Draft amending Alabama Constitution
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09131 Author/Creator: Place Written: s.l. Type: Document signed Date: 16 September 1865 circa Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
"Ordinance / in relation to the Institution of Slavery and the abolition thereof. / Sep. 16 - Subst[itution]. Ordered 100 copies be printed. Sp. order Monday 11. / Be it ordained by the people of the state of Alabama, in convention assembled, That [Manuscript insert: Slavery having been destroyed in Alabama by the United States, in its advance & occupancy of the state] ... hereafter there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in this State, otherwise than for the punishment of crime... And be it further ordained, that the Constitution be amended by striking out all provisions in relation to slaves and slavery.... It shall be the duty of the Legislature at its next session, to pass such laws as will protect the Freedmen of this state in the full enjoyment of their rights of person and property, and guard against any evils that may arise from their sudden emancipation." The insert and revisions have been written again - slightly varied - in the bottom margin, as well as on a separate scrap of paper. On lined blue paper.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.