Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-11-04
From New Hampshirs-John Langdon, Nichols

| From New Hampshire-John Langdon, Nichol
| =" Massachusetts tts--Elbridge Gerry, C1lei
| Strong.
Connecticut-wm. Samuel johnson, Rog
er Sherman, Oliver Ellsworth.
New York-Rufns King"
" New Jersey-Wm. Patterson.
" Pennsyvania-Robert Morris, George
Clymer, Thomas Fitzsmmons
| Delaware-George Read, Richa I'd Dasset
| Maryland-Daniel Carol.
| Virginia-James Madison, Jr.
| " Georgia-William Few, Abram Baldwin
ELECTED to the Convention from Massachu
sets.
In this FIRST Congress under the Fed.
eral Constitution, composed in great
measure OF the most eminent Of the fra.
mers ofthat Constitution. Mr.. Fitzsim.
mons of Pennsylvania. (bimsclf o mem
Der also of the Convention) reported
(July l6, 1889 bill to provide for the
government Of the Territory Northwest
of the Ohio which was then read a first
time; the next day had its second read.
ing, and was committed on the goth
was considered in Committee Of the
Whole, reported and engrossed; and ON
the 2lst read third time and passed
without dissent. 1t was received that
day in the Senate, and had its frs. read.
ing; was read second time on the g. st.
was further considered Aug. Sd; and had
its reading next day. when it passed
without voice raised against it. As
you do not seem to have heard of this
act, allow me to quote it. 1t is good
deal shorte. and sweetcr than your Ne.
braska Bill, and refers to the same sub.
ject. Here it is:
An Acr to provide for the government Of the Ter
ritory Northwest Of the River Ohio
Whereas In order that the Ordinance of the
United States, in Congress assembled for the gov
ernInent ofthe Territory northwest of the Ohio ma
continue to hare full effect, it is requisite that certain
provisions be made 30 as to adopt the same to thu
present Constitution ofthe UnHed STATES.
Be If enacted, &c, That In all cases in which, by
the said Ordinance, any information is to be CIV
en-, or communication made by the Governor of
said Territory to the United States in Congress
assembled or to their officers, it shall be the duty
of said Governor to give such information and to
make such communication to the President Of the
the United states; and the President shall rom
nate, and by aud with the advice and consent of
the senate shall appoint all officers which by the
said Ordinance were to have been appointed by the
United state. in Congress assembled, and all ofE-
GERS 80 appointed shall be commissioned by him.
and in eli cases where the United States in Con-
gress assemb lied, might by the said Ordinance re-
woke any commission, or remove from Office, the
President thereby declared to have the same pow
ers of revocation and removal
2. And be 1t j"rfher enacted, That in case Of tho
death, removal resignation, or necessary absence
Of the Governor of the said Territory the
thereof shall be- an is herety authorized and re-
qurcd to execute all the powers and perform all
the duties ofthe Governor, during the vacancy oc.
casioned y the removal, resignation, or necessary
absence of the sa ID Governor.
uEo WASHINGTON.
Approved Aug, 7th, 1889.
Are you reading. Mr.. Senator. Here
is the act passed by the first Congress
under the Federal Constitution james
Madison, Roger Sherman, Rufus King.
Eioridse Gerry. John Ian .don, Rober,
Morris and other eminent members of
tie Constitutional Convention being also
members OF this Congress-to qire null
effect to tie Ordinance of 'S7 and 10
aanpf it To the Federal Consiiiution-
not one voice being raised from any
q ,arter against either the avowed pur-
pose or the special provisions Of the act.
DO you doubt that Washington. Madi-
son. Gerry, Sherman. &c, understood
the constitution which they had ramed
hardly two yairs before? This at least,
was no "remnant of Congress" It's
members were not absent from their seat.
eoncocting new Constitu ion. Why.
then, in giving what parports to be IA
history OF the action Of Congress on this
suhjec:, do you ignore them and their
ac:s of 49, Are they beyond even
your power Of manipulation
Yet once more, and leave you to
your reflections. The matter on which
we are at variance is no vague abs,rac-
ton, but grave practically. Indiana
Territory, emt racing the State you now
represent, and all else between the Ohio
and the Mississippi except the State of
Ohio, early evinced dissatisfaction with
the Slavery Inhibition embodied in the
Ordinance OF 's7 ard kept In force under
the act Of 'S9. Her former settlers were
nearly all emisranrs from Slave States,
and they hankered after negroes. They
held convention in lS05-Ge Harri-
son their Governor presiding and me.
morlalized Congress in favor of tempo.
rary removal OF the Slavery Ihhioi,ion.
That memorial was presented TO tho Con.
yress OF lS02-3. Mr.. Jefferson being
then President. and Congress largely
Republican. 1t was referred by the
House to select Committee of three.
two of them from the Slave States, John
Randolph being Chairman. March 2,
1902, Mr.. Randolph presented their
unanimous Report, denyin, the prayer
of the petitioners, and saying tina,
1.-The Committee deemed it highly
dangerous and inexpedicn, to imp~r a
provision wisely calculated to promote
the happiness and prosperity of the
northwestern country" &C., &c.
Congress thought so. too. and refrain
ed flom any action on the subject.
The next year, the memorial Aforesaid
was referred to new Committee-Ce.
sar Rodney of Del, Charman-wh
(Feb. II, 1900 reported in faror Of
the prayer Of the petitioners. No use
The House took no action on the sub.
ject. Feb. IA, another Report was
made-this time by Mr.. Garnet Of Va.
in favor of the temporary suspension
prayed for; but Congress persisted in