jan 1, 1785 - Land Ordinance of 1785 passed (1785)

Description:

first legis passed by Congress of Confederation about Old Northwest; Acreage of Old Northwest should be sold, proceeds pay off national debt; Land supposed to be surveyed before sale/settlement → preempt confusion/lawsuits; Divided into townships 6mi2, split into 36 sections of 1mi2 each, 16th section set aside to be sold for benefit of public schools; Settlements of NW territory diff from Ohio Riv, NW = orderly, Ohio = chaos

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