| The political theory of the Massachusetts Constitution of 1780 would have remained undiscovered had I not had the support and assistance of many people. The book began as a doctoral dissertation, and my largest debt arising from the dissertation is to the chairman of my research committee, Tim Tilton. His shrewd criticisms of the developing manuscript wrought many improvements in both the argument and the style of the essay. He has been an inspiration, an example, and a friend to me, and for all of these reasons I am greatly indebted to him. Among other members of my research committee, I am grateful to both Lynton Caldwell and Bernard Sheehan for their thoughtful reading of the manuscript. Larry Hill came late to the project, but he was a major source of support and advice as I struggled to turn the dissertation into a book. Numerous persons helped in the research and preparation of the manuscript at various stages of its development. Connie Bolte, Ronald M. Peters, Sr., and Helene L. Peters were able research assistants; Helene Peters, in particular, received a second education in the history of her birthplace. Several members of my family were kind enough to house me during a summer of research on the East Coast: Mrs. Dorothy Loughlin, of Worcester, Massachusetts; Ted and Virginia Peters, of North Andover, Massachusetts; Cameron Peters, of Boston; George and Mary Jane Mastapeter, of Martinsville, New Jersey; and Mrs. Rose Mastapeter, recently departed, of Bound Brook, New Jersey. My debt to Glenda May Peters cannot be calculated; she changed her name, but she never changed. Pam Hussen, Geri Rowden, and Betty Anderson were faithful typists, each of whom corrected many of my errors and none of whom rubbed them into my face. |
| Librarians from Boston to New York gave me an education in the mechanics of serious research. I would like especially to ex- |
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