"And although it is not considered expedient to force the
population of the Territory, yet it is desirable to connect its
scattered settlements, and, in admitted political rights, to
place it on an equal footing with the different States. From the
interior situation of the Territory, it is not believed that
slaves could ever become so numerous as to endanger the internal
peace or future prosperity of the country. The current of
emigration flowing to the Western country, the Territories should
all be opened to their introduction. The abstract question of
Liberty and Slavery is not involved in the proposed measure, as
Slavery now exists to a considerable extent in different parts of
the Union; it would not augment the number of slaves, but merely
authorize the removal to Indiana of such as are held in bondage
in the United States. If Slavery is an evil, means ought to be
devised to render it least dangerous to the community, and by
which the hapless situation of the slaves would be most
ameliorated; and to accomplish these objects, no measure would be
so effectual as the one proposed. The Committee, therefore,
respectfully submit to the House the following resolution:

"_Resolved_, That it is expedient to suspend, from and after the
1st day of January, 1808, the sixth article of compact between
the United States and the Territories and States northwest of the
Ohio, passed the 13th day of July, 1787, for the term of ten
years."

Like its predecessor this report was made a special order, but was
never taken up.

On the 7th of November, 1807, the President laid a letter from Gen.
Harrison [probably the one already referred to], and the resolves of
his Legislature, before Congress, and that body referred them to a
select committee consisting of Franklin, of North Carolina; Ketchel,
of New Jersey; and Tiffin, of Ohio.

On the 13th of November, Mr. Franklin made the following adverse
report:

"The Legislative Council and House of Representatives, in their
resolutions, express their sense of the propriety of introducing
Slavery into their Territory, and solicit the Congress of the
United States to suspend, for a given number of years, the sixth
article of compact, in the ordinance for the government of the
Territory northwest of the Ohio, passed the 13th day of July,
1787.