However, after the division of the Territory in 1809 when the Illinois country, the seat of the most ardent advocates of slavery in the Territory, was cut off, this statute was repealed.

252 The account has already been given of how the organic act of the Orleans Territory prohibited the introduction of slaves from abroad, and required that slaves introduced from other parts of the United States should be the prop- erty of actual settlers, and how the agents of the Territory (Messrs.

Sauve, Derbigny and Destrehan) unsuccessfully protested against this provision.

At the same time, while they were protesting in Washington, a remonstrance signed by representatives elected by the freemen in the District of Louisiana was presented to Congress.

253 This petition prayed both for the establishment of a separate Territory in the District and that "the free possession of our slaves" and the right of importing slaves into the Territory be granted by Congress.