USA > Ohio > A history of the state of Ohio, natural and civil > Part 29
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We have said that many considerations naturally attracted eastern people to this country, as a home for themselves and their posterity. We alluded more especially to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and all the states cast of them. But, even the Virginians are coming here in considerable numbers; and as to the Marylanders, we call them Ohio people now. They are, always were, and always will be, our natural friends, in peace
352
HISTORY OF OHIO.
and war, in prosperity and adversity. Maryland has always stood by us, as friends, whom we esteem, admire, and love. The Kentuckians are bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh -we are one people. And do what they will to prevent it, at home, the young Virginians who travel will visit us; and having seen us, they will tarry here. The young men of Virginia, having seen us, our Canals and River, our Lake and our Roads, all covered with moving,.active, and enterprising people,-having seen allour people, in their towns, or on their farms-all employed, all engaged in. active industry of some sort, naturally forsake dull, old Virginia, now " tired " out, and settle down here. The political power is departing from the East to the West-even now, a majority of the nation live in the Valley of the Mississippi. What then, will be the relative strength of the East and the West twenty-three years hence? And what will it be one hundred years hence, when the old Northwestern. Territory alone, will contain, thirty millions of people ?
GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE.
The act of congress of 1787, justly considered as the. Mag- na Charta of Ohio, and all of the states northwest of the Ohio river, ordained that there never should be here, slavery, or in- voluntary servitude .. That act widely promulgated, all over the world, arrested the special attention of all the genuine lovers of liberty and haters of slavery, in all lands. Hence we have had flowing towards us, a flood of immigrants who love liberty. Made up of such ingredients, it is easy to con- ceive, that with the addition of the young, the enterprising,. athletic, bold, daring and ambitious, of all states and all coun- tries, the whole mass would be such as never was found any where else in the world. The result of their labors, thus far, is- seen, in this volume and we challenge all history to produce its parallel. In vain do we look into the tomes of history,. or listen- to the tales of gray tradition, in order to find any other state, now, or ever in existence, that, in fifty years, increased from.
353
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE.
three thousand souls to one million six hundred thousand. Du- ring this very period, we have had two wars to pass through, pro- secuted by England, with all her means of annoyance; and she was assisted, too, by hordes of the wildest, most cruel, most brave, and warlike savages on the globe. We had, too, an immense forest to clear off-a sickly climate, originally, to contend with, as all settlers in any other new country have.
It may be said that congress has done much for us. We answer, not much. All the lands which congress have grant- ed to us, to the very last acre, have been paid for, either di- rectly or indirectly. Being weak, when admitted into the Union, we made as good a bargain as we could with congress; but still a very poor bargain, by agreeing not to tax congress lands. It was on our part a most wretched bargain. “But congress gave us some lands to assist us in making our ca- nals." Yes, congress gave us five hundred thousand acres of land, which congress could not sell at any price, on condition that we made a canal through congress lands; and by means of our improvements, the remaining lands of the United States have sold for six dollars and upwards, on an average, an acre, which congress could not otherwise have sold, to this day, for six cents an acre. We feel grateful that we have had many votes for western measures, in congress, at different times, from all the states except New Hampshire and Maine, and the New York Bucktails. Ohio has, in return, been friendly to her friends, in congress.
In the west, our young men take precedence, of the older men, whereas in our eastern Atlantic cities, the younger law- yers and physicians, complain, with what propriety, we do not pretend to know, that the older men of their professions, keep all the business in their own hands. Should these young men visit Ohio, they would find every thing reversed. They would see placed on the bench, very young men, generally, presi- ding there; and the older and more experienced lawyers, standing before them, at the bar! And as soon as a judge be- comes qualified for his station, some younger man, who per-
D2*
45
354
HISTORY OF OHIO.
haps, has never plead ten causes of any importance -· before: he has had two years practice, before he has had scarce- ly any acquaintance with men and their dealings, he is placed on the bench as a president judge, instead of a man of greater and better qualifications. And this last one, will be displaced by some younger aspirant in his turn. So of the young physician, who comes forward at once, and occupies, often, the place of his older, and better qualifi-" ed predecessor. In older states, though the snows of fifty winters may have whitened the head, it is not, therefore, in- ferred, that the heart is chilled by them. The WISE MEN OF THE EAST, do not suppose that there is any period in human life, in which we cannot make new acquisitions in knowledge; in which we cannot be useful, innocent and happy. There seems to be a set of ascetics in the West, who think that as soon as a few gray hairs appear in any man's head, he ought to be excluded from all business, public and private: that he ought to withdraw himself from society; become idle, dull, in- sipid, and wholly useless to mankind. Is there any period of human life, in which men of learning, science and taste, should be secluded from the society of the good, innocent and virtu- ous, of both sexes? To men like Franklin, Jefferson, Jay, Clinton, Marshall, and a thousand others, whom we could easi- ly name; MEN to whom business and books, science and lit- erature; all the pleasures of taste, friendship and society, have furnished all that refines and strengthens the mind; renovates and expands all the affections of the heart; old- age exhibits no diminution of either talent or happiness. Such men, when they cease to be statesmen, do not the less love mankind, the less rejoice in human happiness, nor the less participate in it. Too many in our country, think and act as if there was a law of the mind, which limits its pleasures and powers to some particular period of human life. There is no such period. His physical powers may be diminished, his senses somewhat blunted, but the impressions which they have so long convey- ed to him, remain vivid; and the treasures which they have conveyed to him are laid up, "where no moth can corrupt,
355
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE.
and no thief can break through and steal' them." The ob- jects of his early affections, may have been taken from him by death; but, if they were wise, virtuous and innocent hu- man beings, they have only preceded him a few years, to his and their ultimate, eternal home; and they must have left with him, ten thousand tender recollections, that will become dear- er and dearer; and hopes that will shine brighter and brighter, every day, during his life time. Such a man from his age, pro- found learning, knowledge of mankind, disinterestedness and sincerity, broad and liberal views, experience of all kinds; business talents, and other qualifications, is fitter for any high civil .station, than at any earlier period of his life.
However, the present course of things in this respect, will be changed, within a few years, when the state becomes more fully settled. From the very nature of circumstances, we in Ohio, are now exactly half way between the highest, and low- est states of society. In the very wisest society, age is hon- ored-so it is equally in the savage state, but here, either ve- ry young men, or new comers among us, take the lead in eve- ry thing. Time, experience and good sense, will eventually cure the evil of which we may now so justly complain.
In a country where every man is a sovereign, means should be used to make that sovereign a wise and good one. Good masters make good servants. Too much pains cannot be ta- ken by our legislature, and all our influential men, to diffuse the lights of knowledge, morality and religion, among the great mass of the people. That we have, considering our age as a state, considering our remote interior situation, and all the hardships in the way when Ohio was originally settled; located as the carly immigrants were, in a vast wilderness, . where savages, fierce and barbarous roamed among wild beasts -- that we have prospered, we say, more than any other peo- ple ever did in the world, is most certain; but our exertions to improve our condition, are by no means to be relaxed. It will require increased activity every moment, to keep pace with the age in which we live; and as our means of doing good in- crease, the increased numbers of our people will require in-
356
HISTORY OF OHIO.
creased activity to instruct them, and point out to them the roads which lead to prosperity, comfort and happiness-to el- evate their views, and finally to make Ohio, what it ought to be, the first state in this Union, in numbers, knowledge, wealth and political power. Having attained that elevated point, it will then be our duty to use our power and influence so as to ¿ wrong no one, to do justice, and make it the interest of all our neighbors to be our friends. Our position in the nation is peculiarly felicitous, as to soil, climate and productions, and it will be our own fault if we are not the happiest people in the Union.
STATE LIBRARY.
The state library was established in the year 1817. It was commenced with only about five hundred volumes, but, through the liberality and fostering care of the legislature of the state, it now contains more than five thousand volumes of books,. most of which are of a choice kind, and selected with great judgment and taste. It embraces nearly all of the AMERICAN, and some of the most approved FOREIGN PERIODICALS; and a great variety of such historical and miscellaneous works as are anxiously sought by a reading community. The legisla- ture has usually made a small annual appropriation for the purchase of books; and these appropriations have, by a judi- cious application, already rendered the state library a pleasing resort for all men of reading and science, from different sec- tions of the state, who make a temporary stay at Columbus.
The law portion of the state library affords great conveni- ences to gentlemen of the legal profession; and the annual purchases of new works, have usually embraced many of the most valuable of the reports of the different states, and the most learned treatises on the science of law and American jurisprudence.
357
STATE OFFICERS.
OFFICERS OF THE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
APPOINTED IN 1788, UNDER THE ORDINANCE OF CONGRESS.
Arthur St. Clair, Governor.
Samuel H. Parsons, James M. Varnum, John Cleves Symmes, Judges.
Winthrop Sargeant, Secretary. William H. Harrison was subsequently appointed secretary of the territory; he was af- terwards elected delegate to congress.
Governors of the state,
AFTER THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION.
Edward Tiffin, elected and sworn 3d March, - 1803
Thomas Kirker,* (acting governor part of the year,) 1808
Samuel Huntington, elected and sworn in - 1808 -
Return J. Meigs, do. do. - 1810
Othniel Looker,* (acting governor part of the year,) 1814
Thomas Worthington, elected - -
1814
Ethan Allen Brown, do. - - - 1818
Allen Trimble,* (acting governor part of the year,) 1822
Jeremiah Morrow, elected -
-
-
-
1822
Allen Trimble, elected - -
1826
Duncan McArthur, do. ·
1830
Robert Lucas, do. -
. 1832
Joseph Vance, do. .
. 1836
Secretaries of state.
William Creighton, junior, elected -
1803
Jeremiah McLene,
do.
- 1808
Moses H. Kirby,
do.
1831
Benjamin Hinkson,
do. .
1834
Carter B. Harlan,
do.
1835
-
.
.
-
-
.
-
*Those marked with, a star, were presidents of the senato, who were,, by the constitution, governors for short periods only.
-
358
HISTORY OF OHIO.
Auditors of state.
Thomas Gibson, elected
1803
Benjamin Hough, do.
-
.
- 1808
Ralph Osborn, do.
-
- 1815
John A. Bryan, do. -
1833
Treasurers of state.
William McFarland, elected
1803
Hiram M. Curry, do.
.
-
- 1817
Samuel Sullivan, do.
-
- 1820
Henry Brown, do.
.
- 1823
Joseph Whitehill, do.
The names of the respective state librarians are as follows :.
John L. Harper, Librarian from 1817
to
1818
John M'Elvain,
1818 to 1820
David S. Broderick,
1820
to 1824
Zachariah Mills, 66
1824 to the present time ..
Judges of the Supreme Court.
Return J. Meigs, William W. Irvin, Elijah Hayward,
Samuel Huntington, Ethan Allen Brown, John M. Goodenow,
William Sprigg, Calvin Pease, Reuben Wood,
George Tod, John M'Lean, John C. Wright,
Daniel Symmes, Jessup N. Couch, Joshua Collett,
Thomas Scott, Charles R. Sherman, Ebenezer Lane.
Thomas Morris, Peter Hitchcock,.
President Judges.
The names of the President Judges, from the organization. of the government, are as follows:
Francis Dunlevy, Orris Parish,
Frederick Grimke,
Wyllis Silliman, J. H. Hallack,
John M. Goodenow,
Calvin Pease, Alexander Harper, Matthew Burchard,
-
359
STATE OFFICERS.
William Wilson, John Thompson,
Benjamin Ruggles,
John M'Dowell,
John W. Price,
Joseph H. Crane,
Gustavus Swan,
Joshua Collett,
Peter Hitchcock,
Ebenezer Lane,
Reuben Wood,
1 George Todd,
Benjamin Tappan.
Members of the Convention,
WHO FORMED THE STATE CONSTITUTION, ADOPTED IN CONVENTION AT CHIL- LICOTHE, NOVEMBER 29TH, 1803. 1
EDWARD TIFFIN, President and representative from the co. of Ross. From Adams County,
Joseph Darlinton, Israel Donalson, and Thomas Kirker. From Belmont County,
James Caldwell and Elijah Woods. From Clermont County,
Philip Gatch and James Sargent. From Fairfield County,
Henry Abrams and Emanuel Carpenter. From Hamilton County,
John W. Browne, Charles Willing Byrd, Francis Dunlavy, William Go- forth, John Kitchel, Jeremiah Morrow, John Paul, John Reily, John Smith, and John Wilson.
From Jefferson County,
Rudolph Bair, George Humphrey, John Milligan, Nathan Updegraff, and Bazaleel Wells.
From Ross County, Michael Baldwin, James Grubb, Nathaniel Massie, and T. Worthington. From Trumbull County,
David Abbot and Samuel Huntington.
From Washington Connty,
Ephraim Cutler, Benjamin Ives Gilman, John M'Intire, and Rufus Put : nam.
Thomas Scott, Secretary of the Convention.
The following embraces the names of all the Senators, and all the mem- bers of the House of Representatives who have from time to time been elected, and have represented this State in the Congress of the United States until 1836.
SENATORS OF CONGRESS.
In. Out.
In. Out.
51803-1807
Joseph Kerr,
1814-1815
T. Worthington,
(1810-1814 03-08
William A. Trimble,
19-22
Edward Tiffin,
07-09
Ethan A. Brown, 22-25
Return J. Meigs,
08-10
William H. Harrison,
25-28
'S. Griswold,
09-09
Jacob Burnet,
28-31
Alexander Campbell,
09-13
Thomas Ewing, 31-37
Jeremiah Morrow,
13-19
Thomas Morris,
33-39
Ezra Osborn,
Ezra Dean,
George P. Torrence,
Joseph Swan,
Benjamin Ruggles, 15-33
John Smith,
360
HISTORY OF OHIO.
REPRESENTATIVES OF CONGRESS.
In. Out.
In. Out.
W. H. Harrison,
1816-1819
William M'Millan,
00-01
David Jennings, 1825-1826 J. Thompson, Ross co. 25-27 J. Thomson, Colum, co. 29-37 John Woods,
25-29
Jeremiah Morrow,
03-13
Thomas Shannon, 26-27
John Davenport 27-29
William Creighton,
27 33
William Russel, 27-33
John Alexander,
13-17
William Stanberry, 27-33
Benjamin Beall,
13-15
Francis Muhlenberg, 28-28
James Caldwell,
13-17
Joseph H. Crane,
29-37
James Kilbourne,
13-17
John M. Goodenow, 29-31
John M'Lean,
13-16
William W. Irvin,
29-33
David Clendenen,
15-17
William Kennon.
35-37
Levi Barber,
21-23
James Shields,
29-31
Philemon Beecher.
23-29
Thomas Corwin, 31-37
John W. Campbell,
17-27
Humphrey H. Leavitt, 31-34
Samuel Herrick,
17-21
William Allen, 33-35
Peter Hitchcock,
17-19
James M. Bell,
33-35
Henry Brush,
19-21
John Chaney, 33-37
Thomas R. Ross,
19-25
Thomas L. Hamer,
33-37
John Sloan,
19-29
Benjamin Jones,
33-37
David Chambers,
21-23
Robert T. Lytle,
33-35
Joseph Vance,
21-35
Jeremiah M'Lene, 33-37
Mordecai Bartley
23-31
Robert Mitchell,
33-35
James W. Gazlay,
23-25
William Patterson, 33-37
Duncan' M'Arthur,
23-25
Jonathan Sloane,
33-37
William M'Lean
23-29
David Spangler,
33-37
John Patterson,
23-25
Taylor Webster,
33-37
Samuel F. Vinton,
23-37
Daniel Kilgore, 34-37
Elisha Whittlesey,
23-37
Bellamy Storer,
35-37
William Wilson,
23-27
William K. Bond,
35-37
John C. Wright,
23-29
Sampson Mason, 35-37
James Findlay,
25-35
Elias Howell.
35-37
29-33
(17-19
(17-21
Eleutherus Cooke,
31-33
1799-1800
Paul Fearing,
01-03
13-17
361
MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY.
Members of the General assembly, who passed the first effi- cient act, for making our canals. The session commenced De- cember 3rd, 1821.
MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY.
From the counties of
Adams, George R. Fitzgerald. Ashtabula, Robert Harper. Athens, Elijah Hatch,
Belmont and Monroe, Wm. Dunn, Alexander Armstrong and Thomas Shannon.
Brown, George Edwards.
Butler, James Shields, Robert Anderson and Joel Collins.
Clark, John Dougherty.
Champaign, Aaron L. Hunt.
Clermont, Gideon Minor,
Clinton, James Harris,
Columbiana, Wm. Blackburn, Peter Musser and Daniel Har- baugh,
Coshocton, James Robinson.
Cuyahoga, Josiah Barber.
Delaware, Joseph Eaton.
Darke and Shelby, Jacob Miller.
Fairfield, Robert F. Slaughter and George Sanderson.
Fayette, James Carothers. Franklin, John R. Parish.
Greene, William M. Townsley.
Guernsey, Lloyd Talbott,
Hamilton, Clayton Webb, M. T. Williams, J. C. Short and S. R. Miller.
Harrison, John Patterson. Highland, Richard Collins. Huron and Sandusky, David Abbott. Jefferson, James Wilson and Samuel McNary. Knox, Royal D. Simons.
E2
362
HISTORY OF OHIO.
Licking, William W. Gault.
Logan and Wood, John Shelby.
Madison and Union, William Lewis.
Meigs, Gallia and Jackson, David Boggs and George House. Miami, Thomas W. Furnas.
Montgomery, George Grove and Samuel Archer.
Morgan and Washington, William M. Dawes and Timothy Buell.
Muskingum, William H. Moore and Alexander Harper. Perry, Roswell Mills.
Pickaway and Hocking, Caleb Atwater and Valentine Keffer.
Portage and Medina, Jonathan Sloane, and James Moore.
Preble, Daniel Saylor.
Richland, James Hedges.
Ross, Thomas Worthington, Archibald M'Lean, William Vance. Scioto, Pike and Lawrence, William Kendall and Caleb Hitch- cock. Stark, John Myers.
Trumbull, Thomas Howe.
Tuscarawas, George Richardson.
Warren, John Bigger and Thomas Corwin.
Wayne, Benjamin Jones.
MEMBERS OF SENATE.
From the counties of
Fairfield, Elnathan Scofield. Hamilton, Eprhaim Brown. Butler, James Heaton. Warren, Nathaniel M'Lean.
Green and Clinton, William R. Cole.
Franklin, Delaware, Madison and Union, Joseph Foos. Licking and Perry, John Spencer. Wayne, Thomas M'Millan. Portage and Medina, Jonathan Foster. Harrison, James Roberts.
363
VOTE ON CANALS.
Meigs, Gallia and Jackson, Daniel Womeldorf.
Scioto, Pike and Lawrence, Robert Lucas. Trumbull, Eli Baldwin. Brown, Nathaniel Beasly
Stark, Michael Ozwalt.
Cuyahoga, Huron and Sandusky, Alfred Kelly.
Jefferson, David Sloan.
Montgomery, William Blodget.
Columbiana, Gideon Hughes.
Belmont, David Jennings.
Adams, Thomas Kirker.
Champaign, Clark, Logan and Wood, James Cooley.
Pickaway and Hocking, John Barr.
Geauga and Ashtabula, Samuel W. Phelps.
Richland and Knox, John Shaw.
Muskingum, Thomas Ijams.
Washington, Athens and Morgan, Sardine Stone.
Clermont, Thomas Morris.
Highland and Fayette, Allen Trimble.
Ross, Duncan M'Arthur.
Guernsey, Tuscarawas and Coshocton, William M'Gowan.
Preble, Miami, Darke and Shelby, Walter Buell, (one year.)
Members of the General Assembly of 1824-5 who passed the necessary laws for making our canals; for adopting a system of education for common schools, and changing the mode of taxation.
The ycas and nays are also given, as follows, to wit:
Assembly.
YEAS. Messrs. Isaac Atkinson, John Bigger, Jacob Blick- ensderfer, William Cary, Leonard Case, William Collings, Isaac Cook, William Coolman, Matthias Corwin, John Cotton, Samuel Coulter, Edmond Dorr, John Dougherty, Jeremiah Everett, Richard Fallis, Thomas Flood, Jacob Frederick, Thomas Gatch, John M. Gray, Thomas Hanna, Robert Harper; Batteal Harri-
364
HISTORY OF OHIO.
son, David Higgins, Homer Hine, George B. Holt, Andrew V. Hopkins, Thomas Irwin, Thomas King, Joseph Kyle, James W. Lathrop, Philip Lewis, John Liest, Jacob Lindsey, John Lucas, Alexander M'Connell, John M'Corkle, Samuel M'Henry, John Means, David Mitchell, Edward L. Morgan, Elias Murray, Joseph Olds, Thomas L. Pierce, Thomas Rigdon, James Robi- son, of Coshocton, James Robison, of Wayne, Joseph W. Ross, Almon Ruggles, Thomas Shannon, James Shields, Robert F. Slaughter, Stephen C. Smith, Adam Swan, John Turner, Wil- liam Wiley, George W. Williams, Thomas Worthington, M. T. Williams, Speaker-58.
NAIS. Messrs William Blackburn, Ephraim Brown, George. Brown, John Cochran, John Davenport, George Edwards, Wil- liam Hamilton, James Hedges, John Hubbard, William Lowry, William E. Russell, John Shelby, Jacob Ward-13.
Senate.
YEAS. Messrs John Augustine, Edward Avery, Z. A. Beatty, D. H. Beardsley, Ebenezer Buckingham, junior, Samuel Cald- well, Jacob Catterlin, Jacob Claypool, Joel Collins, David Crouse, Ephraim Cutler, Owen T. Fishback, George Fithian, Joseph Foos, Nathan Guilford, Samuel H. Hale, David F. Hea- ton, David Jennings, Thomas Kirker, Henry Laffer, Robert Lucas, William Manning, George Newcomb, Aaron Norton. David Shelby, Matthew Simpson, David Sloane, William Stan- bery, Clayton Webb, Samuel Wheeler, Daniel : Womeldorf, Jabez Wright, Robert Young, Allen Trimble, Speaker-34.
NAYS. Messrs William Gass, Daniel Harbaugh-2.
APPENDIX.
No. I.
IN CONGRESS, JULY 13, 1787.
AN ORDINANCE FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES, NORTHWEST OF THE RIVER OHIO.
BEIT ORDAINED, by the United States in Congress assembled, That the said territory, for the purposes of temporary govern- ment, be one district; subject, however, to be divided into two, districts, as future circumstances may, in the opinion of Con- gress, make it expedient.
Be it ordained, by the authority aforesaid, 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 deceased child or grand- child, to take the share of their deceased parent, in equal parts, among them; and where there shall be no children or descend- ants, 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, among them, their deceased parent's share; and there shall in no case be a distinction between kindred 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 third part of the personal estate; and this law relative to descents and dower, shall remain in E2*
366
APPENDIX.
full force until altered by the legislature of the district. And until the governor and judges shall adopt laws as hereinafter mentioned, estates in the said territory may be devised or be- queathed by wills in writing, signed and sealed by him or her, in whom the estate may be (being of full age), and attest- ed by three witnesses; and real estates may be conveyed by lease and release, or bargain and sale, signed, sealed and deliv- ered by the person, being of full age in whom the estate may be, and attested by two witnesses, provided such wills be duly proved, and such conveyances be acknowledged, or the execu- tion thereof duly proved, and be recorded within one year after proper magistrates, courts, and registers shall be appointed for that purpose ; and personal property may be transferred by deliv- ery, saving however, to the French and Canadian inhabitants, and other settlers on the Kaskaskias, St. Vincents, and the neigh- boring villages, who have heretofore professed themselves citi- zens of Virginia, their laws and customs now in force among them relative to the descent and conveyance of property.
Be it ordained, by the authority aforesaid, that there shall be appointed from time to time, by Congress, a governor, whose commission shall continue in force for the term of three years, unless sooner revoked by Congress; he shall reside in the dis- trict, and have a freehold estate therein, in one thousand acres of land, while in the exercise of his office. There shall be appointed from time to time, by Congress, a secretary, 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 exer- cise of his office; it shall be his duty to keep and preserve the acts and laws passed by the legislature, and the public records of the district, and the proceedings of the governor in his exe- cutive department; and transmit authentic copies of such acts and proceedings, every six months, to the secretary of Congress. There shall be appointed a court to consist of three judges, any two of whom to form a court, who shall have a common law jurisdiction, and reside in the district, and have cach therein, a freehold estate in five hundred acres of land, while in the
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