TERRITORY. A part of a country separated from the rest and subject to a par ticular jurisdiction.
The word is derived from terren, and is said to be so called because the magistrate within his juris diction has the power of inspiring a salutary fear. Diction eet ab eo quod maqietratne infra finee due terendijas babe,. Henrion de Pansy, Auth. Judi claire, 98. In speaking of the ecclesiastical juris dictions, Francis Duaren observes that the ecclesi astics are said not to have territory, nor the power of arrest or removal, and are not unlike the Roman magistrates of whom Genius says vocationent babe. bant non preheneionem. De Saeris Eecles. Minist. lib. 1, cap. 4.
In American Law. A portion of the country subject to and belonging to the United States which is not within the bound ary of any of the states.
2. The constitution of tbe United States, art. 4, s. 3, provides that the congress shall have power to dispose of, and make all need ful rules and regulations respecting, the ter ritory or other property of the United States; and nothing in this constitution shall be con strued so as to preclude the claims of the United States or of any state.
3. Congress possesses the power to erect territorial governments within the territory of the United States: the power of congress over such territory is exclusive and universal, and their legislation is subjeot to no control, unless in the case of ceded territory, as far as it may be affected by stipulations in the ces sions, or by the ordinance of 1787, under which any part of it has been settled. Story, Const. 1322 • Rawle, Const. 237 ; 1 Kent, Comm. 243, 3'59 ; 1 Pet. 511, 512, 517. See tbe articles on the various territories.