The constitution includes articles on the following subjects: preamble; declaration of rights; distribution of powers; legislative department; executive department; militia; judicial department; education; impeachment; taxation; and slavery. The...
In his address Cobb insists that the slavery question, the central issue influencing the pending secession of the South, was not answered by the recent presidential election: "But gentlemen say they cannot do anything. They say that the edict went...
Schermerhorn writes on behalf of the United States commissioners who are negotiating the cession of Cherokee land east of the Mississippi River. In the letter he informs the council that the Cherokee government, adopted in 1827, is not recognized...
In the speech Bowdon discusses recent legislative debate concerning the expansion of slavery into the country's new states and territories. He argues that since slaves are property, the government should protect their owners' rights in any land...
In the letter Samford discusses his views on the proposed Kansas-Nebraska Act: "I see our North. friends are not slow to come up to the issue of non-intervention as made by the Kansas Act; but are we quite cautious enough about the Squatter...
This assembly of the Alabama Democrats plans to send delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Baltimore, despite the withdrawal of the state's delegation from the earlier meeting in Charleston: "There is a vacancy in the Delegation of...
In the address Smith comments on the recent election of Lincoln; describes the objectives and administration of the new Confederate government; gives a historical and religious defense of slavery; commends the new government's prohibition of the...
In the letter Bolling discusses his studies at the university; criticism of his father's vote in the Electoral College during the recent presidential election; "troubles in Autaugaville & Prattville among the negroes"; disagreements among Southern...
Also known as the "Secession Constitution." The preamble states that "We, the people of the State of Alabama, having separated ourselves from the government known as the United States of America..." The constitution includes the following articles:...
This article discusses the likeliness that Alabama will secede from the Union: "A large majority of the members of our Convention will not hesitate a moment to co-operate with South Carolina, Florida and Mississippi in the formation of a Southern...
Letter from L. W. Garrott and Robert H. Smith of Alabama, to the governor and legislature of North Carolina. Garrott and Smith explain that because of the recent election of a Republican president, the governor of Alabama has called for a...
The ordinance declares that "that the State of Alabama now withdraws, and is hereby withdrawn from the Union known as the United States of America, and henceforth ceases to be one of said United States, and is, and of right ought to be a Sovereign...
"Constitution Adopted! Swearing Allegiance to the New Constitution! President and Vice President Elected! Davis and Stephens!" This article announces the adoption of the Confederate constitution and the election of its executive officers: "The name...
This article gives the proceedings of the Confederate congress during the sixth and seventh days of its session. On the sixth day members took oaths of office; elected a president and vice president of the provisional government; and appointed...
This article discusses the ratification of the Confederate constitution and the recent formation of the Confederate States. It defends secession, praises the actions and intent of the people, and predicts a bright future for the new government:...
In the letter Samuel expresses relief that his brother is safe and healthy after his service in the Confederate Navy. He then discusses his own changing views of "our civil war": "My own course has been a neutral one. I was opposed to the secession...
The constitution includes articles on the following subjects: declaration of rights; state boundaries and counties; distribution of powers of government; legislative department; executive department; judicial department; state and county officers;...
Also known as the "Radical" or "Reconstruction Constitution." The document was revised by the constitutional convention on November 5, 1867, and was ratified in 1868. The constitution includes the following articles: declaration of rights; state...