Most of the documents deal with either the emancipation of slaves or the transfer of slave ownership to other family members. In addition to these records, there is a resolution (dated June 29, 1825) in which leaders of the Broken Arrow Council...
In his introduction, Tait reminds the men of the jury that they are performing a vital civic duty: "We should never forget that true patriotism consists in devotion to our constitutions and the laws emanating from them - that there is no true...
In the letter Gayle describes the allegations of the white citizens, including the murder of a circuit court clerk in Russell County. The newly appointed agents are to begin their work by meeting with the Indian chiefs: "In your interview with...
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 letter the Cherokee leaders express their concerns over relations with the United States: "You are aware of the distressing situation in which our country stands. We are the earlier possessors of the soil which we still retain but where...
The letter gives the Indians' response to the proclamation Clay issued to the Creek chiefs. They express disappointment at the behavior of the warring Indians but then describe their own amiable relations with white settlers, mentioning, however,...
In the letter Clay asks Poinsett to override a recent military order regarding "retailers of spirituous liquors." Clay does not explain what the order was, but it is likely that it restricted the sale of alcoholic beverages even among the white...
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...
In the statement Joseph G. White, commander of the "Washington," attests that his ship was "captured on the high seas, as prize of war" and arranges for its release: "I...am desirous of ransoming said ship for the benefit of myself and of the...
From July 1862 to November 1863, Crenshaw Hall was adjutant of the 2nd Battalion, Hilliard's Legion. In the letter he argues in favor of conscript laws because "between 16 and 18 the state of Ala alone might recruit a force of at least 15,000...
The order deals with the cessation of hostilities at the end of the Civil War: "...the officers and men of this army are to bind themselves not to take up arms against the United States untill [sic] properly released from that obligation and shall...
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...
In the letter Hughes describes the recent arrest of Semmes, which he considers to be a violation of the parole that was granted him on April 26,1865. According to the parole, Semmes was "permitted to return to his home, not to be disturbed by the...
In the first letter, written August 26, Semmes complains that he has not been allowed to take his position as probate judge of Mobile County: "Do I read the President's proclamation of the 20th. inst., declaring that peace prevails throughout the...
In the first letter Dr. Cloud reprimands Whitfield because Tuscaloosa County has not provided enough schools for its African American children: "...you have reported 44 white schools, and only 2 colored, which is not in accordance with the school...
In the letter Hays asks the governor to declare a state of martial law in Greene County because of hostilities against Republicans there: "There is no safety here for any Republican that wishes order and the laws enforced....Republicans cannot go...
In this message to the United States House of Representatives, President Ulysses S. Grant presents a statement he received from a group of African Americans in Montgomery, Alabama, who had assembled to discuss the "grave and menacing dangers that...
Leaflet addressed to Democrats in Dallas County, Alabama, urging them to vote for the "good and true men" of the party, who will not resort to illegal methods to gain political power: "They will tell you, that when bad men are elected to office,...