Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-11-25

4
They have always acted with great pro-
priety, and are generally respected and be-
loved throughout all the province. With
the assistance of an annual allowance of SIX
hundred dollars for the treasury, they al
ways supper. and educate twelve female
orphans.
0fhe0Gcers sGovernmeas.
The officers who are merely judicial have been
already mentioned, ard therefore some OF them
viii be altogether omitted in this place. The ex-
ecutive officers appointed by the governor, for
each division of the province, and called Com
mandants, are generally taken from the army, or
the militia. When the settlements small, some
respectable character is appointed TO the civil COM
mand, and the militia officers has the direction of,
military matters. Where there is garrison
che commandans is sub delegate of the Intendant,
and draws upon him tor all expences incurred. In
thar he has the charge of all matters relating
TO the revenue, within his district.
The duty ofrcommandants is to suPerntend the
police, preserve the peace of the district, ex-
anime the passports of travellers, and to suffer no
strangers to settle within the limits of their CON-
mand, without regular leave obtained from govern
nlent. They are to prevent smuggling, to GER
ufy that all lands pctitioned for by the inhab-
tants, are vacant before they are granted, and
vixen required, put the owner in possession
They are besides notaries puolic, and in their of.
fees 1t is necessary register all sales of land
and slaves, and even to make the contracts for
those purposes, before them. They att as sher-
ifs, levy executions on property, attend and GER
tify the sale, and collect the proceeds. They al
SO take inventories of the property of ntcstatcso
By an ordinance of Baron Carondelef, Syndics are
established every three leagues, who are subordi-
nate to the commandment, decides small causes,
and have the police of roads, eyles, travellers and
negroes.
The officers of the general government are the
following Besides his judicial powers, the &C.
vernon is chief of the army and militia, and the
head Of the civil government. He the president
of the Cablldo, or Provincial Council. He ap-
points and removes at pleasure the commandants Of
dstti0s. He appoints the officers of the militia
who are nevertheless commissioned by the king.
and he recommends military off :ers for prefer
.nent. He is superintendent of Indian affairs.
He pronlulgates ordinances for the government
and Improvements of the province /; but he has
no power to assess taxes upon tie inhabitants
without their consent. Untll the year 1898, be
possessed the sole power of granting lands, bat
1T then passed into The hands OF the intend.
The Cabildo is an hereditary council Of twelve,
chosen originally from the m9st wealthy and res
redabe families. The governor presides over
their meetings. Their oHices very honorable,
but it's acquired by purchase. They have
right to represent, and even 70 demonstrate to the
governor, in respea to the interior government
Of the province. The police of the CITY is under
their controul and direction. In it trey regulate
the admission of plysicians and surgeons 70 prac-
tice. wo Members of the Cabido serve by
turn monthly, and take upon themselves the
immediate superintendance of markets, streets,
bridges, and the general police Of the city. This
counc distributes among itsamembeys several i'm
porant offices, such as Aguazll Mayor, or high
sheriff, Alcald- Provincial, psocureur general,
sc. The last mentioned is a very important
charge. The person who holds it is rot merely
tie kings attorney. but an officer peculiar to the
civilian. He does rot always prosecute; bat
after conviction he indicates the punishment an
nexed by law to rho crime, and which may BE,
and is nitigated by the court. Like the Chan
cellor in che English system, he is the curator
and protector Of orphans, sc. and finally, he IS
the expoGnder Of the law, the defender OF she pri-