Louisiana Territory

The Louisiana Territory was a vast expanse of territory comprising most of the modern United States between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains. Originally controlled by the Spanish and French empires at different times, it was acquired from France by the United State in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. It was reorganized into the Missouri Territory when Louisiana became a state in 1812. Its capital was St. Louis.

“An Act Erecting Louisiana into Two Territories, and Providing for the Temporary Government Thereof," 26 March 1804, Statutes at Large of the United States 2 (1845):283-89; "An Act Further Providing for the Government of the District of Louisiana," 3 March 1805, Statutes at Large of the United States 2 (1845):331-32; "An Act 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," 20 February 1811, Statutes at Large of the United States 2 (1846):641-43; "An Act for the Admission of the State of Louisiana into the Union, and to Extend the Laws of the United States to Said State," 8 April 1812, Statutes at Large of the United States 2 (1845):701-04; "An Act Providing for the Government of the Territory of Missouri," 4 June 1812, Statutes at Large of the United States 2 (1846):743-47; Charles Gayarré, History of Louisiana. The American Domination 5th ed. (Gretna, LA: Pelican, 1998).