“petitions for the abolition of slavery, presented to the Virginia Legislature, could scarcely obtain a hearing.”  Maryland, New York, and New Jersey prohibited the slave-trade; but the institution held its place among the people until 1830.  North Carolina attempted to prohibit in 1777, but-failed; but in 1786 declared the slave-trade “of evil consequences and highly impolitic.”  South Carolina and Georgia refused to act, and the slave-trade continued along their shores.

After the adoption of the Articles of Confederation in 1778, the Continental Congress found itself charged with the responsibility of deciding the conflicting claims of the various States to the vast territory stretching westward from the Ohio River.  The war over, the payment of the public debt thus incurred demanded the consideration of the people and of their representatives.  Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia laid claim to boundless tracts of lands outside of their State boundaries.  But New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and South Carolina, making no such claims, and lacking the resources to pay their share of the war debt, suggested that the other States should cede all the territory outside of their State lines, to the United States Government, to be used towards liquidating the entire debt.  The proposition was accepted by the States named; but not, however, without some modification.  Virginia reserved a large territory beyond the Ohio with which to pay the bounties of her soldiers, while Connecticut retained a portion of the Reserve since so famous in the history of Ohio.  The duty of framing an ordinance for the government of the Western territory was referred to a select committee by Congress, consisting of Mr. Jefferson of Virginia (chairman), Mr. Chase of Maryland, and Mr. Howell of Rhode Island.  The plan reported by the committee contemplated the whole region included within our boundaries west of the old thirteen States, and as far south as our thirty-first degree north latitude.  The plan proposed the ultimate division of this territory into seventeen States; eight of which were to be located below the parallel of the Falls of the Ohio (now Louisville), and nine above it.  But the most interesting rule reported by Mr. Jefferson was the following, on the 19th of April, 1784:—­

“That after the year 1800, of the Christian era, there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in any part of the said states, otherwise than in punishment of crimes, whereof the part shall have been convicted to be personally guilty.”

Mr. Spaight of North Carolina moved to amend the report by striking out the above clause, which was seconded by Mr. Reed of South Carolina.  The question, upon a demand for the yeas and nays, was put:  “Shall the words moved to be stricken out stand?” The question was lost, and the words were stricken out.  The ordinance was further amended, and finally adopted on the 23d of April