in his executive department, every six months, to the President of the United States.In case of vacancy, the government to devolve upon him. In case of the vacancy of the office of governor, the government of the said territory shall devolve on the secretary.
A legislative council to be appointed by the President.
The governor with the advice and consent of the council, may alter or repeal laws, &c.
Legislative powers of the council.
No law to be valid that is repugnant to the constitution, &c. of the U. States; to be a perfect equality and freedom in religious matters.
Laws to be published: and from time to time to be reported to the President, who is to lay them before Congress, for their approbation.
Governor and council to have no control over the primary disposal of the soil, nor to tax the lands of the U. States, nor to decide upon interfering land claims.
Governor may convene and prorogue the council:—made his duty to obtain information concerning the people, &c. of Louisiana, and report it to the President.
Judicial arrangement for the territory.
Inhabitants of the territory entitled to the benefit of the writ of habeas corpus; bailable but in certain cases, and exempt from all cruel and unusual punishments.
Governor, &c. may be appointed by the President, in the recess of the Senate; but in that case he must nominate them at the next meeting of the Senate.
Governor, &c. to take an oath of office, &c.
Compensation of the governor, &c.
Certain acts of Congress to be in force in the territory.
Act of June 5, 1794, ch. 50.
Act of April 24, 1800, ch. 35.Sec. 4. The legislative powers shall be vested in the governor, and in thirteen of the most fit and discreet persons of the territory, to be called the legislative council, who shall be appointed by the President of the United States from among those holding real estate therein, and who shall have resided one year at least, in the said territory, and hold no office of profit under the territory or the United States. The governor, by and with the advice and consent of the said legislative council, or of a majority of them, shall have power to alter, modify, or repeal the laws which may be in force at the commencement of this act. Their legislative powers shall also extend to all the rightful subjects of legislation; but no law shall be valid which is inconsistent with the constitution and laws of the United States, or which shall lay any person under restraint, burthen, or disability, on account of his religious opinions, professions or worship; in all which he shall be free to maintain his own, and not burthened for those of another. The governor shall publish throughout the said territory, all the laws which shall be made, and shall from time to time, report the same to the President of the United States, to be laid before Congress; which, if disapproved of by Congress, shall thenceforth be of no force. The governor or legislative council shall have no power over the primary disposal of the soil, nor to tax the lands of the United States, nor to interfere with the claims to land within the said territory. The governor shall convene and prorogue the legislative council, whenever they may deem it expedient. It shall be his duty to obtain all the information in his power, in relation to the customs, habits, and dispositions of the inhabitants of the said territory, and communicate the same from time to time, to the President of the United States.
Sec. 5. The judicial power shall be vested in a superior court, and in such inferior courts, and justices of the peace, as the legislature of the territory may from time to time establish. The judges of the superior court and the justices of the peace, shall hold their offices for the term of four years. The superior court shall consist of three judges, any one of whom shall constitute a court; they shall have jurisdiction in all criminal cases, and exclusive jurisdiction in all those which are capital; and original and appellate jurisdiction in all civil cases of the value of one hundred dollars. Its sessions shall commence on the first Monday of every month, and continue till all the business depending before them shall be disposed of. They shall appoint their own clerk. In all criminal prosecutions which are capital, the trial shall be by a jury of twelve good and lawful men of the vicinage; and in all cases criminal and civil in the superior court, the trial shall be by a jury, if either of the parties require it. The inhabitants of the said territory shall be entitled to the benefits of the writ of habeas corpus; they shall be bailable, unless for capital offences where the proof shall be evident, or the presumption great; and no cruel and unusual punishments shall be inflicted.
Sec. 6. The governor, secretary, judges, district attorney, marshal, and all general officers of the militia, shall be appointed by the President of the United States, in the recess of the Senate; but shall be nominated at their next meeting for their advice and consent. The governor, secretary, judges, members of the legislative council, justices of the peace, and all other officers, civil and of the militia, before they enter upon the duties of their respective offices, shall take an oath or affirmation to support the constitution of the United States, and for the faithful discharge of the duties of their office; the governor, before the President of the United States, or before a judge of the supreme or district court of the United States, or before such other person as the President of the United States