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Historical Documents of
The United States of America
Boston Massacre Oration 3/5/1774 Delivered at Boston, Massachusetts, on the Anniversary of the Boston Massacre of 1770. According to Andrews and Zarefsky, John Hancock's "Massacre Oration marks a distinct change from the constitutional argument prevalent in colonial rhetoric in the decade before the war and exhibits the radicals' more violent denunciation of the British and American supporters." American Voices: Significant Speeches in American History (New York: Longman, 1989), p. 41.
"Give me Liberty or Give me Death" 3/23/1775 Historic speech give by Patrick Henry to the Virginia Legislature
Declaration of Arms 7/6/1775 After the breakout of fighting at Lexington and Concord, and the battle of Bunker Hill, all within recent months, John Dickinson and Thomas Jefferson prepare what will become an historic statement of the colonists' rights.  In their Declaration they hold out the hope of reconciliation with England, but at the same time approve the use of armed resistance to obtain recognition of their rights. While it disavows all claims of independence, it insists Americans will die rather than yield to enslavement.  The colonists claim they are fighting a "ministerial" army and not the King. Their view is that George III has been misled by his counselors.  The Americans promise to lay down their arms when their liberties are secured, but also indicate that the colonies may obtain foreign aid against Britain.  The Declaration of Arms was approved by the Second Continental Congress on July 6, 1775.
Virginia Declaration of Rights 6/12/1776 Virginia's Declaration of Rights was drawn upon by Thomas Jefferson for the opening paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence. It was widely copied by the other colonies and became the basis of the Bill of Rights. Written by George Mason, it was adopted by the Virginia Constitutional Convention on June 12, 1776.
Declaration of Independence 7/4/1776 On July 2, 1776, in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress adopted the resolution, introduced by Richard Henry Lee and John Adams, which actually declared independence from Great Britain. [It declared, in part, ``that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.'' The Declaration, which explained why the Colonies (now States) declared their independence, was adopted by the Continental Congress July 4, 1776. The leading draftsman was Thomas Jefferson, assisted by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman.]
Articles of Confederation 11/15/1777 Before the Constitution was ratified, there was the Articles of Confederation.  Drafted in 1777 by the same Continental Congress that passed the Declaration of Independence, the articles established a "firm league of friendship" between the 13 colonies.  Created during the throes of the Revolutionary War, the Articles reflect the wariness by the states of a strong central government. Afraid that their individual needs would be ignored by a national government with too much power, and the abuses that often result from such power, the Articles purposely established a "constitution" that vested the largest share of power to the individual states.
Treaty of Paris 1783 Although Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown in the Fall of 1781 marked the end of the Revolutionary War, minor battles between the British and the colonists continued for another two years. Finally, in February of 1783 George III issued his Proclamation of Cessation of Hostilities, culminating in the Peace Treaty of 1783. Signed in Paris on September 3, 1783, the agreement--- also known as the Paris Peace Treaty-- formally ended the United States War for Independence.
Federalist Papers   The Federalist Papers were a series of articles written under the pen name of Publius by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. Madison, widely recognized as the Father of the Constitution, would later go on to become President of the United States. Jay would become the first Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court. Hamilton would serve in the Cabinet and become a major force in setting economic policy for the US.  The entire purpose of The Federalist Papers was to gain popular support for the then-proposed Constitution. Some would call it the most significant public-relations campaign in history; it is, in fact, studied in many public relations classes as a prime example of how to conduct a successful campaign.
Memorial and Remonstrance 6/20/1785

James Madison's 1785 Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments
To the Honorable the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia
Annapolis Convention 9/14/1786 On 19 September 1786 the Maryland Journal printed the first public notice about the Annapolis Convention. Its author commented, "Should this Address have its Effect, we may hope to see the Federal Union of these States established upon Principles, which will secure the Dignity, Harmony and Felicity of these confederated Republics; and not only rescue them from their present Difficulties, but from that insolent Hauteur and contemptuous Neglect, which they have experienced as a Nation."
Letter of Transmittal of the US Constitution 9/17/1787 This is the official letter which submitted the US Constitution signed and submitted by George Washington.
US Constitution 1787 The US Constitution is considered one of the finest political documents ever authored.  It has held together fairly intact for over 200 years.  It's innate ability to be modified was unique in its time.  The authors knew that they would have made mistakes and considered this in every word of the document.
Northwest Ordinance 7/13/1787 Considered to be one of the most significant achievements of the Congress of the Confederation, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 put the world on notice not only that the land north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi would be settled but that it would eventually become part of the United States. Until then this area had been temporarily forbidden to development.  Increasing numbers of settlers and land speculators were attracted to what are now the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. This pressure together with the demand from the Ohio Land Company, soon to obtain vast holdings in the Northwest, prompted the Congress to pass this Ordinance.
Shall Liberty or Empire be Sought? 6/5/1788 From a speech made by Patrick Henry on June 5, 1788, in the Virginia Convention, called to ratify the Constitution of the United States.
Proclamation of Neutrality 4/22/1793 President Washington met with members of his cabinet who agreed with him that a policy of neutrality was in the best interests of the country. Although both Hamilton and Jefferson favored a neutral position, Hamilton sided with Britain and Jefferson with France. And James Madison questioned the president's authority to issue the proclamation without congressional approval.  Nonetheless, Washington issued the proclamation, warning American citizens to avoid involvement in the hostilities, a strictly European war.
Fugitive Slave Law 1793

The U.S. Congress intended the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 to resolve the ambiguities present in previous legislation. Slave catchers were permitted to capture a runaway slave in any state or territory and needed only to prove orally to a federal or state judge that the person was an escaped slave. The slave was not guaranteed a trial by jury, and the judge's decision was final. Anyone sheltering an escaped slave could be fined $500, a stiff penalty at the time.
Jay Treaty 1794 Agreement that assuaged antagonisms between the United States and Great Britain, established a base upon which America could build a sound national economy, and assured its commercial prosperity.
Treaty of Greenville 1795 General Anthony Wayne defeated the Indians at the Battle of Fallen Timbers on 20 August 1794. The Indians surrendered and came to Greenville one year later to sign a peace treaty. General Wayne said he hoped the treaty would hold "as long as the woods grow and waters run."
Sedition Act 1798 The Sedition Act of 1798 reflected growing national hysteria over the possibility of war with France. In an effort to silence the opposition press, the act's pro-administration framers provided that those who criticized Congress or the president could be fined or imprisoned.

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