Jefferson's Library
The personal collection of the Sage of Monticello — the foundational documents of the Republic and the letters that bound and divided its makers. Choose a volume to read it in full.
→Declaration • 1776The Declaration of IndependenceThomas Jefferson & the Committee of Five"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…"
→Constitution • 1787Preamble to the ConstitutionGouverneur Morris"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union…"
→Constitution • 1791The Bill of RightsJames Madison"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…"
→Pamphlet • 1776Common SenseThomas Paine"The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind."
→Essay • 1787Federalist No. 10James Madison (Publius)"Liberty is to faction what air is to fire…"
→Address • 1796Washington's Farewell AddressGeorge Washington"Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations…"
→Letter • 1776Remember the LadiesAbigail Adams to John Adams"If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies, we are determined to foment a Rebellion…"
→Letter • 1800On the Reading of BooksThomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush"I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny…"
→Letter • 1775To His Excellency General WashingtonPhillis Wheatley"Proceed, great chief, with virtue on thy side…"
→Address • 1775Give Me Liberty, Or Give Me DeathPatrick Henry"I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"
→Treaty • 1783Treaty of ParisJohn Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay"His Britannic Majesty acknowledges the said United States to be free, sovereign and independent…"
→Letter • 1804Hamilton's Statement Before the DuelAlexander Hamilton"I have resolved, if our interview is conducted in the usual manner…"
→Constitution • 1781Articles of ConfederationJohn Dickinson & the Continental Congress"Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence…"
- →Essay • 1788Federalist No. 51James Madison (Publius)
"If men were angels, no government would be necessary…"
- →Essay • 1788Federalist No. 78Alexander Hamilton (Publius)
"The judiciary is beyond comparison the weakest of the three departments of power…"
→Declaration • 1786Virginia Statute for Religious FreedomThomas Jefferson"Almighty God hath created the mind free…"
→Declaration • 1776Virginia Declaration of RightsGeorge Mason"All men are by nature equally free and independent…"
→Constitution • 1787Northwest OrdinanceConfederation Congress"There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said territory…"
→Address • 1801Jefferson's First Inaugural AddressThomas Jefferson"We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists."
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→Address • 1789Washington's First Inaugural AddressGeorge Washington"The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty…"
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→Declaration • 1776The Lee ResolutionRichard Henry Lee"These United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States…"
→Letter • 1775The Olive Branch PetitionJohn Dickinson"Attached to your Majesty's person, family, and Government…"
- →Essay • 1798Kentucky ResolutionsThomas Jefferson (anonymously)
"The several States composing the United States are not united on the principle of unlimited submission…"
→Address • 1823The Monroe DoctrineJames Monroe & John Quincy Adams"The American continents are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization…"
→Constitution • 1798The Sedition Act5th Congress of the United States"If any person shall write, print, utter, or publish… any false, scandalous and malicious writing…"
→Address • 1787Franklin's Closing Speech to the ConventionBenjamin Franklin"I confess that I do not entirely approve of this Constitution at present…"
→Address • 1770Adams' Defense of the British SoldiersJohn Adams"Facts are stubborn things…"
→Essay • 1803Marbury v. MadisonChief Justice John Marshall"It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is."
- →Essay • 1787Federalist No. 1Alexander Hamilton (Publius)
"Whether societies of men are really capable of establishing good government from reflection and choice…"
- →Essay • 1788Federalist No. 84Alexander Hamilton (Publius)
"Bills of rights… would even be dangerous."
→Essay • 1787Brutus No. 1'Brutus' (likely Robert Yates)"History furnishes no example of a free republic, any thing like the extent of the United States."
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→Treaty • 1794The Jay TreatyJohn Jay & Lord Grenville"There shall be a firm, inviolable and universal peace…"
→Treaty • 1803Louisiana Purchase TreatyLivingston, Monroe & Barbé-Marbois"The First Consul of the French Republic… doth hereby cede to the United States… the said territory…"
→Letter • 1783Circular Letter to the StatesGeorge Washington"There are four things which I humbly conceive are essential to the well-being… of the United States…"
- →Letter • 1813On Natural AristocracyThomas Jefferson to John Adams
"I agree with you that there is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents."
→Essay • 1790First Report on Public CreditAlexander Hamilton"States, like individuals, who observe their engagements, are respected and trusted…"