This study of John Morin Scott's career during the 1750's and the 1760's was undertaken to fulfill an obvious need: the absence of any biography of this important New Yorker and to present his political beliefs during this period. The decision to emphasize the early phase of Scott's life was made because during this period his activities were far more important and interesting. At this time he was especially active in presenting, through speech and the printed word, the enlightened Whig principles that he had come to accept as his political beliefs in this crucial period in New York and American history.