commonwealth Of NationsChapter X Of GovernmentChapter XI Comparison Of The Constitution Of The United States, With That Of Great BritainChapter XII Of The Common LawChapter XIII Of The Nature And Philosophy Of Evidence
Chapter I Of The Constitutions Of The United States And Of Pennsylvania (Of The Legislative Department)Chapter II Of The Executive DepartmentChapter III Of The Judicial DepartmentChapter IV Of The Nature Of CourtsChapter V Of The Constituent Parts Of Courts (Of The Judges)Chapter VI The Subject Continued Of JuriesChapter VII The Subject Continued Of Sheriffs And CoronersChapter VIII The Subject Continued Of Counsellors And AttorniesChapter IX The Subject Continued Of ConstablesChapter X Of CorporationsChapter XI Of Citizens And AliensChapter XII Of The Natural Rights Of Individuals
Chapter I Of The Nature Of Crimes; And The Necessity And Proportion Of PunishmentsChapter II Of Crimes Against The Right Of Individuals To Their PropertyChapter III Of Crimes Against The Right Of Individuals To Liberty, And To ReputationChapter IV Of Crimes Against The Right Of Individuals To Personal SafetyChapter V Of Crimes, Immediately Against The CommunityChapter VI Of Crimes, Affecting Several Of The Natural Rights Of IndividualsChapter VII Of Crimes Against The Rights Of Individuals Acquired Under Civil GovernmentChapter VIII Of The Persons Capable Of Committing Crimes; And Of The Different Degrees Of Guilt Incurred In The Commission Of The Same CrimeChapter IX Of The Direct Means Used By The Law To Prevent OffencesChapter X Of The Different Steps Prescribed By The Law, For Apprehending, Detaining, Trying, And Punishing Offenders

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Author: James Wilson
Composed:  c.1789 CE
James Wilson, one of only 6 signatories to both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, delivered these lectures at the University of Pennsylvania Law School to explain the history and philosophy of the United States Constitution. Wilson lectured for several years at the school while serving as one of the first associate justices of the Supreme Court. He designed the lectures to be published and to serve as an authoritative commentary on the design of the Constitution. In the lectures, Wilson describes the U.S. Constitution in the tradition of legal philosophy that includes natural and common law. He also compares the United States Constitution to other state, foreign, and historical constitutions. These lectures combine reflections on political history and practice with moral philosophy and theories of jurisprudence.

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