This file includes: The Mayflower Compact 1620, Fundamental Orders of 1639, Colonial Records of Virginia, Burke's Speech on Conciliation with America, Declaration of Independence 1776, Virginia Declaration of Rights 1776, Paris Peach Treaty 1783, Annapolis Convention 1786, Articles of Confederation, Northwest Ordinance 1787, The Constitution 1787, The Bill of Rights, Amendments to the Constitution, Washington's Farewell Address 1796, The Monroe Doctrine 1823, The Emancipation Proclamation 1862, and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address 1863.
DURINGE THE FIRST TWELVE YEARES, WHEN SIR THOMAS SMITH WAS GOVERNOR OF THE COMPANIE,& DOWNE TO THIS PRESENT TYME.
BY THE
ANCIENT PLANTERS NOWE REMAINING ALIVE IN VIRGINIA.
1624.
PREFACE.
The next paper presented in this collection is a copy of the one from which Mr. Bancroft quotes in his introductory note to the meeting of the first Assembly, referring to it as"MS. in my possession." This is printed from the copy among the McDonald papers, and with its title and endorsements no intimation is given as to the date of its preparation, its author or authors, to whom it was addressed, or the use intended to be made of it. These questions are, however, answered almost entirely by reference to the entries in"Sainsbury's Calendar of State Papers," which, on pp. 65-'6, has the following:"1624. July. Petition of Gov. Sir Francis Wyatt, the Council and Assembly of Virginia to the King. Have understood that his Majesty, notwithstanding the unjust disparagement of the Plantation, has taken it under his especial care; intreat that credit may not be given to the late declarations presented to his Majesty concerning the happy, but indeed miserable, estate of the Colony during the first twelve years (of Sir Thos. Smith's government), nor to the malicious imputations which have been laid upon the late government. Inclose the true state of both, and earnestly request that the present government may be continued. Pray that the King's tender compassion will not allow them to fall into the hands of Sir Thos. Smith or his confidents." Signed by Sir Fran. Wyatt, Capt. Fan. West, Sir George Yeardley and eighty-six others. Inclose.--"Brief Declaration of the Plantation,"&c., giving the whole title of this paper, verbatim, and a copious abstract of its contents. The earliest account of the horrors it relates is to be found in Smith's History, p. 105, in what is called"the examinations of Doctor Simons." This writer gives full details of the straits to which the Colonists were reduced and the expedients to which they resorted to appease hunger i
