, 1853-05-21
An Act 70 Establish the Territorial Govern
ment Of Washington. ~

Be il enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States or
America in Congress assembled, That from
and after The passage of this act, all that
portion Of Oregon territory lying and being
sO0lh,of the 18th deg Of north latitude, and
north Of the Columbia river, from its mouth
10 where Ihe 46th deg Of north latitude
crosses said river, near Fort Wolla.walla,
thence with said 4sth deg. Of latitude toi
the summit or the Rocky mountains, De or
ga6ized into anil constitute a temporary
government, by the name Of thc Territory ~
Washington Provided, Thst nothing m
this act Contained shall be construed 10 hf-
fed Ihe government Of the United States 10
make any regulation respecting The indians
& said territory, their lands, property, or
other tights, BY treaty, law or othersise,
whislfA Would have 'beeu competent t51ke
g6eefbment to niske if This set had never
been passed Provided fdI+her,Y That the
tide 70 The land, not exceeding $40 acres,
now oeeubied as missionary stalions,arnong
the Indian tribes IN said tcffitofy, OF lHat
may have been 80 occupied as missionary
stations priof 10 lhe passage OF Tie act esl
iabliihing lhs Terrilnfiol Government Of
Oregon, Together with the improvements
thereon, BE, and is hereby confirmed and
eslAblfbed 10 the several religious societies,
to which said rnissionary stations respect
ively beloffti 'Gii .ooi' 200 Ei'ls519ili na
SEC 2. Andbe II furtber enacted, That
the executive power and authority m and
over said Territory Ct Washington shall be
vested in a Governor, who shall hold his
oihce. for four years, and mil his successor
shall Be appointed and qualified, unless
sooner removed by the President Of the
United States, The Governor shall reside
IN said Territory, shah be cornmander-in-
chief Of the militia thereof, shall perform
Me duties and rgepive the emoluments Of
Superintendent Of Indian Affairs lie may
grant partlons and remit fines and forfchurcs
tot offences agqinst the laws Of said Terri
toty, and fespites for offences against the
hws Of the United States until the deeegiop
ct thc President can be made known there
% he shall commission all officers who
shalf be appointed to Office Under the laws
Of The said Territory, where, by law, suclt
commissions shall be required, and shall
hke care that the laws be faithfully execu-
Nd lA3 Fiial asah $50. flH lf
SIC g. Abdbe il further enacted, That
here shall be aSecretary Of said Territory
who shall reside therein. aud hold his Office
~ Elour years, unicss Sooaer remoledby the
PiesideAt .On the Uuited States I; he sball'fo.
eoed and preserve all tie laws and proceed
Mgsef the legislative assembly hereihaltefi
soustahtdd, and allthe acts and proceedings
citheguyaa0rin bis executive depaitmeuii;i
AAA aRananiticouei copy of the laws and
paiuSls Of thclegiAativc assembly within
AlhyadAys sfter the end Ofeach Session, and
oootoPy of the executive proceedings and
ohcial correspondsnGs--sem -semi-annually, on
Ae16fa day o. January and Iulyin each
yesI, 10 ghe President Of the United States,
a9d two copies Of the laws 10 the President
oIthe Senate and the Speaker Of the Ho'fsr
Representatives, forqhe use of Congre,s.
And IN ease Of the den ID, rmOYal, resigna-
'ioh or absence Of the Governor of the Ter
ROrS the Secretary shall be, aud he is
neieby,auihoTized and required to execute
sna Psform al the powers aud duties Of
uT "o7ernor during such vacancy or ab-