to the fame, fhall become fixed and established as follows, viz. The "ART. VI. There fhall be neither flavery nor involuntary fervitude in the faid territory, otherwife than in the punishment of crimes, whereof the party fhall have been duly convicted: provided always, that any perfon escaping into the fame, from whom labour or fervice is lawfully claimed in any of the original States, fuch fugi tive may be lawfully reclaimed, and conveyed to the perfon claiming his or her labour or service as aforefaid." Such is the prefent government of the western territory, and fuch the political obligations of the adventurers into this fertile and delightful part of the United States, In the ordinance of Congrefs, for the government of this territory, it is provided, that after the faid territory acquires a certain degree of population, it fhall be divided into States. The eastern State, that that is thus provided to be made, is bounded on the Great Miami on the weft, and by the Pennfylvania line on the east. The center of this State will fall between the Scioto and the Hockhocking. At the mouth of one of thefe rivers will probably be the feat of government for this State; and, if we may indulge the fublime contemplation of beholding the whole territory of the United States fettled by an et lightened people, and continued under one extended government, on the river Ohio, and not far from this fpot, will be the feat of empire for the whole dominion. This is central to the whole; it will beft accommodate every part; it is the most pleasant, and probably the moft healthful. The settlement of this country has been checked for several years past, by the unhappy Indian war, an amicable termination of which, it is ardently wifhed, might fpeedily take place. END OF THE SECOND VOLUME. |