8388. TERRITORY, Cession of Northwest.—
The territories contained within the
charters erecting the Colonies of Maryland,
Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina, are
hereby ceded, released, and forever confirmed
to the people of those Colonies respectively,
with all the rights of property, jurisdiction
and government, and all other rights whatsoever
which might at any time, heretofore, have
been claimed by this colony [Virginia]. The
western and northern extent of this country
shall in all other respects stand as fixed by
the charter of—until, by act of the Legislature,
one or more Territories shall be laid
off westward of the Alleghany mountains for
new colonies, which colonies shall be established
on the same fundamental laws contained
in this instrument, and shall be free
and independent of this Colony and of all
the world.—
Proposed Va. Constitution.
Ford ed., ii, 25.
(June. 1776)
See Western Territory.
