Virginia Argus

NEW-ORLEANS, March 22.

The following message was laid before the Council.

"Gentlemen of the Legislative Council,

"I have given to the bill entitled

"An act to prevent persons other than

those who were inhabitants of Louisiana

on the 30th day of April last, or citizens

of the United States," from holding

any office under the government of this

territory, the most respectful and attentive

consideration. The principle of the

bill is patriotic, and I cordially unite with

you in opinion that the offices of trust in

this territory ought alone to be confided

to the ancient inhabitants of the country,

or other citizens of the United States, unless

on occasions where a departure from

so general a rule should be justified by

some of those strong reasons which seldom

occur; I however, entertain doubts

whether the object of the bill is a rightful

object of territorial legislation; I am

inclined to the opinion, that it is more properly

a matter of constitutional provision.

The law of Congress for the government

of this territory, has vested in the executive

an uncontrouled discretion, as to

certain appointments to office, and as I

doubt the constitutionality of any act of

the territorial legislature, which would abridge

the powers of the office I have the

honor to hold, it becomes my duty to reject

the bill.

(Signed)

WM. C. C. CLAIBORNE."

The governor has likewise given his negative to a bill recognising as legal, any rate of interest stipulated by the contracting parties.