endeavored, in his first memoir, to demonstrate that the pursuit
of equality of conditions is the true principle of right and of
government. In the "Letter to M. Blanqui," he passes in review
the numerous and varied methods by which this principle gradually
becomes realized in all societies, especially in modern society.

In 1842, a third memoir appeared, entitled, "A Notice to
Proprietors, or a Letter to M. Victor Considerant, Editor of `La
Phalange,' in Reply to a Defence of Property." Here the
influence of Adam Smith manifested itself, and was frankly
admitted. Did not Adam Smith find, in the principle of equality,
the first of all the laws which govern wages? There are other
laws, undoubtedly; but Proudhon considers them all as springing
from the principle of property, as he defined it in his first
memoir. Thus, in humanity, there are two principles,--one which
leads us to equality, another which separates us from it. By the
former, we treat each other as associates; by the latter, as
strangers, not to say enemies. This distinction, which is
constantly met with throughout the three memoirs, contained
already, in germ, the idea which gave birth to the "System of
Economical Contradictions," which appeared in 1846, the idea of
antinomy or contre-loi.

The "Notice to Proprietors" was seized by the magistrates of
Besancon; and Proudhon was summoned to appear before the assizes
of Doubs within a week. He read his written defence to the
jurors in person, and was acquitted. The jury, like M. Blanqui,
viewed him only as a philosopher, an inquirer, a savant.

In 1843, Proudhon published the "Creation of Order in Humanity,"