The first constitution of Georgia was formed in 1777; a second, in 1785; and the present one in 1798. Many amendments have been made.

Every citizen of the state, 21 years old, who has paid all taxes demanded for one year, and has resided in the county for six months next before the election, may vote. Representatives (130 in number) shall be 21 years old, citizens of the state for three years, of the county for one year, and of the United States for seven years, next before the election. Senators, 47 in number (chosen in districts), shall have the qualifications of representatives, shall be 25 years old, and have been citizens of the United States for nine years. Both houses of the General Assembly are chosen biennially. A census shall be taken once in seven years, to apportion representative districts. The governor shall be 30 years old, shall have been a citizen of the United States for twelve years, an inhabitant of the state for six years, shall possess 500 acres of land, or $4,000 in other property, above all debts, and shall be elected for two years by a majority of votes of the people; or, in case there be no choice, one of the two highest candidates shall be chosen by joint ballot of both houses. If the office of governor be vacant, it shall be filled by the president of the senate, and after him by the speaker of the house. He may veto a bill; but it may be passed by "two-thirds of both houses," notwithstanding his veto. The supreme court for the correction of errors shall consist of three judges, elected by the General Assembly for such a term as the law may prescribe, and removable upon address of twothirds of each house. All causes shall be determined at the first term; and in case the plaintiff is not ready for trial, unless he be prevented "by some providential cause," the judgment of the court below shall be affirmed. Judges of the superior court are elected for six years, with jurisdiction exclusive in criminal cases, and in land cases; and concurrent in all other civil cases. Justices of the inferior courts are elected by the people, and act as probate judges. Justices of the peace are elected by the people, in districts. All the judges have fixed salaries. Sheriffs are appointed for two years,

but not for two terms in succession. Imprisonment for debt is not permitted, except in cases of fraud. There shall be no importation of slaves "from Africa or any foreign place" after Oct. 1, 1798. The legislature shall have no power to free slaves without the owner's consent, or to prevent immigrants from bringing with them persons deemed slaves by any one of the United States. Slaves are protected in their persons, like free whites, except in case of insurrection, and unless their death should happen by accident, in giving such slaves moderate correction." Amendments, if passed by two-thirds of each house, shall be published six months before the next election of members of the General Assembly; and if passed, in the same manner, at the first session thereafter, shall be adopted.

GOVERNMENT.

GEO. W. CRAWFORD, of Richmond Co., Governor (term of office

Salary.

W. B. Fleming,

R. L. Gamble,

N. C. Sayre,

The state is divided into eleven circuits, with a judge for each.

of Chatham Co., Judge of the Eastern Circuit, $1,800

Charles Dougherty,

James A. Meriwether,

J. J. Scarborough,

of Clark Co.,

John Floyd,

Salary.

John W. Flournoy,

J. E. Harden,

Attorney-General, $250 and perquisites.

of Chatham Co., Judge of Court of Oyer and

John W. Wilde,

Terminer, Savannah, 1,000 of Richmond Co., Judge of Court of Oyer and

Terminer, Augusta, 1,000

RAILROADS (see ante, p. 196).

The Central Railroad was begun in 1836 and finished in 1843, less than eight years, and cost about $2,550,000. Receipts year ending November 30th, 1846, for freight, $223,620; passengers, $59,238; carrying mail, $20,580; total, $303,438. Expenditures of every kind, $170,237. From 1st October to June last, there have been received by the road, a new business: 846 bales domestics; 1,595 packages merchandise; 134,992 pounds bacon; 3,389 pounds beeswax; 5,780 pounds dried fruit; 8,100 pounds feathers; 277,399 pounds flour, in sacks; 3,024 barrels flour; 17 barrels apples; 445 head poultry; 16 steers; 1,487 bushels meal; 100,493 bushels corn; 281 bushels wheat; 1,035 bushels oats; 280 bushels sweet potatoes; 417 bushels rice; 576 bushels peas; 160 bushels cotton seed; 1,925 dozen eggs; 64 sheep.

XVI. FLORIDA.

Florida was conquered by the Spaniards as early as 1639. In 1763, it was ceded to Great Britain, and divided into East and West Florida; but, in 1781, it was again recovered by Spain.

In 1821, it was ceded by Spain to the United States; and, in 1822, both parts, East and West Florida, were formed into one government or province, under the name of "The Territory of Florida." It was admitted into the Union as an independent state, March 3d, 1845.

Every free white male, 21 years old, two years a resident in the state, and in the county six months, and who shall be enrolled in the militia, or exempted by law from serving therein, may vote; and provision shall be made for the registration of all qualified voters.

Representatives, not more than 60 in number, must be 21 years old, white citizens of the United States, two years resident of the state, and one year of the county, and be elected for one year. In 1845, and every tenth year thereafter, a census shall be taken, and the representatives shall be apportioned by adding three-fifths of the slaves to the whole number of free whites. Senators are elected for two years; they must be 25 years old, and otherwise have the same qualifications as representatives. The General Assembly, chosen on the 1st Monday of October, shall meet on the 1st Monday in November of each year.

The governor shall be elected by a plurality of votes for four years, and shall be ineligible for the four years next after his term. He shall be 30 years old, ten years a citizen of the United States, or an inhabitant of Florida at the adoption of the constitution, and a resident thereof for five years next before the election. He may veto a bill; but a majority of those elected to both houses may pass it again, notwithstanding his veto. If the office be vacant, the president of the senate, and after him the speaker of the house, shall act as governor. No officer in a banking company, while he serves in a bank, or for twelve months afterwards, shall be eligible for the office of governor, senator, or representative. No duellist, or second in a duel, shall hold any office under the state. The secretary of state shall be elected by the legislature for four years.

The supreme court, having appellate jurisdiction only, shall be composed of the circuit judges for five years after the election of these judges, and thereafter until the General Assembly shall otherwise provide. The circuit courts shall have original common law jurisdiction in all matters, civil and criminal. They shall also have original equity jurisdiction, until a separate chancery court be established by the legislature. The judges shall be elected by concurrent vote of a majority of both houses, and shall be chosen at first for five years; after that term, during good behavior. They may be removed by impeachment, or by address of two-thirds of each house. An attorney-general shall be elected by joint vote of the two houses for four years; also a solicitor for each circuit, for the same term. No act of incorporation shall be passed or altered, except by the assent of two-thirds of each house, and by giving three months' notice. No bank charter shall be for more than 20 years, nor shall it ever be extended or renewed. The capital of a bank shall not exceed $100,000, nor shall a dividend be made exceeding 10 per cent. a year. Stockholders shall be individually liable for the debts of the bank, and no notes shall be issued for less than $5. The credit of the state shall not be pledged in aid of any corporation whatsoever. No law shall be passed to emancipate slaves, or to prohibit the immigration of persons bringing slaves with them; but free colored persons may be prevented from entering the state. For an amendment of this constitution, two-thirds of both houses must assent; the proposed alteration must then be published six months before the succeeding election, and then be again approved by a two-thirds vote in the succeeding assembly.

A bill to make the sessions of the General Assembly biennial was passed during the last session. If ratified at the next session, it will become a law.

Mobile, in the southern part of Alabama, was settled long since by the Spanish; yet the territory which now forms this state contained but very few civilized inhabitants before 1810. Since that time, its increase in population has been exceedingly rapid.

Alabama was erected into a territorial government in 1817, and in 1820 it was admitted into the Union.