Locke's "Second Treatise on Government" and Sidney's "Discourses Concerning Government" were recommended by Thomas Jefferson as containing the "general principles of liberty and the rights of man, in nature and society" and as "those generally approved" by the citizens of the United States (See Minutes of the Board of Visitors, University of Virginia, March 4, 1825).

Locke's "Second Treatise on Government"
Titled an Essay Concerning the True Original, Extent and End of Civil Government. First published in 1690 in England.

Selections from Sidney's "Discourses Concerning Government"
"The world has so long and so generally sounded the praises of [Sidney's] discourses on government, that it seems superfluous, and even presumptuous, for an individual to add his feeble breath to the gale. They are in truth a rich treasure of republican principles, supported by copious & cogent arguments, and adorned with the finest flowers of science. It is probably the best elementary book of the principles of government, as founded in natural right which has ever been published in any language." (Thomas Jefferson). First published in 1698 in England.

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