United States Statutes at Large/Volume 2/6th Congress/1st Session/Chapter 50
Chap. L.—An Act supplemental to the act intituled “An act for an amicable settlement of limits with the State of Georgia; and authorizing the establishment of a Government in the Mississippi territory.”
Vol. i. 549.
Organization of a general assembly in the Mississippi territory.Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That so much of the ordinance of Congress of the thirteenth of July, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the act of Congress of the seventh of August, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine, providing for the government of the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio, as relates to the organization of a general assembly therein, and prescribes the powers thereof, shall forthwith operate, and be in force in the Mississippi territory: Provided, that until the number of free male inhabitants of full age, in the said territory, shall amount to five thousand, there shall not be returned to the general assembly more than nine representatives.
Representatives to the general assembly.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That until the number of free male inhabitants of full age in the Mississippi territory shall amount to five thousand, the county of Adams shall be entitled to choose four representatives to the general assembly, the county of Pickering four, and the Tensaw and Tombigbee settlements, one.
First election.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the first election, for representatives to the general assembly, shall be on the fourth Monday in July next, and that all subsequent elections shall be regulated by the legislature.
Election to be holden at the most convenient place.Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the governor of the Mississippi territory, to cause the said election to be holden on the day aforesaid, at the most convenient place in the counties and settlements aforesaid, and to nominate a proper officer or officers to preside at and conduct the same, and to return to him the names of the persons who may have been duly elected.
Assembly to meet at Natchez.Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That the representatives shall be convened by the governor at the town of Natchez, on the fourth Monday in September next.
Number of Representatives after census.
1808, ch. 9.Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That so soon as the number of free male inhabitants of full age shall amount to, or exceed five thousand, the number of representatives to the general assembly shall be determined, and the apportionment made in the way prescribed in the ordinance.
Saving of the rights of Georgia, and of all persons.
Vol. i. 549.Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That nothing in this act shall in any respect impair the right of the state of Georgia to the jurisdiction, or of the said state, or of any person or persons to the soil of the said territory, but the rights and claims of the said state, and all persons interested, are hereby declared to be as firm and available as if this act had never been made.
Time of meeting of the general assembly.Sec. 8. And be it further enacted,That the general assembly shall meet at least once in every year, and such meeting shall be on the first Monday of December, unless they shall by law appoint a different day: Provided, that the governor shall have power on extraordinary occasions to convene the general assembly.
Adjournment thereof.Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, That neither house during the session of the general assembly shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting.
The commissioners of the United States may finally settle with Georgia by compromise.
April 7, 1798, ch. 28.Sec. 10. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the commissioners appointed, or who may hereafter be appointed on the part of the United States, in pursuance of the act, intituled “An act for an amicable settlement of limits with the state of Georgia; and authorizing the establishment of a government in the Mississippi territory,” or any two of them, finally to settle by compromise with the commissioners, which have been or may be appointed by the state of Georgia, any claims mentioned in said act, and to receive in behalf of the United States a cession of any lands therein mentioned, or of the jurisdiction thereof, on such terms as to them shall appear reasonable:They may inquire into the claims of individuals. and also, that the said commissioners on the part of the United States, or any two of them, be authorized to inquire into the claims which are or shall be made by settlers or any other persons whatsoever, to any part of the aforesaid lands, and to receive from such settlers and claimants any propositions of compromise which may be made by them, and lay a full statement of the claims and the propositions which may be made to them by the settlers or claimants to any part of the said lands, together with the opinion thereon, before Congress, for their decision thereon, as soon as may be:Provisoes. Provided, that the settlement shall be made and completed before the fourth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and three: And provided also, that the said commissioners shall not contract for the payment of any money from the treasury of the United States to the state of Georgia, other than the proceeds of the same lands.
Approved, May 10, 1800.