part and behalf of the State of Pennsylvania. ROBT. MORRIS,
DANIEL ROBERDEAU, JONA. BAYARD SMITH, WILLIAM CLINGAN, JOSEPH REED, 22d
July, 1778.

On the part & behalf of the State of Delaware. THO. M'KEAN, Feby. 12,
1779. JOHN DICKINSON, May 5, 1779. NICHOLAS VAN DYKE.

On the part and behalf of the State of Maryland. JOHN HANSON, March 1,
1781. DANIEL CARROLL, Mar. 1, 1781.

On the part and behalf of the State of Virginia. RICHARD HENRY LEE, JNO.
HARVIE, JOHN BANISTER, THOMAS ADAMS, FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE.

On the part and behalf of the State of No. Carolina. JOHN PENN, July
21st, 1778. CORNS. HARNETT, JNO. WILLIAMS.

On the part & behalf of the State of South Carolina. HENRY LAURENS,
WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON, JNO. MATHEWS, RICHD. HUTSON, THOS. HEYWARD, JUNR.

On the part & behalf of the State of Georgia. JNO. WALTON, 24th July,
EDWD. TELFAIR, EDWD. LANGWORTHY. 1778.

THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT -- 1787.

THE CONFEDERATE CONGRESS, JULY 13, 1787.

An Ordinance for the government of the territory of the United States
northwest of the river Ohio.

SECTION 1. Be it ordained by the United States in Congress assembled,
That the said territory, for the purpose of temporary government, be one
district, subject, however, to be divided into two districts, as future
circumstances may, in the opinion of Congress, make it expedient.

SEC. 2. Be it ordained by the authority aforesaid, That the estates both
of resident and non-resident proprietors in the said territory, dying
intestate, shall descend to, and be distributed among their children
and the descendants of a deceased child in equal parts, the descendants
of a deceased child or grandchild to take the share of their deceased
parent in equal parts among them; and where there shall be no children
or descendants, then in equal parts to the next of kin, in equal degree;
and among collaterals, the children of a deceased brother or sister
of the intestate shall have, in equal parts among them, their deceased
parent's share; and there shall, in no case, be a distinction between
kindred of the whole and half blood; saving in all cases to the widow of
the intestate, her third part of the real estate for life, and one-third
part of the personal estate; and this law relative to descents and
dower, shall remain in full force until altered by the legislature of
the district. And until the governor and judges shall adopt laws as
hereinafter mentioned, estates in the said t