With this act the Mississippi territory reached its full growth. It embraced all the territory which now makes up the states of Mississippi and Alabama. It had been just fourteen years, one month and seven days since the original territory was organized. It is estimated that 33,956 square miles were included in that territory. To the north of it 54,622 square miles had been added, and to the south 10,482 square miles, (of which 4,482 square miles is water.)[95] In all the Mississippi territory embraced 99,060 square miles. Clause four of the act organizing the territory is as follows: "The territory hereby constituted one district, for the purpose of government, may, at the discretion of Congress, be hereafter divided into two districts, with separate territorial governments in each, similar to that established by the act. Congress exercised the right herein reserved, and on Dec. 10, 1817 the western portion of that territory embracing 46,810 square miles became the State of Mississippi, and the proud commonwealth joined the sisterhood of States." FOOTNOTES: [81] Public Domain, p. 51. (Extract charter, June 30, 1665.) "Know ye, that at the humble request of the said grantees, etc., we are graciously pleased to enlarge our said grant unto them according to the bounds and limits hereafter specified, * * * all that province * * * within our dominions in America aforesaid, extending north and eastward as far as the north end of Currituck river or inlet, upon a straight westerly line, to Wyonoak creek, which lies within or about the degrees of thirty-six and thirty minutes northern latitude, and so west in a direct line as far as the south seas; and south and westward as far as the degrees 29, inclusive of northern latitude &c., &c." [82] The Public Domain p. 52. [83] Poore's Charters and Constitutions Vol. II. p. 1410. [84] Extract from charter, June 9, 1732: "Know ye, therefore, that we, greatly desiring the happy success of the said corporation, for their further encouragement in accomplishing so excellent a work, have of our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, given and granted, and by these presents, for us, our heirs, and successors, do give and grant to the said Corporation, and their successors, under the reservations, limitations, and declarations, hereafter expressed, seven undivided parts (the whole into eight equal parts to be divided) of all those lands, countries, and territories, situate, lying, and being, in that part of South Carolina in America, which lies from the northern stream of a river commonly called the Savannah, all along the sea coast to the Southward, unto the most southern stream of a certain other great river called the Altamaha, and westward from the heads of the said rivers respectively, in direct lines to the South Seas." [85] McMaster. [86] Public Domain. [87] McMaster Vol. III. [88] McMaster Vol. III. [89] Public Domain p. 84.