In the letter the men report that after negotiations, Alabama and Georgia have not agreed on a boundary line between the two states. They argue that such conflict was unavoidable, and they maintain that their own intention was "to place 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...
The committee was composed of seven men: Henry Semple, William Lowndes Yancey, S. Heydenfeldt, John A. Campbell, N. Harris, John A. Elmore, and Thomas S. Mays. In the letter they discuss the recent nomination of Lewis Cass as the Democratic...
In the letter King discusses sectional division over slavery and expresses his hope that compromise will settle the issue and maintain unity: "The slavery question is the all absorbing subject here; and how it is to terminate God only knows...but I...
In the letters, Hall's son and wife discuss family illness, weather, crops, livestock, and slaves on their plantation. Mary also mentions her husband's possible attendance at the convention of delegates from proslavery states in Nashville,...
The introduction briefly discusses the terms of the "compromise bills" and encourages support for the decisions of the federal government: "There appears no objection from any Southern man to the Fugitive Slave Bill. After the Wilmot Proviso has...
During the Civil War, Riggs served in Company G of the 27th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. In the letter he describes a recent campaign by General Joseph E. Johnston, which was a surprising success: "Gen Johnston completely surprise both our army...
From May 1861 to June 1862 John Hall served in the 6th Alabama Infantry. In the letter he discusses activities and conditions in camp; the health of his fellow soldiers; traveling through Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi ("I wish I had...
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 he gives his wife advice about their sons'...
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 he discusses new quarters he hopes to have; the...
Account of the Union raid in Selma, Alabama, as remembered by Sarah Ellen Phillips. She describes an attack on a Confederate scouting party; her father's escape to Perry County; and the ransacking of local homes, including her own. In particular...
In the letter Oliver discusses politics and recommends Bolling Hall for a seat in the U.S. Congress: "Instead of the bloody battle field with gallant leaders to marshal our host, we must take the halls where state craft and political intrigue will...
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...
This article comments on the Democratic victories in the recent election: "In our judgment, the result means a new Constitution for Alabama...The present one is out of date, imperfect and unfitted to present conditions...The perplexing, menacing...
Included on this page are two articles about the discussion women's suffrage during Alabama's constitutional convention. The first item (at the bottom left of the page under "Editorial Notes") mentions a proposed amendment that would allow certain...
In the letter Somerville discusses a rumor that he will be dismissed from his position on the appraisal board. While his alleged offense involves a dispute with Secretary Shaw of the U.S. Treasury, he believes that "The real pretext for such...
In the passage Du Bois critiques Booker T. Washington's methods for the education and assimilation of African Americans in society: "...it has been claimed that the Negro can survive only through submission. Mr. Washington distinctly asks that...
This leaflet reprints a letter that Senator John H. Bankhead wrote to Frank V. Evans, editor of The Walker County News. In it he explains why he does not support the proposed prohibition amendment to the Alabama constitution. He argues that...
In the letter John describes living conditions on the front lines in France; the shooting down of a German plane ("our first glimpse of war"); and the excitement most of the men feel during the fighting: "We stood on a hill under the moonlight last...
In the letter Fort discusses the adoption of the Long resolution in the state legislature, which directed that "no legislation regarding the convict lease system be considered during the present session." Fort believes that "the powers that be in...