Madison’s Memorial and Remonstrance.
Primary Source Document Name: A Memorial and Remonstrance To the Honorable the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia A Memorial and Remonstrance . We the subscribers, citizens of the said Commonwealth, having taken into serious consideration, a Bill printed by order of the last Session of General Assembly, entitled “A Bill establishing a provision […]
Lee Resolution
Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. . That it is expedient forthwith to take […]
Kant The Metaphysics of Morals
Primary Source Document Name: Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals Citation: Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals via Kindle Table of Contents Preface First Section: Transition from the Ordinary Rational Knowledge of Morality to the Philosophical Second Section: Transition from Popular Moral Philosophy to a Metaphysics of Morals Third Section: Final Step from a Metaphysics […]
John Adams 1819 Letter to Robert Evans
Primary Source Document Name: John Adams Letter to Robert Evans To Robert Evans 8 June, 1819 . I respect the sentiments and motives, which have prompted you to engage in your present occupation, so much, that I feel an esteem and affection for your person, as I do a veneration for your assumed signature of […]
Jefferson’s Rough Draft of Declaration of Independence
Primary Source Document Name: Rough Draft of the Declaration of Independence . A Declaration of the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in General Congress assembled. . When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for a people to advance from that subordination in which they have hitherto remained, & to assume […]
Jefferson’s Bill For Establishing Religious Freedom
Primary Source Document Name: A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom . SECTION I. Well aware that the opinions and belief of men depend not on their own will, but follow involuntarily the evidence proposed to their minds; that Almighty God hath created the mind free, and manifested his supreme will that free it shall remain […]
James Madison, Speech at Constitutional Convention (August 25)
Primary Source Document Name: Speech at Constitutional Convention The 1st. clause of 1 Sect. of art: VII being reconsidered Col. MASON objected to the term “shall” -fullfil the engagements & discharge the debts &c as too strong. It may be impossible to comply with it. The Creditors should be kept in the same plight. They […]
James Madison, On Property
Primary Source Document Name: Property This term in its particular application means “that dominion which one man claims and exercises over the external things of the world, in exclusion of every other individual.” In its larger and juster meaning, it embraces every thing to which a man may attach a value and have a right; […]
George Washington, Rules of Civility
1. Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect, to those that are present. 2. When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body, not usually discovered. 3. Show nothing to your friend that may affright him. 4. In the presence of others sing not to […]
George Washington, Letter to the Hebrew Congregation at Newport.
Gentlemen. While I receive, with much satisfaction, your Address replete with expressions of affection and esteem; I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you, that I shall always retain a grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced in my visit to Newport, from all classes of Citizens. The reflection on the days of difficulty […]