Constitution or Frame of Government for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Artifact IDTL 2026.1.46
Object Type
Temporary Loan
Date
1781
Printer
Benjamin Edes
(and Sons) (American, 1732 - 1803)
Place MadeBoston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Medium
Octavo book
DimensionsOverall W 9 in (22.9 cm )
Physical DescriptionConstitution or Frame of Government for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
(Boston: Edes and Sons, 1781).
Titled "PART THE FIRST. A DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS of the Inhabitants of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."Article I: Contains the historic clause: "ALL men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential and unalienable rights..." Document contains 18th-century printing style, including the "long s" (which looks like an "f") in words like "Maffachuſetts" and "bleſſings."
(Boston: Edes and Sons, 1781).
Titled "PART THE FIRST. A DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS of the Inhabitants of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."Article I: Contains the historic clause: "ALL men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential and unalienable rights..." Document contains 18th-century printing style, including the "long s" (which looks like an "f") in words like "Maffachuſetts" and "bleſſings."
Historical NoteThe Massachusetts Constitution is the oldest functioning written constitution in the world. Drafted by John Adams in October 1779, the document synthesized the political philosophies of John Locke's natural rights and Montesquieu's separation of powers. To prevent political domination by self-interested groups, Adams implemented a bicameral legislature. Notably, his Declaration of Rights declared that "all people are born free and equal," a constitutional guarantee that directly led to the judicial abolition of slavery in Massachusetts by 1783.
Additional DetailsCredit Lineon loan courtesy of the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPolitical Memorabilia (National Archives Identifier 1677287)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - FullyUse Restriction NoteThe use of this image and document information is fully restricted. Reproduction in any manner is not allowed.Not on view