The American Founding: Founding Documents

Founding Documents

• The Magna Carta, 1215
• Virginia Charter, 1606
• The Mayflower Compact, 1620
• Petition of Right, 1628
• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1639
• Massachusetts Body of Liberties, 1641
• Maryland Act Concerning Religion, 1649
• New Jersey Concessions, 1676
• Pennsylvania Frame of Government, 1682
• English Bill of Rights, 1689
• John Locke, Second Treatise, 1694
• Algernon Sidney, Discourses, 1698
• Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges, 1701
• Thomas Gordon, Cato's Letters Number 38, 1721
• Montesquieu, Spirit of Laws, 1752
• David Hume, Of the Original Contract, 1752
• William Blackstone, Commentaries, 1756