The Quebec Act of 1774 [14 Geo. III c. 83] “An Act for making more effectual Provision for the Government…
BOSTON HABOR ACT of 1774 [14 Geo. III c. 19] “An act to discontinue, in such manner, and for or…
Copyright Act of 1790 (First Copyright Act adopted by the First Congress) [1st Congress, 2nd Sess., Chapter XV; Stat. 124-126]…
THE WHISKEY TAX of 1791 – the first federal internal tax and the predictable Whiskey Rebellion: [1st Congress, 3rd Sess.,…
VERMONT’S PERSONAL LIBERTY LAW – An example of Northern resistance to the federal Fugitive Slave Law: In an effort to…
FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT OF 1793 – A constitutionally authorized law that bitterly divided the nation leading into the Civil War…
Naturalization Act of 1790 – First U.S. Naturalization Act “An act to establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization” (March 26,…
Judiciary Act of 1801 (Adams’ “Midnight” judges and Judicial Review) [Acts of 6th Congress, Chapter IV; 2 Stat. 132] “An…
1836 – THE HOUSE GAG RULE, ANTI-SLAVERY PETITIONS, AND “OLD MAN ELOQUENT” On May 26, 1836, the House passed a…
ACTS PASSED AT THE FIRST CONGRESS & other publications by Francis Childs & John Swaine Francis Childs and John Swaine…