John Locke defended intellectual freedom and tolerance. It was the precursor of many liberal ideas, which only flourished during the French Enlightenment in the 17th century. For him, sovereignty does not reside in the state but the population. Locke's contributions to the criminal laws are related to his conception about the people's sovereignty, where people should keep in their hands, and could only occur a punishment if the "laws of nature" were violated. These laws were related to private property and individual liberties.
"The importance in American history of these two covered-wagon trails, the Oregon and the Santa Fe, can hardly be overemphsized. Thanks to them , eastern America penetrated - and ultimately claimed- the West. "
