We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution, Level 3
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Howard Chandler Christy, Signing of the Constitution, Architect of the Capitol, House wing, east stairway
Lesson 5 Primary Sources

A Modell of Christian Charity ("City Upon a Hill" sermon)--John Winthrop, 1630

Believed to be written and delivered en route to Massachusetts, Rev. Winthrop warned his Puritan colonists that their new community would be a "city upon a hill," watched by the world.


From Wikipedia: The Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms was a document issued by the Second Continental Congress on July 6, 1775, to explain why the thirteen colonies had taken up arms in what had become the Revolutionary War.

Abolition of Star Chamber

The Star Chamber was a court that heard criminal and civil cases against prominent Englishmen, who, it was believed, would not receive a fair trial in the regular courts. In 1641, it was abolished by Parliament after controversial incidents with religious dissenters.

Articles of Association 1774

The First Continental Congress drafted the Articles of Association in 1774 to implement a trade boycott against Britain without severing allegiance to the crown.

Bacon's Declaration 1676

The declaration of grievances issued to Governor William Berkeley by wealthy planter Nathaniel Bacon and his army.

Charter for the Province of Pennsylvania 1861

Official permission from King Charles II for settlers to "have, hold, possess, and enjoy" the land in Pennsylvania for the purpose of expanding the British Empire.

Charter of Georgia, 1732

Document by King George II establishing a colony for the "poor people" of Britain to relocate to Georgia.

Declaration of Independence 1776


Declaration of Rights and Grievances of the First Congress of the American Colonies, 1765

The Declaration of Rights from the Stamp Act Congress declared that, as loyal British subjects, taxes imposed upon colonies without formal consent were unconstitutional.

Governor Berkeley's Response to Bacon's Declaration 1676

Governor Berkeley's response to the allegations against him enumerated in Bacon's Declaration.

Indenture Contract of Richard Lowther, 1627

An indenture contract promising labor in exchange for transportation, food and drink and 50 acres of land.

Indenture Contract of William Buckland 1755

The agreement between William Buckland and Thomas Mason granting Buckland would work for Mason in Virginia in exchange for transportation, food and drink, washing and lodging, as well as a salary of 20 pounds per year.

Maryland Toleration Act, 1649

The Maryland Toleration Act, passed by the assembly of the Maryland colony, mandated tolerance for Christians who did not practice Anglican Christianity.

Mayflower Compact, November 11, 1620


Petition for a Charter of New England, March 3, 1619

A petition by the Northern Company of Adventurers to create a new settlement and local government in the area they designate as New England.

The Charter for Rhode Island and Providence Plantations July 15, 1663

Notice from King Charles II, establishing the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England.

The Combination of the Inhabitants Upon the Piscataqua River for Government, 1641

A letter to King Charles I, seeking permission to create a local government along the Piscataqua River.

The First Charter of Virginia, 1606

From Wikipedia: Document in which King James I of England grants land rights to the Virginia Company for the stated purpose of spreading Christianity in the New World.

The Fundamental Constitutions for the Province of East New Jersey in America, 1683

An early constitution, creating a governing council and providing a limited enumeration of rights.

The Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina 1669

From Wikipedia: Constitution adopted in 1669 for the area between Virginia and Georgia, written largely by John Locke. This document was very unpopular and mostly abandoned by 1700.

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1639

The Fundamental Orders describe the government to be established by the Connecticut Colony as a self-governed entity.

Lesson 5      What Basic Ideas about Rights and Constitutional Government Did Colonial Americans Hold?
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