Constitution of the State of Alabama

1876. (ALABAMA). Constitution of the State of Alabama. December 6, 1819. Printed by Order of the House of Representatives. [House Document, 16th Congress, 1st session, no. 1]. Washington: Gales & Seaton, 1819. 1st ed. 8vo. 24 pp. In modern 3/4 sheep with marbled paper over boards. A partially unopened copy. Expected toning and foxing, but largely a very nice copy. Near fine. Shaw & Shoemaker 49746. First printed in Huntsville, August 1819, this edition of Alabama's first constitution was printed within days of Alabama being granted statehood on December 14, 1819. Functionally it established a state government the mirrored the Federal government-three branches with a bicameral legislature. Of course, there were protections for the institution of slavery, though it did make provisions for the right of trial by jury for enslaved African Americans. Though in some ways it was "progressive for its time as it removed the educational and property-holding requirements for white male voters as in many other states. Furthermore, it did not restrict the holding of political offices to property owners, taxpayers, or members of the state militia and allowed voters to directly vote on members of the state House and Senate as well as the governor and amendments" (Auburn University's Encyclopedia of Alabama). While the Huntsville printing has turned up at auction a handful of times since the Streeter sale (#1556) where it sold for the fabulous sum of $1,700, there are no auction records for this December 1819 Washington imprint. This would remain the constitution of Alabama until 1861 when it was rewritten after Alabama's secession from the Union. Important document of Alabama and United States history. Rare in commerce.