Alabama. Secession Convention (1861).

Authorities:

1859-1860 Alabama Acts, Joint Resolutions n.n.

1923 Alabama Code, Vol. 1, 1861 Constitution.

"The Alabama Secession Convention," The Alabama Historical Quarterly, Vol. 3 (1941): 269-468.

Markley, Anne Ethelyn. Author Headings for the Official Publications of the State of Alabama. Chicago: American Library Association, 1948.

Owen, Thomas McAdory. The History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1921.

Smith, William Russell. The History and Debates of the Convention of the People of Alabama. Montgomery: White, Pfister & Co. 1961.

On 1860 Feb. 24 the Ala. General Assembly adopted a joint resolution (two dissenting votes) authorizing the governor of Ala. "in the event of a president advocating the principles and actions of the party in the Northern States calling itself the Republican Party" to proclaim an election for delegates by county to a convention of the state "to consider, determine and do whatever in the opinion of said Convention, the rights, interests, and honor of the State of Alabama requires to be done for their protection." On 1860 Dec. 6 Gov. Andrew Barry Moore (1857-1861) issued writs for an election to be held on 1860 Dec. 24 to choose 100 delegates to convene Monday, 1861 Jan. 7, in the Capitol chambers of the House of Representatives in Montgomery. The convention adjourned Thursday Mar. 21.

The Secessionists were in the majority over the Cooperationists and elected William McLin Brooks as President of the Convention; William Henry Fowler, Secretary (resigned Jan. 15 for military service) and replaced by A.G. Horn; Assistant Secretary, Frank L. Smith and Door Keeper, Robert H. Wynn.

At this meeting the Ordinance of Secession of 1861 Jan. 11 was passed and signed by sixty-one delegates. A minority report was issued by thirty-three non-conforming delegates making public their reasons for withholding their signatures from the Ordinance of Secession. Seven members of the Cooperationist Party did sign the Ordinance.

During the Convention, the 1819 Constitution of Ala. was revised with general changes and adopted Mar. 20. The newsletter provided for annual sessions in lieu of biennial meetings. The Constitution of 1861 was never submitted for ratification to the voters of Ala.