The Educational Significance of the Early Federal Land Ordinances (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos or missing text. Not indexed. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1922. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III THE OHIO COMPANY The Ohio Company, organized in 1786, was composed largely of New England officers and soldiers of the continental army. The purpose of this company is set forth in the articles of agreement which were adopted in the organization of the company. The preamble reads as follows: "The design of this association is to raise a fund in continental certificates for the sole purpose and to be appropriated to the entire use of purchasing lands in the western territory belonging to the United States, for the benefit of the company and to promote a settlement in that country."1 The history of the Ohio Company begins in the year 1776. Its origin can be definitely traced to the resolutions of Congress of that year, which granted land to certain officers and soldiers of the continental army. These grants were supplemented by further grants by Congress in 1780. The connection between these early resolutions and the Ohio Company is found in (1) the plans evolved during the year 1783 to pay the indebtedness to the army, (2) the Officers' Petition, and (3) the Ordinance of 1785. On January 6, 1783, a group of army officers addressed a petition to Congress,2 asking that something be done to relieve the distress in the army by the adjustment of all dues. As Congress took no definite action on this petition, later in this same year, Colonel Timothy Pickering, General Rufus Putnam and other officers developed a plan by which the debt to the army was to be paid in western lands as provided for in the resolutions of Congress of 1776 and 1780. Pickering wrote to Hodgdon, April 7, 1783, as follows: "But a new plan is in contemplation--no less than forming a new state westward of the Ohio. Some of the principal officers of the army are heartily engaged in ...