Yancey

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

WILLIAM LOWNDES an American statesman; born in Ogeechee , Shoals, Ga., Aug. 10, 1814; went to Alabama in his youth, and there studied law and began to practice in Montgomery. For a while he was engaged in journalism, and afterward served in both branches of the Alabama legislature. He was a member of Congress in 1844-1847, and while there exerted a strong influence as a leader of the Pro-slavery party in the South. As early as 1858 he advised the organization of committees of safety all over the cotton-growing States. He reported the Alabama ordinance of secession to the convention in Montgomery, which was adopted in January, 1861. In February following he was appointed a Confederate commissioner to the governments of Europe to obtain the recognition of the Confederate States. He entered the Confederate Congress early in 1862, and served till his death, near Montgomery, Ala., July 28, 1863. YANGTZE- Asia; popularly known as the "Girdle of KIANG, the chief river of China"; uniting all the central provinces of that country. It lies between Tibet and Kokonor on the W. and the Pacific Ocean on the E., and, including its many windings, has an estimated length of 3,400 miles. Its source is found in the elevated region of central Asia, and it flows first S. through a level country and then S. E. through the province of Yun-nan, and finally N. by E. with several turns to the S. If its many tributaries, their fertile valleys, and the vast population they support, be considered, the Yangtze- Kiang is the greatest river in the world.