New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-17
DIR. CUTTERS DIARY.
AN EIGHTEENTH CENTURY AMERICAN.

children WILLIAM PARKER CUTLBn and JULIA PER
xlxs CUTLER. vela I and IL Cincinnati: Robert
Clarke & c.
The publication Of the Diary OF Dr.. Manasseh
Cutler Is IN evcnt of uncommon interest. Studsnts
NJ American history have been aware that IL was
rich in material but have been denied FREQ access
to IT, In 1879, President Tuttle. Of Wabash
College, in an article in The Historical Magazine,
printed extracts from It, giving an account Of Dr.
Cutters journey from Boston to Now. York in 49,
taken for the purpose of laying before the Cont
rental Congress a proposition for the purchase Of
lands northwest Of the River Ohio, and Of his
visit later to the venerable Dr. Franklin ct Phila-
dclphia Nothing could be moro charming than
Dr. Cutters pen picture Of the sage at home, daily
surrounded by the NEST distinguished members
of the Constitutional Convention which was then
IN session But out of his transactions at New.
York a controversy has arisen, which is likely to
10 renewed now that his papers are made public
In an authentic form. Some years ago writer,
who claimed to have read DR.. Cutters manuscript
Journal. set up the extraordinary claim in The
North American Review that Dr.. Cutler was the
author of the ordinance Of 1851 This was based
on a misleading of clauses relating exclusively to
the land ordinance, which was passed after the
Governmental ordinance. The blunder Of the
writer was exposed by tho editor Of The St Clair
Papers"
Dr.. Manasseh Cutler was descendant Of James
Cutler. Puritan Of Norfol]<shire, England who
became citizen Of Watertown, Massachusetts,, in
1884, and was born ut Kllingly, Connecticut
twhere his grandfather had settled early in the
eighteenth century,. May so. 1742. Manasseh Cut
lcrs surroundings were favorable for the develop
ment Of q strong character and he had the best
educational advantages the country afforded He
was graduated with high honor from Yale in
1865, and while fitting himself for the bar followed
the practice common in New-Epgland, of teaching
school After practising law for time, he studied
theology, and was ordained pastor Of the church
at Ipswich, Mass, September IL, 177l in this
sacred calling he won distinction. lie was also
something of doctor Of medicine, and enthusiast
cany devoted TO sciencc-becoming an authority
in astronomy, metcorology and botany His diary
shows that the stirring incidents Of the bloody
conflict between Great Britain and tho Colonies,
while engaging his patriotic attention, did not
suffice to divert him wholly from his scientific in
vestigations His chief claim 10 public rccog
nition however, is found in tho prominent part
be took IN the formation Of the Ohio Company; ;
In conducting ond bringing to happy termination
negotiations with the Government rendered all the
more difficult because Of the conflicting claims
interests and views Of tho colonies; and in being
one of the founders Of the first State In the Re-
public whose fundamental law prohibited slavery,
and declared in simple but eloquent language that
religion, morality and knowledge being necessary
to good government and the happiness of mankind,
schools and the means of education should for ever
be encouraged There is good ground for be-
leving that Dr. Cutler either wrote or suggested
this Introductory clause of the third article of
the famous ordinance; but. whether he or another
In fool oor,xy
Impress its Importance upon the pioneers "To
promote the civil and social happiness Of q new
settlement" said he too carly attention cannot
be paid to the cultivation Of the principles of
religion and the habits of virtue RELIGION
ought never to be made political machine, but
while 1t is preserved perfectly free from such
prostitution. and is improved to the great design
OF It's institution, it affords the greatest aid to
civil government, and has the most happy effect on
society" The early instruction of youth" he
said further, would lay the foundation for we'll
regulated society. 1t is the only way to make
subjects conform to tho laws and regulations of
H. from principles of reason and custom rather
than from fear of punishment. The great Lycurgus
considered the education of youth as the most
important object when he was convinced that
good morals, rather than laws and ordinances,
must regulate the State"
In discussing the part DR.. Cutler had in shaping
the legislation for the of the territory
northwest of the River Ohio the editors of these
volumes have shown a cOmmendable desire to get
at the truth and have fairly presented the claims
and services of Others. They say with Justice:
1t will be seen that Congress and the army
were the principal factors; that there was con-
cert OF action. If not Of design; that Congress
sought to prepare the way for the occupation of
the western wilderness, to make rough places
nlrhA n1aa c<uo s,,k N.
the army, with their Commander-n-C Chief in
full support, sought to relieve losses heal wounds
and find repose by encountering new risks, new
hardships, and new dangers, III laying deep and
broad the foundations of Christian civilization
IN new States westward of the Ohio
.. Inc service performed by DR.: Cutler was
of policy that were marked out by one party,
and cordially accepted by the other. As the
agent OF the Ohio Company Of Associates, he sue
ceeded in placing in the hands of an intelligent
body of his fellow-citizens, mainly composed of
officers OF the army. the first application, on an
efficient scale. Of the land-seling policy and 1t
This Of o as Seashs him R S Direct
contact with both parties. The lucrative mainly
by himself and his contemporaries, will show
the steps taken anil results accomplished. - :.
It will be clearly seen that the interests Of Vir-
gin1a were closely connected with the plans Of
the Ohio Company Of Associates, and, as q result,
harmony OF action was secured; that the motives
Tor such harmony were strong enough to influence
legislation in matters Of the greatest importance
In no other way can the adoption of the great
charter Of freedom by the votes Of the Southern
States be properly explained. The chain Of the
writer in The North American Review referred
to above, that DR.. Cutler was the principal
author of the Ordinance, that he produced it
after comforting with members Of Congress in
perfect form, coin is struck of at the mint,
appears absurd IN the light afforded us by the
Journal itself. That DR.. Cutters influence was
important in securing prompt action in July 1877,
cannot be doubted. He nowhere says that he
bore with him to Ncw-York the draft Of an ordi-
nance; or that he wrote one during the brief
stay that he made in that city. He called on
Members of Congress, presented letters Of intro
duction, and explained that he was there to
purchase large tract Of land on the Ohio. He
very likely expressed desire that the form of
government should be settled before the purchase