As it promised last week, the CIA released yesterday a 702 page document known as the “family jewels.” The document was created in 1973 in response to a directive from newly appointed Director of Central Intelligence James Schlesinger asking agents to report on any “activities they thought might be inconsistent with the Agency’s charter”. The documents indicate that much of the spying on Americans was conducted at the behest of sitting presidents.

Also released on the 26th, were the CAESAR-POLO-ESAU papers from 1953-1973, which analyze Soviet and Chinese leadership.

The “family jewels” and the CAESAR-POLO-ESAU papers are accessible through the CIA’s Freedom of Information Act web site.

In depth coverage of the release is available from the New York Times, and the Washington Post. The Times has created a special blog for discussion of the documents, and on June 27 at 11:30 am ET, Post journalist Karen DeYoung will answer readers’ questions about the documents’ release.

This post first appeared on AHA Today.