Most of the act deals with the punishment of slaves who have violated the law. Possible offenses include running away; gaming; stealing; selling merchandise; carrying weapons; drinking alcohol; "assembling in great numbers...and drumming or making...
The act enables local authorities to decide when to limit the sale of alcoholic beverages to Indians, in order to protect the colonists and preserve peaceful relations with local tribes: "Whereas frequent Tumults and Disturbances have happened by...
The act attempts to control the activities of Indian traders because "a well regulated Indian Trade would be of the utmost advantage to the Commerce of Great Britain and for the benefit and safety of the British Colonies in America." It explains...
The act prevents British colonists from settling on Indian lands, "Whereas it is Essential to the Interest of Great Britain in general & for the Security of this Frontier Colony in particular that Good faith and Correspondence be maintained with...
The act attempts to protect the "Infant Colony" from disorder and idleness: "Whereas Drunkness and Debauchery in every Community tend very much to inervate [sic] the Constitutions of such unhappy persons as are addicted to those Vices, and when...
Porter served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1832 to 1834 and from 1837 to 1839. In the letter he describes events during the current session of congress, including the establishment of a bank in north Alabama; the repeal of a law...
Porter served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1832 to 1834 and from 1837 to 1839. In the letter he discusses elections in Mobile; Thomas Benton's "expunging resolutions" in the United States Senate; activity during the current...
In the letter Mrs. Cato, the widow of Burrell P. Cato, asks for Dellet's help in reclaiming several slaves who have been taken to Texas by the executor of her husband's will. Because of a law prohibiting "the importing or bringing negroes from any...
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...
The first item is a letter from Senator Buford, in which he discusses sectional division over the issues of territorial expansion and slavery; he suggests a convention of the Southern states to address the "impending results of the northern...
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,...
In the letter Moore discusses public sentiment over states' rights violations by the United States Congress: "I trust that public meetings throughout the state, will be held, for the purpose of enlightening the masses, and causing them to...
In the letter King discusses his business and the settlement of his father's estate, and he gives his views on the activities of the "fire eaters": "I addressed the people at Cahawba last week, and I think I succeeded in opening the eyes of many...
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...
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...
In the speech Dowdell argues in favor of a clause in the bill that would repeal the Missouri Compromise of 1820. He objects to a provision of the act that prohibited slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36ø 30' latitude line: "This line...
In the letter Smealey mentions the possibility of making the Mercury, a newspaper in Autauga County, a Democratic organ: "It is a fixed fact that the paper has to change in some way. If the Democrats do not control it the Whigs will." He also...
In the first letter, written from the Exchange Hotel on January 10, 1861, Mitchell describes the tension and excitement in the city as they wait for the official declaration of Alabama's secession: "There seems to be no doubt, you may tell your...