from the right; but the confluent creeks are numerous on both sides. Northern Alabama is finely, indeed beautifully variegated by hill, dale, and in some places by plain. It was the first part of the state inhabited by whites, if we except a few spots along Mobile and Tombigbee Rivers, above and below the town of Mobile; and is yet far most densely settled; the mean to the square mile being by the census of 1830, a small fraction above 20, whilst that of Southern Alabama, did not amount but to a little above the one third, or not quite 7 to the square mile. dle and northern part small grain succeeds well. The arable land of southern Alabama, lies mostly along or near the water courses, and is composed of two species. Alluvion, properly so called, and Interval land. The latter a kind of intermediate soil between the alluvial river bottoms and the open pine woods. The latter description of land, is sterile, and comprises the much greater part of the surface of the state, more comparatively extensive, however, on the southern than on the northern section. Constitution of Government, JudiciaryThe territory now constituting the state of Alabama was formerly included in the western territory of Georgia, afterwards in the Mississippi territory. (See Georgia and Mississippi.) In March, 1817, the Mississippi territory was divided by an Act of Congress, by which authority was given to form the western section into a state, and subsequent. The southern and much most extensive zone, or inclined plain, falls by a very gentle declivity from N. lat. 34° 20′ to the Gulf of Mexico, over something more than four degrees of latitude. This slope is drained and finely variegated by the numerous branches of the Coosa, Tallapoosa, Cahaba, Black Warrior, Tombigbee, and Alabama, all contributing to form the Mobile. The southeastern angle of the state declines to the southwest-ly the eastern part was formed into a territo. ward and is drained in that direction by Choctaw, Yellow Water, Conecuh rivers. A very narrow strip of the southeastern border, declines eastward, and is drained into and bounded by the Chattahooche river. The state is over both physical sections, very advantageously supplied with navigable rivers, though possessing within its own limits but one outlet to the Gulf of Mexico by Mobile Bay. The tides being moderate, not exceeding two and a half feet at a mean. The entrance of sea vessels of any draught, is arrested by rapids at Claiborne, in Alabama, and St. Stephens, in Tombigbee river; both places being about one hundred miles direct distance above the outlet of Mobile Bay, into the Gulf of Mexico. In common winters, the rivers of even northern Alabama, are but little impeded by ice, but there do occur seasons, and that of 1831-32, is an example, when Tennessee river and its confluents are completely frozen. The streams flowing southwardly, towards the Gulf of Mexico, are still more rarely, and below N. lat. 33°, perhaps never rendered unnaviga. ble by frosts. The excessive droughts of summer are, indeed, far more frequently the cause of impeding navigation in, not only the rivers of Alabama, but all the streams between the Mississippi and the Atlantic ocean below N. lat. 35o. ry under the name of Alabama. The in crease of population was so rapid as to enti. tle it to admission as a state government in 1818, and application was made to Congress accordingly. A bill was brought in and a law passed, March, 1819, empowering the people of Alabama to form a Constitution; under the authority of which, a Convention met at Hunts. ville in Northern Alabama, and on August 2, 1819, adopted a Constitution of State Govern ment, which was ratified by Congress December 1819, and the state admitted into the Union. The Constitution of Alabama provides:that "The powers of the government of the state of Alabama shall be divided into three distinct departments; and each of them confided to a separate body of magistracy, to wit, Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. No person, or collection of persons, being of one of those departments, shall exercise any pow. er properly belonging to either of the others, except in the instances hereinafter expressly directed or permitted." "The legislative power of this state shall be vested in two distinct branches: the one to be styled the Senate, the other the House of Representatives, and both together the General Assembly of the state of Alabama. The members of the House of Represen tatives shall be chosen by the qualified elec. tors, and shall serve for the term of one year. No person shall be a representative unless he be a white man, a citizen of the United States, and shall have been an inhabitant of this state two years next preceding his election; and the last year thereof, a resident of the county, city, or town, for which he shall be chosen, and shall have attained the age of twenty-one years. The seasons at the extremes of Alabama, in regard to mean and extreme temperature differ greatly. The border along the Gulf of Mexico may be called tropical when compared with the valley of Tennessee. Between lat. 30° 10', and 31° 30', or below tide water, excessive frost or lying snows are rare; but the temperature changes sensibly advancing towards and into the valley of Tennessee. No part, however, of the state reaches suffi "Senators shall be chosen by the qualified ciently to the southward to admit the profita electors, for the term of three years, at the ble cultivation of sugar cane. Cotton is the same time, in the same manner, and at the general staple of the state. Indian corn same places, where they may vote for memor maize is the usual crop; but in the mid-bers of the House of Representatives; and no person shall be a Senator unless he be a Art. 4.-"The supreme Executive power of this state shall be vested in a chief magistrate, who shall be styled the governor of the state of Alabama. The governor shall be elected by the qualified electors, at the time and places when they shall respectively vote for representatives. He shall hold his office for the term of two years, from the time of his installation, and until his successor shall be duly qualified; but shall not be eligible for more than four years in any term of six years. He shall be atleast thirty years of age, shall be a native citizen of the United States, and shall have resided in this state, at least four years next preceding the day of his election." "The Judicial power of this state shall be vested in one Supreme Court, Circuit courts to be held in each county of the state, and such inferior courts of law and equity, to consist of not more than five members, as the general assembly may, from time to time, direct, ordain, or establish. No person who shall have arrived at the age of seventy years, shall be appointed to, or continue in the office of Judge in this state." Education. The following section is made part of the Constitution of Alabama. "Schools and the means of education, shall forever be encouraged in this state; and the general assembly shall take measures to preserve, from unnecessary waste or damage, such lands as are or hereafter may be granted by the United States, for the use of schools, within each township in this state, and apply the funds which may be raised from such lands, in strict conformity to the object of such grant. The general assembly shall take like measures, for the improvement of such lands as have been or may be hereafter granted by the United States to this state, for the support of a seminary of learning, and the monies which may be raised from such lands, by rent, lease or sale, or from any other quarter, for the pur. pose aforesaid, shall be and remain a fund for the exclusive support of a state university, for the promotion of the arts, literature, and the sciences; and it shall be the duty of the general assembly, as early as may be, to provide effectual means for the improvement and permanent security of the funds and endowments of such institution." The following provision is proof decisive of the progress of liberality and humanity :— "In the prosecution of slaves for crimes, of a higher grade than petty larceny, the general assembly shall have no power to deprive them of an impartial trial by a petit jury." The Constitution of Alabama may be amended or revised, whenever two thirds of each house of the general assembly propose such amendments or revision. The proposed changes duly published three months before the next general election, when and where the voice of the people is taken, and if "it shall appear that a majority of all the citizens of this state, voting for representatives, have voted in favor of such proposed amendments: and two thirds of each house of the next general assembly, shall after such an election and before another ratify the same, they shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as parts of this constitution." History. This state derives its name from that of one of the noble rivers which channel its surface. Early in the eighteenth century, the French, in founding the colony of Louisiana, formed small settlements on Mobile river, and built a fort where the city of Mobile now stands, but a large share of what is now Alabama remained in possession of the native Indians for about a century after the founding of Louisiana. The original charter of Georgia covered the whole zone from 31° to 35° N.; of course four degrees wide of Alabama was included in Georgia. In 1802, a cession was made by Georgia to the United States, of all her western territory between Chattahooche and Mississippi rivers, as far up the former as near lat. 33°, and from thence to lat. 35°, by the existing line of demarcation between Georgia and Alabama. Alabama continued a part of the Mississippi territory until separated in the manner stated under the head of Constitution; where also the material facts in the history of the state are also given. For seat of government see Tuscaloosa. ALABAMA, p-t. Genesee co. N. Y. Pop. 783. ALACHUA CO. Flor.; bounded N. by Duvall co. N. E. by St John's co.; E. S. E. and s. by the country of the Seminole Indians, and w. by the Gulf of Mexico. Extending from south to north along the Gulf from N. lat. 27° 28′ at Sarazota Entrance, to N. lat. 29° 24', at the mouth of Suwanne river; and in long. from 5° 10' to 6° 20' w. from W. C. In length it is about equal to the difference of its extremes of lat. or about 140 miles; the breadth varies greatly, but may be about a mean of 30 miles; area, 4,200 square miles. The surface slopes westward, but the decliv. ity is slight, and discharges with no great rapidity of descent, Hillsboro', Anaclote, Amasura, and Suwanne rivers. It is generally flat, part marshy, some prairie. Soil mostly sterile. Court House at Dells. ALACHUA SAVANNA, grassy plain in Alachua | ly the course of Oconee s. s. E. by compara. co. Florida; "lies about 4 miles above Or- tive courses 90 miles, falls into the Atlantic ange lake; its length is 7 miles, and its ocean by one main and several smaller outlets, breadth 3 miles. The great body of water in between St. Simon's and Sapeloo islands, and this Savanna is represented as losing itself between McIntosh and Glynn counties. The in a large sink, supposed to be at the northern entire length of the basin of Alatamaha is 250 side, and to discharge itself through a sub- miles, with a mean width of 50, and area terranean passage into Orange lake. What 12,500 square miles; and lying between lat. ever may be the case, this Savanna exhibits 31° 15' and 34° 28', and between long. 4° 22′ but the appearance of a level, watery mea- and 7° 20' w. from W. C. The sources of Aladow, covered with a thick growth of aquatic tamaha interlock with those of St. Illa, Camgrass, a circumstance which causes it to be bahee, Ogeeche, and Savannah rivers, flowing called, in the idiom of the country, a grassy into the Atlantic ocean, and with those of lake. Its outlet, the Chechale, which flows Chattahooche, Flint, and Suwanne, flowing into Orange lake, is of rather small size. into the Gulf of Mexico. The Alachua Savanna is lined with ham. mocks, in which the live-oak and water-oak are predominating." ALAPAPAHA, a river of Geo. and eastern branch of Suwanne river. wanne. As a navigable channel, Alatamaha has 14 | feet water on its bar. Boats of 30 tons are navigated to Milledgeville on the Oconee, and Flor. the to an equal or greater distance up the OakSee Su- mulgee. Down stream navigation is practicable on both rivers from near their sources. ALAQUA, a small but remarkable river of Flor. in Walton co. rises in a ridge of hills near the centre of the county, and in two branches which unite to form Alaqua, which, assuming a southern course, falls into Choc. taw bay. This stream admits the entrance of vessels drawing 5 feet water, for a distance of 15 miles to the margin of a fine body of fertile land, already extensively settled and cultivated. "Alaqua," says Williamson in his Florida, "is the largest stream that enters from the Ridge. The springs of the two eastern branches of this river rise gradually in cane patches, and flow through a beautiful undulating country of good land." ALAQUA, p-V. and seat of justice for Walton co. Flor. is situated on Alaqua river, 70 miles a little N. of E. from Pensacola, and by post road 161 miles a little N. of w. from Tallahas se. N. lat. 30° 38': long. 9° 20' w. from W. C. The climate of this basin differs very much between the extremes, from difference of latitude and of level. The lat. differs near 34°, and the level not less than 1000 feet, giving an entire difference of temperature, of upwards of 5° of Fahrenheit's Thermometer. The vegetable productions, both natural and exotic, present a corresponding variety, with the extent of climate. On this basin, near the mouth of Alatamaha, the orange tree and sugar-cane are cultivated, and on its higher branches, the apple, peach, and pear; wheat, rye, oats and meadow grapes flourish. The staple vegetable, however, over the whole basin, which is most cultivated and valued, is Cotton. Tobacco, Indigo and rice, are also occasionally produced. ALBA, p-v. Bradford co. Pa. ALBANY, p-t. Oxford co. Me. 18 miles N. W.of Paris. Pop. 387. ALBANY, p-t. Orleans co. Vt. 6 miles square, 34 miles N. Montpelier, contains several ponds, and part of Black river. The market road from Boston to Montreal passes through Pop. 683. ALATAMAHA, a fine river of Georgia, draining the central parts of that state, and the space between the branches of the Flint, Chattahooche, and Savannah rivers. The Oco-it. nec and Oakmulgee rivers, are the great constituent streams of the Alatamaha. The two former rising southeastward from the valley of the Chattahooche; the Oconee in Hall, near Gainsville, and the Oakmulgee in Gwinnett and De Kalb counties. Both streams rise so near as from 10 to 15 miles from the main volume of Chattahooche, but both assuming a nearly parallel course of s. s. E., about forty miles asunder. The Oconee, or eastern branch, pursues the original course with but slight general inflections, 170 miles to its junction with Oakmulgee, between Montgomery and Appling counties. The western, or Oakmulgee branch, pursues the original course, 160 miles, to near Jacksonville in Telfair co., where it curves round to N. E., 30 miles, to its union with Oconee, almost exactly on N. lat. 32°, and directly w. from the mouth of Savannah river. Below the junction of Oconce and Oakmulgee rivers, the united waters form the Alatamaha, which, maintaining near ALBANY CO. N. Y. bounded by Schenecta. dy and Saratoga counties N.; Rensselaer E.; Greene s.; Schoharie w. ; 22 by 21 miles ;.462 square miles; N. lat. 42° 21', long. 20' E. and 15' w. New York city, is w. of Hudson river, about 144 miles N. of New York; contains 9 townships. Albany is the chief town. Formations, transition and secondary, on slate rock, over which lies graywacke, especially in the west and middle. There are also shell lime stone and sand stone. Loose primitive rocks lie on the surface; and the minerals are numerous. The soil is various, low and rich on Hudson river, sand plains in the interior, hilly w., rocky N., much land is uncultivated. Norman's, Coeyman's, Bethlehem and Ten Miles creeks are small mill streams. Catskill river rises in the s. The Erie and Champlain canals unite and terminate in this county, and the Mohawk and Hudson rail road (for which see Albany,) is entirely within it. One of the first settlements in the state was here. There is an agricultural society for the county; at Watervliet on the canal, is the United States arsenal, the principal depot for arms in the northern States. Population, 1820, 38,116; 1830, 53,560. ALBANY, city, Albany co. N. Y. CAPITAL of the state; on the w. bank of Hudson river, 144 miles N. of New-York, 165 w. of Boston, 230 s. of Montreal, 30 N. of Hudson, 15 s. E. of Schenectady, is the second city in the state in population, trade, wealth and resources. It has been greatly increased and enriched by the operation of the Erie and Champlain canals, which unite 8 miles north of the centre of the city, and terminate at the Basin, which is formed in Hudson river by a pier 4,300 feet in length, along the upper part of the city, by which sloops, tow boats and canal boats are brought side by side, or have their cargoes exchanged over the pier. The amount of canal tolls received at Albany in 1830, was $212,056; 1831, $269,443. The whole amount received since the opening of the canals, $1,273,219 13. to be placed 130 ft. above the canal: 2 of the 3 sections are level; the others slope very gently towards Albany. It is thought that 600 passengers will pass on this road daily, and many more during the travelling season. The annual expenses are estimated at $14,600. Rail-road routes have been surveyed from Albany to Boston, and it is proposed to construct one either by the 8th Mass. turnpike, through Blanford, or by the Pontoosuc turnpike. Another is proposed, to West Stockbridge, Mass. at an estimated expense of $500,000, to connect part of the valley of Housatonic r., with Hudson r. A charter of a N. York city and Albany rail-road has been granted, to run E. of Hudson r. Pop. 26,000. sources. The climate of this basin differs very much between its extremes both from difference of latitude and of level. The latitude differs near 34 degrees, and the level not less than 1000 feet, giving an entire dif ALBEMARLE Sound, a deep bay of N. C. is the estuary of the Roanoke and Chowan riv. ers, extending 60 miles in length from east to west, along N. lat. 36° with a mean breadth of 8 miles, but protruding several deep minor bays. The Roanoke enters from the west and the Chowan from the northwest at the extreme interior of Albemarle, which spreads The Capitol, which stands on a fine square below the entrance of those rivers in a shallow at the head of State street, facing E. is a large expanse of water, with a level, or rather flat and spacious stone building, and has two spa- country along each shore. Every small inlet cious and richly furnished chambers for the has its own comparative broad bay, by one of Senate and Assembly. In it are also rooms which the Pasquotank, a navigable inland for the Superior Court, the Chancellor's communication by the Dismal Swamp canal, Court, an office for the Governor, Committee, has been formed between Albemarle sound Jurors, and other rooms. The City Hall, and Chesapeake bay. Albemarle sound is situated on the same square, and facing west, separated from the Atlantic ocean, by long, is a noble building of white marble, where low, and narrow reefs of sand; but having are held the Courts of the U. S. Circuit, of two channels of connexion southward with Common Pleas, the Mayor's, &c. The build- Pamlico Sound, one on each side of the ing is surmounted with a large dome, richly Roanoke Island, and on the northward an gilded, which marks its site to the traveller opening to the oceah by Currituck Sound and when many miles distant. This building, to-inlet; both rivers are navigable to near their gether with the Academy which stands on the same square, and which is a beautiful structure of free-stone, are a just source of pride to the citizens, and are evidence of the taste, wealth and enterprise of the inhabitants. Here are a Female Seminary and anference of temperature of upwards of 5 deAcademy, to which are apportioned, from the school fund, to the former, $115 50 and to the latter, $360 68. There are 5 Banks, 3 Insurance Offices, an Institute, Library and Athenæum. The number of travellers passing through this city is very great, at all seasons. While the river is navigable, four elegant steamboats arrive here from N. York daily, and as many depart, transporting hundreds of passengers; while the travelling is great in all other directions, by towboats, canals, stages, &c. A steam boat line is also to begin this year between New York and Troy. Steam tow-boats and sloops transport a vast amount of merchandize for and from the canals. The Mohawk and Hud. son Rail Road, designed to avoid the locks and circuit of Erie canal, was partly in use in 1831, and is now completed. It extends in a straight line from Albany to Schenectady, 14 miles, over an elevated sandy plain, with an inclined plane at each end. On that near Schenectady, a stationary engine is grees of latitude, The vegetable productions, both natural and exotic, have a corresponding variety with the extent of climate. On this basin, near the mouth, the orange and sugar cane are cultivated; and on its higher branches, the apple, and wheat, rye, oats, and other cerealia. The staple vegetable, how. ever, both on the interior and islands contiguous to this basin, is cotton, though admitting a very wide range of staple, such as tobacco, indigo, &c. Rice, is extensively cultivated. ALBEMARLE, one of the central counties of Va. bounded N. w. by the Blue Ridge which separates it from Augusta and Rockingham, on the N. E. by the western part of Orange, on the E. by Louisa and Fluvanna, on the s. by James River, which separates it from Buckingham, and on the s. w. by Nelson. Length from s. w. to N. E. 35 miles, mean width 20, and area 700 square miles, N. lat. 38°, passes over very nearly the middle of the county, which is again nearly divided into two equal parts by long. 1° 30′ w. from W. C. The body of this county is drained by the con- belong to it. The shore, which extends 9 ms. stituent creeks of Rivanna River, which is high, rocky and varied, with many bays. uniting below Charlotteville, pass through the The St. L. is 2 ms. wide. It contains Indian south-west mountain, and a few miles lower r. Mullet, Otter, Hyde, Plesses and Crooked enter Fluvanna. The face of this county is creeks, with other mill streams; and 12 elegantly diversified by hill and dale, whilst ponds, 3-4 to 3 ms. long. There are many the Blue Ridge affords a fine north-western falls, and numerous fish. At the falls on Ind. border, and the more humble ridges of the r. (6) ft.) is Theresa r. That r. is navigated south-west mountain decorate the eastern by boats to Rossie. The timber is maple, part. The soil, of course, partakes of the beech, bass, elm, red and white oak, black variety of feature from mountain, rocky and and white ash, hemlock, pine, &c. It is sterile, to productive river alluvion. Chief crossed by the military road from Plattsburg towns, Charlotteville, Scottsville, and War- to Sacket's Harbor. Pop. 1,523. ren. Pop. 1820, 19,750, and in 1830, 22,618. ALEXANDRIA, p-t. Hunterdon co. N. J. N. w. ALBERTSONS, post office, Duplin Co. N. C. Musconetcong r.; s. w. Delaware r.; Mus. 70 miles s. E. from Raleigh. con mt. w. ALBION, p-t. Oswego co. N. Y. Pop. 669. ALEXANDRIA city, s-p. p-t. and st. jus. for ALBION, p-v. and seat of justice, Edwards the co. of the same name, D. C. situated on co. Illinois, situated between Bon Pas and the right bank of the Potomac, 7 miles beLittle Wabash rivers, 44 miles s. w. from low the capitol in Washington. The public Vincennes, and by post road 733 miles west-buildings in Alexandria are several churches, ward from W. C. and 92 s. E. by E. from Van-Court-house, Academy, &c. The streets dalia; N. lat. 38° 23', and long. 11° 07' w. from W. C. ALBRIGHTS, post-office, Orange co. N. C. 70 miles N. w. from Raleigh. run at right angles to each other, and nearly so to the Potomac. This city is the centre of a considerable commerce, particularly in the article of flour. The harbor admits vessels ALBURG, p-t. and port of entry, Grand Isle of any draught, from ships of the line down. co. Vt. 33 m. N. Burlington, is of a triangular wards. The meridian of Washington passform, 10 ms. long, and on an average 34 wide, ing through the capitol leaves the central part with Lower Canada line N. Missisque Bay of Alexandria, near 3 minutes to the E. lat. E. and L. Champlain w., forming a point s. Alexandria 38° 48" N. It was settled in 1782, by refugees who returned from Canada. The surface is very Population 1810 level, and there are no mountains or consid-Free white males Do. Females 2378 Total white pop. 1810 4903 836 Slaves 1488 7227 ALDEN, p-t. Erie co. N. Y. 22 ms. E. Buffa- All persons except Indians not taxed lo. Pop. 1,257. ALDIE post-office, Loudon co. Va. by post road 39 miles westward from W. C. ALEXANDER, p-t. Genesee co. N. Y.; 8 m. s. s. w. Batavia, is crossed by Tonne wanta cr. In 1820 with several branches, and has a gently vari-Free white males ed surface, with a soil yielding grain, grass, Do. Females &c. beech, maple, elm, ash, &c. The village Foreigners not naturalized is on Tonnewanta cr. Pop. 2,331. ALEXANDER t. Washington co. Me. 30 ms. N. Machias. Pop. 334. ALEXANDER, p-v. Athens co. O. by p-r. 79 miles S-E. by E. from Columbus, and 350 N-W. by w. from W. C. ALEXANDER P-V. southern part of Montgomery co. O. by p-r. 73, s-w. by w. half west from Columbus, and 469 ms. N-w. by w. from W.C. ALEXANDER'S mills, p-o. Fleming co. Ky.; by p-r. 86 miles estrd. from Frankfort. Total white pop. 1820 5768 Free colored males Do. Females 461 707 606 829 ALEXANDRIA t. Grafton co. N. H. 30 m. N. by w. Concord, 72 N. w. Portsmouth. On Smith's and Fowler's rivers are 2000 acres of interval land, good for flax, potatoes and grass. ALEXANDRIA Co. D. C. comprising that Wheat and maize grow well in other parts. part of the District ceded by Virginia and lyThe mountainous tracts are rocky. Pop. ing s. w. from the Potomac. From s. E. to 1,083. N. w. it is 10 miles in length widening from ALEXANDRIA, p-t. Jefferson co. N. Y. oppo- the lower part of the city of Alexandria where site the 1000 Isls. in St. Lawrence r. which it is a mere point, to a width of 4 miles from |