American Historical Documents

American Historical Documents - 1719

The Taking of Teach the Pirate - 1719 A poem written by a twelve year old Benjamin Franklin upon hearing of the killing of Blackbeard the Pirate.

American Historical Documents - 1725

A Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain - 1725 Benjamin Franklin's first political pamphlet, which he later repudiated.

American Historical Documents - 1728

Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion - 1728 An early writing of Benjamin Franklin describing his religious beliefs as a young man.

American Historical Documents - 1729

A Modest Enquiry into the Nature and Necessity of a Paper-Currency - 1729 An article by Benjamin Franklin

American Historical Documents - 1744

Rules of Civility by George Washington - 1744  A list of proverbs and maxims written down by George Washington as a boy of 16.

American Historical Documents - 1747

Benjamin Franklin letter to Peter Collinson - March 28, 1747

Benjamin Franklin letter to Peter Collinson - May 25, 1747

Benjamin Franklin letter to Peter Collinson - July 28, 1747

Plain Truth - 1747 Political pamphlet by Benjamin Franklin

American Historical Documents - 1749

Benjamin Franklin letter to Peter Collinson - April 29, 1749

Benjamin Franklin letter to John Mitchel - April 29, 1749

Constitutions of the Publick Academy in the City of Philadelphia - November 13, 1749 Pamphlet by Benjamin Franklin that laid the foundation of the University of Pennsylvania

American Historical Documents - 1750

Benjamin Franklin letter to Peter Collinson - July 29, 1750

Benjamin Franklin letter to Peter Collinson (2) - July 29, 1750

Benjamin Franklin letter to Peter Collinson - September 27, 1750

American Historical Documents - 1751

Benjamin Franklin letter to Peter Collinson - June 29, 1751

Benjamin Franklin letter to Cadwallader Colden - October 31, 1751

American Historical Documents - 1753

Benjamin Franklin letter to Cadwallader Colden - April 12, 1753

Benjamin Franklin letter to Jared Eliot - April 12, 1753

American Historical Documents - 1758

The Way to Wealth - 1758 A compilation of 25 years of Benjamin Franklin's best sayings from Poor Richard's Almanack

American Historical Documents - 1760

Thomas Hancock Letter - May 21, 1760 Letter instructing his business partners to care for young John Hancock in London.

American Historical Documents - 1764

Instructions to Boston's Representatives - May 28, 1764 Directions from the Boston town council to their legislators instructing them to resist Parliament's taxation scheme as outlined in the Sugar Act.

Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved - 1764 A pamphlet by James Otis explaining why Parliament had no authority to tax the colonists.

New York Petition to the House of Commons - October 18, 1764 New York's response to Parliament challenging the recently passed Sugar Act.

Massachusetts Petition to the House of Commons - November 3, 1764 Massachusetts petition to Parliament challenging the recently passed Sugar Act.

Virginia Petition to the House of Commons - December 18, 1764 Virginia's petition to Parliament challenging the recently passed Sugar Act and the impending Stamp Act.

American Historical Documents - 1765

Jared Ingersoll Letter to Thomas Fitch - February 11, 1765 This letter relates a famous debate in Parliament about the upcoming Stamp Act.

Stamp Act of 1765 text - March 22, 1765 Text of the Stamp Act.

The Regulations Lately Made Concerning the Colonies by Thomas Whately A pamphlet describing Parliament's justifications concerning the Stamp Act taxes.

Considerations on the Propriety of Imposing Taxes by Daniel Dulany The most read pamphlet of 1765, describes why the Stamp Act is illegal.

Quartering Act of 1765 - May 15, 1765 An act that angered Americans, which required them to house and feed British troops.

Declaration of Rights and Grievances - October 19, 1765 This document was produced by the Stamp Act Congress to enumerate the reasons why the Stamp Act was unjust.

New York Non-Importation Agreement - October 31, 1765 Agreement of New York merchants not to import any goods from England until the Stamp Act is repealed.

William Houston's Resignation as Stamp Distributor from North Carolina - November 16, 1765 Letter of resignation Houston was forced to sign at the hands of an angry Stamp Act mob.

American Historical Documents - 1766

In Defense of the Colonies Speech by William Pitt - January 14, 1766 Speech given by William Pitt in Parliament defending the colonists in their uprising against the Stamp Act.

Letter from London Merchants Urging Repeal of the Stamp Act - January 17, 1766 London merchants urge Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act or they will face financial ruin.

The Examination of Benjamin Franklin before the House of Commons - February 13, 1766 Franklin's appearance before Parliament that helped convince them to repeal the Stamp Act.

An Act Repealing the Stamp Act - March 18, 1766

Circular Letter from Massachusetts House of Representatives - February 11, 1768 This letter was drafted by Samuel Adams and was one of the first public challenges of King George III and the British Parliament.

Resolutions of the Boston Town Meeting - September 13, 1768 This resolution was passed by the citizens of Boston in response to British troops being stationed in their city.

John Hancock Circular Letter - September 14, 1768 This Letter was by the Boston Town Meeting to invite all Massachusetts to a meeting to discuss a joint response to the Townshend Acts, chaired by John Hancock.

American Historical Documents - 1769

Mysteries of Government - February 27, 1769 An article published by Samuel Adams discussing the rights of British citizens.

American Historical Documents - 1772

The Rights of the Colonists - November 20, 1772 A document by Samuel Adams stating the rights of the colonists as British citizens.

American Historical Documents - 1773

Rules by Which a Great Empire May Be Reduced to a Small One - September 11, 1773 A political satire by Benjamin Franklin

American Historical Documents - 1774

John Hancock Boston Massacre Speech - March 5, 1774 John Hancock's most famous speech delivered on the fourth anniversary of the Boston Massacre.

Boston Port Act - March 31, 1774 This act of the British Parliament sealed off Boston Harbor with a fleet of warships in response to the Boston Tea Party.

William Hooper letter to James Iredell - April 26, 1774 In this letter, future Declaration of Independence signer William Hooper of North Carolina makes the first prediction of American independence, earning him the title "Prophet of Independence."

Circular Letter of the Boston Committee of Correspondence - May 13, 1774 This letter is a request to all the other colonies to join in a boycott of all British goods in response to the Boston Port Act that closed Boston harbor.

Quartering Act of 1774 - June 2, 1774 The second quartering act which required American's to house and feed British soldiers.

A Summary View of the Rights of British America by Thomas Jefferson - July 1774

Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress - October 14, 1774 First Continental Congress' response to England's treatment, their list of grievances and plans for the future.

Letter to the Inhabitants of the Province of Quebec - October 26, 1774 Letter from Congress asking Quebec to join in the rebellion against England.

American Historical Documents - 1775

Joseph Warren letter to the Inhabitants of Great Britain - April 26, 1775 Dr. Warren tells the citizens of Britain about the atrocities committed by British soldiers at the Battles of Concord and Lexington.

John Hancock Letter to Dorothy Hancock - May 7, 1775 Letter written to his wife after safely arriving in New York after fleeing the British at the Battle of Lexington.

Olive Branch Petition - June 5, 1775

General Thomas Gage Proclamation - June 12, 1775 General Gage's Proclamation offering pardon to all involved in the resistance beginning at Lexington and Concord who would lay down their arms, except for Samuel Adams and John Hancock.

John Adams letter to James Warren - July 24, 1775 This is the letter that was captured and published by the British, revealing America's continued war preparations in spite of their plea for peace in the Olive Branch Petition.

John Adams letter to Abigail Adams - July 24, 1775 This letter was also captured by the British.

Address to the Assembly of Jamaica - July 25, 1775 In this address, the Congress seeks to explain its position at the beginning of the Revolutionary War to the inhabitants of Jamaica.

Liberty Tree by Thomas Paine Song celebrating liberty by Thomas Paine.

King George III's Rebellion Proclamation - August 23, 1775

John Hancock's Wedding Announcement - September 4, 1775

Joseph Reed letter to John Glover - October 20, 1775 Reed discusses supplying the Continental Army troops during the Siege of Boston and the design for the first US naval flag.

Abigail Adams letter to John Adams - November 12, 1775 Abigail reveals American anger toward the British government after the king refused to receive the Olive Branch Petition.

Letter from the Continental Congress to Oswald Eve - November 21, 1775 Letter from Congress asking Oswald Eve to assist Paul Revere in establishing a gun powder mill in Massachusetts.

Congress' response to King George's rejection of the Olive Branch Petition - December 6, 1775

Essay by Ben Franklin.

Rachel Revere letter to Paul Revere - 1775 Letter from Rachel Revere to her husband that was taken by the traitor Dr. Benjamin Church and given to British General Gage.

Paul Revere deposition - 1775 Paul Revere's personal account of his midnight ride in a deposition written for the Massachusetts Provincial Congress.

American Historical Documents - 1776

George Washington letter to Joseph Reed - January 4, 1776 Letter discussing the Siege of Boston.

Common Sense by Thomas Paine - January 10, 1776

Instructions for Georgia Delegates to the Continental Congress - April 5, 1776 This is the Georgia Council of Safety's instructions to its Delegates to Congress shortly before the Declaration of Independence.

Halifax Resolves - April 12, 1776 Passed by North Carolina, the Resolves were the first official instructions from any colony authorizing its delegates to Congress to vote for independence from Great Britain.

Preamble and Resolution of the Virginia Convention - May 15, 1776 This is the resolution that ordered the Virginia delegates to the Continental Congress to propose a resolution that the united colonies ought to be "free and independent States, absolved from all allegiance to, or dependence upon, the Crown or Parliament of Great Britain."

Joseph Hewes letter to James Iredell - May 17, 1776 - Letter discussing efforts of the Congress to equip the Continental Army.

Lee Resolution - June 7, 1776 This is the resolution that proposed that the united colonies declare themselves free and independent states from Great Britain.

Virginia Declaration of Rights by George Mason and Thomas Ludwell Lee - June 12, 1776

Joseph Hewes letter to James Iredell - June 28, 1776 - Letter discussing Hewes' confidence in the upcoming vote for independence.

Thomas Jefferson's draft Constitution for the State of Virginia - June 1776

Original unedited draft of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson - June 1776

The only existing fragment of Thomas Jefferson's original draft of the Declaration of Independence - June 1776

Original Rough Draft of the Declaration of Independence - June 1776 This is the Declaration text after it had been edited by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. This is the version the Committee of Five submitted to Congress.

The Declaration of Independence - July 4, 1776 This is the final approved version by Congress.

List of current copy holders of existing, original Dunlap Broadsides of the Declaration of Independence

Chronological list of locations the Declaration of Independence has been stored

John Hancock letter to George Washington - July 6, 1776 This letter was sent by John Hancock to General Washington with a copy of the new Declaration of Independence and instructions to read it to his troops.

John Hancock Letter to New Jersey Convention - July 16, 1776 This letter shows the desperation of Congress as its President writes the New Jersey Convention to send as many troops as they possibly can without delay.

American Independence - August 1, 1776 Speech delivered by Samuel Adams at the State House in Philadelphia.

Thomas Jefferson letter to Edmund Pendleton - August 26, 1776 In this letter Jefferson reveals his views about the death penalty and other justified forms of punishment.

American Historical Documents - 1777

John Hancock Letter to Dorothy Hancock - March 10, 1777 This letter shows the frustration and loneliness this patriot felt during the dark days of the Revolutionary War.

American Historical Documents - 1778

Boston Town Meeting Resolution Regarding Return of Tories - August, 1778 Boston's decision about whether or not to allow Tories to return home to Boston.

John Hancock Letter to Henry Quincy - August 30, 1778 This letter shows the desperate condition in Boston during the Revolutionary War.

John Hancock Resignation Letter - October, 1778 John Hancock's resignation letter as President of Congress.

Letter from Benjamin Franklin and John Adams describing the American flag to the Sicilian Ambassador to Paris.

George Washington Letter to John Hancock, October 22, 1777 George Washington's response upon hearing that John Hancock was resigning as President of Congress.

American Historical Documents - 1779

Richard Peters letter to George Washington - May 10, 1779 Letter discussing procuring supplies for the Continental Army and the design of the US flag.

Richard Peters letter to George Washington - September 3, 1779 Peters asks Washington his opinion about what should be the official flag of the US Army

George Washington letter to Richard Peters - September 14, 1779 George Washington describes his preferred flag for the US Army

American Historical Documents - 1780

Francis Hopkinson letter to Congress - May 25, 1780 Hopkinson asks for compensation for creating the US Flag, relevant to who created the first American flag.

Francis Hopkinson letter to Congress - June 6, 1780 Hopkinson's revised bill to Congress for creating the American flag.

American Historical Documents - 1781

Articles of Confederation - March 1, 1781 The Articles of Confederation were the first official "constitution" governing the thirteen United States.

Notes on the State of Virginia - 1781-1782 Thomas Jefferson's only published work.

American Historical Documents - 1785

Memorial Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments - James Madison, June 20, 1785 In this document, Madison speaks out against the practice of using religious tests for those who hold public office.

American Historical Documents - 1787

The Virginia Plan - May 29, 1787 The Virginia Delegation proposed this plan to the Constitutional Convention, which laid out the basic outline for the new Constitution.

American Historical Documents - 1788

George Washington letter to the Marquis de Lafayette - April 28, 1788 This letter discusses the nation's debate over whether or not to accept the new Constitution.

James Madison letter to Thomas Jefferson - October 17, 1788 A letter in cipher that discusses the pros and cons of adding a Bill of Rights to the Constitution.

American Historical Documents - 1789

George Washington's First Inaugural Address - April 30, 1789

James Madison speech to Congress - June 8, 1789 In this speech, James Madison proposes twenty Amendments to the Constitution, which later became the Bill of Rights.

Twelve Amendments proposed by Congress - September 25, 1789 These are the original Amendments to the Constitution proposed by Congress.

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation - October 3, 1789

James Madison letter to George Washington - December 5, 1789 Madison's letter reveals the struggle between different factions to accept or reject the new Constitution.

American Historical Documents - 1791

James Wilson to a Grand Jury - 1791 James Wilson's views about crime and punishment.

Bill of Rights - December 15, 1791 The first ten Amendments to the US Constitution.

American Historical Documents - 1792

Property by James Madison - March 29, 1792 A short essay about the government's responsibility to protect personal property.

Benjamin Rush on the Death Penalty - 1792

American Historical Documents - 1793

Proclamation of Neutrality by George Washington - April 22, 1793

American Historical Documents - 1795

Proclamation of Fasting and Prayer by Samuel Adams - February 28, 1795

American Historical Documents - 1796

George Washington's Farewell Address - September 19, 1796

American Historical Documents - 1798

Virginia Resolution of 1798 - December 24, 1798 A document written by James Madison and adopted by General Assembly of Virginia to refute the Alien and Sedition Acts.

Paul Revere letter to Jeremy Belknap - 1798 The most thorough personal account of Paul Revere's midnight ride in a letter to Jeremy Belknap.

American Historical Documents - 1801

Thomas Jefferson First Inaugural Address - March 1, 1801

American Historical Documents - 1809

First Inaugural Address of James Madison - March 4, 1809

American Historical Documents - 1813

Second Inaugural Address of James Madison - March 4, 1813

Star Spangled Banner Lyrics

American Historical Documents - 1814

Treaty of Ghent - December 24, 1814 The signing of this document ended the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain.

American Historical Documents - 1817

Detached Memoranda - 1817 Allegedly written by James Madison refuting the use of public money for religious purposes.

American Historical Documents - 1821

Thomas Jefferson's personal account of writing the Declaration of Independence - January 6, 1821

Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson - January 6, 1821

American Historical Documents - 1836

Concord Hymn by Ralph Waldo Emerson Written for the anniversary of the Battles of Concord and Lexington

An Eulogy on the Life and Character of James Madison - September 27, 1836 by John Quincy Adams upon the death of President Madison.

American Historical Documents - 1870

The History of the Flag of the United States by William Canby Testimony of Betsy Ross' grandson telling how his grandmother made the first American flag.

Affidavit of Sophia Hildebrandt, Granddaughter of Betsy Ross - May 27, 1870 Affidavit from Betsy Ross' granddaughter telling how her grandmother made the first American flag.

Affidavit of Margaret Boggs, Niece of Betsy Ross - June 3, 1870 Affidavit of Betsy Ross' niece telling how her aunt made the first American flag.

American Historical Documents - 1871

Affidavit of Rachel Fletcher, Daughter of Betsy Ross - July 31, 1871 Affidavit of Betsy Ross' daughter telling how her mother made the first American flag.

American Historical Documents - 1876

Caroline Purdy letter to Georgiana Appleton - 1876 Purdy tells how her mother, Mary Young Pickersgill, created the Star Spangled Banner Flag that was the inspiration for the National Anthem.

American Historical Documents - 1912

Eben Appleton letter to Charles Walcott - December 12, 1912 Appleton donates his family's heirloom, the original Star Spangled Banner Flag, to the Smithsonian Institution.

Current version of the Constitution of the United States of America

American Historical Documents

The Following Documents are important British Documents that influenced the creation of the United States and its ideals:

Magna Carta - 1215 AD First British document requiring the monarch to obey written laws.

English Habeas Corpus Act of 1679

English Bill of Rights - 1689

Molasses Act - December 25, 1733 An act meant to control colonial trade through the taxing of molasses, one of they trading items of the colonists.

Proclamation of 1763 - October 7, 1763 An act that separated colonial settlers and Indians in an effort to prevent further war between them.

Sugar Act - 1764 The first act of Parliament to directly tax the colonists, stirring great anger and causing the colonists to declare that Parliament had no right to tax them.

Currency Act - September 1, 1764 An act restricting the colonists from printing their own money, partly responsible for the anger that led to the American Revolution.

To Anachreon in Heaven Lyrics The Star Spangled Banner was written to be sung to this British tune.