Skip to main content

Primary sourceDocument1777

Articles of Confederation

Continental Congress · 1777

The first U.S. constitution, adopted in 1777, whose weaknesses Madison worked to fix at the Constitutional Convention.

The weak government under these Articles convinced Madison, along with Washington, that a stronger constitution was needed.

Ask James Madison about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Scan of the handwritten Articles of Confederation manuscript on aged, cream-colored paper. The ornate heading reads 'To all to whom these Presents shall come'. Dense cursive text fills the page in columns, with article headings visible.
Articles of Confederation, adopted 1777, in force from 1781. U.S. National Archives.

About this source

What it is

This is the engrossed parchment of the Articles of Confederation, adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777, and signed by delegates of all thirteen states. It is held at the U.S. National Archives.

Why it matters

Drafted mainly by John Dickinson, the Articles created a loose

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More James Madison sources

Meet the AI James Madison →
Photograph of the original parchment of the United States Constitution. The large handwritten text begins with the words 'We the People' in ornate script, followed by the article headings and dense lines of brown-ink writing on aged, yellowed parchment.Document

Primary source

United States Constitution

Constitutional Convention · 17 September 1787

Document

Primary source

Federalist No. 10

James Madison · 22 November 1787

Document

Primary source

Federalist No. 51

James Madison · 6 February 1788

Aged, yellowed parchment page with handwritten calligraphy in brown ink. The heading reads 'Congress of the United States' in large script, followed by the opening lines of the document below.Document

Primary source

Bill of Rights

25 September 1789

Handwritten manuscript page in brown ink on aged paper, headed 'State of the Resolutions submitted to the consideration of the House by the honorable Mr. Randolph, as altered, amended, and agreed to in a committee of the whole House.' Numbered resolutions follow, including provisions for a national government, a two-branch national legislature, and qualifications for members of the first and second branches.Document

Primary source

Virginia Plan

James Madison · 29 May 1787 (this copy 13 June 1787)

Ready when you are

Start chatting with James Madison now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions