On Feb. 16, 1811, President Monroe approved an act of Congress that enabled the people of the Territory of Orleans to call a convention for the purpose of adopting a constitution and state government for admission into the Union. Congress prescribed that up to 60 constitutional representatives should be appointed among the counties, districts and parishes of the Territory of Orleans. The Legislature of the Orleans territory declared there would be 45 representatives – all from the original 12 counties and not from the 19 parishes.

Source: Buddy Stall at http://clarionherald.org/20020731/stall.htm