Law and Politics Documents

What the law requires (or allows) is not always fair or just or honorable. Politics is often polarizing. Stories in this collection help us to examine the highs and lows of "the law" over the centuries.

Image of the front page of the Columbian Centinel, dated June 2, 1792 in Boston, Massachusetts. It published an article announcing the The First Natio...

In the case of the United States v Susan B. Anthony, a federal marshal was ordered to collect $204.41 from the Defendant Anthony to satisfy the judgme...

The Fordwich Custumal is a document which sets-forth the laws and customs of the port town of Fordwich, England during medieval times.

On the 14th of October, 1774, the First Continental Congress declared their opposition to Parliament’s Coercive (Intolerable) Acts. This excerpt...

Image of the Declaration of Independence as it originally appeared in the Pennsylvania Packet in its issue of Monday, July 8, 1776. This facsimile sh...

This image depicts one of the pages of Thomas Jefferson's original rough draft of the Declaration of Independence.  It reflects edits by Benjamin...

This page, of Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence, continues the colonies’ grievances against Britain.  "He,"...

This image depicts the final page of Thomas Jefferson’s draft Declaration of Independence, including edits made by members of the “Committ...

The Declaration of Independence - written by Thomas Jefferson and edited, principally, by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams - is depicted here, in its ...

This facsimile image depicts the signatures of the individuals who signed the Declaration of Independence. Click on the image for a better view.

The "Female Department," of the Mechanic's Advocate, expresses disaste for women who seek equal treatment and the right to vote: They [suffragists]...

Elizabeth Packard's legal troubles began when she was asked to join a Bible-study class led by a deacon in her church.  Abijah Dole was unable t...

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