1845. No grand jury is necessary in the prosecution of slaves for crimes not capital.

The state shall be divided in three judicial districts, one of which, every two years, shall choose a judge of the high court of errors and appeals, for six years, who must be thirty years old, and receive a salary not diminishable during his term. Circuit judges are chosen in districts, must reside therein, must be twenty-six years old, and shall receive a fixed compensation, and have original jurisdiction of all criminal cases, and of all civil cases above fifty dollars. The court of chancery shall have full equity powers. The chancellor must be thirty years old, and shall be chosen by the people for six years.

Amendments to the constitution, if they are passed by two-thirds of each house, shall be submitted to the people six months before the next general election, and, if approved by them, shall be adopted.

Term ends. Salary.

William L. Sharkey, of Vicksburg, Presiding Judge,

Nov. 1847, $3,000

The state of Louisiana comprises the southern part of an extensive country, which was purchased by the United States, of France, in 1803, for the sum of $15,000,000.

The river Mississippi was discovered in 1673, by Marquette and Joliette, two French missionaries; in 1682, the country was explored by La Salle, and named Louisiana, in honor of Louis XIV.; in 1699, a French settlement was begun at Iberville; and in 1717, New Orleans was founded.

The country now forming the state of Louisiana was separated from the rest in 1804, and called the Territory of Orleans; and in 1812, it was admitted into the Union as an independent state, by the name of Louisiana.

The first constitution was formed in 1812; the present one was ratified by the people, November 5th, 1845.

Representatives, not less than seventy nor more than one hundred in number, shall be chosen every second year, on the first Monday in Novem

ber, and shall meet every second year, on the third Monday in January following. A representative must be a free white male, twenty-one years of age, who has been three years a citizen of the United States, three years a resident of the state, and one year a resident of the parish where he is chosen. Every parish shall have at least one representative. A census shall be taken in 1847, another in 1855, and one every ten years thereafter. Every free white male, twenty-one years of age, two years a citizen of the United States, or resident in the state for two consecutive years next preceding the election, and the last year thereof in the parish where he proposes to vote, sha!l have the right of suffrage. Absence from the state for more than ninety consecutive days, unless the house or place of business of the absentee be occupied during his absence by his family or servants, shall interrupt the residence here required.

Senators, thirty-two in number, shall be chosen for four years, one half of their number being chosen every two years. A senator must be twentyseven years old, ten years a citizen of the United States, four years a resident of the state, and one year, of his district. Deducting the population of New Orleans from that of the state, the remainder divided by twenty-eight shall be the senatorial ratio for the districts. Senators and representatives shall receive four dollars a day during their attendance, going to and returning from the General Assembly, and no sessions shall last more than sixty days; acts passed after sixty days shall be invalid. A state treasurer shall be chosen biennially by joint ballot.

The governor and lieutenant-governor, chosen by a plurality of the electors, shall hold office for four years. They must be thirty-five years old, and have been citizens of the United States and residents in the state for fifteen years. The governor shall be ineligible for the four years succeeding his term of office. The lieutenant-governor shall be president of the senate. He may veto a bill; but two-thirds of both houses may pass it again in spite of his veto.

The supreme court shall consist of a chief justice, receiving $6,000, and three (associate justices, receiving $5,500 annually, appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, for the term of eight years. The court shall sit in New Orleans from the first Monday in November to the end of June, inclusive. All the judges may be impeached, and they may removed by the governor on the address of three-fourths of both houses. The supreme court shall have appellate jurisdiction only, when more than $300 are in dispute, when the legality of any tax is in question on all fines and penalties imposed by municipal corporations, and in criminal cases, on points of law alone, when death, hard labor, or a fine of more than $300, is imposed. They may issue writs of habeas corpus in all cases where they have appellate jurisdiction. If the judges are equally divided, the judgment appealed from shall stand affirmed. There shall be an attor

ney-general, and as many district-attorneys as may be necessary, appointed for two years.

The legislature shall divide the state into judicial districts, not less than twelve, or more than twenty, in number, which may be re-organized every sixth year. One district judge shall be appointed for six years, for each district, except for the districts of New Orleans and Lafayette, where as many shall be appointed as are necessary. Each of these judges shall receive an annual salary, not less than $2,500, which shall not be increased or diminished during his term of office. He must be a citizen of the United States, above thirty years old, a resident of the state for five years, and have practised law therein five years. The district courts shall have jurisdiction when more than fifty dollars are at stake, and in all criminal cases.

All civil officers, except the governor and the judges, are removable on an address of a majority of both houses. Members may address either house in the French or English language. The credit of the state shall not be lent to any person or corporation whatsoever; but new bonds may be issued to replace outstanding ones. No state debt shall be contracted for more than $100,000, except in case of war, invasion, or insurrection, unless authorized by law for some distinctly specified object or work; which law shall impose taxes to pay the current interest during the whole term of the debt, and also to pay the debt itself at maturity; and this law shall be irrepealable till the debt and interest are fully discharged, and shall not go into force till again enacted by the next legislature after its first passage. The state shall not subscribe to the stock of any company or corporation. No corporate company shall be hereafter created, renewed, or extended, with banking or discounting privileges. After 1890, the charters of all corporations may be revoked; and no charter shall now be granted, except for municipal or political purposes, for more than twenty-five years. Any one who fights a duel, acts as second, or sends or accepts a challenge, shall neither hold an office nor enjoy the right of suffrage in this state.

There shall be a superintendent of public education, holding office for two years. Free public schools shall be established throughout the state; the proceeds of lands granted for the purpose, and of lands escheated to the state, shall be held as a permanent fund, on which six per cent. interest shall be paid by the state for the support of these schools.

Amendments of this constitution shall be first approved by three-fifths of both houses; then published in the newspapers throughout the state three months before the next general election; then approved by a majority of both houses in the succeeding legislature; then published again as before; then submitted to the people; and, if ratified by a majority of the voters, shall form a part of this constitution.

Government for the year 1848.

ISAAC JOHNSON, of West Feliciana, Governor,

Term ends. Salary.

Jan. 1850, $6,000