Category Archives: Northwest Territory

1802 Laws of Northwest Territory

Part of the Historic Indiana Law Project.

Abstracts of laws relating to the Northwest Territory from:
Laws of the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio Including The Laws of the Governor and Judges, The Maxwell Code, and the Laws of the Three Sessions of the Territorial Legislature, 1791-1802. Cincinnati : n.p., 1833. Google Books

Acts of the Second General Assembly. First Session.

November 23, 1801 – January 23, 1802.

Chapter 144. An act allowing and regulating writs of attachment.

Chapter 145. An act regulating executions.

Chapter 146. An act regulating the fees of civil officers and for other purposes.

Chapter 147. An act levying a tax on land for the year one thousand eight hundred and two, and for other purposes.

Chapter 148. An act requiring public officers to give bond in certain cases.

Chapter 149. An act providing for the execution of real contracts in certain cases.

Chapter 150. An act for the partition of real estate.

Chapter 151. An act providing for the inspection of certain articles of exportation therein enumerated.

Chapter 152. An act to encourage the killing of wolves and panthers.

Chapter 153. An act for the assignment of bail bonds.

Chapter 154. An act to remove the seat of government and fix the same at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton.

Chapter 155. An act to amend the act entitled, “An act establishing and regulating the militia.”

Chapter 156. An act for the distribution of insolvent estates.

Chapter 157. An act to amend the act, entitled “An act for opening and regulating public roads and highways.”

Chapter 158. An act providing for the appointment of guardians to lunatics and others.

Chapter 159. An act concerning testimony.

Chapter 160. An act declaring the assent of the territory northwest of the river Ohio to an alteration in the ordinance for the government thereof.

Chapter 161. An act providing for the acknowledgement and recording of deeds in certain cases.

Chapter 162. An act providing for the acknowledgement and recording of deeds in certain cases.

Chapter 163. An act to establish and regulate township meetings.

Chapter 164. An act providing for the recovery of money secured by mortgage.

Chapter 165. An act allowing compensation to the members of the legislative council and house of representatives, and to the officers of both houses, together with the treasurer and the auditor of the territory.

Chapter 166. An act to repeal, in part, the act, entitled, “An act to ascertain and defray the travelling expenses of the judges of the general court, and for disposing of the fees heretofore allowed them by law.

Chapter 167. An act supplementary to the act, entitled, “An act to amend the act, entitled, “an act for allowing compensation to the attorney general of the territory, and to the persons prosecuting the pleas in behalf of the territory in the several counties.”

Chapter 168. An act defining the duties of the secretary of the territory.

Chapter 169. An act appropriating moneys for the payment of the debts due from this territory, and making appropriations for the year one thousand eight hundred and two.

 

 

 

1800 Laws of Northwest Territory

Part of the Historic Indiana Law Project.

Abstracts of laws relating to the Northwest Territory from:
Laws of the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio Including The Laws of the Governor and Judges, The Maxwell Code, and the Laws of the Three Sessions of the Territorial Legislature, 1791-1802. Cincinnati : n.p., 1833. Google Books

Acts of the First General Assembly. Second Session.

3 November 1800 – 9 December 1800.

 

Chapter 123. An act defining seals affixed to certain instruments of writing.

Chapter 124. An act to amend an act, entitled, “An act for allowing compensation to the attorney-general of the territory, and to the persons prosecuting the pleas in behalf of the territory, in the several counties.

Chapter 125. An act to revise the act, entitled, “An act to establish and regulate ferries.”

Chapter 126. An act to amend the act, entitled, “An act to create the offices of a territorial treasurer and of an auditor of public accounts.”

Chapter 127. An act to amend the act, entitled, “An act to encourage the killing of wolves.”

Chapter 128. An act authorizing the judges of the general court, to appoint commissioners to take special bail, and to administer oaths.

Chapter 129. An act to amend the act, entitled, “An act allowing and regulating prison bounds.”

Chapter 130. An act to provide for the recording of town-plats.

Chapter 131. An act to provide for the maintenance and support of illegitimate children.

Chapter 132. An act to establish and regulate taverns and public houses of entertainment.

Chapter 133. An act to amend the act, entitled, “An act regulating the admission and practice of attorneys and counsellors at law.”

Chapter 134. An act to ascertain and defray the travelling expenses of the judges of the general court, and for disposing of the fees heretofore allowed them by law.

Chapter 135. An act providing for the trial of homicide committed on Indians.

Chapter 136. An act to prevent the abatement of suits in certain cases.

Chapter 137. An act supplementary to the act, entitled, “An act establishing and regulating the militia.”

Chapter 138. An act supplementary to the act, entitled “An act to regulate county levies.”

Chapter 139. An act supplementary to the act, entitled, “An act levying a territorial tax on land,” and providing for a territorial tax for the year one thousand eight hundred and one.

Chapter 140. An act to amend the act, entitled, “An act, to ascertain the number of free male inhabitants of the age of twenty-one, in the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio, and to regulate the elections of representatives for the same.”

Chapter 141. An act regulating circuit courts and allowing appeals from the courts of common pleas in certain cases.

Chapter 142. An act supplementary to the act, entitled, “An act establishing courts for the trail of small causes.”

Chapter 143. An act appropriating moneys for the payment of the debts due from this territory and making appropriations for the ensuing year.

1799 Laws of Northwest Territory

Part of the Historic Indiana Law Project.

Abstracts of laws relating to the Northwest Territory from:
Laws of the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio Including The Laws of the Governor and Judges, The Maxwell Code, and the Laws of the Three Sessions of the Territorial Legislature, 1791-1802. Cincinnati : n.p., 1833. Google Books

Acts of the First General Assembly.

16 September 1799 – 19 December 1799.

 

Chapter 86. An act to confirm and give force to certain laws, enacted by the governor and judges of the territory.

Chapter 87. An act regulating the admission and practice of attorneys and counsellors at law.

Chapter 88. An act regulating enclosures.

Chapter 89. An act providing for the service and return of process in certain cases.

Chapter 90. An act regulating the interest of money and fixing the same at six per centum per annum, and for preventing usury.

Chapter 91. An act authorizing and regulating arbitrations.

Chapter 92. An act to establish and regulate ferries.

Chapter 93. An act making promissory notes and inland bills of exchange negotiable.

Chapter 94. An act to prevent trespassing by cutting of timber.

Chapter 95. An act supplemental to the act entitled “An act to prevent trespassing by cutting of timber.”

Chapter 96. An act regulating grist-mills and millers.

Chapter 97. An act to regulate the disposition of water-crafts of certain descriptions, found gone or going adrift, and of estray animals.

Chapter 98. An act for the prevention of vice and immorality.

Chapter 99. An act to create the offices of a territorial treasurer, and of an auditor of public accounts.

Chapter 100. An act establishing courts for the trial of small causes.

Chapter 101. An act providing for the appointment of constables.

Chapter 102. An act to ascertain the number of free male inhabitants, of the age of twenty-one, in the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio, and to regulate the elections of representatives for the same.

Chapter 103. An act to prevent the introduction of spirituous liquors into certain Indian towns.

Chapter 104. An act regulating the firing of woods, prairies, and other lands.

Chapter 105. An act establishing and regulating the militia.

Chapter 106. An act defining and regulating privileges in certain cases.

Chapter 107. An act for allowing compensation to the members of the house of representatives, who attended to put in nomination the members of the legislative council, and for defraying the incidental expenses accrued thereon.

Chapter 108. An act for the relief of poor persons imprisoned for debt.

Chapter 109. An act for opening and regulating public roads and highways.

Chapter 110. An act levying a territorial tax on land.

Chapter 111. An act to regulate county levies.

Chapter 112. An act allowing and regulating prison bounds.

Chapter 113. An act for the appointment of county treasurers.

Chapter 114. An act for allowing compensation to the members of the legislative council and house of representatives, of the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio, and to the officers of both houses.

Chapter 115. An act to regulate the enclosing and cultivating of common fields.

Chapter 116. An act regulating the fees of the constables in the several counties within this territory.

Chapter 117. An act to encourage the killing of wolves.

Chapter 118. An act for the punishment of arson.

Chapter 119. An act for allowing compensation to the attorney-general of the territory, and to persons prosecuting the pleas, in behalf of the territory, in the several counties.

Chapter 120. An act supplementary to the act entitled “A law for the relief of the poor.”

Chapter 121. An act appropriating moneys for the payment of the debts due from this territory, and making appropriations for the ensuing year.

Chapter 122. An act repealing certain laws, and parts of laws.

1788-1798 Laws of Northwest Territory

Part of the Historic Indiana Law Project.

Abstracts of laws relating to the Northwest Territory from:
Laws of the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio Including The Laws of the Governor and Judges, The Maxwell Code, and the Laws of the Three Sessions of the Territorial Legislature, 1791-1802. Cincinnati : n.p., 1833. Google Books

 

Laws of the Governor and Judges.

 

1788

Chapter 1. A law for regulating and establishing the militia. Published 25 July 1788.

Chapter 2. A law for establishing general courts of quarter sessions of the peace (and therein of the powers of single justices), and for establishing county courts of common pleas, (and therein of the power of single judges to hear and determine upon small debts and contracts), and also a law for establishing the office of sheriff, and for the appointment of sheriffs. Published 23 August 1788.

Chapter 3. A law establishing a court of probate. Published 30 August 1788.

Chapter 4. A law for fixing the terms of the general court. Published 30 August 1788.

Chapter 5. A law respecting oaths of office. Published 2 September 1788.

Chapter 6. A law respecting crimes and punishments. Published 6 September 1788.

Chapter 7. A law regulating marriages.

Chapter 8. A law in addition to a law, entitled, “A law for regulating and establishing the militia.” Published 23 November 1788.

Chapter 9. A law appointing coroners. Published 21 Dec 1788.

Chapter 10. A law limiting the time of commencing civil actions and instituting criminal prosecutions. Published 28 December 1788.

 

1790

Chapter 11. An act to prohibit the giving or selling intoxicating liquors to Indians, residing in, or coming into the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio, and for preventing foreigners from trading with Indians therein.

Chapter 12. An act prohibiting the sale of spirituous and other intoxicating liquors to soldiers in the service of the United States, being within ten miles of any military post within the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio; and to prevent the selling or pawning of arms, ammunition, clothing and accoutrements.

Chapter 13. An act for suppressing and prohibiting every species of gaming for money or other property, and for making void all contracts and payments made in consequence thereof, and also for restraining the disorderly practice of discharging fire arms at certain hours and places.

Chapter 14. An act to alter the Terms of the General Court.

Chapter 15. An act to augment the Terms of the County Courts of Common Pleas from two to four terms in the year, and to increase the number of Judges of the said Court, and also of the Justices of the Quorum in the several counties.

Chapter 16. An act to authorize and require the Courts of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, to divide the Counties into Townships and to alter the boundaries of the same when necessary, and also to appoint Constables, Overseers of the Poor, and Clerks of the Townships, and for other purposes therein mentioned.

 

1791

Chapter 17. An act supplementary to a law, entitled “A law respecting crimes and punishments.”

Chapter 18. An act for the punishment of persons tearing or defacing publications set up by authority.

Chapter 19. An act creating the office of clerk of the legislature.

Chapter 20. An act for rendering authentic as evidence in the courts of this territory, the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of courts in the United States.

Chapter 21. An act abolishing the distinction between the crimes of murder and petit treason.

Chapter 22. An act regulating the enclosures of grounds.

Chapter 23. An act to alter and amend the militia laws.

 

1792

Chapter 24. An act granting licenses to merchants, traders, and tavern-keepers.

Chapter 25. An act creating the offices of treasurer-general of the territory and treasurers for the counties.

Chapter 26. An act directing the manner in which money shall be raised and levied, to defray the charges which may arise within the several counties in the territory.

Chapter 27. An act for opening and regulating highways.

Chapter 28. An act directing the building and establishing of a court-house county jail pillory whipping post and stocks in every county.

Chapter 29. An act for the better regulation of prisons.

Chapter 30. An act for the disposition of strays.

Chapter 31. An act to repeal certain parts of an act “creating the office of clerk of the Legislature.”

Chapter 32. An act supplementary to a law entitled “A law regulating marriages.”

Chapter 33. An act to regulate the admission of attorneys.

Chapter 34. An act empowering the judge of probate to appoint guardians to minors and others.

Chapter 35. An act prescribing forms of writs in civil causes and directing the mode of proceeding therein.

Chapter 36. An act establishing and regulating the fees of the several officers and other persons therein mentioned.

 

Laws of 1795 – Maxwell Code

Chapter 37. A law subjecting real estate to execution for debt.

Chapter 38. A law allowing domestic attachments.

Chapter 39. A law regulating domestic attachments.

Chapter 40. A law for the easy and speedy recovery of small debts.

Chapter 41. A law concerning defalcation.

Chapter 42. A law for the trial and punishment of larceny, under a dollar and a half.

Chapter 43. A law to prevent unnecessary delays in causes, after issue joined.

Chapter 44. A law establishing courts of judicature.

Chapter 45. A law for the limitation of actions.

Chapter 46. A law for the relief of persons conscientiously scrupulous to take an oath in the common form.

Chapter 47. A law for the recovery of fines and forfeitures, and directing how the same are to be estreated.

Chapter 48. A law ascertaining and regulating the fees of the several officers and persons therein named.

Chapter 49. A law for establishing orphans’ courts.

Chapter 50. A law for the settlement of intestates’ estates.

Chapter 51. A law to license and regulate taverns.

Chapter 52. A law establishing the recorder’s office.

Chapter 53. A law for raising county rates and levies.

Chapter 54. A law for the relief of the poor.

Chapter 55. A law concerning the probate of wills, written or nuncupative.

Chapter 56. A law regulating enclosures.

Chapter 57. A law as to the order of paying debts of persons deceased.

Chapter 58. A law concerning trespassing animals.

Chapter 59. A law directing how husband and wife may convey their estates.

Chapter 60. A law for the speedy assignment of dower.

Chapter 61. A law giving remedies in equity, in certain cases.

Chapter 62. A law against forcible entry and detainer.

Chapter 63. A law annulling the distinction between petit treason and murder.

Chapter 64. A law declaring what laws shall be in force.

Chapter 65. A law to prevent trespassing by cutting of timber.

Chapter 66. An act repealing certain laws and acts, and part of laws and acts.

Chapter 67. A law respecting divorce.

Chapter 68. A law for the partition of lands.

Chapter 69. A law allowing foreign attachments.

Chapter 70. A law concerning the duty and power of coroners.

Chapter 71. A law for continuing suits in the general and circuit courts.

Chapter 72. A law to suppress gaming.

Chapter 73. A law as to proceedings in ejectment, distress for rent, and tenants at will holding over.

Chapter 74. A law limiting imprisonment for debt, and subjecting certain debtors and delinquents to servitude.

 

Laws of 1798.

Chapter 75. A law to confer on certain associations of the citizens of this territory the powers and immunities of corporations, or bodies politic in law.

Chapter 76. A law for the punishment of maiming or disfiguring.

Chapter 77. A law vesting certain powers in justices of the peace in criminal cases.

Chapter 78. A law for the equal division and distribution of insolvent estates.

Chapter 79. A law to provide for the improvement of the breed of horses.

Chapter 80. A law directing the mode of proceeding in civil cases.

Chapter 81. A law in addition to a law entitled “a law ascertaining the fees of the several officers and persons therein named.”

Chapter 82. A law for the purpose of including all unsettled and unimproved tracts or parcels of land and subjecting them to taxation.

Chapter 83. A law rendering the acknowledgement of deeds more easy.

Chapter 84. A law for establishing a land office.

Chapter 85. An act repealing certain laws and parts of laws.

Indiana’s Gore in Northwest Territorial Papers

Indiana’s Gore was a part of the Northwest Territory until 1803 when the area became part of Indiana Territory. The Northwest Territory is covered in The Territorial Papers of the United States within volumes 2 and 3. Below is a list of selected items related to Indiana’s Gore found within:

Carter, Clarence Edwin, editor. The Territorial Papers of the United States. 28 volumes. Washington, D.C. : United States Government Printing Office, 1934-1975.
Digitized copy online at HathiTrust

Volume II – The Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, 1787-1803

  • Page 6 – Virginia: Cession of Western Land Claims – 1 March 1784
  • Page 12 – Land Ordinance of 1785 – May 20, 1785
  • Page 39 – Ordinance of 1787 – 13 July 1787
  • Page 50 – Resolution of Congress: Treaty with the Wabash Indiana – 21 July 1787
  • Page 203 – Act for the Government of the Northwest Territory – 7 Aug 1789
  • Page 525 – Treaty of Greenville – 3 August 1795
  • Page 620 – Petition to Congress by Inhabitants of Knox County – 7 August 1797
  • Page 648 – Return of Inhabitants of Hamilton County – 12 July 1798
  • Page 650 – The President to Inhabitants of Hamilton County – 11 August 1798

Volume III – The Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, 1787-1803, Continued

  • Page 47 – Petition to Congress by Citizens of the Territory – 1799 – The Petition of the Inhabitants North west of the Great Miami River in the North Western Territory To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress Assembled.
  • Page 49 – Petition to Congress by Citizens of the Territory – 1799 – “The Petitions of a Number of the Inhabitants now Settled on the Publick L[an]ds Lying Below the Mouth of the great Miami River Between the Said Miami and the Boundary Line B[etwee]n the United States and the Indian Tribes”
  • Page 52 – Petition to Congress by Citizens of the Territory – 1799
  • Page 72 – Petition to Congress by Inhabitants of Hamilton County – 1800
  • Page 86 – Division of the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio – 1800
  • Page 88 – The Sale of Lands in the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio – 1800
  • Page 294 – 2 January 1790 – Hamilton County formed
  • Page 313 – Creation of Knox County – 20 Jun 1790
  • Page 496 – Letter from 8 Jan 1798 about swatters
  • Page 509 – Hamilton County gained the “Gore” from Knox County – 22 June 1798