A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents. Volume 1, part 4: James Madison

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"A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents. Volume 1, part 4" compiled by James D. Richardson is a documentary collection published in the late 1890s. This volume preserves the official words of early American presidents through their proclamations, special messages, and inauguration speeches. Part 4 specifically covers the administrations of William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, and James K. Polk between 1841 and 1849. The compilation itself sparked a political controversy over privately copyrighting public documents, ultimately changing federal copyright law forever.