This eight-volume reset edition traces the evolution of imperial and colonial ideologies during the British colonization of America. It covers the period from the founding of the Jamestown colony in Virginia in 1607 to the end of the American Revolutionary War in 1783. At the start of the seventeenth century, colonies were largely autonomous private enterprises. Over time, however, British governments grew more interventionist as they became increasingly alarmed by the colonists' economic and political liberties. The works covers a wide range of ideas on empire and colonies from both sides of the Atlantic. Varied and often incompatible imperial and colonial ideas were espoused by British political economists, politicians, administrators, colonial governors and other officials, as well as by colonists. Sources include pamphlets, reports, sermons and letters. Almost all the texts are reproduced in full. The edition benefits from a general introduction, introductions to Parts I & II, headnotes, endnotes and a consolidated index in the final volume. The editorial material takes into account recent intellectual, theoretical and methodological approaches pioneered in empire studies. This edition will be important for scholars of Atlantic History, American and British History and Empire Studies.