In the introduction, Pickett explains his method of gathering information: "I have taken many of the following notes down on paper in a great hurry, as fast as the people narrating would speak, and there are many mistakes in grammar, spelling &...
In the first two letters (written March 17 and May 25, 1791), Knox discusses gathering troops "for the purpose of marking the line next October mentioned in the treaty of the Creeks" (referring to the new boundary lines agreed upon in the Treaty of...
In the letter Toulmin briefly mentions plans to establish a salt works nearby, and then he criticizes Caller's recent efforts to prevent the division of the Mississippi Territory before statehood: "That the whole Mississippi Territory never will be...
Manrique served as the governor of Spanish West Florida from 1813 to 1815. In the letter he responds to the Indian's recent request for provisions, which he submitted to a military commander in Cuba; Manrique assures him that that the goods will be...
In the letter Ellis discusses the case of Adam Lowry, who was tried and convicted twice, first for stealing a hog and then for stealing a horse. After the second offense Lowry's right hand was branded with the letter "T" and he was put in jail. The...
Citizens of the county had asked the governor to excuse Lowry from the remaining part of his punishment: "That he is poor, appears penitent - and that...so far as example or reformation may be considered the objects of punishment, these have...had...
In the first letter, dated Governor George M. Troup of Georgia addresses concerns (probably raised by John Murphy, governor of Alabama) about the locations of Indian towns that will be used as references when determining the boundary between the...
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,...
Moore issued the handbill in response to two statements published by Colonel John McKinley, his opponent in the race for the United States Senate. The two men had been at odds since McKinley allegedly did not support Moore's nephew for the post of...
In the letter Rose discusses a disturbance among the slaves on his plantation, and he asks Hall to investigate the matter: "I must...ask you to ride over to my plantation and ascertain...the fact of the assembling of white men there on the Sabbath,...
The notebook contains records of accounts and supplies for a plank fence on his plantation "to be made by the M & C R. Road Co. and Thomas Fearn"; information on cotton crops, supplies at home and at his plantation, and lands he owned in...
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 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...
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...
In the letter Powell mentions the weather and mutual acquaintances, and he discusses the ongoing secession of Southern states: "The people in this part of the state are becomeing [sic] very restless about the state not seceding. Secession appears...
At the start of the Civil War, Dent was a 1st lieutenant of the Eufaula Rifles, which became Company B of the 1st Alabama Infantry; he was eventually promoted to captain and commanded Dent's Battery (formerly Robertson's Battery). In the letter...
From May 1861 to May 1862 Crenshaw Hall served in the 6th Alabama Infantry. In the letter he describes a recent fight with enemy forces near Fairfax Station, Virginia, several days before the First Battle of Manassas (also known as the First...
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 describes the Union bombardment of Fort McRee...
During the Civil War, Jones served in Company G of the 41st Alabama Infantry Regiment; he was killed in the Battle of Chickamauga on September 20, 1863. In the letter he discusses his duties in the camp and sickness among the soldiers, and he...