New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-02-13
Nen Orleaus 4ailg Gtestent.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY l3, 1856
LOUISIANA STATE CONVENTION.

Mf IhylOrt OF the Military committee, TO Wnom
had been referred the matter of providing for the
Inauguration Of the flag Of Louisiana, reported all
things in readiness, and moved that the Convention
adjourn temporarily, in order to witness the
N mony outside the building. The members accord
lngly went outside in body, and witnessed the
Ceremony, which is elsewhere described.
e AT halfpast II the Convention rGassembled, and
proceeded to business.
Honorcd Visitors.
The Hons. John SIidel and j. B. Benjamin, late
Senator's of Louisiana at Washington and the Hon.
John Robertson, of Virginia, were introduced,
under a resolution previously adopted, to seats
within the bar. The gentleman from Virginia
made short speech, in which he set forth the
strong feeling and sympathy of his State for Lou
isiana in her present proud position.
Payment of Claims.
Mr.. Gardere, Of the Finance Committee, re-
ported favorably upon propositions to pay certain
taims salaries Of the officers of the Convention,
etc.
The Public Lands.
Mr.. Swayze, the newly-appointed chairman of
he Committee on Public Lands (Mr. Elgee having
tesgned) presented a new draft of an ordinance
on public lands, which was taken up and debated,
amended and in part adopted.
a The first seven sections, as amended and adopted,
read as follows:
ORDINANCE.
Be it ordained by the people OF Louisiana, in
Convention assembled.
$ lst.-That all the undppropridted public domain
within the limits of the State Of Louisiana is Of
right the property of said State; and that the
title, control and jurisdiction of the same are
, hereby vested in and assumed by the State, sub
lect to such rights as have been acquired under
,h The laws Of the late Government OF the United
red States.
,ss s BE il further ordained, That all laws and parts
~ Of laws Of the late Government Of the United
T Estates respecting the sales and surveys of the pub
fdc lands in this State and all rules and ordinances
,a concerning the administration Of the same, which
aswere in force in this State the 26th of January,
A. d. 1861, and which are not inconsistent with
Ththe ordinances passed by this Convention shall
Nscontinue to be in full force within this State.
ht Be Il further ordnined That until otherwise
ii provided, all of the powers, duties, rights and EN-
10uments which, by the existing laws of the late
government of the United States are held, pos
sessed or enjoyed by the Surveyor.General of the
State Of Louisiana, aud the Registers and Receiv-
erss and which are not inconsistent with the laws
OF the State or the ordinances passed by this Con
SFentiOn, shall continue 10 be held possessed, en-
5joyed and exercised by the said Surveyor General
And the said Registers and Receivers.
@ Be il further ordained, That the Surveyor Cen
5eral and the Registers and Receivers of the Land
Offices aforesaid, shall be continued in their re-
spcElYe OllceS, PROVIDED tney l0ftnWltl take lne
oath of office OF this State, and execute new
official bonds in favor of the State, to be approved
of by the Governor and those remaining in office
S(together with their sureties) shall be held harm
less against all damages which might be claimed
OF them by the United States by reason of their
compliance with the requirements of this ord
nance.
Be further orddiUed That in case the Sur.
veyorGeneral and the Registers and Receivers o.
the several Land Offices at New Orleans, Opelou
sas, Natchitoches, Monroe and Greensburg, il
this State shall refuse TO take the oath referred tt
In the previous section, then the Governor of the
state, or some person authorized by him. shall i'm
mediatey take possession OF all the public monte!
in their hands, and all the books, records, papers
and archives Of, and belonging TO their respective
Offices.
Be ii further ordained, That all monies now il
their hands, and those arising from the sales o
the public lands, shall be paid over by the Re
ceivers Of the said several Land Offices to th
Treasurer of the State, at such times, and in suc
form as the officers pursue in paying over such pub
lie monies to the late Government of the Untet
States. and all reports required to be rendered t.
said Government at Washington by the officer
herein named, shall be rendered and made to tn,
Surveyor General of Public Lands for the Dstric
of Louisiana.
Provided however, that any warrants whicl
may have been drawn on the said Receivers as dis
bursting otiscers by the late Government of TIN
United States, prior to the 26th of January, A. D
1861 shall and may be paid at once by the Re
ceivers; provided, that before the said paymen
is made, the said warrant shall be approved b.
the Governor or the Surveyor rGeneral of the State
Be il further ordained, That the Governor o
this State shall have authority to remove any o
the Land officers aforesaid, whenever he may con
slider said removal conducive to the public inter
ess, aud he shall have authority to fill all vacancies
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate
and in case any of said officers should fail refus
to take the oath required the Office shall be deeme
vacant, and the Governor shall fill the vacancy a
provided for above.
The remaining five sections, with amendments
ETC.. were laid over, to be acted upon at the mex
session. They stand as follows:
BE ii further ordained, That all the controvey
sies now existing, and those which may hereafte
arise in the Land Offices heretofore mentioned
shall be examined and determined by the Registe
and Receiver of said Land Offices, and that in a.
cases thus to be determined, appeals from the de
csions of the Register and Receiver may, With
thirty days from notice of the decision, be take
to the District Court of the domicil of the part
in whose favor judgment shall have been rendere
by the Register and Receiver, provided that part
is resident of the State of Louisiana, and frOr
the decisions of the cases to be thus carried befor
the District Courts, appeals may be taken to tn
Supreme Court of the State of Louisiana, when
ever the value of the land in controversy sha
exceed three hundred dollars; Provided the part
appealing from the District Court shall compl
with all the requirements imposed by the laws G
Louisiana in cases of appeals.
Be IL further ordained, That all further location
OF Military bounty, lduu warrants lSSutu ny, U
under the authority of the late Government of tn
United States, within this State, be and the sam
is hereby prohibited.
Be ii further ordained That the Legislature {
this State shall establish land department for til
central sale and administration of the public land:
and provide for the appointment of such oilicel
as may be necessary for that purpose. ~ -
Be ii further ordained, That this ordinance sha
remain in full force and effect until the Legislator
shall have established the land department proVit
ed for in the foregoing section
Be ii further ordained, That the State of Louis
ana docs hereby assume all arrearages due by tn
late Government of the United States to the Su
veyor. General or any of the employees of til
Land Office within the limits of this State, for the
salaries, and the Same shall be paid out of an
funds now in the hands of the Receivers of tn
several Land Offices, or which may hereafter
received from the sales of public lands upon ii
warrant Of said Surveyor General employG
said warrants being first approved by the GoVerno
Adjournment.
The question of adjournment was called up al
discussed. The hour of final adjournment W!
changed from 2 to o'clock.
Secret Session.
The President announced the receipt of impor
ant news from Montgomery, requiring the seer
action of the Convention. The Convention the
on notion went into secret session. Shortly afte
ward the doors were thrown open again.
The Finance Committee.
The resolutions of this committee, to pay $40 ,0
for account of the new Custom-House, to pay Il