Slavery and Federal Design, 1784-87
Ratification of Articles of Confederation (1781)
Jefferson’s plan for western territory, 1784
“Resolved, that the territory ceded or to be ceded by Individual states to the United states shall be formed into distinct states…
“That the settlers within any of the said states shall, either on their own petition, or on the order of Congress, receive authority from them…for their free males of full age to meet together for the purpose of establishing a temporary government….
“That such temporary governments shall only continue in force in any state until it shall have acquired 20,000 free inhabitants; when giving due proof thereof to Congress, they shall receive from them authority … to call a Convention of representatives to