Page:Final Report of the Northwest Territory Celebration Commission.pdf/11

 States came into possession of Old Northwest Territory, both as to cession of colonial claims and as to relinquishment of Indian ownership; and the various steps by which the territory became six present States of this nation.

The value of the map has been shown repeatedly in that prior to this celebration—and during it—vast numbers of people thought of the Northwest Territory as being the Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington.

On the back of the map appeared the text of the Ordinance of 1787, with especially salient portions printed in red.

This was a very complete general piece of literature, more apt to be looked at and studied than would any booklet, and at perhaps one-third to one-fourth what a booklet would cost.

The historian of the Commission had prepared two bibliographies, one extended to cover most of the available material and an abridged list of the more important and most commonly availe2ble books. But to gain a fairly comprehensive idea of the epoch it was at that time necessary to peruse many books. For instance, the writer read over one hundred and fifty books relating in some way to the subject in whole or in part. There was need for literature going farther into the history involved than could the map, yet fairly simple to read.

This feature was intended to present in brief and concise form the history of the Ordinance of 1787, and Old Northwest Territory—to get which information which it is otherwise necessary to refer to a large number of books, many of which are not available outside of the larger libraries.

The textbook therefore was to be a summary of, available information, primarily for school use, but also for the many readers who would be little inclined to digest a number of texts.

A committee of the State historians from Northwest Territory was appointed to prepare the book. Dr. Harlow Lindley of the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society and formerly of the Indiana State Historical Society, agreed to serve as chairman and editor-in-chief. Dr. Fuller of the Michigan State Historical Society was unable to give time and Dr. M. M. Quaife of Detroit agreed to serve in his place.

The bulk of the very considerable preparation effort involved fell upon Dr. Lindley, Dr. Quaife and Norris Schneider of Zanesville,

Federal Writer's Project, both state and national cooperated on arrangement of copy. Most of the illustrations used were done by students in public school art classes, as the result of a territory wide contest held by the Commission. Prizes of five dollars for each illustration used were given, and the class of art secured measures up well with any textbook illustrations.

The book was to be distributed free to all school teachers in the territory and_was offered for sale to all others at 10c per copy. That is, the Federal Commission prepared and printed the books and delivered each state's supply to each State Commission. This