The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-04-28
AN ACT
To establish the Territorial govern.
meut Cf Minppsato


America in Congress assembled, That from
and after the passage OF this act, all that
part of the territory of the United States
which lies within the following limits, to wit:
beginning on the Mississippi river, at the
point where the line of forty-.hree degrees
and thirty minutes of north latitude crosses
the same, thence running due west on said
line, wh!ck1s the northern boundary of the
State 10 SsFa, to the. north west corner of
the said State oEIowa, thence southerIy
along the western boundary OF said State to
the point where said boundary strikes the
Missouri river, thence up the middle of the
main channs Of the Missouri river to the
mouth of the Whitcearth river, thence up
the middle of the main channel of the
Whiteearth river to the boundary line be-
tween the possessions of the United States
and Great Britain; thence east and south of
east alorg the boundary line between the
possessions Of the United States and Great
Britain to Lake Superior thence 10 IL
straight line to the northermost point of the
State of Wisconsin intake Superior; thence
along the western boundary line Of said
State OF WISCONSIN to the Mississippi river;
thence down the main channel Of said river
4 to the pl.see Of beginning, be, and the same
is hercbys erected into temporary govern
ment by the name of the Territory Of Min
ncsota; Provided, That nothing in this act
contained shall be construed to inhibit the
government of the United States from di-
viding said Territory into two or more ter
ritories, in such manner and at such times
as Congress shall deem convenient and
proper, or from attaching any portion Of
said Territory to any other State or Terri-
tory of the United States.
SIC. 2. And be it further enacted, That
the Executive power and authority in and
over said Territory Of minnesota shall be
vested in a Governor, who shall hold his
Office for four years, and until bis successor
shall be appointed and qualified, unless soon
CT rrnio SclA p.eriste-,t s,f the I..i:1a
Staies>s The Governor shall reside within
said Territory, shall be cotnInaaler-is,~ chief
of the militia thereof. shall perform the du-
ties and receive the emoluments Of superin-
tendent of Indian affairs; be may grant par
;!ons for offences against the laws of said
| Territory, and reprieves for offences against
the laws of said Territory, and reprieves
for offences against the laws of the United
States until the decision Of the President
can be made known thereon; he shall COM
mission all officers who shall he appointed
to office under the laws of said Territory,
and shall take care that the laws be faith
fully executed.
SEC. ). And be it further enacted, I hat
there shall lie a Secretary of said Territory,
W no shall reside therein, and hold his office
for four years, unless sooner removed by the
President of the United States; he shall re-
cord and preserve all the laws and proceed
'ings of the legislative assembly hereinafter
constituted, and all the acts and proceedings
of the Governor in his executive depart
ment; he shall transmit one copy of the ex-
ecutiye proceedings, on or before the first
day of December in each year, 10 the Presi-
dent Of the United States, and, at the same
time, two copies Of the laws to the Speaker
of the House of Representatives, and the
President of the Senate, for the use Of Con-
gress. And in case of the death, removal,
resignation, or necessary absence of the
Governor from the Territory, the Secretary
shall be, and he is hereby, authorized and
required to execute and perform all the
powers and duties of the Governor during
such vacancy or necessary absence, or until
another Governor shalt lie duly appointed to
ill such vacancy.
Sec. a. And be it further enacted, That
the legislative power and authority of said
Territory shall be vested in the Governor
and Legislative assembly. The legislative
assembly shall consist Of a council and house
of Representatives. The council shall con-
sst OF nine members, having the quaIilica-
tons of voters as hereinafter prescribed,
whose term of service shall continue two
years. The house of Representatives shall,
at its first session, consist of eighteen mem
bers, possessing the same qualifications as
prescribed for members of the council, and
whose term Of service shall continue one
year. The number Of councillors and rep