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from and after the day of sale; And further, That the bounty lands granted, or hereafter to be granted, for military services during the late war, shall, while they continue to be held by the patentees, or their heirs, remain exempt as aforesaid from taxation for the term of three years from and after the date of the patents respectively.

A true and attested copy of the constitution to be transmitted to Congress.Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That in case a constitution and state government shall be formed for the people of the said territory of Missouri, the said convention or representatives, as soon thereafter as may be, shall cause a true and attested copy of such constitution, or frame of state government, as shall be formed or provided, to be transmitted to Congress.

Slavery, &c. forever prohibited in the territory north of 36 deg. 30 minutes north latitude, except in Missouri.
Proviso: fugitives may be reclaimed.
Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That in all that territory ceded by France to the United States, under the name of Louisiana, which lies north of thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes north latitude, not included within the limits of the state, contemplated by this act, slavery and involuntary servitude, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes, whereof the parties shall have been duly convicted, shall be, and is hereby, forever prohibited: Provided always, That any person escaping into the same, from whom labour or service if lawfully claimed, in any state or territory of the United States, such fugitive may be lawfully reclaimed and conveyed to the person claiming his or her labour or service as aforesaid.

Approved, March 6, 1820.

Statute Ⅰ.



March 13, 1820.

Chap. XXIII.An Act in addition to an act, entitled “An act regulating the post-office establishment.”

Act of April 3, 1810, ch. 37.
The President of the Senate pro tem. and speaker of the House of Representatives, entitled to frank as the Vice President of the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That during the present and every subsequent session of Congress, all letters and packets to and from the President of the Senate pro tempore, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the time being, shall be received and conveyed by mail, free of postage, under the same restrictions as are provided by law with respect to letter and packets to and from the Vice President of the United States.

Approved, March 13, 1820.

Statute Ⅰ.



March 14, 1820.

Chap. XXIV.An Act to provide for taking the fourth census, or enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States, and for other purposes.[1]

Act of March 3, 1821, ch. 49.
Marshals of districts and territories to cause the number of inhabitants to be taken, under the direction of the Secretary of State.
Classes to be enumerated.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the marshals of the several districts of the United States, and of the district of Columbia, and of the territories of Missouri, Michigan, and Arkansas, respectively, shall be, and they are hereby, authorized, and required, under the direction of the Secretary of State, and according to such instructions as he shall give, pursuant to this act, to cause the number of the inhabitants within their respective districts and territories, to be taken, omitting, in such enumeration, Indians not taxed, and distinguishing free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, from all others; distinguishing also, the sexes and colours of free persons, and the free males under ten years of age; those of ten years and under sixteen; those of sixteen and under twenty-six; those of twenty-six and under forty-five and those of forty-five and upwards: and, also, distinguishing free females under ten years of age; those of ten and under sixteen; those of sixteen

  1. See note to the act of March 1, 1790, vol. i. 101, referring to the acts providing for taking a census of the United States.