Hall purchased the slaves, a woman named Amey and her two children, for $500. Alexander agrees to compensate Hall if the woman is found to have a venereal disease: "in case the said negroe woman Amey has the clap or pox as supposed, I will make up...
James was a Scotsman living in the Choctaw nation in Noxubee County, Mississippi. In the letter he complains that Creek warriors have recently stolen horses from settlers: "I want you to put a stop to it as we want to keep in friendship." He...
The men were charged with abetting Samuel Nixon "in committing an assault...in biting off the left ear of one James A. Moore." Citizens of the county had asked the governor to pardon the men: "...it being represented that those persons were...
In the letter Powell explains that he has moved from Huntsville to Franklin County near Tuscumbia and Florence ("they are even now places of great trade and considerable importance but are waging an eternal war against each other - which will...
In preparation for General Lafayette's visit to Alabama, the committee hired Flanagan to clean and make repairs to the state house in Cahaba; the supplies used to do the work (such as paint, brushes, turpentine, and putty) are also listed. A note...
In preparation for General Lafayette's visit to Alabama, the committee hired Miller to make repairs to the state house in Cahaba. A note on the back confirms that payment was received.
Both men served on the Georgia-Alabama Survey Commission; Lewis represented Alabama, and Blount represented Georgia. In the letter Blount reports that the commissioners have "clos'd the boundary line." He describes specific points along the line,...
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...
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 the delay in moving troops out of Mobile; sickness in the camp; and acquaintances from Eutaw....
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, where provisions are scarce ("Our standing dish is fried pickled pork") and...
In the letter Terrell credits the Senate with stopping President Polk and his "war spirits in Congress" from declaring war on England. He also denounces Polk's invasion of Mexico: "As to the Mexican War, it was a bit in Polks [sic] mouth, this...
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...
In the letter Howard discusses the political scene in the state and country, with emphasis on competition among the Democratic, Whig, and Know-Nothing parties: "In these days of 'Know Nothing' delusions the confidence between man and man is so...
In the letter Baker explains that he wishes to clear the debt he owes to Hall, and he arranges a time and place to make the payment. A transcript is included.
In the letter Mary Ann offers her son advice on corresponding with young ladies: "I hope you will never ask a lady (unless a relative) for her narrative untill [sic] you are engaged...young people oftentimes become interested and then attached...
During the Civil War, Semple served as a captain of an artillery battery organized in Montgomery (known as Semple's Battery). He was later appointed a major and transferred to Mobile. In the letter Semple describes conditions in his new camp, where...
"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...
In the letter Forsyth explains a proposal that would make Mobile the home port for a line of passenger and postal steamers from Mexico. He mentions Carlos Butterfield, who is working for the Mexican government to secure such a route. The U.S....
From May 1861 to May 1862 Crenshaw Hall served in the 6th Alabama Infantry. In the letter he discusses recent troop movements; his first night on picket duty; rumors about campaigns and military activity; the relative peace in the area; sickness...
From May 1861 to early 1862 Bolling Hall, Jr., served in the 6th Alabama Infantry. In the letter he discusses recent troop movements and conditions in camp; nearby fighting ("we hear cannon every day"); the possibility of his father commanding a...