Author:   John Quincy Adams Date:1841 Annotation: Abolitionists persuaded former President John Quincy Adams to represent the Amistad rebels before the Supreme Court. Adams accepted the invitation, stating that “there is in my estimation no higher object upon earth…than to…

Author:   Kale Date:1841 Annotation: This is a letter from a child who was an Amistad captive. Document: Westville, Jan. 4, 1841 Dear Friend Mr. Adams: I want to write a letter to you because you love Mendi people, and you talk…

Author:   Kinna Date:1841 Annotation: This is a letter from an Amistad captive. Document: Westville Jan. 4th 1841 Dear Friend, I want to write you a few lines my dear friend because you love us, and because you talk to the great…

Date:1839 Annotation: In 1845, John L. O’Sullivan (1813-1895), editor of the Democratic Review, referred in his magazine to America’s “manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions.” The idea that…

Author:   Stephen F. Austin Date:1836 Annotation: Stephen F. Austin defends Texas’ Declaration of Independence. Document: It is with the most unfeigned and heartfelt gratitude that I appear before this enlightened audience, to thank the citizens of Louisville, as I do in…

Author:   Andrew Jackson Date:1835 Annotation: President Andrew Jackson defends his policy of Indian removal. Document: The plan of removing the aboriginal people who yet remain within the settled portions of the United States to the country west of the Mississippi River…

Date:1835 Annotation: This declaration announced the colonist’s intention to fight for the restoration of the Constitution of 1824 and independent Mexican statehood for Texas. Document: WHEREAS, General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and other Military Chieftains have, by force of arms, overthrown…

Author:   John Marshall Date:1832 Annotation: Supreme Court ruling on state jurisdiction over Indian lands. Document: MARSHALL, C. J. This cause, in every point of view in which it can be placed, is of the deepest interest. The defendant is a State,…

Date:1831 Annotation: In 1831 the US Supreme Court issued a judgment that defined Native Americans as “domestic dependant nations” instead of foreign nations. This redesignation allowed states like Georgia to disenfranchise Native American tribes of their lands. The Supreme Court refused…

Date:1830 Annotation: An Act to provide for an exchange of lands with the Indians residing in any of the states or territories, and for their removal west of the river Mississippi. Document: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives…

Author:   John Marshall Date:1824 Annotation: This court decision established that the Constitution defines federal power to regulate commerce and no part of such power can be exercised by a state. Document: The appellant contends that this decree is erroneous because the…

Author:   James Monroe Date:1823 Annotation: The United States not only feared European intervention in Florida, but also in the Pacific Northwest and in Latin America. In 1821, Russia claimed control of the entire Pacific coast from Alaska to Oregon…