The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-10-30
ORDINANCE OF 1887 AND THE FIRST CON-
GRESS.

WoLFBORoUGH, N. H., Oct. %, 1856.
gSa g. e Is gd S &c u SSs u.s. IN the
next number of the Era, the sections of the
bill, alluded to by many of our members, pass
ed at the first session of Congress after the
adoption of the Constitution, reenacting the
Ordinance of '87, said to have received the sig.
nature Of Washington; also, the names of those
members of that Congress who were also mem
bers of the Constitutional Convention, with their
vote upon the said bill, if you can do so with
out excluding other matter of more import
ance? Many of us who are at work in the
good cause, though in an humble sphere, feel
embarrassed at times for the want of evidence
to sustain assertions we sometimes make on
the strength of the assurance of others.
Respectfully, yours, CHAs. REMcK.
1t is to be regretted that 80 many speeches
are made, without the necessary vouchers. 1t
would save some trouble to editors, if speakers
would be at pains to sustain their statements
by documentary evidence.
The Ordinance of 1887 was re enacted, not
by act Of Congress, but by the Federal Consti
tuition, the sixth article of which provides
that
"All debts contracted, and all engagements
entered into, before the adoption of this Con-
stitution, shall be as valid against the United
States, under this Constitution; a. against the
Confederation"
The Ordinance of 1887, for the government
of the Northwestern Territory, was both law
and a compact, or engagement. Six articles in
it, it is expressly declared, shall be considered
articles of compact between the original States
| and the people and States in the said Terri
tory, and forever remain unalterable, unless by
common consent"
These articles contained guarantees Of fun
damental rights, made provision for apportion
ing a fair share of Federal burdens on the PEG
pie of the Territory, secured the primary dis
posal of the soil to the United States, and the
freedom of the navigable waters leading into
the Mississippi and ST. Lawrence, determined
how many States should be formed, and wha,
| their boundaries, and excluded Slavery.
This Ordinance, partaking of the nature Of
an engagement or compact, having been re-en
acted by the Constitution, was not re.enacted
formally by the first Congress under it, but was
recognised and confirmed, and certain proyis
| ions were made for the declared purpose o.
| continuing it in full effect AS the act is short
| We give the whole of it:
AN ACT provide the government OF the Terri,or,
northwest OF the river Ohio
| Whereas, in order that the Ordinance Of
the United States in Congress assembled, 70,
the government of the Territory northwest o.
the river Ohio, may continue to have full eff
feet it is required that certain provisions should
be made, so as to adapt the same to the pres
ent Constitution of the United States.
| "SECTIoN l. BE IL enacted by the Senate ana
House Of Representatives Of the United State.
an Congress assembled, That in all cases If
which by the same Ordinance any information
is to be given or communication made By thu
Governor of the said Territory to the United
States in Congress assembled, or to any of the;I
officers, it shall be the duty of the said Gov
ernor to give such information and make such
communication to the President of the United
States, and the President shall nominate. ant
by and With the advice and consent of the Sen
ate shall appoint, all officers which by the sale
Ordinance were to have been appointed by til,
United States in Congress assembled, end Ell
officers so appointed s4all be commissioned b,
him; and in all cases where the United State
in Congress assembled might by the same Or
dinance revoke any commission or remov,
from sny office, the President is hereby de
clared to have toe game power of revocation
and removal.
"SEc. 2. And be IL further enacted, Thst !,
case of the death, removal, resignation, or ne
cessary absence of the Governor of the sal,
Territory, the Secretary thereof shall be, anl