Cato’s Letters, Number 38
Cato’s Letter #38, written on July 22nd, 1721, emphasizes the importance of the people’s ability to judge their government. The letter argues that the world is …
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“The Selling of Joseph: A Memorial” is Published by Judge Samuel Sewall (One of Jefferson’s Sources for an Early Draft of the Constitution)
One of the overlooked sources for Jefferson’s early draft was a now largely forgotten pamphlet written by Judge Samuel Sewall in 1700 titled , “The …
Britain’s King Charles II ratifies Habeas Corpus Act allowing Prisoners right to be imprisoned to be examined by a court
The Habeas Corpus Act 1679 is an Act of Parliament in England (31 Cha. 2 c. 2) during the reign of King Charles II. It …
Johnson v. Parker: Black Slave Owner Becomes First Legal Slave Owner in America After Winning Suit to Keep Parker, also Black, as His Slave for Life
Anthony Johnson (AD 1600 – 1670) was an Angolan who achieved freedom in the early 17th century Colony of Virginia. Johnson was captured in his …
John Winthrop gave his ‘Little Speech On Liberty’
In 1645, while he was deputy-governor of Massachusetts, John Winthrop and his fellow-magistrates had interfered in a local election of a militia officer. When the …
The Articles of Confederation of the United Colonies of New England
The Articles of Confederation between the Plantations under the Government of the Massachusetts, the Plantations under the Government of New Plymouth, the Plantations under the …
Fundamental Agreement, or Original Constitution of the Colony of New Haven
THE 4th day of the 4th month, called June, 1639, all the free planters assembled together in a general meeting, to consult about settling civil …
John Lilburne was Arrested for Printing and Circulating ‘Unlicensed Books’ Critical of the King Charles I’s Monarchy
On December 11, 1637, John Lilburne was arrested upon his return from Holland and put on secret trial by the Star Chamber of Charles I. …
Richard Frethorne’s Letter to His Parents
Richard Frethorne, perhaps little more than a boy when he arrived, was an indentured servant in Virginia for two years before his death there in …
Indenture between the four Adventurers and Robert Coopy of North Nibley
When the Virginia colony was founded in 1607, the majority of unfree laborers in the colony were indentured servants, men and women who signed a …