Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 18 Part 1.djvu/28

THE NORTHWEST TERRITORTAL GOVERNliIENrl`—1787.` [Tun Conrnnnans Couermss, JULY 13, 1787.] An Ordimmee_fm· the government of the terrgtlpry of the United States nortbrwest of the river w. S110n0N 1. Be it ordained by the United States in Congress assembled, That the said territo , for the purpose of temporary government, be one district, subject, however, to be divided into two districts, as future circumstances may, in the opinion of Congress, make it expedient. Sec. 2. Be it ordained by the authority a foresaid, That the estates both of resident and non-resident proprietors in the said territory, dying intestate, shall descend to, and be distributed among, their children and the descendants of a deceased child in equal parts, the descendants of a deceased child or grandchild to take the share of their deceased parent in equal parts among them; and where there shall be no children or descendants, then in equal parts to the next of kin, in equal degree: and among collaterals, the children of a deceased brother or sister of the intestate shall have, in equal parts amon them, their deceased parent’s share; and there shall, in no case, be a distinction betweeniindred of the whole and half blood; saving in all cases to the widow of the intestate, her third part of the real estate for life, and one-thirdipart of the personal estate; and this law relatire to descents and dower, shall remain in ull force until altered by the legislature of the district. And until the governor and judges shall adgpt laws as hereinafter mentioned., estates in the said territor · may be devised or bequeath by wills in writing, si ned and sealed by him or her in wtiom the estate may bc, (being of full age,) and attestedgby three witnesses; and real estates "ray be conveyed by lease and release, or bargain and sale, signed, sealed, and delivered by the person, beingsof full age, in whom the estate may be, and attested by two witnesses, provided such wil be duly proved, and such conveyances be acknowledged, or the execution thereof duly pgoved, and be recorded within one year after proper magistrates, courts, and registers, s ll be appointed for that purpose; and personal property may betransferred by elivery, mvin , however, to the French and Canadian inhabitants, and other settlers of the Kaskaskies, £int Vincents, and the neighboring villages, who have heretofore professed themselves citizens of Virginia, their ws an customs now in force amon them, relative to the descent and conve ance of pr;pc,rty. Sec. 3. Be it ordained by the aut/writ a foresazki, That there shalivbe apporn , from time to time, by Congress, a governor, whose commission shall continue rn force for the term of three years, unless sooner revoked by Congress; he shall reside in the district, and have a freehold estate therein, in one thousand acres of land, while in the exercise of his omcc. Sec. 4. There shall be a pointed from time to time, by Congress, asecretary, whose commission shall continue in Force for four years, unless sooner revoked; he shall reside in the district, and have a freehold estate therein, in five hundred acres of land while in the exercise of his office. It shall be his duty to keep and preserve the acts and laws passed by the l `slature, and the public records of the istrict, and the proceedings of the governor inehis executive department, and transmit authentic copies of such acts and proceedings every six months to the Secretary of Congress. There shall also be appointed a court, to consist of three judges, any two of whom to form a court, who shall haveacommon-law jurisdiction, and reside in the district, and have each therein a freehold estate, in \ tilye hundred acres of lapd, while in {hp] exercise of their offices; and their commissions s all continue in force uring Food avior. Sec. 5. The governor an judges, or a majorit of them, shall adopt and publish in the distric such laws of the origrna States, criminalyand civil, as may be necessary, and best suited to the circumstances of the district, and report them to Congress from time to time. which laws shall be in force in the district until the organization of the general 13