collection

American constitutional and federal records

Founding-era declarations, constitutional drafts and amendments, early federal statutes and court decisions, and later federal records. Drafts, adopted texts, reported speeches and later orders retain their separate source identities and limitations.

Open a record to inspect the available source files, publication details and citation. Compare the original document with its description, and use the full-library search to include records filed in smaller subcollections. Dates identify the source or event described; they do not by themselves verify every claim in a document.

This page organizes sources. Descriptions and connections are research annotations, not a substitute for the underlying evidence.

Source trail

13 shown

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Historical source1804-02-27 (opinion delivered)

Little et al. v. Barreme et al.

The Court affirmed damages against a naval commander for a seizure outside the authority Congress granted. Presidential instructions did not legalize the otherwise unlawful seizure.

Supreme Court of the United States; Chief Justice John MarshallRead source ↗
Historical source1789-06-08 (speech); newspaper witness published 1789-06-12

Amendments to the Constitution, [8 June] 1789

Madison proposes constitutional safeguards against abuses of power, including protection from unreasonable searches and warrants lacking probable cause, oath, or particularity, and explains courts’ role in protecting ...

James MadisonRead source ↗
Historical source1788-05-28 (book publication)

The Federalist No. 78, [28 May 1788]

Hamilton argues that delegated authority cannot validly exceed its commission and that courts must prefer the Constitution when legislation irreconcilably conflicts with it.

Alexander Hamilton, writing as PubliusRead source ↗
Historical source1776-05 (draft; distinct from adoption on June 12)

Virginia Declaration of Rights

The surviving draft supplies manuscript evidence for the development of Virginia’s declaration before the convention adopted its revised text.

George Mason and Thomas Ludwell LeeRead source ↗
Historical source1776-06-12 (adopted)

A Declaration of Rights

Section 2 makes magistrates the people’s trustees and servants, answerable to them. Section 7 rejects suspension of laws without representative consent. Section 10 condemns general warrants lacking supporting evidence...

Virginia Convention; principally drafted by George MasonRead source ↗
Historical source1789-09-25 (congressional proposal); 1791-12-15 (ratification of articles 3–12)

Engrossed Bill of Rights

The preamble identifies prevention of misconstruction or abuse of governmental power as a purpose of the amendments. The search-and-seizure provision requires probable cause, oath or affirmation, and particular descri...

First Congress of the United StatesRead source ↗
Historical source1787-09-17 (signed)

Signed Copy of the Constitution of the United States

The founding constitutional text establishes federal powers and limits. Article VI binds state judges to the Constitution and federal laws made pursuant to it, and requires specified federal and state officeholders to...

Constitutional ConventionRead source ↗