Indiana Gazette, Volume 1, Number 10, Vincennes, Knox County, 2 October 1804 — Page 2

VINCENNES, (I. T.) o:o October 2d, 1804. COMMUNICATED.

On the 14th day of September in

the year of our lord 1804, and of the Independence of the United States the XXlXth. WE the representatives of the people of Louisiana, elected by the freemen of our respective districts, being now collected in the town of st. Louis, to the number of twelve, which number forms the majority of the whole number of seventeen - repre sentatives expected to meet, being now assembled at the parsonage house in the said town of st. Louis, On motion of Dr. Richard Jones Waters, one of the deputies from New-Madrid, that an extract of the proceedings of this day should be published in the Gazette printed at Vicennes, have unanimously agreed to said proposal, and authorised the president and secrctary to sign such extract. M. Eligius Fromentin having obtained leave to speak, lstated in a few words the indispensible necefssity for the members composing the general assembjy of the representatives of the people of the district of Louisiana to take the oath of allegiance to the United States. This measure at the same time that it would afford the members an opportunity of gratifying their impatience to give to the United States an unquestionable pledge of their affection and entire devotion, sould silence the malicious reports of any people disaffected to their proceedings, if there should be any such, and would satisfy every body that they mean to persue noihing but what is entirely conformable with the principles of the constitution of the United States. He moved in consequence, that a deputation of three members should be appointed by the president for the purpose of waiting upon the first civil commandant of the district of Louiiiana, and of requesting his attendance in the house, in order, there, to administer the oath to the president; that the president migh afterwards administer

the same oath to every member of the house &c.

The president took into the

hands of the first civil com-

mandant the following oath.

" I swear to be faithful to the United States of America, to maintain with all my power the

constitution of the said states, and to obey the laws made and to be

made by Congress for the district of

Louisiana."

Immediately after the same

oath was administered by the

president to all the members

of the assembly both in the

English and French language. The president then delivered a speech of which the fol-

owing is an extract. After a few observations upon his appointment and the reasons which occasioned the calling of the general assembly of the representatives of the district of Louisiana, he goes on,

"According to this invitation we have now met here, under the auspices of a free government of which we are proud to call Louisiana an integral part, in conformity with the constitution of the United States under which we feel happy to live. Nay more instrict compliance with the duties imposed on us as citizens, by that same constitution, we for the first time have here formed ourselves into a deliberative body, we for the first time are exercising the rights of freemen, to petition to the government for the redress of grievances. With to God our first communication with congress instead of being an application for redress, had been an expression of thanks ? Although from the known justice of congress I am confident we shall ultimately have thanks to return them. Let then, gentlemen, our first steps in this new career be as dignified as the occasion which induced us to assemble together is solemn and important. Congress at the time of enacting the bill alluded to, were not in possession of suffcient information with respect to this country, to venture to give us such a form of government as we are conscious we are entitled, and as I hope they will not find us unworthy to live under. We are ca lumniated in congress. On

be very floor of congress

our gratitude to a government

absolute in principle it it

true, but whose truly pa-

ternal benevolence we

had uniformly experienced,

and which, as virtues go hand in hand, should have been construed rather as a certain pledge of our attachment to

the principles of a free government, was tortured into a fatisfactory proof of our not being yet ripe to enjoy the benefits of a free government. Rumours very injurious to our general character, representing us a set of covetous, rapacious land jobbers, who by false, antidated, counterfeited deeds, had monopolized the greatest quantity of the

vacant lands of the dlistrict of

Louisiana, were at the same

time artfully circulated thro' all parts of the United States.

Not an inhabitant of this district was on the spot at the time to destroy those unfounded accusations. Is it then to be wondered at, that congress under those circumstances,

should have acted with respect to us with an unprecedented severity ? But congrefss may have it now in their power to be truly informed of the real state of things, not only from the representations of the generality of the inhabitants of the district of Louisi-

ana, but likewise from their different officers in this country, fince the taking of possession by the United States, Before I conclude, gentlemen, give me leave to observe to you that invested as we are all with the confidence of the inhabitants of the district of Louisiana, it will be more particularly incumbent upon us,

both in the course of the dis-

cussion which is to take place,

and likewise after our lseperation, and when we shall have

returned to our respective districts, to enforce among all

discription, of inhabitants, by our examples, and our advice a due respect not only to the laws of the United States in general, but more particularly still to the very law the repeal of which wc now proposc solicting from congress.

" It is probable that his excellency William Henry Harrison, and the honorable the judges of the Indiana Territory, will arrive here during the session of this assembly, & I am sure that you will all join me in the propriety of receiving them with that cordiality and respect which are due to the high authority that sends them, and to their own well deserved reputation, and that by affording them every information in your power, if they shou!d condeseend to consult you on the subject, you will facilitate by every possi-

ble means the introduction of the laws of the United states, in this territory, and thereby deserve the eternal gratitude

of it's inhabitants On motion of Mr. Eligius Fromentin, it was unanimously resolved that the speech delivered this day by the president, should be entered into the journal of our proceedings, and adopted by this general assembly as containing the expression of the sentiments of every one of the members of the house. The above extract from the journal of our proceedings of this day is certified to be conformably to the original. st. Louis, on the day and year above written. Ch. Gratiot, President. P. Proveucbcre, secretary.

On Tueftfajr, February atfh' ... . ; muffr of the debate ia

the houfc of rprcfcntatjvei on the

biH from tbc fenae prianif a goternment for Louifiana, Mr. Lucas a K., frnm Prnnfvlvania.expretled

Mmfelf ia the foIloAing tf rms :

It would be rr collf by gentlemen who fo itreououfly advocated the abllrart principle of right, that the i f i n,,:,.. have not keen

DCU lit v confulted in the aft of ceffion to thii

country, but have been trantierrea by a bargain made aver their head. it wai a proof thii atf had not been received ih approbition by them, that whea they law the American flag hoilled in the roam of the French they flifd teari. Thli v.ai a proof thej were not at friendly to our governrnt at Curat geotlemen iinagined. He vat purfuaded the people cf the Miinffippi terrifory, would m batf tdrd in ttii maer.''

By Wm. H:nry Harrison, Go vernor aud Commander in Chief of the Indiana let titory, and of the District cf Louisiana A PKCLAMATION. WHEREAS by an acl of Congrefs paffed the 26th day of March, 1804,

entitled an acl creeling Lou. isiana into two Territories, z providing for the temporary government thereof," it is declared tha: the dil rift of Louisiana fhall be divided into diftrias by the governor under the direflion of tbepresi. dent, now therefore in conformity to thefald recited law 4nd the direction cf the pre-