We, the Representative of the People of all that part of the Territory or country ceded under the name Louisiana, by the treaty made at Paris, on the 30th day of April 1803, between the United States and France, contained in the following limits, to wit; beginning at the mouth of the river Sabine, thence by a line to be drawn along the middle of said river, including all its islands, to the thirty second degree of latitude—thence due north to the Northernmost part of the thirty third degree of north latitude—thence along the said parallel of latitude to the river Mississippi—thence down the said river to the river Iberville, and from thence along the middle of the said river and lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain to the Gulf of Mexico—thence bounded by the said Gulf to the place of beginning, including all Islands within three leagues of the coast.
–Constitution or Form of Government of the
State of Louisiana,
1812
What is the purpose of the opening of the Louisiana Constitution of 1812?
to define the state's boundaries
to establish a government by the people
to accept the terms of the Treaty of Paris and US rule
to lay claim to the waters of the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico