The Fathers of the Constitution [57]
the same State having signed the Articles of Confederation at different times, as appears by the dates, it is probable they affixed their names as they happened to be present in Congress, after they had been authorized by their constituents.
On the part & behalf of the State of New Hampshire. JOSIAH BARTLETT, JOHN WENTWORTH, JUNR., August 8th, 1778. On the part and behalf of the State of Massachusetts Bay. JOHN HANCOCK, SAMUEL ADAMS, ELDBRIDGE GERRY, FRANCIS DANA, JAMES LOVELL, SAMUEL HOLTEN. On the part and behalf of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. WILLIAMS ELLERY, HENRY MARCHANT, JOHN COLLINS. On the part and behalf of the State of Connecticut. ROGER SHERMAN, SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, OLIVER WOLCOTT, TITUS HOSMER, ANDREW ADAMS. On the part and behalf of the State of New York. JAS. DUANE, FRA. LEWIS, Wm. DUER, GOUV. MORRIS. On the part and in behalf of the State of New Jersey, Novr. 26, 1778. JNO. WITHERSPOON, NATHL. SCUDDER. On the part and behalf of the State of Pennsylvania. ROBT. MORRIS, DANIEL ROBERDEAU, JONA. BAYARD SMITH, WILLIAM CLINGAN, JOSEPH REED, 22d July, 1778. On the part & behalf of the State of Delaware. THO. M'KEAN, Feby. 12, 1779. JOHN DICKINSON, May 5, 1779. NICHOLAS VAN DYKE. On the part and behalf of the State of Maryland. JOHN HANSON, March 1, 1781. DANIEL CARROLL, Mar. 1, 1781. On the part and behalf of the State of Virginia. RICHARD HENRY LEE, JNO. HARVIE, JOHN BANISTER, THOMAS ADAMS, FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE. On the part and behalf of the State of No. Carolina. JOHN PENN, July 21st, 1778. CORNS. HARNETT, JNO. WILLIAMS. On the part & behalf of the State of South Carolina. HENRY LAURENS, WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON, JNO. MATHEWS, RICHD. HUTSON, THOS. HEYWARD, JUNR. On the part & behalf of the State of Georgia. JNO. WALTON, 24th July, EDWD. TELFAIR, EDWD. LANGWORTHY. 1778. THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT -- 1787. THE CONFEDERATE CONGRESS, JULY 13, 1787. An Ordinance for the government of the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio. SECTION 1. Be it ordained by the United States in Congress assembled, That the said territory, for the purpose of temporary government, be one district, subject, however, to be divided into two districts, as future circumstances may, in the opinion of Congress, make it expedient. SEC. 2. Be it ordained by the authority aforesaid, That the estates both of resident and non-resident proprietors in the said territory, dying intestate, shall descend to, and be distributed among, their children and the descendants of a deceased child in equal parts, the descendants of a deceased child or grandchild to take the share of their deceased parent in equal parts among them; and where there shall be no children or descendants, then in equal parts to the next of kin, in equal degree; and among collaterals, the children of a deceased brother or sister of the intestate shall have, in equal parts among them, their deceased parent's share; and there shall, in no case, be a distinction between kindred of the whole and half blood; saving in all cases to the widow of the intestate, her third part of the real estate for life, and one-third part of the personal estate; and this law relative to descents and dower, shall remain in full force until altered by the legislature of the district. And until the governor and judges shall adopt laws as hereinafter mentioned, estates in the said territory may be devised or bequeathed by wills in writing, signed and sealed by him or her in whom the estate may be, (being of full age,) and attested by three witnesses; and real estates may be conveyed by lease and release, or bargain and sale, signed, sealed, and delivered by the person, being of full age, in whom the estate may be, and attested by two witnesses, provided such wills be duly proved, and such conveyances be acknowledged, or the execution thereof duly proved, and be recorded within one year after proper magistrates, courts, and registers, shall be appointed for that purpose; and personal property may be transferred by delivery, saving, however, to the French and Canadian
On the part & behalf of the State of New Hampshire. JOSIAH BARTLETT, JOHN WENTWORTH, JUNR., August 8th, 1778. On the part and behalf of the State of Massachusetts Bay. JOHN HANCOCK, SAMUEL ADAMS, ELDBRIDGE GERRY, FRANCIS DANA, JAMES LOVELL, SAMUEL HOLTEN. On the part and behalf of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. WILLIAMS ELLERY, HENRY MARCHANT, JOHN COLLINS. On the part and behalf of the State of Connecticut. ROGER SHERMAN, SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, OLIVER WOLCOTT, TITUS HOSMER, ANDREW ADAMS. On the part and behalf of the State of New York. JAS. DUANE, FRA. LEWIS, Wm. DUER, GOUV. MORRIS. On the part and in behalf of the State of New Jersey, Novr. 26, 1778. JNO. WITHERSPOON, NATHL. SCUDDER. On the part and behalf of the State of Pennsylvania. ROBT. MORRIS, DANIEL ROBERDEAU, JONA. BAYARD SMITH, WILLIAM CLINGAN, JOSEPH REED, 22d July, 1778. On the part & behalf of the State of Delaware. THO. M'KEAN, Feby. 12, 1779. JOHN DICKINSON, May 5, 1779. NICHOLAS VAN DYKE. On the part and behalf of the State of Maryland. JOHN HANSON, March 1, 1781. DANIEL CARROLL, Mar. 1, 1781. On the part and behalf of the State of Virginia. RICHARD HENRY LEE, JNO. HARVIE, JOHN BANISTER, THOMAS ADAMS, FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE. On the part and behalf of the State of No. Carolina. JOHN PENN, July 21st, 1778. CORNS. HARNETT, JNO. WILLIAMS. On the part & behalf of the State of South Carolina. HENRY LAURENS, WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON, JNO. MATHEWS, RICHD. HUTSON, THOS. HEYWARD, JUNR. On the part & behalf of the State of Georgia. JNO. WALTON, 24th July, EDWD. TELFAIR, EDWD. LANGWORTHY. 1778. THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT -- 1787. THE CONFEDERATE CONGRESS, JULY 13, 1787. An Ordinance for the government of the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio. SECTION 1. Be it ordained by the United States in Congress assembled, That the said territory, for the purpose of temporary government, be one district, subject, however, to be divided into two districts, as future circumstances may, in the opinion of Congress, make it expedient. SEC. 2. Be it ordained by the authority aforesaid, That the estates both of resident and non-resident proprietors in the said territory, dying intestate, shall descend to, and be distributed among, their children and the descendants of a deceased child in equal parts, the descendants of a deceased child or grandchild to take the share of their deceased parent in equal parts among them; and where there shall be no children or descendants, then in equal parts to the next of kin, in equal degree; and among collaterals, the children of a deceased brother or sister of the intestate shall have, in equal parts among them, their deceased parent's share; and there shall, in no case, be a distinction between kindred of the whole and half blood; saving in all cases to the widow of the intestate, her third part of the real estate for life, and one-third part of the personal estate; and this law relative to descents and dower, shall remain in full force until altered by the legislature of the district. And until the governor and judges shall adopt laws as hereinafter mentioned, estates in the said territory may be devised or bequeathed by wills in writing, signed and sealed by him or her in whom the estate may be, (being of full age,) and attested by three witnesses; and real estates may be conveyed by lease and release, or bargain and sale, signed, sealed, and delivered by the person, being of full age, in whom the estate may be, and attested by two witnesses, provided such wills be duly proved, and such conveyances be acknowledged, or the execution thereof duly proved, and be recorded within one year after proper magistrates, courts, and registers, shall be appointed for that purpose; and personal property may be transferred by delivery, saving, however, to the French and Canadian