Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-08-27


been attributed to Nathan Dane but Nathan
Dane was only one. and not the most original or
conspicuous one of those engaged in its author
shin 1t has been attributed to Mr. Jefferson
but Mr.. Jefferson was only one, and not the |
principal one of the actors engaged in the WORK l
Mr.. Jefferson was in France at the time the +
ordinance was drawn up and passed, and in the |
shane in which 1t did pass and he had nothing
to do with it. IVhat he did we shall presently |
sec. Mr.. Brinkerhoif's statement is correct, as
far as it goes. but it is only one item Of the
transaction. We shall now recite this entire
chapter of history, for the benefit of those who
have no access to the journals of Congress.
From the record it appears that, on the lst Of
March, l7s4, the State of Virginia ceded by
her delegates, all her lands northwest Of the
Ohio river to the United States in Congress as
seinblcd. 4 committee, consisting of Messrs.
Jefferson. of Virginia, Chase, Of maryland and
Howell, of Rhode Island, was appointed to re-
part plan for the temporary government Of the
Western Territory"
This committee did report. But ,cRat was that
report Was it the ordinance, or any thing
like the ordinance Not NJ all. The report
contained nothing about equal inheritance--about
religion. knowledge, or education; nor any pro-
visions for the guaranty o! the rights OF con-
science, liberty, or person; all Of which are in
the ordinance.
The report, moreover, lay on the table of Con-
gross. and was modified in various ways, during
the three gears, from 1891 to 1857 During
nearly all this time, and tor year afterwards,
Mr. Jefferson was in Europe.
The ordinance. however, did contain an anti
slavery proviso. Was it The same Ttth the! tn
The REPORT! By no means. The ordinance pro-
hibts slavery then, no1o and forever. The report
prohibited il after the ger lS00--commcncng
the year of freedom Sercatcea years after the re-
port--aliowng. in fact, fOothod TO slavery,
and being Il measure Of abolition, aud not {! pro-
hihition, which the ordinance is.
| Here is one current error exploded at once.
The report made by Mr.. Jefferson, in 1884, and
the ordinance of 1857. are not the same thing in
any particular; save only that the States to be
created should remain in the confederacy. They
are totally different things. But what became
of the report and anl-slaverv proyiso'
On the 9Th Of April, 1854, Mr.. Spuight. Of
| North Carolina, moved TO strife ont this provso
against slavery. By the rules Of the confedera-
ton questions were put on the sustaining Of any
proposition, and an absolute majority of Oh the
States was required. Massachusetts. \. Hamp-
shire, Connecticut. Rhode Island. New York and
Pennsylvania voted to sustain the proposition
New Jersey does not appear to have been count
ed. The anti-savery proviso was there lost
After some unmporant amendments. proposed
by Mr. Gerry, this brief report, without the anti
slavery. the education, or the inheritance clause,
was agreed to.
vi .ne 'o'n OF N''rn 'o2i ~. ''.'e',I l'"
C Can apio' V.o;p f;,,, m ,,,,,,, on1 d
not return till 1859, long after the ordinance
was dicested and passed. Here Mr. JeG1rson's
agency in the business entirely ceased. The
report, brief and uninPortant, lay On the table
of Congress.
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