Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-04-07
[By AMthority.l
An ACT

REPRESENTATIVES Of tkc Tinted Sfafes of IL
nry-ica IN Congress- assembled, That all that
portion OF country coded by France to the
United States, under the name of Louisl-
ana which lies south of the Mississippi
Territory, and of ar east and west linz TO
commence on the Mississippi river, a, The
thirty third degree Of moth latitude, and
to e,<tend west Ia the western boundary
Of the said cession. shall constitute a terri
tory of the United States. under the name
Of he territory of Orleans; the goverp-
mrnt whereof shall BE organised and adj
miOiste~ed rs iol!ous:
Sec. 3 The executive power shall he
vested in governor, who shall reside in
the said territory, and hold his Office dur
ing the term Of three years. unless sooner
removed bv the president Of the United
States. He shall be commander IN chief
of the militia of the said territory shall
have power TO grant parclons Tor offences
against the said Territory. and reprieves for
those against me United States, until the
decision OF the President Of the United
States thereon shall be made known and
to appoint and commission all officers, CT
vii, and of the militia whose appointments
are not herein otherwise provided for, and
which shall be established by law. Tie
shall take care that the laws be faithfully
executed.
Sec. 3. A secretary oG The territory shall
also b. appointed, who shall hold his Of
fee during the term of four years, unless
sooner removed by the President oC the
United States, whose duty it shall be, uD-
der the direction of the governor, 10 re-
cord and preserve ell the papers and pro-
,ceedings Of the executive, a.,d all the ATS
ofthe governor and legislative council, and
transmit authentic copies of the proceed
ings Of the governor, in his executive de-
partment, every six months, to the Fresi-
dent Of The United States. In case OF the
vacancy of the Office of governor, TIE go.
vernment of the said territory shall de-
vove on the secretary.
Sec 4. The legislative powers shall be
vested in the governor, and in thirteen of
the most fit and discreet persons of the
territory, to be called the legislative coun-
Gil. who shall be appointed annually By
the Presdcnt of the United States. from
among those holding real estate therein,
and who shall have resided one wear, at
least, in the said territory, and hold no Of
free of profit under the territory, or the
United States. The governor, by and
with advice and consent Of the said legis-
lative council, or of majority Of them,
shall have power to alter, modify, or re-
peal the laws which NAV be in force at
the commencement Of this aSl. Their
Legislative powers shall also extend to- all
the righiful subjects Of legislation but no
law shall be valid, which is inconsistent
with the constitution and laws Of the u
nited States. ~ which shall lay any person
under restrain, burthcn, or disability, on
account of his religious opinions professi-
ons or worship; in all which he shall be
free to maintain his own, and not burthen-
ed for those Of another. The governor
shall publish throughout the said terrific
ry, all the laws which shall be made, and
shall, from time to time, report the
same to the Presi6ent IF the Unit
ed States, 20 be lad before Congress
which if disapprovcd If by Congress-, shall
theaceforth be Of no force. The govern.
or, or Legislative council, shall have no
power over the primary disposal Of the
sell, nor to tax the lands of the United
States, nor TO Is ,erfcre with the claims 20
land within the said territory. The go
vernon shall convene and prorogue The le-
gslative council, wherever he may deem
it eXpedient It shall We his duty TO OBJ
tain all the information in his power, in
relation to the customs. habits, and depo-
sitions Of the inhabitants Of the said ter
ritory, and communicate the same, from
time to time, TO the President of the u
nited States.
Sec. s. The judicial power sball be vest
ed IN superior court, and in such inc.ri-
or courts, and justices orthe peace, as The
Legislature NJ the territory may, from time
20 time, establish, Tie Judges Of the SUI
pcrior court and The Justices OF the peace,
shall hold their Offices Tor the term of four
years. The superior court shall consist
nj three Judges, any one Of whom Shall
constitute a court. thcy shall have urls.
lic,io7 IN III criminal cases and exclusive
jurisdiction ir al those which are capital ::
and original and appellate iurisdiE0ion in
"ii civil cases. OF the value Of nnc hundred
'c.,9rs. Us sessions shall commence on
q ft..r.f 80. y q 81