Alabama

One of the United States of America, being the ninth admitted into the Union. It was formerly a part of Georgia, but in 1798 the territory now included in the states of Alabama and Mississippi was organized as a territory called Mississippi, which was cut off from the Gulf coast by Florida, then Spanish territory, extending to the French possessions in Louisiana. During the war of 1812, part of Florida lying between the Perdido and Pearl rivers was occupied by United States troops and afterwards annexed to Mississippi territory, forming part of the present state of Alabama, which was occupied principally by Creek Indians. The country becoming rapidly settled by the whites, the western portion was admitted into the Union as the state of Mississippi, and, by act of Congress of March 3, 1S17, the eastern portion was organized as the territory of Alabama; 3 U. S. Stat L. 371. An act of Congress was passed March 2, 1819, authorizing the inhabitants of the territory of Alabama to form for themselves a constitution and state government. In pursuance of that act, the constitution of the state of Alabama was adopted by a convention which met at Huntsville, July 5, and adjourned August 2, 1819. Amendment prohibiting sale and manufacture of intoxicating liquors, adopted 1909.