the Congress in New York was framing the Ordinance of 1787, for the organization and government of the territory northwest of the Ohio.  They passed that Ordinance on the 13th of July, 1787, at New York, the very month, perhaps the very day, on which these questions about the importation of slaves and the character of slavery were debated in the Convention at Philadelphia.  So far as we can now learn, there was a perfect concurrence of opinion between these two bodies; and it resulted in this Ordinance of 1787, excluding slavery from all the territory over which the Congress of the United States had jurisdiction, and that was all the territory northwest of the Ohio.  Three years before, Virginia and other States had made a cession of that great territory to the United States; and a most munificent act it was.  I never reflect upon it without a disposition to do honor and justice, and justice would be the highest honor, to Virginia, for the cession of her northwestern territory.  I will say, Sir, it is one of her fairest claims to the respect and gratitude of the country, and that, perhaps, it is only second to that other claim which belongs to her,—­that from her counsels, and from the intelligence and patriotism of her leading statesmen, proceeded the first idea put into practice of the formation of a general constitution of the United States.  The Ordinance of 1787 applied to the whole territory over which the Congress of the United States had jurisdiction.  It was adopted two years before the Constitution of the United States went into operation; because the Ordinance took effect immediately on its passage, while the Constitution of the United States, having been framed, was to be sent to the States to be adopted by their conventions; and then a government was to be organized under it.  This Ordinance, then, was in operation and force when the Constitution was adopted, and the government put in motion, in April, 1789.

Mr. President, three things are quite clear as historical truths.  One is, that there was an expectation that, on the ceasing of the importation of slaves from Africa, slavery would begin to run out here.  That was hoped and expected.  Another is, that, as far as there was any power in Congress to prevent the spread of slavery in the United States, that power was executed in the most absolute manner, and to the fullest extent.  An honorable member,[2] whose health does not allow him to be here to-day—­

     A SENATOR.  He is here.

I am very happy to hear that he is; may he long be here, and in the enjoyment of health to serve his country!  The honorable member said, the other day, that he considered this Ordinance as the first in the series of measures calculated to enfeeble the South, and deprive them of their just participation in the benefits and privileges of this government.  He says, very properly, that it was enacted under the old Confederation, and before this Constitution went into effect; but my present purpose is only to