Frederick Bates, Secretary of the Territory of Louisiana, and exercising the Government thereof To all who shall see these presents greeting

Whereas, by an act of the Congress of the United States, entitled can act further providing for the government of the district of Louisiana' it is provided, that Oaths of office, (except by persons in the said act specially enumerated) shall be taken before such persons as the governor shall direct. Now therefore, reposing especial trust and confidence in the ability diligence and provident circumspection of MOSES AUSTIN Esquire, I do empower him to administer Oaths to support the constitution of the United States, and oaths of office, to any, and all persons, appointed to office, by the Governors of this territory, within and for the District of Saint Genevieve.—

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the Territory, and subscribed my name at Saint Louis, the eleventh day of September, In the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the thirty second.

Frederick Bates