The ink was hardly dry on the Declaration of Independence when the newly founded United States experienced its first band of whistleblowers. In 1777, ten sailors and Marines stepped forward and reported serious misconduct concerning Esek Hopkins, commander in chief of the Continental Navy. After their disclosures, Hopkins was suspended, accused of “being a hindrance to the proper manning of the fleet,” and removed from his position. The whistleblowers were fully supported by Samuel Adams and others who advocated that fundamental human rights were protected under a “common law Constitution,” which included the right to expose government wrongdoing. Honoring the claims of the whistleblowers, the Continental Congress passed what very well may be the world’s first whistleblower law on July 30, 1778.
That it is the duty of all persons in the service of the United States, as well as all other inhabitants thereof, to give the earliest information to Congress or any other proper authority of any misconduct, frauds or misdemeanors committed by any persons in the service of these states, which may come to their knowledge.
Best of all, this resolution went much further than just enacting parchment rights. It had teeth, authorizing the release of all documents provided by the whistleblowers. Although the Founders faced treason charges if the war for independence was unsuccessful, the Congress did not hesitate in releasing these documents that were embarrassing to the U.S. government....
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