Today’s America is built on the foundation of America’s defeat, pain, promise, and independence. The journey of history reflects leaders of yesterday’s goals and ambition to bring forth a rich an honest beginning of Americas fight for independence. The past is revealed to learn and benefit from. Starting from the 17^th century to the American Revolution, the following resources will take you on a journey on a political fight to make America a sovereign state.

17th Century Sources

First Charter of Virginia- Document on the First Charter of Virginia on April 6, 1606.

Mayflower Compact- History of the Mayflower Compact.

Beginning of Slavery- The arrival of the first African Americans in 1619.

The Charter of New England- 1620 Charter of New England

Hobbes' De Cive – Thomas Hobbes book on the foundations of government.

English Bill of Rights – 1689 declaration of the rights and liberties to subjects and residents of the crown.

Halifax Resolves- Documentation of the original text of the Halifax resolution.

The Character of a Good Ruler – Samuel Willard's 1694 election sermon.

The Maryland Toleration Act- Explains the acts effect on religion.

The Covenant Chain- Explains the reasoning behind the notion of the covenant.

18th Century Sources

William Byrd’s Diaries –The Thomas Nelson Community College explains the presence behind the diary.

Matthew Hale- Documentation of the publication The History of the Common Law of England.

On Patriotism – Henry St. John’s and Viscount Bolingbroke essay On Patriotism written between 130-1754.

The Declaration of Independence – Describe the motivation behind the Declaration of Independence.

The Federalist-The articles that create the framework for The Federalist Papers.

The Constitutional Convention- History of the Constitution and the process of making it.

Bill of Rights- The University of Missouri Kansas City School of Law explores the history of the Bill of Rights.

The Rights of Man – Web edition of Thomas Paine The Rights of Man publication.

Patrick Henry –Patrick Henry speech Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.

The American Revolution- A site dedicated to the American Revolution.

Acts of Parliament

Currency Act- Article of The Currency Act of 1764.

The Royal Proclamation- The Avalon Project text of The Royal Proclamation of October 7, 1763.

The Sugar Act- Explains the tax repercussion of the act and the colonies perception of the act.

The Stamp Act- Historical implication of the act.

Declaratory Act –States the political aim of this act.

The Townshend Acts- The full document of The Townshend Act.

The Tea Act – Documentation of the May 10, 1773 act.

Coercive Acts – Extracts of the Coercive Acts of 1774.

Quebec Act- Explains the politic reasoning of creating The Quebec Act.

The Navigation Acts – Explains the Navigation Act of 1660.

Works of Individuals

Benjamin Franklin

1729 Currency- A Modest Enquiry into the Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency.

Observations – Text of the Observations Concerning the Increase of Mankind, Peopling of Countries, etc.

The Way to Wealth- An abstract of Benjamin Franklin’s  writings from the Poor Richard’s Almanac.

Letter to Messieurs the PUBLIC and Co- A letter on the price of corn and the poor’s ability to access it.

In His Own Words- Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography.

George Washington

The Diarist- Examines George Washington as a writer.

The Poet- Prints of George Washington two original poems.

The Diaries- Synopsis of the Presidents diary entries.

George Washington Diary- Excerpts of original documentation of the diary that is on exhibit at the Library of Congress.

Washington Writings – Archive of the president’s writings.

John Adams

The Founders Constitution – John Adams work in chapter 15 titled Equality.

Defense of the Constitution- Images of Adam’s book and synopsis of the work.

The Adam Papers – Diary and autobiography.

The Braintree Instructions- History and content of the instructions.

A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law- A full copy of John Adam’s original publication.

Thomas Jefferson

The Writing of the Declaration of Independence- Describes how Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration.

Rights of British America- A synopsis of this work.

Private Papers – Copies of the original memoirs and private letters by Jefferson.

State of Virginia- Jefferson’s thoughts on Africans in Virginia.

Jefferson Bible- Excerpts from Jefferson’s publication on his thoughts and beliefs of Christ.

James Madison

Federal Bill of Rights- James Madison’s letters to Thomas Jefferson regarding the Federal bill of rights.

The Federalist Papers- samples of Madison’s Federalist Papers.

Debates in the Convention- Preamble to The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787.

Madison Documents- Examples of Madison’s writings.

Years 1769-1835- Letters written by James Madison during this time frame.

American Revolution Military Documents

Terms of Betrayal- Letter depicting the treason of Benedict Arnold.

Paul Revere- The real story of Paul Revere’s ride.

Benjamin Thompson- Text of Benjamin Thompson’s invisible letters.

Battle of Bunker Hill – First line accounts of the Battle of Bunker Hill by Bernard Bailyn.

Burgoyne's Campaign- A brief account of Burgoyne's campaign failure.

Spy Letters- Spy letter from William Howe to John Burgoyne.

Battle of Monmouth – A British account of the Battle of Monmouth.

Surrender of Saratoga- A detailed account of the surrender of Saratoga.

Cornwallis - Cornwallis’s letter of surrender.

The Philadelphia Campaign- Michael Schaffer’s accounts of the Campaign in 1777.