James Wilson is one of the lesser known founders, undeservedly so. He was one of only six persons to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Even more importantly, his ideas helped shape both documents and stressed the duty of citizens to participate responsibly in the process of government. This book provides an introduction to Garrison s life and work, with excerpts from his 1774 Considerations on the Nature and Extent of the Legislative Authority of the British Parliament and the full texts of his 1787 State House Yard speech and 1788 oration delivered on the Fourth of July.