A French royal ordinance in 1845 calls…
1840 CE to 1851 CE
In areas where Europeans are a substantial part of the population, colons elect mayors and councils for self-governing "full exercise" communes (communes deplein exercice).
In the "mixed" communes, where Muslims are a large majority, government is in the hands of appointed and some elected officials, including representatives of the grands chefs (great chieftains) and a French administrator.
The indigenous communes (communes indigenes), remote areas not adequately pacified, remain under the regime du sabre.