Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-12-19
NEW-oRLEANs, November ls.
ORLEANS CONVENTION.


So that Mr.. Povdras was elected President.
E. Fromentin was then appointed Secretary.
The private secretary OF his excelency de-
livered letter (of which the following is a
copy) and then withdrew:
To The Honorable The President Of the ConUer-
tioa Of Orleans.
SIR-I have the honor to enclose you the
returns OF the election for Representatives to
the convention, which were forwarded to me,
BY authority ola proclamation. issued in con-
formity to the law OF this territory, and bear
ing date the 30th November last.
You viii also find enclosed copy of the
act OF congress, 6 to enable the people OF the
TERRITORY OF Orleans to form constitution or
state government, and for the admission ct
such state into the union on an equal footing
with the original states, and for other purpo-
ses.'' TITS act, sir. having been transmitted
to me officially by the secretary Of state tor
the U. States. and certified TO be true copy
from the original roll remaining in his office,
l conceive il nv duty to request you 10 lay
the same before the convention.
am, sir, with sentiments of respect,
Your most.obedieat servant,
WIN &. G. CLAIBORNE.
18Th November. 1871.
Mr. Magruder aaid that i was highly i'm
portant 10 the community, that the proceed
ings OF the convention, called for the purpose
of organizing a new form of government,
should receive as much publicity as possible
and that ne therefore, moved for the admission
OF ne different editors of newspapers, within
the bar; the motion being seconded, was car
ried im-the Affirmative.
The convention then adjourned till Tues
day 10 O'Clock.
Tuesday, November 70.
After the journal had been read, Mr..
BlAnque, from the committee of elections,
made report which was adopted.
MIR. Sutton from the committee to report
rules, sc made report, which, after an "a
mendment, was adopted and ordered to be
printed.
The following resolution was then propos-
cd bv Dr. Watkins
Restored, by the people of the territory of
Orleans, in general convention assembled,
That il is expedient for the said territory to
be erected into sovereign, independent state,
nGder tie coqaitions, ard according TO the PRO
7isioRs Of tie act Of Congress, tassed the l7h
Fs5ruaru, 1911, entitled an act. 5c.-and that
TIE said convention proceed forthwith to form
constitution or state government for the
same.
Sir. Brown observed he would second the
motion, provided the words in hatics were In
serted, which DR.. w. agreed TO.
Air. johnson observed that he was not op-
posed TO the resolution-but that he wished 1t
could be withdrawn In order 10 make room for
one, which materially interested the part of
the country which he Immediately represent
ed. The decision OF the resolutions which he
was about 10 present, would affect the votes
of the members from Attakapas and Opelou-
sas, on the question offered by the member
from Orleans, he therefore hoped that the
member would consent to withdraw his mo-
ton.
Dr. Watkins said, that he could not consent
TO withdraw his motion unless the gentleman
from A,takapas would state the purport OF
his resolutions.
MIR. Johnson observed, that it was well
known that the counties of Opelousas and At
takaras were prairie countries-ihat fuel was
scarce in thes0-they relied On the swamp
lands % supply this detect, and to furnish
ther.i Win wood for buildings and enclosures.
The inp.sscriptable right which the people
ofthese ccuHties had always had under the
Spanish government, had tended greatly to
TIE encouragement OF their scttlement-if
theg were deprived of their rights to them,
thes Womb either be compelled to abandon
their farms, or purchase the swamp lands at
very high price. When congress passed
lie act nnder which the convention met, they
we're ignorant of those rishts-ii was tie dn-
- 20 the convention to inform that body OF
,hem: and however anxious he might De to
So change which would place the territory
=, r,l,e same rank In the uEloG with the other
ties. he could never consent so aoandon the
:.npor,ant er.4 essential rights which his cen-
sItuc..ts ciaimed.