America Starts Westward

The Ordinance of 1787

“No colony in America was ever settled under such favorable auspices as that which has just commenced at (Marietta).”
-George Washington

The Memorial to the Start Westward of the United States commemorates the Northwest Territory’s creation in 1787. It also celebrates the courage, character, and perseverance of those pioneers who wrote the ordinance and started the new settlements in this territory. It was the first territory under American government outside of the original thirteen states. It was a large tract bordered by the Ohio River, Mississippi River, and the great lakes. Marietta, settled in 1788, was the first city in the new territory.

Monument from back transparent.png

The Ordinance of 1787 which created the territory is considered an important document in early American history. It was a landmark prototype for American governance. It guaranteed citizens many civil liberties now in the Bill of Rights, including prohibition of slavery and freedom of religion. It served as an enduring model for the admission of all new states since 1787.

“The Ordinance (of 1787) belongs with the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It is one of the three title deeds of American constitutional liberty.”
-George F. Hoar, U. S. Senator, Lawyer, Scholar

“....I doubt whether one single law of any lawgiver, ancient or modern, has produced effects of more distinct, marked, and lasting character than the Ordinance of 1787.”
-Daniel Webster

The Ordinance also provides for the civilized treatment of Indians with the objective being “peace and friendship with them.” From Article 3:

“The utmost good faith shall always be observed towards the Indians; their lands and property shall never be taken from them without their consent; and, in their property, rights, and liberty, they shall never be invaded or disturbed, unless in just and lawful wars authorized by Congress; but laws founded in justice and humanity, shall from time to time be made for preventing wrongs being done to them, and for preserving peace and friendship with them.”