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The Congress of the Confederation

About The Congress of the Confederation

The Northwest Ordinance was passed by the Congress of the Confederation, the national legislature of the United States under the Articles of Confederation, meeting in New York. Nathan Dane of Massachusetts is credited with the final draft, including the article against slavery, with earlier plans by Thomas Jefferson in 1784.

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The Northwest Ordinance

13 July 1787 · 18th Century · Political Theory

The Northwest Ordinance, officially An Ordinance for the Government of the Territory of the United States North-West of the River Ohio, was passed by the Confederation Congress on 13 July 1787, while the Constitutional Convention was meeting in Philadelphia. It is one of the most important laws in American history.