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THE MICHIGAN AND OHIO BOUNDARY LINE BY FRANK E. ROBSON ESQ.
He says, "This was the immortal ordinance of 1787, immortal for the grand results which have followed from its adoption, not less than for the wisdom and far seeing statesmanship that conceived and gave form to its provisions. "
It is with the provisions of the fifth article of this ordinance that we are particularly concerned in this inquiry. This article provided generally that "There shall be formed in said territory, not less than three, nor more than five states, " and then went on to establish the boundaries for the proposed states. The boundaries of the three states first to be erected were, the Ohio on the south and Mississippi on the west, and the present boundary lines between Indiana and Illinois and Indiana and Ohio, extended to the territorial boundary line on the north. Then follows this proviso: "Provided, however, and it is further understood and declared that the boundaries of these three states shall be subject so far to be altered, that if Congress hereafter find it expedient, they shall have authority to form one or two states in that part of said territory which lies north of an east and west line drawn through the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan. "
Ohio was the first state to be erected from the territory, and April 30; 1802. congress provided for its admission by an enabling act, under which the State was organized. This act described the northern boundary line of the proposed state in the following words: "and on the north by an east and west line drawn through the southerly extreme of Lake Michigan and running east
after intersecting the north line aforesaid, from the mouth of the Great Miami, " (that is the boundary between Indiana and Ohio) "until it shall intersect Lake Erie, to the Pennsylvania line aforesaid. "
MICHIGAN
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