Louisiana State Constitution of 1812 from Wikisource
Louisiana State Constitution of 1812 from Rutgers
There was no official chronicle of the speeches and deliberations at the convention, which met in New Orleans. Incomplete accounts were reported in the newspapers of the day. However, the group deliberated from November until January 1812. The Kentucky Constitution was used as a model. The delegates were divided along both a New Orleans vs. country axis, and by Creoles vs. Americans. After much deliberation, compromise, and even a walk-out by the Creoles, the delegates eventually signed the engrossed documents on January 26. They were delivered to Washington for Congressional approval, and on April 30, 1812, Louisiana officially became a state.
1804 Breckinridge Act: An Act erecting Louisiana into two Territories and providing for the Temporary Government thereof,” which divides Louisiana into the Territory of Orleans and the District of Louisiana.
The Senate Debate on the Breckinridge Bill for the Government of Louisiana, 1804
Eleventh Congress, Third Session, CHAP. XXI.--An Act (found on page 641) to enable the people of the Territory of Orleans to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such state into the Union, on an equal footing with the original states, and for other purposes. Approved Feb. 20 1811
