History : American: Primary Sources: Government Documents & Presidential Papers

A research guide to primary and secondary sources for American history. Also see the African American & Asian American history guides.

Images: Congressional Hearing: Crime of Lynching (1948), Letter from Abraham Lincoln to John M. Clay (1862), Pvt. Droop has missed the war! (1944), Indian Claims: The Skookum Democratic Club to Levi Maish (1894) & US Senate Report: Care and treatment of persons afflicted with leprosy (1916)

General Collections

C-Span Video Library

Territorial Papers of the United States, 1764-1953: Series 1
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U.S. Federal Documents

Legislative Branch

Most government material is housed in the Government Publications section on the ground floor of Suzzallo Library. Librarians there can help you find material you need.

Judicial Branch

Oyez Project

Executive Branch

Most government material is housed in the Government Publications section on the ground floor of Suzzallo Library. Librarians there can help you find material you need.

Digital National Security Archive
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U.S. Declassified Documents Online
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Proquest History Vault Federal Records

History Vault is a portal to manuscript collections of federal agencies, organizations and individuals on a variety of subjects. The following are collections of federal documents, many are only available through June 30, 2022.

Presidential Papers

These are collections of official papers digitized by the Library of Congress in order of presidency. Also see the Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States and Founders Online.