OOOOLIBRARIES: Law & Religion

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Our list of libraries consist primarily of original historical documents, mostly, though not wholy, pertaining to American history and the study of American culture. Those of note will be so marked: " .


LEGAL HISTORY

" A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates
This collection from the Library of Congress spans the years from 1774 to 1875. The site offers images of documents pertaining to debates, documents and journals recording the business of the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are, as well, a series of "Special Presentations" including such things as Indian land cessions, diplomatic correspondence during the Revolution and the Journal of the Congress of the Confederacy. In short, if you're looking for something within the covered period, go there, you may find it.
American Legal History
Selected documents from Tom Russell of the University of Denver.
" The Constitution Society
If it has anything to do with the Constitution, including the several centuries of documents leading up to it, the contemporary documents that produced it, as well as documents which have flowed from it and sought to interpret it, you will find them here.
Documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, 1774 - 1789
Documents relating to the work of Congress and the drafting and ratification of the Constitution from the Library of Congress
Documents Illustrative of the History of American Law
Selected documents and court cases from the Colonial Period to the 20th Century prepared by Joyce S. Sterling of the University of Denver.
" Findlaw
Findlaw contains a complete list of Supreme Court cases after 1893. For cases before that year, see the LII site below, which provides sigificant early cases.
" The Founders' Constitution
From the University of Chicago comes an absolutely fantastic site devoted to the political, philosophical and literary precursors of the Constitution. This is the web as it should be.
Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties
Charles Kappler's impressive collection of legislation pertaining to Native Americans.
" Legal Information Institute
This site, from Cornell University's Law School, is excellent for any number of reasons, but for present purposes its extensive listing of historical Supreme Court decisions.

Salem Witch Trials: Documentary Archive and Transcript Project
A scholarly look at least, from Benjamin Ray and the University of Virginia.
Slaves and the Courts, 1740 - 1860
Primarily trial accounts from the Library of Congress.
United States Statutes at Large
The United States Statutes at Large, commonly referred to as the Statutes at Large, is the official source for the laws and resolutions passed by Congress. Publication began in 1845 by the private firm of Little, Brown and Company under authority granted by a joint resolution of Congress. In 1874, Congress transferred the authority to publish the Statutes at Large to the Government Printing Office, which has been responsible for producing the set since that time. Every law, public and private, ever enacted by the Congress is published in the Statutes at Large in order of the date of its passage. Until 1948, all treaties and international agreements approved by the Senate were also published in the set. In addition, the Statutes at Large includes the text of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, amendments to the Constitution, treaties with Indians and foreign nations, and presidential proclamations.


RELIGIOUS HISTORY

" Christian Classics Ethereal Library
From Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, an impressive list by theologians and commentators. The majority of works are from Catholic writers and theologians (they have a longer writing history, after all), but major Protestant writings — both European and American — are represented.
" American Philosophy
By John Shook at the University of Buffalo, references all aspects of American philosophy, including major works of religious thought.
Fire and Ice: Puritan and Reformed Writings
English and American Puritan writings
The Hall of Church History
Covering all periods of Church history, Phil Johnson's pages on Puritanism and Baptism are especially useful.