Page:Journal of the Sixth Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan.djvu/47

27.] after defining the boundaries of the Territory of Michigan, proceeded to declare that those should be the boundaries of the state of Michigan, it is certain that they would be as unalterable as were those of the states established by the ordinance. The language of the first section of this act will not permit us to infer that this was the intention of Congress. It expressly declares that those limits are given to Michigan only "for the purposes of temporary government." It must be obvious that no rights were conceded to enable the citizens of Michigan to control the future legislation of Congress upon this subject. The boundaries were made temporary, and as liable to be changed as the government which was created within them.

The question which is now presented is not a new one, for it must have been considered on the admission of each of the western states. On the acquisition of the country west of the Mississippi river, it was divided into only two territories; and all of the articles of the ordinance were extended to them, except the sixth, which relates to slavery. The same general rights were secured, and in like terms, as were conferred on the people of Michigan. Yet other boundaries were given to Louisiana and Missouri on their admission, than those which had been established for them as territories.

An act was passed by Congress, on the 7th of April, 1798, to establish a territorial government in the Mississippi territory. The provisions of the ordinance (excepting those contained in the sixth article) were extended to it, by the 6th section, which says that "the people of the aforesaid territory shall be entitled to and enjoy all and singular the rights, privileges and advantages granted to the people of the territory of the United States, north-west of the river Ohio." The states of Alabama and Mississippi were formed out of this same territory.

The whole of this western boundary of Michigan, is within the boundaries of the territory of Indiana, according to the act of May 7,1800. If these lines are unalterable by Congress, Indiana was not correctly admitted, as a part of the territory was lopped off: And Congress separated Michigan from Indiana, whilst the latter was a territory.

These instances are cited for the purpose of showing that Congress has in no instance attempted to maintain the integrity of the limits of a territory; and that the territories have been divided, and states erected from parts of them, according to the circumstances and wishes of the inhabitants, and the interest of government.

Mr. Stockton, from the committee on internal improvement, submitted the following report, which was laid on the table: