Essay: A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law

Introduction
"A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law" is a famous essay written by John Adams, a founding dad of the United States, in 1765. Adams composed this essay in reaction to the overbearing British guideline and the emerging sentiments for freedom in the American nests. In this essay, Adams critiques the English legal and political systems by linking the canon and feudal laws. The essay intends to demonstrate how the English legal system is rooted in power and control, and it requires resistance versus these unjustified systems in order to develop liberty and equality for all.

Canon and Feudal Law
Adams begins his essay by describing the canon and feudal laws as "two terrific systems of tyranny", which oppressed individuals throughout history. The canon law describes the ecclesiastical laws of the Catholic Church, which mostly governs the Church's clergy and religious practices. The feudal law, on the other hand, describes the legal and social system that dominated medieval Europe, and primarily governed land ownership, agricultural production, and social hierarchy.

Adams argues that both systems are intertwined, serving as instruments of power, dominance, and control over individuals. He cites the historical use of these laws by the English monarchy and the English clergy to infringe upon the liberties and rights of the colonists.

Lack of knowledge and Despotism
Throughout the essay, Adams stresses the importance of knowledge as a means of withstanding tyranny. He thinks that the English rulers had actually deliberately kept individuals in ignorance, as it made them easier to control. He argues that the peasants of Europe had been kept poor, vulnerable, and uneducated by the canon and feudal laws, making them depending on the Church and feudal lords.

Adams stresses that it is only through knowledge and finding out that the colonists can free themselves from the chains of ignorance. He mentions that liberty can only be maintained by empowering the public with understanding about their rights and liberties. He requires the facility of cost effective public education, in addition to the promo of spiritual and intellectual liberty, to advance and protect the cause of liberty in America.

The Purpose of Government and the Role of individuals
Adams also goes over the purpose of federal government and the role of the people in his essay. He contends that the main goal of any government need to be to safeguard and promote the welfare and happiness of the people. According to Adams, federal governments ought to be formed based upon the permission of the governed, empowering the people to assert their rights.

Nevertheless, Adams also reveals concerns about the threats of a government's power becoming corrupt and oppressive. He believes the only way to avoid this is by guaranteeing that individuals stay vigilant in acknowledging and resisting tyranny. He advises the colonists to require their rights and liberties, taking inspiration from the heroes of antiquity who combated versus injustice.

Conclusion
"A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law" provides a strong review of the oppressive nature of the English legal and political systems. John Adams highlights the value of knowledge and education in the struggle for liberty and equal rights. The essay works as a tip to the American colonies about the values and concepts that lie at the heart of their mission for self-reliance, which would continue to shape the formation of the United States.

Overall, Adams' essay acts as a powerful call to action for individuals to increase against tyranny and oppression, and to work towards the establishment of a reasonable and equitable society. Not just does this piece represent the advanced sentiments of its time, but it stays relevant even today, as we continue to pursue a world where liberty, equality, and justice dominate for all.