but shall not continue longer in session than four weeks; to be held at such place in said territory as the governor and council shall direct. It shall be the duty of the governor 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. 6. And be it further enacted, That the judicial power shall be vested in two superior courts, and in such inferior courts and justices of the peace, as the legislative council of the territory may, from time to time, establish. There shall be a superior court for that part of the territory known as East Florida, to consist of one judge; he shall hold a court on the first Mondays in January, April, July, and October, in each year, at St. Augustine, and at such other times and places as the legislative council shall direct. There shall be a superior court for that part of the territory known as West Florida, to consist of one judge; he shall hold a court at Pensacola on the first Mondays in January, April, July, and October, in each year, and at such other times and places as the legislative council shall direct. Within its limits, herein described, each court shall have jurisdiction in all criminal cases, and exclusive jurisdiction in all capital cases, and original jurisdiction in all civil cases of the value of one hundred dollars, arising under, and cognisable by, the laws of the territory, now of force therein, or which may, at any time, be enacted by the legislative council thereof. Each judge shall appoint a clerk for his respective court, who shall reside, respectively, at St. Augustine and Pensacola, and they shall keep the records there. Each clerk shall receive for his services, in all cases arising under the territorial laws, such fees as may be established by the legislative council.

SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That each of said superior courts shall, moreover, have and exercise the same jurisdiction within its limits, in all cases arising under the laws and constitution of the United States, which, by an act to establish the judicial power [courts] of the United States, approved the twenty-fourth day of September, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine, and "An act in addition to the act, entitled 'An act to establish the judicial courts of the United States," approved the second day of March, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three, was vested in the court of the Kentucky district. And writs of error and appeal from the decisions in the said superior court, authorized by this section of this act, shall be made to the Supreme Court of the United States, in the same cases, and under the same regulations, as from the circuit courts of the United States. The clerks, respectively, shall keep the records at the places where the courts are held, and shall receive, in all cases arising under the laws and constitution of the United States, the same fees which the clerk of the Kentucky district received for similar services, whilst that court exercised the powers of the circuit and district courts. There shall be appointed, in the said territory, two persons learned in the law, to act as attorneys for the United States as well as for the territory; one for that part of the territory known as East Florida, the other for that part of the territory known as West Florida: to each of whom, in addition to his stated fees, shall be paid, annually, two hundred dollars, as a full compensation for all extra services. There shall also be appointed two marshals, one for each of the said superior courts, who shall each perform the same duties, be subject to the same regulations and penalties, and be entitled to the same fees, to which marshals in other districts are entitled for similar services; and shall, in addition, be paid the sum of two hundred dollars, annually, as a compensation for all extra services.

SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That the governor, secretary, judges of the superior courts, district attorneys, marshals, and all general officers of the militia, shall be appointed by the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. All judicial officers shall hold their offices for the term of four years, and no longer. 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 shall authorize to administer the same; the secre

tary, judges, and members of the legislative council, before the governor, and all other officers, before such persons as the governor shall direct. The governor shall receive an annual salary of two thousand five hundred dollars; the secretary, of one thousand five hundred dollars; and the judges, of one thousand five hundred dollars, each; to be paid quarter yearly out of the treasury of the United States. The members of the legislative council shall receive three dollars each, per day, during their attendance in council, and three dollars for every twenty miles in going to, and returning from any meeting of the legislative council, once in each session, and no more. The members of the legislative council shall be privileged from arrest, except in cases of treason, felony, and breach of the peace, during their going to, attendance at, and returning from, each session of said council.

SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That the following acts, that is to say:

"An act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States," approved April thirtieth, one thousand seven hundred and ninety, and all acts in addition or supplementary thereto, which are now in force :

"An act to provide for the punishment of [certain] crimes and offences committed within the Indian boundaries," approved March third, one thousand eight hundred and seventeen :

"An act in addition to the act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States, and to repeal the acts therein mentioned," approved April twentieth, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen :

"An act for the punishment of [certain] crimes therein specified," approved January thirtieth, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine:

"An act respecting fugitives from justice, and persons escaping from the service of their masters," approved twelfth February, one thousand seven hundred and ninetythree:

"An act to prohibit the carrying on the slave trade from the United States to any foreign place or country," approved March twenty-second, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine [four:]

"An act in addition to the act entitled 'An act to prohibit the carrying on the slave trade from the United States to any foreign place or country,'" approved May tenth, one thousand eight hundred :

"The act to prohibit the importation of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States, from and after the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight," approved March second, one thousand eight hundred and seven:

"An act to prevent settlements being made on lands ceded to the United States until authorized by law," approved March third, one thousand eight hundred and

seven :

"An act in addition to 'An act to prohibit the importation of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States, from and after the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight, and to repeal certain parts of the same,'" approved April twentieth, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen:

"An act in addition to the acts prohibiting the slave trade," approved March third, one thousand eight hundred and nineteen :

"An act to establish the post-office of the United States :"

"An act further to alter and establish certain post-roads, and for the more secure carriage of the mail of the United States:"

"An act for the more general promulgation of the laws of the United States:" "An act in addition to an act, entitled 'An act for the more general promulgation of the laws of the United States:""

"An act to provide for the publication of the laws of the United States, and for other purposes:"

"An act to promote the progress of useful arts, and to repeal the act heretofore made for that purpose:"

"An act to extend the privilege of obtaining patents for useful discoveries and inventions to certain persons therein mentioned, and to enlarge and define the penalties for violating the rights of patentees:"

"An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned:"

"The act supplementary thereto, and for extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching, historical, and other prints:"

"An act to prescribe the mode in which the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings, in each State, shall be authenticated, so as to take effect in any other State:" "An act supplementary to the act, entitled 'An act to prescribe the mode in which the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings, in each Ŝtate shall be acknowledged, so as to take effect in any other State:"

“An act for establishing trading-houses with the Indian tribes,” and the several acts continuing the same:

"An act making provision relative to rations for Indians, and their visits to the seat of government."

And the laws of the United States relating to the revenue and its collection, subject to the modification stipulated by the fifteenth article of the treaty of the twenty-second February, one thousand eight hundred and nine, in favor of Spanish vessels and their cargoes; and all other public laws of the United States, which are not repugnant to the provisions of this act, shall extend to, and have full force and effect in, the territory aforesaid.

SEC. 10. And be it further enacted, That, to the end that the inhabitants may be protected in their liberty, property, and the exercise of their religion, no law shall ever be valid which shall impair, or in any way restrain, the freedom of religious opinions, professions, or worship. They shall be entitled to the benefit of the writ of habeas corpus. They shall be bailable in all cases, except for capital offences, where the proof is evident or the presumption great. All fines shall be moderate, and proportioned to the offence; and excessive bail shall not be required, nor cruel nor unusual punishments inflicted. No ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts, shall ever be passed; nor shall private property be taken for public uses without just compensation.

SEC. 11. And be it further enacted, That all free male white persons, who are housekeepers, and who shall have resided one year, at least, in the said territory, shall be qualified to act as grand and petit jurors in the courts of the said territory; and they shall, until the legislature thereof shall otherwise direct, be selected in such manner as the judges of the said courts shall respectively prescribe, so as to be most conducive to an impartial trial, and to be least burthensome to the inhabitants of the said territory.

SEC. 12. And be it further enacted, That it shall not be lawful for any person or persons to import or bring into the said territory, from any port or place without the limits of the United States, or cause or procure to be so imported or brought, or knowingly to aid or assist in so importing or bringing, any slave or slaves. And every person so offending, and being thereof convicted before any court within the said territory, having competent jurisdiction, shall forfeit and pay, for each and every slave so imported or brought, the sum of three hundred dollars, one moiety for the use of the United States, and the other moiety for the use of the person or persons who shall sue for the same; and every slave so imported or brought shall thereupon become entitled to, and receive, his or her freedom.

SEC. 13. And be it further enacted, That the laws in force in the said territory, at the commencement of this act, and not inconsistent with the provisions thereof, shall continue in force until altered, modified, or repealed, by the legislature.

SEC. 14. And be it further enacted, That the citizens of the said territory shall be entitled to one delegate to Congress, for the said territory, who shall possess the same powers heretofore granted to the delegates from the several territories of the United States. The said delegate shall be elected by such description of persons, at such times, and under snch regulations, as the governor and legislative council may, from time to time, ordain and direct.

Approved, March 30, 1822.

CONSTITUTION OF FLORIDA—1838.

We, the people of the Territory of Florida, by our delegates in convention, assembled at the city of Saint Joseph, on Monday, the 3d day of December, A. D. 1838, and of the Independence of the United States the sixty-third year, having and claiming the right of admission into the Union as one of the United States of America, consistent with the principles of the Federal Constitution, and by virtue of the treaty of amity, settlement, and limits between the United States of America and the King of Spain, ceding the provinces of East and West Florida to the United States, in order to secure to ourselves and our posterity the enjoyment of all the rights of life, liberty, and property, and the pursuit of happiness, do mutually agree, each with the other, to form ourselves into a free and independent State, by the name of the State of Florida.

ARTICLE I.

DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.

That the great and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare:

SECTION 1. That all freemen, when they form a social compact, are equal, and have certain inherent and indefeasible rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty; of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness.

SEC. 2. That all political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and established for their benefit; and, therefore, they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right to alter or abolish their form of government in such manner as they may deem expedient.

SEC. 3. That all men have a natural and inalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience; and that no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious establishment or mode of worship in this State.

SEC. 4. That all elections shall be free and equal, and that no property qualification for eligibility to office, or for the right of suffrage, shall ever be required in this State.

SEC. 5. That every citizen may freely speak, write, and publish his sentiments, on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty; and no law shall ever be passed to curtail, abridge, or restrain the liberty of speech or of the press.

SEC. 6. That the right of trial by jury shall forever remain inviolate.

SEC. 7. That the people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and possessions from unreasonable seizures and searches; and that no warrant to search any place, or to seize any person or thing, shall issue without describing the place to be searched, and the person or thing to be seized, as nearly as may be, nor without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation.

SEC. 8. That no freeman shall be taken, imprisoned, disseized of his freehold, liberties, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any manner destroyed, or deprived of his life, liberty, or property, but by the law of the land.

SEC. 9. That all courts shall be open, and every person, for an injury done him, in his lands, goods, person, or reputation, shall have remedy by due course of law, and right and justice administered, without sale, denial, or delay.

SEC. 10. That in all criminal prosecutions the accused hath a right to be heard, by himself or counsel, or both; to demand the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor; and in all prosecutions by indictment or presentment, a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the county or district where the offence was committed, and shall not be compelled to give evidence against himself.

SEC. 11. That all persons shall be bailable, by sufficient securities, unless in capital offences, where the proof is evident or the presumption strong; and the privilege of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless when, in case of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it.

SEC. 12. That excessive bail shall in no case be required; nor shall excessive fines be imposed; nor shall cruel or unusual punishments be inflicted.

SEC. 13. That no person shall, for the same offence, be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.

SEC. 14. That private property shall not be taken or applied to public use unless just compensation be made therefor.

SEC. 15. That in all prosecutions and indictments for libel the truth may be given in evidence; and if it shall appear to the jury that the libel is true, and published with good motives, and for justifiable ends, the truth shall be a justification; and the jury shall be the judges of the law and facts.

SEC. 16. That no person shall be put to answer any criminal charge but by presentment, indictment, or impeachment.

SEC. 17. That no conviction shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture of estate. SEC. 18. That retrospective laws, punishing acts committed before the existence of such laws, and by them only declared penal or criminal, are oppressive, unjust, and incompatible with liberty; wherefore, no ex post facto law shall ever be made.

SEC. 19. That no law impairing the obligation of contracts shall ever be passed. SEC. 20. That the people have a right, in a peaceable manner, to assemble together to consult for the common good, and to apply to those invested with the powers of government for redress of grievances, or other proper purposes, by petition, address, or

remonstrance.

SEC. 21. That the free white men of this State shall have a right to keep and to bear arms for their common defence.

SEC. 22. That no soldier, in time of peace, shall be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner; nor in time of war, but in a manner prescribed by law. SEC. 23. That no standing army shall be kept up without the consent of the legislature; and the military shall in all cases and at all times be in strict subordination to the civil power.

SEC. 24. That perpetuities and monopolies are contrary to the genius of a free State, and ought not to be allowed.

SEC. 25. That no hereditary emoluments, privileges, or honors, shall ever be granted or conferred in this State.

SEC. 26. That frequent recurrence to fundamental principles is absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty.

SEC. 27. That, to guard against transgressions upon the rights of the people, we declare that everything in this article is excepted out of the general powers of govern. ment, and shall forever remain inviolate; and that all laws contrary thereto, or to the following provisions, shall be void.

ARTICLE II.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE POWERS OF GOVERNMENT.

SECTION 1. The powers of the government of the State of Florida shall be divided into three distinct departments, and each of them confided to a separate body of magistracy, to wit: Those which are legislative to one; those which are executive to another; and those which are judicial to another.

SEC. 2. No person, or collection of persons, being of one of those departments, shall exercise any power properly belonging to either of the others, except in the instances expressly provided in this constitution.

ARTICLE III.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.

SECTION 1. The supreme executive power shall be vested in a chief magistrate, who shall be styled the governor of the State of Florida.

SEC. 2. The governor shall be elected for four years, by the qualified electors, at the time and place where they shall vote for representatives, and shall remain in office until a successor be chosen and qualified; and shall not be eligible to reelection until the expiration of four years thereafter.