Select Documents Illustrative of the History of the United States: 1776-1861

"Select Documents Illustrative of the History of the United States, 1776-1861" is a comprehensive collection of primary source materials documenting the foundational era of the American republic. Compiled by historian William MacDonald, this volume presents ninety-seven essential texts that trace the constitutional and political development of the United States from the Declaration of Independence through the eve of the Civil War.

The selection provides a rigorous overview of the legislative, executive, and judicial milestones that shaped the nation. Included are pivotal statutes, treaties, presidential messages, and state papers that define the evolution of American governance. These documents offer direct insight into the challenges of the Revolutionary period, the debates surrounding the framing of the Constitution, the complexities of territorial expansion, and the escalating sectional conflicts over slavery and federal authority.

Designed as a critical resource for scholars, students, and history enthusiasts, the work focuses on the official records that serve as the backbone of historical inquiry. By presenting these documents in chronological order, the collection allows readers to engage directly with the authentic voices and legal frameworks that defined the first century of the United States, making it an invaluable reference for understanding the nation's institutional growth.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.