"The Petition of Tradesmen, Manufacturers, and others of Baltimore," April 11, 1789

National Archives and Records Administration, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives

Shortly after Congress convened, constituents began sending it petitions. For the next several decades, matters largely came before Congress through the presentation of a petition followed by the establishment of a select committee to address the issue. This 1789 petition from citizens of Baltimore asking for duties on certain imported goods is one of the earliest.