assiduously to accomplish two things: the division of the Territory on the Harrison plan, and to secure the removal of St. Clair. He succeeded in the first, but failed in the second. In this connection there is an interesting and pathetic fact illustrating the condition of the Federal party in the Territory. When Worthington went to Philadelphia to work for statehood and the removal of St. Clair, the Federalists wanted to send Judge Tod of Trumbull County and William McMillan of Hamilton County to counteract the movements and influence of the militant Virginian. Judge Tod estimated the expense at about three hundred dollars, but the Federalist party was too poor to raise that amount.

Governor St. Clair's first move against his opponents was to prorogue the Legislature. Accordingly he notified the General Assembly by message on December 2d, “that on Thursday the 9th of the month, an end must be put to the session of the Legislature; as on that day his term of office would expire; and it was not a case provided for by law, in which the place of the Governor, could be supplied by the Secretary." This was a surprise and a blow to the Governor's enemies. They had fully expected that on the expiration of his term December 9th, under the provisions of the Ordinance there would be a vacancy in the office to which the Secretary of the Territory, Charles Willing Byrd, would succeed. Byrd was an avowed enemy of the Governor and worked heartily in sympathy with his opponents. He had the additional qualifications of being a Virginian and a brother-in-law of General Nathaniel Massie. He was, therefore, just

the man to succeed the Governor. In this event they would ultimately secure control of the Territorial government by adjourning the Legislature and refusing to recognize the legal right of Byrd to act as Governor, to which he would not object. But St. Clair had a clear knowledge of his powers under the Ordinance, and by his courage and sagacity, thwarted this scheme.

The adjournment of the Legislature transferred the discussion of statehood to the people and the press. Meetings were held expressing sentiments for and against the question. Edward Tiffin at the head of a committee issued the following temperate address from Chillicothe: "Fellow-citizens:-The Ordinance for the government of the Territory of the United States north-west of the River Ohio declares 'that whenever there shall be sixty thousand inhabitants residing within the above described boundaries, they shall be entitled to a State government, and be admitted by its delegates, into the Congress of the United States, on an equal footing with the original States, in all respects whatever, and shall be at liberty to form a permanent constitution and State government; provided the constitution and government so to be formed shall be Republican.'

"By an act of Congress, passed at their last session, the census of this Territory is directed to be taken, under the direction of the secretary; and believing that there will be the number required by said Ordinance or nearly the number-we have taken this opportunity of recommending to your consideration the propriety of going into a State government at as early

a period as our number will admit of. In recommending this subject to your consideration, we are well aware of the importance of the sentiments of our fellowcitizens on a subject so materially interesting to them, and we therefore recommend it to them to instruct their representatives, at their next meeting of the General Assembly, to govern themselves accordingly. "You will, fellow-citizens, while reflecting upon the important subject, consider the additional expenses that must necessarily accrue in the exercise of a State Government, which you will perceive must unavoidably arise. You will likewise consider the superior advantages which you will derive therefrom. A candid comparison will, we presume, be the criterion by which you will govern yourselves in your deliberations. "We are, fellow-citizens, with sentiments of respect, etc.,

Edward Tiffin and Others, Committee." On January 4, 1801, the citizens of Marietta met at their courthouse and appointed a committee of five to prepare an address to the people of the Territory, urging them to oppose going into a state government. The sentiment of this community was Federal, but even Republicans like Return Jonathan Meigs and his son opposed statehood at this time. In a letter by the former to Thomas Worthington, he writes, "With respect to going into a State government, we all agree in opinion that it is improper. If the Governor's negative can be qualified, which will undoubtedly take place, our present system of government cannot be oppressive in any respect."

While this conflict was being waged with great bitterness in the Territory, a similar contest against the reappointment of St. Clair was going on before Congress at Washington. He was nominated December 22, 1800 by President Adams as Governor of the Northwest Territory for a further period of three years. With the nomination the President forwarded a number of petitions from friends and enemies. All of these were referred to a committee of the Senate. This committee reported that the charges against Governor St. Clair, though various and of a serious nature, were not supported by those who filed them, and while not relieving him entirely from censure, they recommended his confirmation, which was accordingly voted February 3, 1801.

United States Senator Stevens Thomson Mason writing to Thomas Worthington from Washington, February 5, 1801, tries to explain away the confirmation and at the same time offer some consolation for a grievous disappointment. Senator Mason was one of the powerful Virginians that Tiffin, Worthington and Massie could always depend upon when the Western branch of the Virginia dynasty needed help. Among other things he writes: "I thought, myself, that there was sufficient to show that he was very obnoxious to a great part of the people, and that he ought not to have been reappointed. Some members who did not approve of the appointment were induced to vote for it from an apprehension that, should he be rejected, some person more obnoxious might be appointed, such as Tracy, and it would only be exchanging an old and feeble tyrant for one more active and wicked. Your