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THE ORDINANCES OF 1784 AND 1785

• The Ordinance of 1784

  • Origin: Based on a proposal by Thomas Jefferson.

  • Objective: Divided the western territory into ten self-governing districts.

  • Statehood Provision: Each district could petition Congress for statehood once its population equaled the smallest existing state.

  • Significance: Reflected the Revolutionary generation's desire to prevent the creation of second-class citizens in subordinate territories.

• The Ordinance of 1785

  • Goal: Established a system for surveying and selling western lands.

  • Surveying Process: Territory north of the Ohio River was surveyed into rectangular townships.

  • Division of Townships: Each township was divided into thirty-six identical sections.

  • Allocation of Sections:

  • Four sections set aside for the United States.

  • Revenue from one section to support the creation of a public school.

  • Sale price: sections auctioned for no less than one dollar per acre.

  • Consequences: Established a sustained pattern of land division for human use, termed **