Documentary History of the First Federal Congress

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The Documentary History of the First Federal Congress of the United States of America, March 4, 1789-March 3, 1791

A comprehensive edition of all known official and unofficial documents pertaining to the First Federal Congress that launched our government and turned the words of the U.S. Constitution into the reality of a working government.

While working as a professor at George Washington University, Dr Depauw in preparation of the upcoming bicentennial, worked with 4 other associates, founding and coordinating this effort for the first book edition. Her contributions to the hard copy documentary which was published in 1972 included:

Vol. 1. Senate Legislative Journal – Linda Grant De Pauw, Editor. Charlene Bangs Bickford and LaVonne Marlene Siegel, Assistant Editors. (The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 1972), 800 pages, ISBN 0-8018-1280-1.
Vol. 2. Senate Executive Journal and Related Documents – Linda Grant De Pauw, Editor. Charlene Bangs Bickford and LaVonne Marlene Siegel, Assistant Editors. (The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 1974), 592 pages, ISBN 0-8018-1572-X.
Vol. 3. House of Representatives Journal – Linda Grant De Pauw, Editor. Charlene Bangs Bickford, and LaVonne Siegel Hauptman, Associate Editors.

https://www2.gwu.edu/~ffcp/publications.html

A mini online version of the documentary can be viewed here.

The significance of this project is hard to truly grasp. Never before had someone tried to pull all the existing literary sources together into one exhibition and publication.

Acclaim for the DHFFC Volumes:

The most complete record imaginable of the early interpretation and implementation of the U.S. Constitution. With so many historical, legal, and political debates revolving around the constitutional amendments framed by the First Congress, this publication project is one of immense importance.

Jeffrey L. Pasley

Journal of the Early Republic

This Documentary History is of immense historical significance and is the kind of record that helps all branches of government keep their constitutional bearings.

Warren Burger

Would that the Senate had more journal-keepers of Maclay’s wit and insight.

Senator Robert C. Byrd

However wary we may be about discussing the intent of the Framers, we can now confidently describe the intent of their immediate successors. These three volumes provide a complete record of the legislative accomplishments of the First Federal congress. . . . . With this valuable resource, readers can trace the evolution of every proposal, from its introduction to its passage.

Mary K. Bonsteel Tachau