Text of the declaration of war which brought the United States into the War of 1812.
Full text of the declaration adopted by South Carolina as justification for its secession from the Union.
Read a letter written to a lord in 1697 discussing the state of trade with the East, India's riches, and the impact of trade upon the West.
With this resource, you can search by keyword for particular subjects within the Federalist Papers, or you can access by number each of the Papers. Also available are links to four related documents: The Annapolis Convention, Articles of Confederation, Madison Debates and U.S. Constitution.
This is a copy of Federalist Paper No. 41, authored by James Madison, in which he clearly defines the need to identify and restrain the power of the general government and then addresses the need to distribute that power among the branches.
Text of Franklin D. Roosevelt's first Inaugural address. In this speech, he outlines the world crisis facing the country in 1933. He also outlines the aims of government programs and his primary goal, which was to relieve unemployment by putting Americans back to work. He also addresses foreign policy and preparations of the military to protect Americans at home. His famous quote, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" can be found in the first part of the speech.
Read the actual text of William Penn's "Frame of Government" establishing the basis for self-governing in the colony of Pennsylvania. Outlines the responsibilities and civic duties of government officials and citizens.
Links to four documents in which Adolph Hitler justifies his invasion of Poland and his response to Great Britain's objection to that act. Very interesting reading.
This site gives the full text of Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address."
The text of the legal document granting the province of Maine to Sir Ferdinando Gorges and John Mason in 1622.
Transcripts of documents from the Nuremberg trials.
Jefferson's speech to Congress given December 2, 1806.
Site gives the documents of the hearings before the Committee on Foreign Relations United States Senate Seventieth Congress on The General Pact for the Renunciation of War signed at Paris as well as the text of the Kellogg-Briand Pact.
An comprehensive listing of the Laws of the Kings, the laws set down by the seven kings of Rome during the monarchy.
A copy of Henry VII's letter granting John Cabot permission to explore the New World and claim what he finds for England. Difficult to read, but an important primary source document.
A series of primary source documents all related to the Louisiana Purchase. Includes the text of the final agreement, speeches by Jefferson and others. Great stuff!
Read online from James Madison's report of William Patterson's proposal of the New Jersey Plan at the Federal Convention, 1787. Link to related document: Articles of Confederation as related specifically to each proposal in the New Jersey Plan.
Complete text of the Communist Manifesto.
Read the actual words of these earliest Americans and their attempt at self-government with the writing of the Mayflower Compact. Link directly to other colonial charter pages.
Yale Law School does an excellent job in presenting historical documents centered around the Middle East crisis beginning with the 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement up to present day UN resolutions. This site provides a complete timeline that links to these documents.