Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1801-1806, 1804-08-16

Az ACT
Erecting Lou;hana into Two tertisorie'. and
providing for the temporary government
therof. W
DE Il frd7eS. By fbe Sssafs and HeEtS ef Re-
ID Sysiesfaffpes of fbr United Sfafes Of 4sneyi-
"a. il Cosg,W e1smbkd. That all that portion
OF country cedcd by France TO the Upited States,
under the name Of Louidans, which lies fouth OF
che Mifsihppi territory, and of an eaA and wea
Iiuc 20 eotna,ence On the MifhGppi river, az the
thirsy-third degree of north latitude, and to ex.
tsnd wet TO the weitern boundary of the fsd
ceiIion, fhaIl conai,ute territory Of the United
States, uoder the name OF the territory of Or
leans; the government whereof lhal be organized
and sdminiaered as follows.
Sec. l.. Tne executive power fhal be vef-
ed in n Governor, who fiall recJs in the faid
scrr.ory. and hold his Office during the term Of
three years, unlcls fooner removed by the Pref
dent of the United States. He fhsll be COM
mander in chief OF the militia of the laid terrific
fy; 1Asll have power to grant P,Tdons tor ohcn-
&C, sgaina the fad territory. and reprieves tor
sholc sgainf the United States, until the decif-
ION OF the PreGient Of the United States thereon
fhall be made known aad to appoint and CON-
niHion all oiices. civil, and of the militia,
whole appointments are not hercip o,herwifc
provided for, and which Ikall be eRabliihed by
law. He fhail take care that the laws be faith
fully executed. N:... ~.
.ses !. A fecretary of the territory ihall
ALTO be appointed. uho fhall hold his Office dur
ine the term of four yesu, ualcis fooner remov-
BY the PscGdent of the United States, whole du-
sy il fhall be, under the s*Iedion OF the COVER
nor, TO record and preiervc all the papers and
proceeding, of the executive, and all the sets Of
the governor and leginativc council, and tranf-
init authentic copies Of the proceedings of the
governor, in his executive department, every 6x
months, 70 the Prehdent Of the United States.
In cafe of the vacancy of the Office of governor,
the government of the faid territory fhall devolve
on the fecretary.
Sec. 4. The leginAtive powers fhan be
vcHed in the governor, and 10 shireen Of the
moft 6t aud difcreet perions OF the territory, 20
be called the lepi1ative council. who Ghal be ap.
pointed annually BY the PreGdeot of the United
S,a,es, from smong thofe holding real eaatc
theseiu, and who nall hive reGded one year, AZ
Leaf, in the fad territory, and hold no office OF
profit under the territory or the United States.
The governor by and with advice and confent
OF the faid isgi0atiye council, or of majority OF
them, fsali have power TO altcr, modify, or re-
peal the laws which may be in force at the com.
fnenceuaeut of this an. Their ksiilatiye pow
era iaIl alfo extend to all the rehtful fubeets OF
Iceiflation but no Law fhall be valid, which is
incon!iSent with the contribution and laws Of the
Unircd States, or which fhslI lay any pcrion un.
der rearaint, burthen, or difability; on account
Of HIS religious opinions, projections or worihip >
ia ali ~hich he flan b. free to maintain his own,
and NOT buvfhencd for thoic of another. The
sovetnos fnsli pnbliih throughout the faid terri.
S,ry. al the laws which fhall be made. and fhall,
from time to time, report the fame TO .he Pfe6-
dent Of the United States, to be laid before Con-
eris; which if difapproyed of by Congrcfs,
hAu thencefoSth be Of no force. The governor.
or ieeiflasive council, fhali have no power ovcr
che primary difpofal Of the foil, nor 70 faK the
lands of the United States, nor to interfere with
che claims 20 land within the faid territory.
The governor fhall convene and prosogue the
lesifls,ive council, Whenever he may deem il ex-
pcdient. Il nall be his duty 10 obtain all the
Information 10 his power, IN relation to the cui-
toms, habits, and difpo6lions OF the Inhabitants
Of tho faid territory, snd commscicate the lame,
from time 10 time, to the President OF the Unit
ed Siz,es.
Scc.. &. The judicial power 1hsll be vefcd
in fuperior court, and in tuch interior cosrts,
End jsAices Of shc pesce - the lesiRatsse Of the
territory may, from time to tine, cRab'ilh.
The Judges of the fsperior coosf, and the juaic-
e. of TIC peace, fhall hold their Offices for the
tesm Of four yean. The fuperior conrt man
con6R of thsee judges, any one OF whom ths5|
eouaisute court. they fhsll have jurifdieticp n
Al criminal cafes, and exciu6ve juriididien in
m thofr which arc capital; and original and ap-
vsia,e junsdiaiou IN Ill civil eafes, Of the vs'se
Of one huedred dollsrs. In teiIions fhsn con.
ncnoe on ths fff Moodsy of every Rssths and