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Presents the text of the Navigation Act of 1696, established by the British Parliament for regulating plantation trade. Requirements for trade within the borders of the British empire; Rules for the search and inspection of ships trading within the Americas; Other regulations.

Presents the second Virginia charter. Borders and territorial rights of the Virginia colony; Establishments of colonial government; Other ordinances for the colony.

Presents Great Britain's Molasses Act of 1733, enacted to regulate the trade and sale of molasses and other syrups by the American colonies. Rates of taxation; Rules for the export of molasses to Ireland.

Presents the text of a letter written by John Hancock to Great Britain protesting various infringements upon American rights in the Colonies. Examples of trade problems and other injustices required of the Colonists by Great Britain.

Presents an anonymous account of the Boston, Massachusetts Massacre of 1770, written on March 5, 1770. History of British and American relations up to the time of the Massacre; Result of a Board of Commissioners being set up in Boston; Quartering of British troops, and the soldiers' conduct; Names of those wounded in the Massacre; Circumstances of the Massacre.

The article presents the text of the Stamp Act of 1765, enacted by the British Parliament to implement stamp duties and amend other trade duties in the American colonies and plantations. A stamp duty of varying amounts was placed on each piece of paper that was used for declarations, court petitions, claims, pleas, bail, libel or renunciation in ecclesiastical matters, certificate of any university degree, writs of covenant, error, or dower, and any record or copy made of Nisi Prius or Postea. The amounts ranged from a few pence and shillings to ten pounds. The stamp duty was applied to packs of playing cards, dice, pamphlets, and newspapers. The colonists would also be taxed for learning any profession or trade.

The article presents the text of the examination of Mrs. Ann Hutchinson by the leaders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in November 1637 on charges of heresy and sedition. Governor John Winthrop accuses Hutchinson of spreading opinions that are causing trouble, spreading malicious information about the church and its ministers, and having meetings in her home that were condemned by the general assembly and intolerable on the basis of her sex. Winthrop argues that Hutchinson's actions had the potential to negatively influence other community members. Following testimony, debate, and the Hutchinson's answers to the charges, the court presents the decision to banish Hutchinson from the community.

The article presents the Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges, which defines relations between the colony and Great Britain and was read and approved in the General Assembly on October 28, 1701. The jurisdiction of Governor William Penn in the Province of Pensilvania and Territories, and how the charter was developed by Assembly representatives, are mentioned. Articles in the charter pertain to civil liberty, the pursuit of happiness, Assembly representation by Freemen, and elections. Signatures on the charter include Assembly Speaker Joseph Growdon and members of the Governor's Council, Edward Shippen, Griffith Owen, Phineas Pemberton, Caleb Pusey, Samuel Carpenter, and Thomas Story.

The article presents the text of the Suffolk Resolves, passed on September 17, 1774, drawn by delegates meeting in Suffolk, Massachusetts. The document protests British political, economic, and military influence in the American colonies. A list of British crimes against the liberties of the colonists is provided. Authors of the document declare the defense of civil and religious liberty is a moral and religious responsibility. The document objects to the administration of the court system and the taxation of the colonies by Great Britain. Members of local government councils and police are criticized. The delegate express the desire to restore positive relations between the Colonies and Great Britain. The document includes an appeal to Thomas Gage, British commander of the Massachusetts area, to prevent violence and maintain political stability in Boston. The delegates write in defense of the citizens of Massachusetts, stating that the British government actions violated their rights.

The article presents the text of the Quartering Act of 1765, which was passed by the British Parliament to maintain the king's power in the American colonies. The act focuses on enforcing the punishment for mutiny and desertion, as well as improving the army's pay and quarters. The 30 provisions of the act include a requirement that American colonists house British troops. The punishment is mentioned for those, including constables, tithingmen, magistrates, or other public officers, who do not comply. The time period given in the mandate is March 24, 1765, to March 24, 1767.

The article presents the text of Novanglus, No. VII, a letter that is dated January 1775 and written by American revolutionary John Adams. He argues that the authority of the British Constitution and parliament should not extend to the colonies in North America. He says that the American colonies are not fairly represented in the British parliament, and suggests that it might be in the colonies' interest to submit to England's regulation of trade if they are allowed to govern their own internal policy and grant their own money.

The article presents the text of two 1636 documents from the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the United States of America which discuss the conflict between church and state. The first document presents a series of demands related to the establishment of organized government and leadership in the community. The formation of a legislative body for creating and repealing laws is outlined. Consensus between community leaders in all decisions is emphasized. Frequency of public meetings and court sessions is discussed. The document looks at how the right to possess land would be conferred. Potential moral and ethical conflicts between church and state authority are discussed. The second document provides a letter written by John Cotton regarding political and social conditions in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1636. Cotton discusses the potential for conflict between political and spiritual values and goals.

The article presents text from the July 6, 1775 declaration from the Continental Congress that the colonies will defend their right to freedom from oppressive British rule. Although the colonists do not want a civil war, they detail their cause, which they feel has Divine recognition, and give reasons for taking up arms against England. The Continental Congress takes issue with an apparently threatening speech made by the king, his majesty's neglect of the Congress' petitions, and hostilities from British troops in the colonies. The document states that the colonies have resolved to fight and die as freemen rather than submit to the will of Great Britain.

The article presents the October 1774 declarations and resolves of the First Continental Congress, which was created to represent the English colonies in North America. The complaints against Great Britain include civil rights violations when colonists, who are accused of treason in the colonies, are transported to England, the British keeping a standing army in the colonies during peacetime, and the blocking of Boston harbour, as well as the related three statutes affecting the province of Massachusetts-Bay in New England. The colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina elected or appointed deputies for a general Congress in Philadelphia where their religion, laws, and freedom will be established.

The article presents "Common Sense," which was written by American revolutionary Thomas Paine and first published in January 1776. The focus is governmental design, the English constitution, absolute governments, monarchical and aristocratical tyranny, Republican influence in the House of Commons, relations between the American colonies and Great Britain, and the constitutional errors in the British form of government. Paine comments on the distinction between government and society and says that at best government is "a necessary evil." Paine makes an argument for America's separation from England.

Presents the first charter of Virginia. Intention of the Virginia settlers to divide themselves into two settlements; The territorial rights of each settlement; Establishment of a governing body of 13 members for each settlement; Rules for the protection of trade; Other ordinances.

Presents the text of the Townshend Revenue Act passed by British Parliament on June 29, 1767 for the granting of duties upon certain American goods. Other duties levied against goods.

The article presents the text of Great Britain's Tea Act of 1773. The purpose of the act is to allow the drawback of duties on the export of tea exported to British colonies in America. The act granted a license to the East India Company to export duty-free tea. Details of the sale of tea to the highest bidder in a public sale are provided, including the requirement that a deposit be made to the East India Company. Penalties and fees to be applied to a forfeited deposit are described. The authority of the commissioner of the British royal treasury is established for granting licenses for the sale and export of tea. Guidelines for keeping record of the export of duty-free tea are included in the act.

Presents the text of a May 9, 1753 letter in which the author asserts that it is futile to attempt to educate the American Indians. The Indians' love of their relatively carefree life of hunting and fishing; Examples of previous failed attempts by the English colonists to educate the Indians.

Presents the text of a circular written by the Very Rev. John Carroll, the Roman Catholic Prefect-Apostolic of the United States from 1784 to 1790, judging the Catholic presence in America not a mission but an independent clergy.

Presents the text of the New England Confederation, written May 19, 1643, which provided for a confederation between the neighboring plantations of Massachusetts, New Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven.

The article presents the text of the Charter of the Massachusetts Bay Colony awarded in 1629 by King Charles I of England. The charter awards rights to the colonists of Plymouth to govern, establish and maintain a colony in New England. The charter defines of borders of the land to be included in the Colony as the land between the Merrimack and Charles Rivers. The charter grants the colonists rights to all land, including ports, rivers, islands, and includes provisions for fishing, mining, and farming. The provisions of the charter include all natural resources of the land, including precious metals and materials of commercial value. A list is provided of the names of men to whom governance of the Colony was granted. Colonists are given the right to purchase and sell land, buildings, and cattle, and to establish the Massachusetts Bay Co. as a corporate and political body. Responsibilities of the Governor of the company and other leaders are discussed. Rules for the management of trade between England and the Colony are outlined.

The article presents Benjamin Franklin's unity plan for the English colonies in North America. Each of the colonies, Boston, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Carolina, are to be represented by two qualified persons appointed in each province. New York is suggested as the central meeting place for resolving provincial disputes, for administrating interprovincial law, and establishing public safety. The duties of the king's high commissioner are mentioned.

The article presents a brief account of the Mohawk Indians from the Dutch colony New Netherland (later renamed New York), as described by the Reverend Johannes Megapolensis, Jr., dated August 26, 1644. Megapolensis starts by describing the flora and fauna present in this land. Then he describes the soil, the mountains, and the rivers and water in the area. After that, he mentions the temperature and climate. His design, however, is to speak of the inhabitants: the Mahakinbas and Mahakans Indians, who are all ruled in the principle nation of Mahakuaas. Megapolensis describes their language, which is incomprehensible, their physical attributes and how they dress. Many other aspects of the Native Americans are discussed.

Presents the third charter of Virginia. Borders and territorial rights of the Virginia colony; List of the colonists; Method of government; Other ordinances of the colony.

The article presents the text of the Declaration of Independence, which was ratified in Congress on July 4, 1776, and was the unanimous decision of the 13 United States of America. The document begins with the phrase "When in the course of human events..." and introduces the idea of unalienable rights with the phrase "We hold these truths to be self-evident..." The American colonies are seeking independence from Great Britain because of the king's tyranny and state that they are absolved from any allegiance to the British Crown.

Presents the colonial charter of Maryland, which was settled by the English in 1634. Grant to proprietor Cecilius Calvert by King Charles I of England, for the establishment of a colony; Borders of the land granted; Government of the colony.

Presents the account given by British Captain Thomas Preston of the Boston, Massachusetts Massacre of 1770. Reasons behind the British attack upon the American colonists; Events after the Massacre.

The article presents the resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress in the American colonies and is dated October 19, 1765. The colonists state their grievances against the Parliament of Great Britain, while professing their allegiance to the king and reminding the Crown that they are entitled to certain rights and liberties as English citizens. The major issues are that the colonies are not being represented in the British House of Commons, colonists have a right to due process and trial by jury, recent legislation restricts colonists' commerce, and the colonies want the duties and Stamp Act repealed.

Presents the text of a petition written by London merchants in 1775 urging British reconciliation with its American colonies. Large number of resources involved in trade with the colonies; Effect of the American embargo on British goods.

Presents the text of a July 26, 1774 resolution by the freeholders of Albemarle County, Virginia in which they resolved to cease the importation of British goods effective October 1775. The British Parliament's Boston Port Act of 1774 as the reason for the resolution.

Presents the text of July 1774 resolutions by New York City regarding the Boston Port Act, the act of Parliament which closed the port of Boston, Massachusetts. Their condemnation of the act; Nature of the act; The city's plans for collaborating with the other American colonies, in resistance to this act.

The article presents a document dated August 1, 1774 which is given the title "Virginia Instructions to the Continental Congress." The document focuses on the growing dispute between the American colonies and Great Britain over constitutional and chartered rights. Peyton Randolph, Richard Henry Lee, George Washington, Patrick Henry, Richard Bland, Benjamin Harrison, and Edmund Pendleton were appointed as representatives to the congress, which was scheduled in Philadelphia on the "first Monday in September next." Major grievances are the British parliament's unconstitutional and oppressive action against the American colonists and General Gage's declaration in the Massachusetts Bay province that made the right to assemble an act of treason.

The article presents the text of the August 23, 1775, Proclamation of Rebellion from the British monarch to the Colonies and Plantations in North America. The king of England was advised by the Privy Council to suppress rebellion and sedition in the colonies by using civil and military force. The document states that traitors and their allies will be brought to justice for their parts in the conspiracies against Great Britain. There is also an appeal to colonists who might still be loyal to the crown.

Presents the text of a petition which the merchants of London, England presented to the British Parliament, requesting the repeal of the Stamp Act of 1765. Benefits of continued free trade with the American colonies; Difficulties of the colonies in paying the tax demanded by the Act.

Presents a 1750 petition to the British Parliament listing reasons to forbid the manufacture of iron in the American colonies. Effect of American iron works on English manufactures; Advantages given to the colonies that would be detrimental to England's interests.

Presents a petition to Parliament protesting the prohibition of iron manufacture in English plantations. Reasons that make iron manufacture necessary on the plantations; Effect of the prohibition upon the rights of citizens; Other arguments.

Presents the author's January 20, 1768 letter from Edinburgh, Scotland to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania physician John Morgan, regarding the state of medical education in the American colonies. The success of the medical schools which Morgan has established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The author's progress in his medical education at the University of Edinburgh.

The article presents the August 1629 Agreement of Cambridge, which pertains to the founding of Massachusetts. The state of the "plantacion" in New England is briefly mentioned, as well as preparations that must be undertaken for the voyage to New England. The families will be making a Christian commitment in settling the colony and plan to embark on their adventure "by the first of march next." There is a provision that the government and Patent for the colony be legally transferred to the settlers "before the last of September next." The date on the "true coppie" is August 26, 1629 and the date of the court order is given as August 29, 1629.

The article presents the account of an eye-witness to the Boston Massacre, which took place in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1770. The witness reports that a group of British soldiers shot at a small number of civilians, killing three men and wounding several others. The narrative describes the reaction of the crowd, and attempts of community leaders to calm the crowd's response. The witness reports that the soldiers involved in the incident were jailed along with their commanding officer. A meeting of community leaders was called in which the appeal for the removal of British troops from Boston was made. The refusal of a Lieutenant Governor Hutchinson to remove the troops was met by a rally of several thousand Boston residents who opposed his decision. In response, British military leaders promised to remove the troops from the city. The witness describes the funeral held for victims of the incident.

The article presents the text of a letter by former American President Thomas Jefferson written to John Holmes on April 22, 1820. The letter discusses the political and social issues surrounding Missouri's admittance as a state. Jefferson addresses the future of the Union in the case of Missouri's admittance as either a slave or free state. The letter focuses on the practice of slavery in Missouri as a key issue in its qualification for statehood. The right of the Congress to intervene in state politics is discussed. Jefferson's letter predicts negative consequences for U.S. politics if Missouri's statehood were approved.

The article presents the text of an application for an act from the British Parliament that would create one general government in the American colonies. The general government would be headed by a President-General, who would be selected by the crown, and a Grand Council that would be chosen by representatives from the colonies' assemblies. The number of representatives from Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina would total 48. The Grand Council's legislative power and rules of practice are mentioned, including trade with the Native American Indians.

The article presents the text of the Mayflower Compact which was signed at Cape Cod and dated November 11, 1620. The authors declare their loyalty to King James and mention England, France and Ireland, as well as their voyage to start a colony in the northern parts of Virginia. They commit themselves as a group to the "civil Body Politick" that will govern, maintain order, and improve their chances of survival in the new American colony. The more than 20 names attached to this document include John Carver, Edward Tilley, Degory Priest, William Bradford, John Tilley, Thomas Williams, Edward Winslow, Francis Cooke, Gilbert Winslow, William Brewster, Thomas Rogers, and Myles Standish.

Presents the text of the Declaration of Liberties of Massachusetts written in 1661. Powers of the colonial government to appoint freemen and to wage war.

The article presents a brief description of the Battle of Lexington and a complaint against British rule in the colonies. Joseph Warren, president in the provincial congress of Massachusetts, documents the hostilities by the king's troops under General Gage and Colonel Smith's command in April 1775. The towns of Lexington, Concord, Boston, and Cambridge are mentioned. Warren says that the colonies are loyal subjects, but they will not submit to tyranny and are determined to pursue their cause of freedom.

Presents the text of the Quartering Act of 1774 allowing for the quartering of British officers in American homes. Instructions for the use of abandoned or unused dwellings.

The article presents the text of a letter written by Caesar Rodney on July 4, 1776, which gives an account of the ratification of the United States' Declaration of Independence. Rodney accounts that he spoke before the American legislature on the Declaration of Independence. Rodney reports that the Declaration was completed and sent to the printer. Plans were made to send copies of the Declaration to the United States Army and to major cities and towns. Rodney reports that the Declaration was approved by all thirteen American colonies, without a dissenting vote.

The article presents a proclamation for the first Thanksgiving that is dated June 20, 1676. The American colonists thank God for showing mercy and compassion and pray that they will continue to be blessed with an advantage over what they call the heathen natives in the wilderness where they have settled. The colonists praise God for the disappointment and destruction of their enemies. They ask that they will be able to offer God thanksgiving in times of affliction as well as in times of plenty. The Council has designated June 29 as Solemn Thanksgiving day.