Author:   George Washington Date:1784 Annotation: Washington’s proclamation on the Whiskey Rebellion. Document: BY AUTHORITY By the president of the United States of America A PROCLAMATION Whereas, combinations to defeat the execution of the laws laying duties upon spirits distilled within the…

Date:1781 Annotation: After considerable debate and alteration, the Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777. This document served as the United States’ first constitution, and was in force from March 1, 1781, until 1789 when…

Author:   Thomas Jefferson Date:1779 Annotation: A bill concerning slaves in Virginia. Document: Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that no persons shall, henceforth, be slaves within this commonwealth, except such as were so on the first day of this present…

Author:   John Adams Date:1776 Annotation: Thoughts on Government was written by John Adams during the spring of 1776 in response to a resolution of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina which requested Adams’s suggestions on the establishment of a new…

Annotation: The Declaratory Act of 1766stated that the British Parliament’s taxing authority was the same in America as in Great Britain. Document: An act for the better securing the dependency of his majesty’s dominions in America upon the crown and parliament of…

Date:1765 Annotation: Resolutions on the Stamp Act, Massachusetts Assembly Document: WHEREAS the just rights of his majesty’s subjects of this province, derived to them from the British constitution as well as the royal charter, have been lately drawn into question: In order…

Date:1765 Annotation: The Continental Congress’ Declaration of Rights and Grievances. Document: We have several times promised to treat our readers with a correct copy of this venerable manuscript, detailing the first movements of the friends of freedom in the new world. It…

Date:1765 Annotation: To increase revenues to pay the cost of militarily defending the colonies, Parliament passed the Stamp Act, which required a tax stamp on legal documents, almanacs, newspapers, pamphlets, and playing cards. This was the first direct tax Parliament had…

Author: John Adams Date:1765 Annotation: This dissertation, written by John Adams, included one of the first arguments to make informed citizens become a check for government. Document: “Ignorance and inconsideration are the two great causes of the ruin of mankind.” This is…

British Parliament – 1765 An act to amend and render more effectual, in his Majesty’s dominions in America, an act passed in this present session of parliament, intituled, An act for punishing mutiny and desertion, and for the better payment…

Date:1764 Annotation: The Currency Act prohibited colonial governments from issuing paper money and required all taxes and debts to British merchants to be paid in British currency. Document: WHEREAS great quantities of paper bills of credit have been created and issued in…

Date:1687 Annotation: French fears of English threats to Canada. Document: Canada is encompassed by many powerful Colonies of English who labor incessantly to ruin it by exciting all our Indians, and drawing them away with their peltries for which said English give…