Almost all the settlements which have been formed by the citizens of the United States, have been begun since 1800. In 1809, Illinois was erected into a territorial government: in 1818, the inhabitants formed a constitution, and Illinois was admitted into the Union as an independent state. GOVERNORS. Ninian Edwards appointed, 1809, Governor of the Territory of Illinois. Shadrach Bond, do. Under the Constitution. elected 1818 Ninian Edwards, 1822 elected 1826 OUTLINES OF THE CONSTITUTION. The legislative authority is vested in a General Assembly, consisting of a Senate, the members of which are elected for four years; and of a House of Representatives, elected biennially. "The number of representatives shall not be less than 27, nor more than 36, until the number of inhabitants within the state shall amount to one hundred thousand; and the number of senators shall never be less than one third, nor more than one half of the number of representatives." The executive power is vested in a Governor, who is elected by the people for four years; and he is not eligible for more than four years in any term of eight years. At the election of Governor, a Lieutenant Governor is also chosen, who is Speaker of the Senate; and on whom, in case the governor vacates his office, the duties of governor devolve. The representatives and one half of the senators are elected biennially on the first Monday in August; and the governor is chosen, every fourth year, at the same time. The General Assembly meets every other year (at Vandalia), on the first Monday in the December next following the election; and the governor is authorized to convene it, on extraordinary occasions, at other times. All white, male inhabitants, above the age of 21 years, having resided in the state six months next preceding an election, have the rights of electors. The judicial power is vested in a Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the General Assembly may establish. The judges are appointed by a joint ballot of both branches of the General Assembly, and hold their offices during good behavior. GOVERNMENT. Ninian Edwards, Governor; (term of office expires on the first Monday in December, 1830); salary $1,000. The present number of senators is 18; representatives, 36. Pay of each member usually $3 a day. The judges of the Supreme Courts officiate also as judges of the Circuit Courts. EDUCATION. A college has recently been established at Jacksonville, a little to the south of the river Illinois. XXIV. MISSOURI. MISSOURI formed a part of the extensive country of Louisiana, which was purchased of France by the United States in 1803. Though French settlements were commenced at St. Louis and St. Genevieve as early as 1764, yet at the time when the country was purchased, this portion of it contained but few inhabitants. In 1804, this country was separated from the rest of Louisiana and erected into a territorial government, by the name of the Territory of Louisiana, afterwards altered to the Territory of Missouri; and in 1821, it was admitted into the Union as an independent state. GOVERNORS. Under the Territorial Government. James Wilkinson, appointed 1805 | William Clarke, appointed 1813 Meriwether Lewis, do. 1807 The constitution of this state was formed at Kaskaskia, in 1820. The legislative power was vested in a General Assembly, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The representatives are chosen every second year. Every county is entitled to at least one representative; but the whole number can never exceed 100. The senators are elected for four years, the seats of one half being vacated every second year. The constitutional number is, not less than 14, nor more than 33. They are chosen by districts, and are apportioned according to the number of free, white inhabitants. The elections for representatives and senators are held biennially on the first Monday in August. The executive power is vested in a Governor, who is elected for four years, on the first Monday in August; and he is ineligible for the next four years after the expiration of his term of service. At the time of the election of Governor, a Lieutenant Governor is also chosen, who is, by virtue of his office, President of the Senate. The Legislature meets every second year (at the City of Jefferson), on the first Monday in November. The right of suffrage is granted to every white, male citizen, who has attained the age of 21 years, and has resided in the state one year before an election, the last three months thereof being in the county or district in which he offers his vote. The judicial power is vested in a Supreme Court, in a Chancellor, Circuit Courts, and such other inferior tribunals as the General Assembly may, from time to time, establish. The judges are appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; and they hold their offices during good behavior, but not beyond the age of 65 years. GOVERNMENT. John Miller, Governor; (term of office expires on the 3d Monday in November, 1832); Daniel Dunklin, Lieutenant Governor. salary $1,500 The present number of Senators, 13; Representatives, 49. Pay of the Lieutenant Governor, and each of the Senators and Representatives $3 a day during the session of the legislature. Circuit Courts. Judges. W. C. Carr, D. Todd, J. D. Cook; one vacancy. Salary of each $1,000. The Bank of the United States has an Office of Discount and Deposit at St. Louis. There is no other bank in the state. EDUCATION. A college has been founded in this state, and 9 academies incorporated. A portion of the public lands has been granted by Congress for the support of schools; but no provision for education has been made by the legislature of the state, except the passing of some laws relating to the lands granted by Congress. XXV. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE District of Columbia is a tract of country 10 miles square, situated on both sides of the Potomac, comprising two counties, Washington and Alexandria. It was ceded to the United States in 1790, and is under the immediate government of Congress. The city of Washington, which is included within this District, became the seat of the government of the United States in 1810; and it is the residence of the President and the other chief executive officers, of whom an account has been already given. The Congress of the United States meets every year, at Washington, on the first Monday in December, unless it is otherwise provided by law, (see page 134); and the Supreme Court of the United States meets here, annually, on the second Monday in January (see pages 140 and 144). JUDICIARY. The Circuit Court for the District of Columbia, is held at Washington on the first Monday in May and the third Monday in December; and at Alexandria on the second Monday in April and the fourth Monday in November; and the District Court, on the first Mondays in June and December. * The Bank of the United States has an office of Discount and Deposit at Washington; and besides this, there are 13 other banks in the District, at Washington, Georgetown, and Alexandria. EDUCATION. Columbian College, a seminary chiefly under the direction of the Baptist denomination, is situated near Washington; Georgetown College, a Roman Catholic institution, at Georgetown; and an Episcopal Theological Seminary in the vicinity of Alexandria, XXVI. FLORIDA. FLORIDA was conquered by the Spaniards as early as 1639. In 1763, it was ceded to Great Britain, and divided into East and West Florida; but in 1781, it was again recovered by Spain. In 1821, it was ceded by Spain to the United States; and in 1822 both parts, East and West Florida, were formed into one government or province, under the name of The Territory of Florida. GOVERNMENT. William P. Duvall, Governor, first appointed in 1822; reäppointed in 1825 and 1828; salary James D. Westcott, Jun., Secretary; salary $2,500 1,500 The Legislative Council consists of 16 members, and meets at Tallahassee on the first Monday in January. |