The earliest settlements in this state were made between the years 1765 and 1770, by emigrants from North Carolina and Virginia.

The country was included within the limits of North Carolina till 1790, when it was placed under a separate territorial government, under the name of the "Territory South of the Ohio;" and in 1796, the inhabitants formed a constitution, and Tennessee was admitted into the Union as an independent state.

Governors.

Wm. Blount, Governor of the Territory South of the Ohio, appointed 1790.

ABSTRACT OF THE CONSTITUTION,

Formed at Knoxville, in 1796, and amended at Nashville, in 1834.

Every free white citizen of the United States, 21 years old, and a citizen of the county where he offers his vote six months before the election, may vote. Every man is to be considered white who is a competent witness, in court, against a white man. All free colored men are exempt from military duty, in time of peace, and from poll taxes. Representatives, not exceeding 75 in number, until the population of the state is 500,000, and thereafter not exceeding 99, shall have the same quali cations as voters, and have resided in the state three years, and in the county one year next before the election. Senators, in number not exceeding one-third of the r presentatives, shall have the qualifications of representatives, and shall be 30 years old. Elections of gov

ernor and of the General Assembly shall be held, once in two years, on the first Thursday of August; and the sessions shall commence (every second year) on the first Monday of October. A census shall be taken and an apportionment made in 1841, and in every tenth year thereafter. No person who denies the being of a God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, can hold any civil office. Any person directly or indirectly engaged in a duel shall be disqualified for office. The governor shall be 30 years old, a citizen of the United States, and a citizen of the state for seven years preceding the election, and shall be chosen by a plurality of votes for two years; but he shall not be eligible more than six years in every eight. If the office of governor is vacant, the speaker of the senate, and after him the speaker of the house, shall act as governor. The supreme court shall be composed of three judges, one of whom shall reside in each of the three grand divisions of the state, shall be 35 years old, and shall be elected by joint vote of both houses for 12 years. The judges of the inferior courts shall be 30 years old, and be elected for eight years. All judges shall receive a fixed compensation, and shall be removable by a vote of two-thirds of both houses. No fine exceeding $50 shall be laid upon any citizen of the state, unless assessed by a jury. Jus tices of the peace shall be elected, in districts, for six years; sheriffs, in counties, for two years, but not more than six years in every eight; and registers for four years. Lotteries, and the sale of lottery tickets, are prohibited. The proportion of the proceeds of the sale of the public lands coming to the state shall be applied to education and internal improvement. The General Assembly cannot emancipate slaves, without the consent of the owners. Amendments, if agreed to by a majority of the members of both houses, shall be published six months before the choice of members to the next General Assembly; and, if passed by a vote of two-thirds of the next General Assembly, shall be submitted to the people; and, if ratified by a majority of votes, shall be adopted. But the legislature shall not propose amendments oftener than once in six years.

Disbursement of U. S. land revenue, 9,326.78 Internal improvement dividends, 17,660.64

25,500.00 Penitentiary,

XXIII. KENTUCKY.

The first permanent settlement of this state was begun on Kentucky River, in 1775, by Colonel Daniel Boone. The country formed a part of the state of Virginia till 1790; and in 1792, it was admitted into the Union as an independent state.

The first constitution was adopted in 1790, and the present one in 1799. Every free male white citizen, 21 years old, resident in the state two years and in the county or town one year next before the election, may vote. Representatives, in number not fewer than 58 nor more than 100, shall be chosen on the first Monday of August, for one year, and (beside possessing the qualifications of electors) shall be 24 years old. Senators (in number not less than 24, with an increase of one for every three members added to the house,) shall be chosen for four years, one fourth every year, and shall be 35 years old, and have resided six years in the state, and one year in their districts. A census of voters shall be taken every fourth year, to apportion representative and senatorial districts. The governor shall be a citizen of the United States, resident in the state for the last six years, and 35 years old. He shall be chosen for four years, by a plurality of votes, and shall be ineligible for the next seven years. A lieutenant-governor, with the same qualifications and term of service as the governor, shall be chosen, and shall be speaker of the senate. The governor's veto may be defeated by a majority of each house. The court of appeals shall have only appellate jurisdiction. The judges of all the courts shall hold their offices during good behavior, and may be removed by address of two-thirds of each house, for a cause stated. In all elections, whether by the people or the Assembly, the votes shall be The General Assembly shall pass no laws for the emancipation of slaves, without the previous consent and payment of the owners; nor to prevent immigrants from importing slaves of the same description as those already in the state. It may pass laws permitting the owners to emancipate slaves, saving the rights of creditors, and the public from being at their charge; preventing their being brought into the state as merchandise; preventing the importation of slaves brought to the United States since Jan. 1,

viva voce.

1789; prescribing humane treatment, and for neglect thereof directing a sale on the owner's account. In prosecution of slaves for felony, no grand jury shall be necessary, but there shall always be a petit jury. When a majority of all the members elected to each house of the General Assembly shall, within the first 20 days of their stated session, pass a law, specifying alterations needed in the constitution, at the next general election, the people shall vote on the question of calling a convention; and if a majority of all the citizens in the state vote for it, the same question shall be taken the next year; and, if it is then agreed to, the General Assembly shall call a convention.*

Government for the year 1848.

Salary.

of Winchester,
of Glasgow,

WILLIAM OWSLEY,

of Boyle Co.,

Governor (term of office

expires in Sept., 1848), $2,500

Archibald Dixon,

William D. Reed,

of Frankfort,

of Henderson Co., Lt. Gov & Sp. of the Senate.

Pay, while presiding, $6 a day. Secretary of State,

750

Ambrose W. Dudley,
George A. Robertson,
Ryland T. Dillard,
Theodore Kohlhass,
'Thomas J. Helm,

Register of the Land Office, 1,250

Adjutant-General,

State Librarian,

1,250

150

100

250

Sup. of Public Instruction,

750

John L. Bridges, of Danville, Judge. A. H. Rennick, of Frankfort, Clerk.

At the election on the 9th September, 1847, a large majority of votes was given in favor of a convention to amend the constitution. Another vote will be taken in 1848.