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Presents the text of the 1885 Supreme Court decision known as In the Matter of the Application of Peter Jacobs. Issue centering around the constitutionality of a New York law prohibiting the manufacture of tobacco products in tenament houses; Decision of the court.

Presents the text of the United States' Foraker Act of 1900. Establishment of tariffs upon items imported into Puerto Rico and other adjacent islands; Amount of levy upon items; Use of funds collected by these tariffs; General provisions of the act.

Presents a narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass. Comments on his speech in New Bedford, Massachusetts; Description of life as a slave; Letter from Wendell Phillips; Early life as a slave; Social life of a slave; Other accounts.

Presents newspaper accounts of abolitionist John Brown's raid at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, on October 17, 1859. Deaths surrounding the insurrection; Soldiers' storming of the captured Armory; Eyewitness descriptions of the circumstances surrounding the raid; Short biography of John Brown; Further testimony.

Presents the text of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Boundaries of the territories; Government of the territories; Rights of citizens living in the territories; Other statutes.

Presents the instructions which the town of Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts gave in 1765 to Ebenezer Thayer, their representative in the General Assembly, about Great Britain's Stamp Act. Reason why the people call the act a burdensome tax; Recommendations of the people of Braintree regarding their rights and liberties; Information about the sources of the town's public money.

Presents the text of a petition to the British Parliament written by the inhabitants of Anson County, North Carolina in 1769. Grievances against taxation; Grievances pertaining to the process of law; Suggested solutions for their problems.

Presents the text of Muller v. Oregon, a 1908 United States Supreme Court case regarding the constitutionality of state labor laws restricting the working hours of women. Issues in the case; Ruling of the court.

Presents the text of the New Jersey Legislature's Peace Resolutions, which were passed on March 18, 1863. New Jersey's protest against the federal government, relating to its conduct in the Civil War; Protests against war, military domination, arrests without warrant, creation of new States by the division of existing ones, and other actions.

Presents an account by Frederick Douglass of his escape from slavery, written in 1881. Reasons for his silence about the details of his escape; Circumstances surrounding his escape from Baltimore, Maryland; His life as a free man in New York; Life in New Bedford, Massachusetts; Work in New Bedford.

Presents the text of Mississippi's resolutions of January 1861, declaring the state's secession from the United States. Actions of the federal government which induce and justify the secession, including opposition to the institution of slavery.

The article presents the text of the sixth debate between American political candidates Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas in Quincy, Illinois, in 1858. Lincoln describes the formation of the Republican Party in Illinois. Lincoln states that Douglas incorrectly accused him of inconsistent political views and misquoted him in earlier debates. The political impact of the Dred Scott Supreme Court case is discussed. The right of states to decide the issue of slavery independently is examined. Lincoln discusses the ethical aspects of slavery in the U.S. Douglas's response to Lincoln includes comments on the Republican Party's platform on slavery. Douglas accuses Lincoln of false statements about his views on the Dred Scott case. Douglas defends the right of states to decide the issue of slavery independently.

The article presents the text of the first joint debate between American political candidates Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas, which was held in Ottawa on August 21, 1858. Douglas's speech begins with background on the Whig and Democratic parties, the Kansas and Nebraska bill, the abolition doctrine, and the Black Republican party convention in Illinois. Lincoln's reply includes a portion of a speech made in Peoria that shows his position on the Missouri Compromise and the injustice of slavery. Other topics in the debate are the sovereignty of states to decide the slave question.

The article presents the text of the fifth debate between American political candidates Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1858. Douglas expresses his support of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, which would allow states to decide for themselves whether to be slave or free. Douglas discusses the issue of allowing states to belong to the United States while maintaining slavery. Social and political relations between Northern and Southern U.S. states are described. Douglas criticizes Lincoln's views and policies on slavery. Lincoln's response to Douglas includes comments on the civil rights of African Americans, and an explanation of his views on the abolition of slavery. Lincoln comments on the key issues of the Dred Scott Supreme Court case. Debate over Constitutional law is presented.

The article presents the text of the fourth debate between American political candidates Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas on September 18, 1858, at Charleston. Lincoln begins with his views on social and political equality, intermarriage between white and black people, the Toombs bill, and Judge Trumbull's speech about the construction of the Kansas constitution. Senator Douglas offers his views on Lincoln's abolitionism, Trumbull's Alton speech, Freesoilism, the Black Republican and Whig parties, and the Compromise measures of 1850 allowing states to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery. Lincoln replies to the issue of negro citizenship, mentions the Missouri Compromise, the Nebraska bill, and the Lecompton Constitution, and introduces Orlando B. Ficklin to support Lincoln's stance on the Mexican war.

The article presents the text of the third debate between American political candidates Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, which was held in Jonesboro on September 15, 1858. Douglas begins his speech with the differences between the Whig, Republican, and Democratic parties, the issue of federal, state, and territorial relations in American democracy, and abolitionism. Lincoln replies with his opinion that slavery must restricted from new territories and talks about the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850, and the Nebraska bill. Legislative and constitutional aspects of the fugitive slave law is mentioned.

The article presents the text of the seventh debate between American political candidates Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas held at Alton on October 15, 1858. Douglas compares his views on slavery in the United States with those expressed by Lincoln in prior debates. Douglas discusses whether the Union may be divided between slave and free states. Douglas criticizes Lincoln's views on the moral and ethical aspects of slavery. Douglas argues for the right of states to make laws on slavery. Lincoln's response to Douglas includes comments on the political impact of the Dred Scott Supreme Court case, and a rebuttal of Douglas's criticism. Lincoln comments on the relevance of the U.S. Declaration of Independence to the civil rights of African Americans. The application of Constitutional law to the issue of slavery is addressed.

The article presents the text of the second debate between American political candidates Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas, which was held in Freeport, Maine, on August 27, 1858. Lincoln begins with his views on the Fugitive Slave law, admission of slave states into the Union, abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, and prohibition of slave trade between states. Lincoln asserts his opinion that it is the duty of Congress to prohibit slavery in American territories. Douglas talks about the Black Republican platform and says that he favors state self-determination of the slavery issue. He also mentions a charge of corruption against the U.S. Supreme Court concerning the Nebraska Bill. Lincoln's rejoinder refers to Douglas's statement about "vulgarity and blackguardism." The debate moderator, Turner, is mentioned.

Presents the text of a September 24, 1862 proclamation by the president of the United States, suspending the right of habeas corpus during the United States Civil War as a necessary measure for putting down the Southern States' rebellion. Offenses which are liable to arrest under martial law, under this proclamation.

Presents the constitution of the Brook Farm Association, a 19th century utopian communal-living experiment in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. The founders' purpose; Name and membership; Capital stock; Guaranties; Distribution of profits; Government; Miscellaneous.

Presents the text of the Boston Port Act of 1774 passed by British Parliament to forbid shipping within the Boston, Massachusetts harbor. Reasons for the prohibition; Penalties for breaking the act.

Presents and discusses the text of a resolution adopted by the American Anti-Slavery Society at its annual meeting in May 1844. The author's writing dated Boston, January 15, 1845; Resolution that every abolitionist ought to abstain from the present United States government, because of the government's support of slavery; Response to allegations the Society faces because of this resolution, including charge that the Society is against all government.

Presents the text of comments made by the aviator on May 7, 1941, in which he opposed potential United States involvement in World War II. The nation's lack of military preparedness; The military unpreparedness of Britain and France, in comparison with Germany; The United States' historic foreign policy; Defense of his views against charges of defeatism.

Describes and tells the history of Salem, Massachusetts. Nearby towns; Distinguishing landmarks; Building establishments; More information.

Provides the text of a speech given in 1842 before the Legislative Committee of the US House of Representatives. His argument that transportation facilities should be desegregated; The author's own problems, as an African American, in using public transportation and public thoroughfares; The speech reported in the abolitionist periodical `The Liberator.'

Presents the text of United Theatre Ticket Offices Inc. v. Banton, a 1927 United States Supreme Court case involving the ticket prices which may be charged by brokers in light of the Fourteenth Amendment. Issues involved; Ruling of the court.

Presents the text of the Neutrality Act of 1939. Intentions of the United States to act as a neutral party in the case of war between foreign powers; Regulations for continued commerce with states engaged in armed conflict; Other statutes.

Presents the text of a November 24, 1832 declaration by the state of South Carolina in which it declared a federal tariff on imports to be null and void for that state. The unconstitutional nature of the federal government's actions.

Presents the text of the United States Supreme Court's 1898 summary opinion in three cases involving interstate commerce. Smyth v. Ames; Smyth v. Smith; Smyth v. Higginson; Stockholders in various railroad companies suing Nebraska for its regulation of railroad traffic through the state; The issues involved; Ruling of the court.

Presents the text of the Shell Manifesto of 1890. History of Democratic efforts in South Carolina for reform in government; The Farmer's Movement; Effort to re-establish white racial superiority; Struggle for agricultural education and research; Other comments.

Deals with Illinois Governor John P. Altgeld's protest to President Grover Cleveland about Cleveland's sending of federal troops to Chicago during the 1894 railway strike. Altgeld's demand for their withdrawal; Contents of Altgeld's July 5, 1894 telegram to Cleveland; Cleveland's comments in 1904 on the statements in the telegram.

Presents the text of an enquiry made in 1726 concerning the nature and necessity of paper currency. The detrimental effects of high interest on a nation's trade; Benefits of paper currency in encouraging trade and production.

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 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 "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," a sermon with a reference to the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy 32:35 which was given by clergyman Jonathan Edwards in 1741. The meaning of the verse "Their foot shall slide in due time," is explicated using references to Psalm 73. The implication for unbelieving Israelites and the wicked is that it is only God's restraint that keeps them out of hell at the moment, because they are already condemned and the devil is waiting for an opportunity to seize them. He also quotes from the Biblical books of Luke, John, Isaiah, Proverbs, and other Scripture passages. His main focus is the wrath of God, and he mentions the idea of being born again.

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 inaugural address of the Confederate States of America President Jefferson Davis, delivered on February 22, 1862. Davis says that through the new permanent government of the Confederate States he hopes they can perpetuate the principles of American independence set forth by the founders of the United States. Davis says that the U.S. government instituted legislation that aggrandized the Northern states and did not serve the general welfare. He says the dogmas of a sectional party substituted the provisions of the constitution, and this is why six states originally withdrew from the Union to secure their own liberties.

The article presents the text of the United States' Habeas Corpus Act of 1863. The Act discusses allowances for the suspension of the right of Habeas Corpus in times of war. Provisions are given for the suspension of Habeas Corpus as applied to military prisoners or detainees. The Act details the creation of a list of all political prisoners held within the United States, and outlines requirements for their discharge from custody. Details of civil and criminal procedure during the Civil War are provided. It is emphasized that all criminal and civil procedures during the Civil War would remain under the authority of the President of the United States.

The article presents the text of the State of Georgia's declaration of secession from the Federal Union of the United States, approved January 29, 1861. In stating the reasons for this separation, Georgia cites the United States' acquisition of territory from the victory in the Mexican-American War. The United States Congress decided to prohibit slavery in the new territory, a direct affront to the residents of the South, who had shed blood to win the war and acquire those territories. The declaration also states that Northern states made no effort to turn over persons charged with crimes affecting slave property who had fled to the North, even though the Constitution declares that fleeing criminals ought to be returned to the state in which the crime occurred.

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 the text of the Constitution of the United Confederate States of America. Article 1 of the constitution delegates all legislative powers to the Congress, comprised of a House of Representatives and a Senate. Sections in article 1 define the responsibilities and procedures of Congress and the requirements for membership. Items covered include taxation, impeachment, elections, legislative bills, regulation of commerce and other vital functions. Article 2 defines the executive branch, in which executive power is vested in a President, who will serve a six-year term. Article 3 defines the judicial power of the Confederate States, which is vested in a Supreme Court. Article 4 defines the rights of individual states and their citizens and article 5 defines how amendments shall be made to the constitution.

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.

The article presents text from the United States Supreme Court case, Chisholm versus Georgia, a 1793 lawsuit which focused on whether a private citizen of one state has the right to sue another state's government and whether the Supreme Court has jurisdiction is such matters. The second section of the third article in the Constitution gives the Supreme Court authority to decide disputes between States. The Supreme Court arguments mention the common law principle of England, U.S. states' sovereignty, and Judicial, Legislative and Executive powers. The decision is that states are suable by citizens. The opinions of Justices Iredell, Blair, Wilson, Cushing and Chief Justice Jay are provided.

The article presents the text of a charter granted to Sir Walter Raleigh in 1584 by Queen Elizabeth I of Great Britain. The charter grants Raleigh the right to explore and found colonies in America. The charter grants the right of Raleigh, along with his companions and heirs, to settle in lands thus explored and to transport goods as he would choose. The document grants Raleigh the right to defend himself and his settlement against competing groups of colonists. Raleigh and his companions are exhorted to live together in peaceful civic life. The document offers Raleigh the right to establish and enforce laws, and to judge and punish criminals. Raleigh and his companions are warned against violating English law or acting in hostility toward other English settlers, and methods of addressing such a violation are provided.

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 the text of a summary, made by Justice Van Devanter, concerning a 1920 United States Supreme Court decision on Congress's right to amend the Constitution and enact a federal prohibition on alcoholic beverages. The conclusions focus on the Eighteenth Amendment, which was proposed in 1917 and ratified in 1919, and appeals challenging its validity. The case was argued in March 1920 and decided on June 7, 1920. The opinion of Chief Justice White is provided, as well as the dissenting opinion of Justice McKenna. Information about disposition of the related cases is given.

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.