Compelling firsthand accounts and primary source documents underpin the introduction to U.S. history in History Compass' popular Researching American History series. This volume introduces our nation's founders, with an overview of their political convictions and their effect on the formation of the American government. This anthology includes brief biographical information and a few choice words from several of our nation's Founders, including John Adams, Aaron Burr, John Dickinson, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Mason, Gouverneur Morris, and George Washington. Abigail Adams is also quoted.