Historical Research Library

John Adams, Letter to Richard Henry Lee, November 15, 1775

John Adams on a New Form of Government, 1775

More than a decade before the Constitutional Convention in 1787—and months before the United States declared independence—John Adams wrote a plan for a new form of government for the American colonies. The ideas presented in this letter had a profound influence on the state constitutions of Virginia, New York, Massachusetts, and ultimately, the federal Constitution.

Supporting Document

Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, 1775 (Thomas Jefferson Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress)

Declaration of the Causes and Necessity for Taking Up Arms, 1775

An address listing the colonists’ grievances and asserting the right to self-defense

Key Document

The Farmer Refuted: or, A More Impartial and Comprehensive View of the Dispute between Great-Britain and the Colonies</em> (James Rivington: New York, 1775) (Courtesy New-York Historical Society)

The Farmer Refuted, 1775

A defense of American colonial rights against British tyranny secretly written by Alexander Hamilton—fueling revolutionary sentiment

Key Document

Common Sense, by Thomas Paine, 1776 (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

Common Sense, 1776

Influential pamphlet by Thomas Paine advocating American independence from British rule and inspiring revolutionary sentiment

Key Document

Declaration of Independence, Charleston, South Carolina, printed August 2, 1776 (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

Declaration of Independence, 1776

The founding document that asserted colonial autonomy, enumerated grievances, and set forth the ideals of a new nation

Key Document

The Articles of Confederation, 1777. (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

Articles of Confederation Ratified, 1781

The first attempt at establishing the relationship—a “firm league of friendship”—between the thirteen colonies

Key Document

A North West View of the State House in Philadelphia taken 1778, from C.W. Peale (Library of Congress)

Antifederalist No. 1, 1787

An early critique of the proposed Constitution, arguing the dangers of a centralized government and advocating state sovereignty

Key Document

The Looking Glass for 1787, Amos Doolittle, 1787, Library of Congress.

Antifederalist No. 9, 1787

A critique of the proposed Constitution, expressing concerns over centralized power and the potential threat of an elite ruling class

Key Document

The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, 1788 (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)

Federalist No. 10, 1787

One of 85 essays advocating the ratification of the Constitution, addressing the dangers of factionalism and promoting the strengths of a large republic

Key Document