 On May 26, 1864, the United States Congress passed the Organic Act, which formed the Montana Territory and established the Territorial Supreme Court.The court consisted of one Chief Justice and two Associate Justices, all of whom were appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate; the court's first members were chosen by President Abraham Lincoln in 1864.The Montana Territorial Supreme Court held its first session in Virginia City, Montana on May 17, 1865.