In the landmark case of Clough v. Curtis, President of the Council Clough argued that the territorial legislature had the right to confer original jurisdiction upon the supreme court of the territory in cases not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States. Clough further argued that the secretary of the territory must receive from the clerks of both branches of the legislature at the close of each session all bills and papers belonging to the archives of the respective Houses, and all books of both Houses.
The court ultimately ruled in favor of Clough, stating that the legislature of the territory had the power to confer original jurisdiction upon the supreme court of the territory in such cases, and that the secretary of the territory was required to receive the documents mentioned above. The court also held that the jurisdiction of the several courts of the territory was a rightful subject of legislation by the territorial legislature.
In summary, Clough argued that the territorial legislature had the authority to grant the supreme court of the territory original jurisdiction in certain cases, and that the secretary of the territory was required to receive certain documents from the legislature. The court agreed with Clough and ruled in his favor.