The early debate over slavery and the Constitution comes alive in this primary-source collection. It gathers official state documents from 1789 to 1845, with expert notes, to illuminate how different states framed the Union and its laws.
Published as part of State Documents on Federal Relations, this edition presents resolutions, debates, and responses that reveal the tensions between state sovereignty and federal power during the nation's formative years.
- Official resolutions and debates from Virginia, South Carolina, Massachusetts, New York, and more.
- Key episodes such as the Missouri Controversy, colonization efforts, and the evolving view of fugitive slave issues.
- Consolidated material with contextual notes by Herman Vandenburg Ames for clearer understanding.
- A focused frame on how states interpreted federal powers and the constitutional questions surrounding slavery.
Ideal for readers of American history, political history, and primary-source documentation who want a grounded view of how states engaged with federal relations in the era of slavery.