New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-18
EARLY AY7I-SLA VERY LEGISLAu TON
rup LAVE ORDNANCE OF 1887.

THE SLAVE ORDlNANCE OF lTof
NATHAN DANE THE AUTHOR OF rIIE MAGMA CHARTA
OF THE NORTHWESTERN COPY or yKy-
PERSONS PLAN or 1784-How THE ORDINANCE
FOR THE EXCLUSION or SLAVERY WAS PASSED
BY CONGRESS.
TO the Editor Of the Tribune.
SIR: notice that Mr. Poole questions the correct
ness of Mr. Websters claim to the authorship Of tho
great Ordinance of 1887 for Nathan Dane. and init
mates that DR.. Cutler, tho agent Of the Ohio Land
COMPANY. "inspiredo it. Mr.. Poole is mistaken.
Nathan Dane was as much the author Of that ordi-
nance a. Jefferson was Of the Declaration Of INDIE
peudence No doubt tho sentiments in each OF those
documents had been discussed and advocated by
Others before they put into tho shape in which
they now exist. Mr.. Dane gave history OF his par
ticipation IN the formation Of the ordinance in tho
following letter to J. H. Farnham, the Secretary OF
the Indiana Historical Society. in answer to letter
from that gentleman. JNO. ID. DEGREES.
Berkeley Springs. West Va. May 10, 1875.
Mr. DANES LETTER.
BEVERLY. Mass. May ~, 1881
DEAR SIR: few days ago received ycnr letter %
Circular of the Indiana Historical Society Il truly
Ts9s to ss s the
is settled In letter you We have been Sccs
IL to g a. the %
ion until Senator from Missouri Col BentSn IN ths
Senate session - ana 30 denied your agency, c.S ~
you express strong desire 10 receive an althentS
history Of Magma Chara OF less than three States
deposited in the archives OF yonr society send m
closed the printed A" the best concise account
extant OF the ordinance and Its formation, Inc note
Abrdgement VI American Law. with occasional notes
and comments.
As to the article excluding Slavery an important one
though perhaps not moro than the PROVISION aganss
mpaTng CONTRACTS two Questions ; ,h arise MRS nrs
territory Who caused the article to be made part OF
the ordnancei Tho Committee That reported tne plan OF
Mr. Jefferson MI Chase Of MARYLAND and Mr. Howell Of
holding state an active and able member, might no not
more probably first think Of excluding slavery be thas
az may the slave article in the plan OF l7s4 was very
slave article rejected there was end OF 1t. The next
year 49, Mr. King OF Massachusetts moved to add .
this being only committed slave article no longer
proposed by any committee. When the ordinance OF ~
WIS reported to Congress- ana under ,ro
adopted. and moved the article as IL Is I'D the ord
nance 1t added, and unanimously agreed 10.
As Il NAV he asked how does this motion appear IL
proper TO add In the Missouri debate las stated In the
pote expressions used that made 1t proper TO In
then In the Senate caused inquiry to be made and re-
ceved from Daniel Brent certificate. OF which the fo
have the pleasure to send you printed copy Of tire or
nance l7s found the old parcrs Of Consess With
the draft in MANUSCRIPT ., te s ~, rnr ~ the COM
uitf upon ordinance founded but presume
handwriting Of the amendment VIII DO suhcient
Mr. Otis in his letter to me- says that the amendment
he slave artee was in my WI sse d ths
ordinance IN fact the plan or 1854 was 80 very ipcr
feet that it could be amended to answer any purpose
nor could materials be found In It to form thirteenth
sprrvant N. DANE.
John IT, Farnham. Salem, Indiana.