Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1845-03-08
A BILL.


Be il enacted By the SenatS and House of
of The United States Of
America in Congress assembled, That from
and after the passage OF this act, all the
country belonging to the United States, y.
ing vest of the summit of the Rocky Noun
tains, and bounded on the south by the for.
ty-second, and on the north by the fifty |
fourth degree and forty mime minutes o
north latitude, shall constitute and be or
ganized into a temporary government, 10 b
called the Oregon territory.
SEC. 2. And be il furtier enacted, Tha
there shall be appointed governor OF sald
territory, who shall continue in office Tor
the term of five years, unless sooner dis
missed by the president, and who shall re
side in the territory west OF the Rocky
mountains.
Sec. 8. And be ii FURTHER enacted, That
there shall be appointed secretary of said
territory, who shall hold his Office for the
term Of five years, unless sooner dismissed,
who shall reside in the said territory west OF
the Rocky Mountains.
SEC. a. AMI be ii further enacted, That
ii shall be the duty of the secretary to keep
the laws passed by the Legislature, the pub.
lie records OF the territory, and the proceed
ings Of the governor in his executive depart
ment, TO transmit authentic copies Of such
acts and proceedings once IN each year to
the secretary of state Of the United States,
10 be annually laid before CONGRESS, and TO
perform such other duties as are prescribed
by law for the secretary Of the territory OF
Wisconsin.
SEC. 5. And be IL further enacted, That
there shall be also appointed a court, to con-
sst Of one judge, who shall have common
law and chancery jurisdiction, and who
shall reside in said territory west Of the
Rocky Mountains, and hold his Office du-
ring good behavior.
SEC. 6. And be ii farther enacted, That
the governor and Judge shall adopt and pub.
lish such laws of any Of the United States
or territories, criminal and civil, as may be
necessary, ana suited to the circumstances
OF the territory, and report them to Con
gress; which laws shall be in force in the
district, till the organization Of the genera
assembly therein, unless dsapproved Of by
congress; bu! the legislature of said terri
tory shall have powor TO alter or repeal the
same: Provided, however, tina. there shall
neither be slavery nor involuntary servitude
IN the said territory, otherwise than in the
punishment of crimes, whereof the party
shall have been duly convicted.
Sec. 7. And be ii further enacted, Tha
the governor OF said territory shall be com
mander-in chief of the militia, and appon
and commission all officers in the same.
SEC. 8. And be IL further enacted, Tha
previous to the organization of the genera
assembly, the governor shall have power t,
appoint such magistrates and other civl
officers as he shall find necessary for tn
preservation Of the peace and good orde
in said territory.
Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, Tia
when the general assembly shall be organ
lied, the powers and duties of magistrate
and other civil officers shall be defined b,
an act OF said assembly.
Sec. 10. And be ii further enacted, Tha
the governor shall, for civil purposes, la
Oft such districts, counties, and township
as may be necessary and convenient, sui
Ject, however, to such alterations as may b
made by the legislature.
Sec. II. And be il further enacted, Tha
the governor shall, for military purposes
lay off such districts and beats as he sha
think proper and right; and he shall hav
power to ordain and enforce such rules an,
regulations as he may think best adapte
to render the militia Of said territory mos
efficient.
SEC. -. And be ii further enacted, Tha
so soon as there shall be five thousand fre
white male inhabitants over the age G
twenty.one years, citizens Of the Unite
States, they shall have authority to cleo
representatives. from the counties, town
ships, and districts, to represent them i
the general assembly of said territory.
SEC. 8. And be il further enacted, Tha
it shall be the duty OF the governor to la
off in said territory, districts, counties, an
townships, for the purpose Of elections a
aforesaid.
SEC. IA. And be il furtler enacted, Tina
the governor shall also prescribe the time
and places for holding said elections, an
for the purpose Of ascertaining the numbe
of free white males in said territory; an
the governor shall also cause the census t
be taken at least once in every year, b
persons to be appointed for that purpose i
said territory.
SEC. Is. AMI be il further enacted, Tha
for every five hundred free white male il
habitants, there shall be one representative
until the Legislature shall otherwise direct
PrOUided, that the number Of representa-
tves shall never exceed fifty.
SEC. 16. And be ii further enactad, Tha
no person shall be entitled to a vote for
representative, or be eligible or qualified I
act as such, unless he shall have been cit
zen of one of the United States or some te,
ritory thereof, or unless he be an actual re.
II s-,il he, hall 4.