The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-09-20
AN ACT
Organizing the Territorial Government
of Minnesota.
OFFICE ON THIRD STREET, NEAR THE
GOVERNORS RESIDENCE.

AN ASI
Organizing the Territorial Government
of Minnesota.
SEC. /. Be 1t enacted by the Senate and
House Of Representatives. Of the United
States Of 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 follow
ing limits, to wit: Beginning in the Misss-
siPpi river, at the point where the line Of
forty-three degrees and thirty minutes Of
north latitude crosses the same, thence rum
ming due west on said line, which is the
northern boundary Of the State Of Iowa, to
to the northwest corner of the said State Of
Iowa, thence southerly along the western
boundary Of said State to the point where
said boundary strikes the Missouri river,
thence up the middle Of the main channel
of the Missouri river to the mouth of the
White-earth river, thence up the middle of
the main channel of the White earth river
to the boundary line between the possess
sessions of the United States and Great
Britain; thence east and south of east along
the boundary liue between the possessions
ut the United States and Great Britain to
Lake Superior; thence in a straight line to
the northerDmOst point Of the State of Wis.
consin IN Lake Superior; thence along the
western boundary line Of said State Of Wis
cOnsin to the Mississippi river; thence down
the main channel of said river to the place
OF beginning, be, and the same is hereby,
erected into temporary government by the
name of the Territory of Minnesota: Pro.
cided, That nothing in this act contained
shall be construed to inhibi, the Govern
ment of the United States from dividing
said Territory into two or more territ cries,
in such manner and at such times as Con-
gress shall deem convenient and proper, or
from attaching any portion of said Terri
tory TO any other State or Territory of the
United States.
Sec. 2. find be it further enacted, That
the executive power and authority in and
over said Territory of Minnesota shall he
vested IN governor, who shalt hold his Of
fee for four years, and until his successor
shall be appointed ami qualified, unless
sooner removed by the President of the
United States. The governor shall reside
within said Territory, shall be commander
in chief of the militia thereof, shall perform
the duties and receive the emoluments Of
superintendent of Indian affairs; he may
grant pardons for offences against the laws
Of said Territory, and reprieves for often
ces against the laws Of the United States
until the decision Of the President shall be
made known thereon; he shall commission
all officers who shall be appointed to office
under the laws Of the said Territory, and
shall take care that the laws be faithfully
executed.
Sec. s. find be It further enacted, That
there shall be a secretary of said Territory,
who shall reside therein, and hold his Office
for four years, unless sooner removed by
the President Of the United States; he shall
record and preserve all the laws and pro-
ceedings Of the legislative assembly herein
after constituted, and all the acts and pro-
ccedings of the governor in his executive
department.; he shall transmit one copy Of
the laws and one copy of the executive
proceedings, OIL or before the first day Of
December in each year, to the President 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
Congress. And in case Of the death, re-
moval, resignation, or necessary absence Of
the governor from the Territory, the secre-
tary shall be, and he is hereby, authorized
and required to execute and perform ali the
powers and dut' es of the governor during
such vacancy or necessary absence, or until
another governor shall be duly appointed to
fill such vacancy.
SEC. 4. .and be 1t 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 u council and house
Of, representatives. The council shall con-
sist Of nine members, having the qualifca-
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
beFs, possessing the same qualifications as
prescribed for members Of the council, and
whose term Of ssFYips shall continue one
year. The nnmbey Of eoupsillors and rep
resentatiyes may be increased ny the legis-
lative assembly, from time to time, in pro-
portion TO tho increase of population: Pro-
pided, That the whole number shall never
exceed fifteen councillors and thirty-pine
representatives, An apporiionment shall
be made, a. esarly equal as praoticable,
anssag the several cousties or districts, for
the s|ectiou of the council and represents.
tires, giving TO each section Of the Terri
icry representation 10 the ratio Of ifs Hopu-
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