Law Commons^™

Treaty Of Fort Laramie 1868, Nathaniel G. Taylor, William T. Sherman, William S. Harney, John B. Sanborn, Samuel F. Tappan, Christopher C. Augur, Alfred H. Terry, John B. Henderson, Andrew Johnson

US Government Documents related to Indigenous Nations

This treaty, signed on April 29, 1868, between the United States government and the Sioux and Arapaho Nations, established the Great Sioux Reservation, promised the Sioux would own the Black Hills in perpetuity, and set aside the country north of the North Platte River and east of the summits of the Big Horn Mountains as unceded Indian territory. Furthermore, the U.S. government pledged to close the Bozeman Trail forts and provide food, clothing, and annuities to the tribes, given that they agreed to relinquish all rights to live outside the reservation.

Indian Affairs In Dakota. Memorial And Resolution Of The Legislative Assembly Of The Territory Of Dakota Relative To Indian Affairs In Said Territory, United States House Of Representatives, Territory Of Dakota Legislative Assembly, Geo. I. Foster, A. J. Faulk, Enos Stutsman, P. H. Halnan

US Government Documents related to Indigenous Nations

This "Memorial and Resolution" of the legislature of the Territory of Dakota, referred to the United States (US) House of Representatives Committee on Indian Affairs and ordered to be printed January 28, 1868, states the position of the Legislative Assembly of Dakota Territory regarding several matters involving relations and bureaucratic arrangement between the US government and local tribes and Dakota Territory and those tribes, and argues for Dakota Territory playing a greater role in the management of the tribal affairs and the administration of US obligations, including procurement and transportation of "Indian goods."

Among changes argued for in the document …

An Act To Secure Homesteads To Actual Settlers On The Public Domain, United States Congess

US Government Documents related to Indigenous Nations

This Act, dated May 20, 1862 also known as United States (US) Public Law 37-64 and popularly known as the Homestead Act, the Homestead Act of 1862, and the Homestead Act of May 20, 1862, provides for adults who fulfill certain requirements to acquire title of up to a quarter section (160 acres) land from the public domain by registering and making certain "improvements" to the land.

Indians On The Upper Missouri. Message From The President Of The United States, Transmitting A Report In Regard To The Expedition Among The Indians On The Upper Missouri. March 24, 1856. -- Referred To The Committee On Indian Affairs And Ordered To Be Printed., United States Congress, Us House Of Representatives, President Of The United States, Department Of The Interior, Office Of Indian Affairs, Alfred Cumming, Franklin Pierce

US Government Documents related to Indigenous Nations

This Executive Document, dated March 24, 1856, also known as United States (US) House of Representatives Executive Document No. 65, consists of a message from US President Franklin Pierce, in which Pierce transmits, "in obedience to [the US House of Representatives'] resolution of the 17th instant, a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, accompanied by a copy of the report of Superintendent [Alfred] Cumming, in regard to his late expedition among the tribes of the Indians on the Upper Missouri."

In his report, Cummings reports on his trip up the Missouri for the purpose of distributing "annuities" to local …

Treaty Of Fort Laramie With The Sioux, Etc., 1851, David D. Mitchell, Thomas Fitzpatrick

US Government Documents related to Indigenous Nations

This treaty, signed on September 17, 1851, was an essential agreement between the United States government and representatives of the Lakota, Dakota, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, Assiniboine, Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nations. In this treaty, the United States acknowledged that the area surveyed by the treaty was Indigenous land and recognized each nation's exclusive territorial rights over a portion defined by geographical boundaries. Equally, the tribes agreed that the US government had the right to establish roads and posts—military and other—within their territories. They also promised to abstain from hostilities against other tribes, pay for any wrongs committed by their people, …

Letter From Daniel Webster Concerning The Word "Slavery" In Constitution, Dated 1850, Daniel Webster

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

Daniel Webster writes Reverand S. K. Lothrop to question where to find the observation from Mr. Madison that states the reason to keep the word "slavery" from the Constitution, dated Feb. 27, 1850.

The Bible Against War, Amos Dresser

Historical Quaker Books

This book discusses the Bible's objections to war.

252 pages, 15 cm.

Deed, 1 January 1847, Of Andrew Constable And Jemima S. W. Constable To James K. Savage For Land In Elizabeth City Co., Va. Bears Affidavit, 1 January 1849, Of John Armistead And Henry Whiting Concerning Jemima S. W. Constable Being Examined Apart From Her Husband Regarding Sale, John Armistead, Henry Whiting

Women in History & the Law

No abstract provided.

American Criminal Trials, Peleg W. Chandler

Women in History & the Law

This is a modern account of the trial of Anne Hutchinson. Hutchinson was a midwife and healer, as well as a spiritual advisor in the Boston colony. She became embroiled in the Antinomian controversy, a religious schism that threatened to tear the colony apart. Hutchinson was arrested and charged with "transducing the ministers" and heresy. She was convicted and her family was banished from the colony in 1638. She and six members of her family were killed during Kieft's War several years later. Anne Hutchinson was only the first of several women tried for similar crimes in a short period …

Satisfacción Al Público Del Administrador De La Aduana Marítima De Matamoros, Manuel Pina Y Cuevas

Lower Rio Grande Valley Curated Material

(Original introduction)

La acalorada controversia sobre introduccion por el puerto e Matamoros de efectos prohibidos que parecia haber ya terminado, se ha vuelto a suscitar ocasion de haberse decomisado en el Saltillo cinta cantidad de libras de hilaza de algodon estrangera, que caminaba con guias de esta Aduana maritima...

Para vindicarme a mi y a ella, basta publicar ,el informe justificativo que se acompania, estendido en cumplimiento de la orden del Ministerio de Hacienda pues en el se ve que cuando por Suprema disposicion de 1 de Mayo de 1839 se volvio a permitir la introduccion por este puerto de …

[02] William J. A. Bradford (1797-1858), Letter About Politics & Crime, William John Alden Bradford

Spring 2022 Iowa Documents Class Projects

A letter from William Bradford to Jonathan W. Parker about the Iowa statehood convention of 1840 and his time in Dubuque; as well as the occurrence of the Bellevue War.

The Maine Civil Officer, Or, The Powers And Duties Of Sheriffs, Coroners, Constables, And Collectors Of Taxes; With An Appendix, Containing The Necessary Forms And An Abridgment Of The Law Relative To The Duties Of Civil Officers, Jeremiah Perley

Maine Bicentennial

The office of Sheriff is of the highest nature, from the importance of the trusts confided to it and the great power with which it is invested. The officer himself is supposed to possess a respectable character, corresponding to the importance of his trust and powers. All judicial processes, whether civil or criminal, must be served by him, both at their commencement and final execution; and he is the principal keeper of the peace within the county. An accurate knowledge of the laws conferring and defining these extensive powers and duties, as well as the mode prescribed for their exercise, …

The Trial Of A Lady On The Suspicion Of Theft, Who Was Confined Thirty-Three Days In The Suffolk Jail, J. R. Caldwell

Maine Bicentennial

An 1829 account of "an amiable, educated and virtuous girl" arrested for allegedly shoplifting a pair of kid gloves and jailed for 33 days before being brought before a judge for prosecution.

Ratified Indian Treaty 134: Belantse-Etoa Or Minitaree (Hidatsa), Henry Atkinson, Benjamin O'Fallon

US Government Documents related to Indigenous Nations

This treaty, signed on July 30, 1825, was the first major treaty between the US Government and representatives of the Hidatsa Nation. Also known as the Atkinson and O'Fallon Trade and Intercourse Treaty of 1825, this document was part of a series of friendship treaties between Henry Atkinson and Benjamin O’Fallon’s Indian Peace Commission and the Indigenous Nations beyond the Mississippi River. In this treaty, the Hidatsa acknowledged the supremacy of the United States, which successively promised them peace, friendship, and protection. The Hidatsa also admitted that they resided within the territorial limits of the United States and that it …

Ratified Indian Treaty 135: Mandan, Henry Atkinson, Benjamin O'Fallon

US Government Documents related to Indigenous Nations

This treaty, signed on July 30, 1825, was the first major treaty between the US Government and representatives of the Mandan Nation. Also known as the Atkinson and O'Fallon Trade and Intercourse Treaty of 1825, this document was part of a series of friendship treaties between Henry Atkinson and Benjamin O’Fallon’s Indian Peace Commission and the Indigenous Nations beyond the Mississippi River. In this treaty, the Mandan acknowledged the supremacy of the United States, which successively promised them peace, friendship, and protection. The Mandan also admitted that they resided within the territorial limits of the United States and that it …

Ratified Indian Treaty 133: Arikara (Ricara) - Arikara Village, July 18, 1825, Henry Atkinson, Benjamin O'Fallon

US Government Documents related to Indigenous Nations

This treaty, signed on July 18, 1825, was the first major treaty between the US Government and representatives of the Arikara Nation. Also known as the Atkinson and O'Fallon Trade and Intercourse Treaty of 1825, this document was part of a series of friendship treaties between Henry Atkinson and Benjamin O’Fallon’s Indian Peace Commission and the Indigenous Nations beyond the Mississippi River. In this treaty, the Arikara acknowledged the supremacy of the United States, which successively promised them peace, friendship, and protection. The Arikara also admitted that they resided within the territorial limits of the United States and that it …

A Proclamation For A Day Of Public Humiliation And Prayer, Albion K. Parris, Amos Nichols

Maine Bicentennial

A Proclamation for a day of Public Humiliation and Prayer issued by Albion K. Parris, Governor of the State of Maine.

An Act To Organize, Govern, And Discipline The Militia Of The State Of Maine. Passed March 21, 1821. With The Several Acts In Addition Thereto, Passed Feb. 11, 1823, And Feb. 25, 1824. Published Under The Direction Of The Adjutant General, Maine. Adjutant General

Maine Collection

An Act to Organize, Govern, and Discipline the Militia of the State of Maine. Passed March 21, 1821. With the several acts in addition thereto, passed Feb. 11, 1823, and Feb. 25, 1824. Published under the direction of the Adjutant General.

A Proclamation For A Day Of Public Thanksgiving And Praise, Albion K. Parris, Amos Nichols

Maine Bicentennial

A Proclamation for a day of Public Thanksgiving and Praise issued by Albion K. Parris, Governor of the State of Maine.

Bangor Register, Vol V. No. 33., James Burton

Maine Bicentennial

The Bangor Register newspaper reporting on new state laws being adopted by the Maine Legislature following separation from Massachusetts in August 1820. The paper includes a note about treaty negotiations taking place between the Penobscot Nation and Col. Lewis as a result of statehood and the announcement of the pending, "fourth Census of the U. States." The publication contains additional news of the day including the report of a sea serpent sighted off Phillips Beach, Swampscott, Massachusetts; the accidental hanging of a child re-enacting an execution in Baltimore, Maryland; a recipe for a rhubarb tonic to treat cholera; marriage and …

A Charge Delivered To The Grand Jury Of The Circuit Court Of The United States, At Its First Session In Portland For The Judicial District Of Maine, Joseph Story

Maine Bicentennial

The printed transcript of Judge Joseph Story’s address to the first Grand Jury to serve Maine’s federal circuit court in Portland. Story states: “The circumstances, under which I address you at the present moment are perhaps without a parallel in the annals of the other quarters of the world. This District has just been admitted into the union as a free, sovereign and independent state, possessing in common with all the others an equality of national rights and honors, and protected by an excellent constitution framed, by its own deliberations, upon principles of justice and equity.” The address goes on …

The Trial Of Moses Adams, High-Sheriff Of The County Of Hancock, Before The Supreme Judicial Court Of The Commonwealth Of Massachusetts, On An Indictment For The Murder Of His Wife From Minutes Taken At The Trial By John Bulfinch, John Bulfinch

Maine Bicentennial

Moses Adams of Ellsworth, Maine, was charged with: "not having the fear of God before his eyes, but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the Devil, on the twelfth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, with force and arms, at Ellsworth ... in and upon one Mary Adams, the wife of the said Moses Adams, in the peace of the said Commonwealth, then and there being, feloniously, willfully and of his malice aforethought, did make an assault ... with a certain deadly weapon called an axe, of the value …

The Trial Of David Lynn, Prince Kein [Sic], Jabez Meiggs [Sic], Elijah Barton, Adam Pitts, Anson Meiggs [Sic], And Nathaniel Lynn. Indicted For The Murder Of Paul Chadwick, Containing A Compendious But Clear And Full Statement Of All The Evidence, Together With A Correct Abridgement Of The Pleadings Of Council, And The Charge To The Jury, As Delivered By The Court, Peter Edes

Maine Bicentennial

In 1809, Paul Chadwick was hired to survey lands held by the proprietors of the Plymouth Patent, including property that fell within the boundaries of the town of Malta, now known as Windsor, Maine. The land survey caused upset among settlers as property ownership was called into question. Vowing to defend their property, on September 8, a party of fully armed men, some disguised as Native Americans, approached Chadwick advising him to cease his activities. Chadwick declined and was shot, dying the following day.

David Lynn, Prince Kein, Jabez Meiggs, Elijah Barton, Jonas Proctor, Adam Pitts, Anson Meiggs, and Nathaniel …

An Oration On The Abolition Of The Slave Trade; Delivered In The African Church In The City Of New-York, January 1, 1808, Peter Williams Jr

Zea E-Books in American Studies

The United States Constitution, Article 1, Section 9, prohibited Congress from banning the importation of slaves until the year 1808. A bill to do this was first introduced in Congress by Senator Stephen Roe Bradley of Vermont in December 1805, and its passage was recommended by President Jefferson in his annual message to Congress in December 1806. In March 1807, Congress passed the legislation, and President Thomas Jefferson signed it into law on March 3, 1807. Subsequently, on March 25, 1807, the British Parliament also passed an act banning the slave trade aboard British ships. The effective date of the …

Bushrod Washington, A Justice Of The Supreme Court Of United States, Requests $875 Be Paid To Charles Simms, Collector At The Port Of Alexandria, April 1, 1801., Bushrod Washington

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

Bushrod Washington, a justice of the Supreme Court of United States, requests $875, one quarter of his salary, to be paid to Charles Simms, collector at the port of Alexandria. April 1, 1801.

1793 License For Elizabeth Prinner(?) To Keep And Inn Or Tavern That Sells Liquor, New York City, 1793. Signed By Richard Varick, Mayor., Richard Varick, Elizabeth Prinner

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

Elizabeth Prinner(?), a grocer, is granted a license to keep an "Inn or Tavern for retailing strong or spiritous liquors" until March 1, 1794. She is forbidden from keeping a "disorderly" establishment or one that permits "any Cock-fighting, Gaming, or Playing with Cards or Dice, or Keep any Billiard-Table, or other Gaming-Table, or Shuffle-Board, within the Inn" or "any Out-House, Yard or Garden belonging thereunto." Signed by Richard Varick, 45th mayor of New York City.

An Essay On The Learning Respecting The Creation And Execution Of Powers; And Also Respecting The Nature And Effect Of Leasing Powers..., John Joseph Powell

Women in History & the Law

This is one of many books printed by the prolific Elizabeth Lynch (neé Watts). She was first married to the bookseller, stationer, printer, and circulating library keeper Richard Watts. He was bookseller to the Courts of Law and printed mainly law books, with a shop in Skinner-Row in Dublin. Elizabeth took over his business after his death in 1762. Four years later, she married Reverend Stewart Lynch, who was also a bookseller. Elizabeth continued to operate her business until her death in 1794, frequently collaborating with other printers including Sarah Cotter, whose work is also featured in this exhibit.

Receipt For A Transaction Between Leonard Wheatley And Robert Sharman, Signed By Daniel Morgan, 1788., Daniel Morgan

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

Daniel Morgan appears to sign this receipt as a witness to the transaction described - for a horse - between Leonard Wheatley and Robert Sharman.

Warrant For Samuel Courtauld Signed By Thomas Heyward Jr., June 13, 1788., Thomas Heyward Jr., State Of South Carolina

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

Thomas Heyward signs a warrant for Samuel Courtauld for the collection of a debt owed to Josiah Smith, Daniel Desaussure and Edward Darrell in Charleston, SC, in 1788.

Indenture, Signed By John Rutledge, 1786., John Rutledge

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

Indenture for Ephraim Mitchell for 295 pounds, signed by John Rutledge in Charleston, South Carolina, August 29, 1786. Rutledge was an American statesman and judge from South Carolina.