Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Draft amending Alabama Constitution

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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.

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