In the letter Terrell withdraws his name from consideration for appointment at a new land office in Alabama, and he describes his disappointment with President Van Buren's policy toward banks and public money: "Well sir, the president recommended...
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...
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...
During the Mexican-American War, Moore organized and led the Eutaw Rangers, a group of volunteers from Greene County, Alabama. In the letter he describes the sea voyage to Port Isabel in Texas. He mentions the weather; seasickness; activities of...
During the Mexican-American War, Moore organized and led the Eutaw Rangers, a group of volunteers from Greene County, Alabama. He wrote this letter while traveling on a boat to his regiment's next camp. In it he mentions the great sickness that...
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 possible upcoming troop movements and campaigns; the landscape and native people near his new...
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 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...
After the nomination of Lewis Cass as the Democratic candidate for president in 1848, a committee of men from Alabama asked Tazewell to run against him. In the first letter, Tazewell declines the invitation, though he also disagrees with the...
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 his speech Kossuth discusses the struggles that his native Hungary has endured and praises the United States for its example in promoting state sovereignty over government centralization: "With self-government is freedom, and with freedom is...
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 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...
This passage includes a letter written by Gosse, on September 1, 1838. He discusses slavery in Alabama ("a huge deadly serpent"), describing cruel punishments, poor living conditions, and impediments to emancipation. In his view, the institution...
From Claiborne's preface to the work: "As originally written, the narrative was almost literally in his [Dale's] own words. In the present memoir I have preserved his language in many parts, and faithfully expressed his opinions." The first passage...
In the letter Wyatt asks Hall to attend an upcoming meeting of the Democratic party in the area "to take part in deliberating and determining the future action of our party on the momentous issue which promises to be presently presented to the...
This assembly of the Alabama Democrats plans to send delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Baltimore, despite the withdrawal of the state's delegation from the earlier meeting in Charleston: "There is a vacancy in the Delegation of...
In the letter Fraser comments on the quality of the iron produced by Ware at the Shelby Iron Works: "I hope you will be able to furnish all the iron that is consumed in this market, for in my opinion there is no better to be found in this or any...
The author of the letter addresses Hall's apparent complaints about the new military organization of the university. He explains that new system is expected to reduce expenses, and he discusses specific areas where cost is reduced or unchanged...
In the letter John discusses the tense political climate across the country, the possibility of secession, and the necessity of fighting: "I heard to day [sic] that the latest telegraphic news was that Gov. Wise had been assassinated, Cobb had been...