manuscript, by making available to me not only the public archives, but also his large private collection, and by securing illustrations. But above all I have been aided by Professor William A. Dunning of Columbia University, at whose instance the work was begun, who gave me many helpful suggestions, read the manuscript, and saved me from numerous pitfalls, and by my wife, who read and criticised both manuscript and proof, and made the maps and the index and prepared some of the illustrations. WALTER L. FLEMING. NEW YORK CITY, August, 1905. CONTENTS PART I _INTRODUCTION_ CHAPTER I PERIOD OF SECTIONAL CONTROVERSY PAGE Composition of the Population of Alabama 3 The Indians and Nullification 8 Slavery Controversy and Political Divisions 10 Emancipation Sentiment in North Alabama 10 Early Party Divisions 11 William Lowndes Yancey 13 Growth of Secession Sentiment 14 "Unionists" Successful in 1851-1852 16 Yancey-Pryor Debate, 1858 17 The Charleston Convention of 1860 18 The Election of 1860 19 Separation of the Churches, 1821-1861 21 Senator Clay's Farewell Speech in the Senate 25 CHAPTER II SECESSION FROM THE UNION Secession Convention Called 27 Parties in the Convention 28 Reports on Secession 31 Debate on Secession 31 Political Theories of Members 34 Ordinance of Secession Passed 36 Confederate States Formed 39 Self-denying Ordinance 41 African Slave Trade 42 Commissioners to Other States 46 Legislation by the Convention 49 North Alabama in the Convention 53 Incidents of the Session 56 PART II _WAR TIMES IN ALABAMA_ CHAPTER III MILITARY AND POLITICAL EVENTS