In the letter Mrs. Weil discusses the need for Montgomery to incorporate surrounding towns in order to increase its population and attract large businesses to the area: "There is surely a way to incorporate into the City it's [sic] natural growth,...
In the letter McGillivray describes a recent meeting of the Creek Indian chiefs and the efforts of the Georgia legislature to take control of Creek lands. He calls on their British allies for support against the Americans: "Georgia and Carolina in...
In the letter McGillivray describes American attempts take Indian lands: "The gaining of these Creeks Nations over to them is more immediately an object of their policy & to effect which purpose they have held forth the most tempting baits to my...
In the first two letters (written March 17 and May 25, 1791), Knox discusses gathering troops "for the purpose of marking the line next October mentioned in the treaty of the Creeks" (referring to the new boundary lines agreed upon in the Treaty of...
Caller was living in Washington County of the Mississippi Territory (later the Alabama Territory) when the Murphees hired him "to take two Negros Namely Remus & Frank which Thomas Bates and others stold away from us." [Original spelling retained.]
In the letter they discuss the recent murder committed by Little Warrior, a Creek Indian. The men believe that Little Warrior "will endeavour to do all the mischief he possibly can as he is now outlawed in his own Country and men out in all...
In the letter Lewis asks Coffee for information about the survey of Indian lands: "Respecting the line to be run between us & the Indians Maj. Russell is desirous to know where the line will commence in the Chicasaws [sic] or Cherokees or Creeks or...
A note on the back explains the charge to the accused, Mathew Duncan: "Take notice this action is brought to recover the price of a horse the proper goods & chattels of Thomas Cargill which you took & converted to your own use." A transcript is...
In the letter Mason and Dexter describe the climate, landscape, and business opportunities of the area: "No part of the United States offers greater encouragement to the adventurer, especially the agriculturist than Alabama. The country is yet new,...
The deed specifically protects the gift from the control of Alpha's husband: "...the said John Thomas Neal, may have the use of the said negroe [sic] girl while he lives, as a husband to his wife and a father to his children, but that is all he...
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...
In the letter Puryear describes a "handsome lott of Negroes" he has just received, and he asks if Dellet would be interested in purchasing any: "I am retailing them fast at $900 but if you would take largely I would afford them for something less...
In the letter Stuckey discusses the slave Warren, whom he had sold to Gibbons the previous year. A physician hired by Gibbons diagnosed the boy with "chronic rheumatism," but Stuckey maintains that he was never ill before the sale. While he will...
The gift is conditional, however: "That if myself or Edwards [sic] mother my wife should in the events of life consider that either of us should stand in need of said negroes--then either of our own judgements [sic] shall rule and take the said...
In the letter Browne discusses his travels through the South, describes the economic opportunities and prices of goods in Alabama, and asks about eligible young ladies at home. He wonders why women are reluctant to move south: "Alabama is a great...
The Clay Club was formed by the Whig citizens of Dallas County. In the letter Dellet writes that he will be unable to attend the club's upcoming dinner in Selma. He then gives a dismal summary of the nation's political and economic condition, which...
In the letter Morris, who is applying to be an overseer for Dellet, gives his terms for managing the plantation: he will take $1,000 to manage over fifty slaves and $800 to manage fifty or fewer.
In the letter Gorin asks Dellet to buy three slaves so she can help pay some of her husband's debt. She wants him to purchase the man, woman, and child for $1,300, and then she plans to take them to New Orleans and hire them out by the day. It is...
During the Mexican-American War, Moore organized and led the Eutaw Rangers, a group of volunteers from Greene County, Alabama. In the letter he discusses life in camp, acquaintances in his regiment ("mainly composed of very trifling & low bred...
In the letter Woodbary expresses surprise at discovering that a fellow New Englander had also moved to the South. She writes about her difficulty in adjusting to Alabama because "the manner and customs of the people here are so different from those...