A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents. Volume 1, part 1: George Washington

"A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents. Volume 1, part 1" compiled by James D. Richardson is an eleven-volume series published between 1897 and 1911. This comprehensive collection gathers proclamations, special messages, and inauguration speeches from United States presidents spanning 1787 to 1902. Volume one covers the administrations of George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. The compilation became embroiled in controversy over Richardson's private copyright of public documents, leading to the landmark Richardson Affair and ultimately prohibiting copyright of federal government works. (This is an automatically generated summary.)