Iligoty and Constitution.—The first settlements in Tennessee were made about the middle of the last century, but in 1760 they were destroyed by the Cherokees, then the possessors of this country, from the northern and central part of which they were (lapelled in 1780. Since that time the number of settlements has continuously increased. Up to 1790 Tennessee formed a part of North Carolina, but in that year it was ceded by that state to the United States, who in 1791 converted it into a territory. In 1796 it was admitted into the Union as a sovereign state.
The original constitution of Tennessee was amended in 1831. By it the right of voting is vested in every white nude citizen 21 yours old—every man to be considered white who is a competent witness in a court of justice. No person who denies the being of n God, or the existence of a future state of rewards and puuishments, can hold any office in the state. The general assembly cannot emancipate slaves without the consent of their owners.
The legislature consists of a Senate of not more than one-third the number of representatives (at present composed of 25 members), and a House of Representatives of 75 members. The executive power is
vested in a governor, who, like the members of the legislature, is chosen by the electors for the term of two years. The judges of the supreme and inferior courts are elected by the people for the term of eight years.
The total public debt of the state was returned in October 1853 at 7,100,065 dollars, of which the absolute debt amounted to 5,746,856 dollars, and the contingent debt to 1,353,209 dollars. The total revenue of the state for the same year was 1,202,046 dollars, and the expenditure 1,218,3S7 dollars. The state militia at the last return was composed of 71,252 men, of whom 3607 were commissioned officers. The number of public schools in the state in 1850 was 2667, with 2301 teachers, and 103,651 pupils. There are 8 colleges and 4 theological, medical, and law schools in the state.
(Statistical Gazetteer of the United &area ; Seventh Census of the United States ; Troost, Geological Surrey of Tennessee ; Marcos, Geo logical Map of the United States ; American Almanac for 1355, &o.)