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Territory of the United States N. West of the River Ohio - On Wednesday the 9th. July 1788 His Excellency Arthur St Clair Governour & Commander in Chief arrived at Fort Marmar, & on the 15th. was published the Ordinance of the honorable Congress for the Government of the Territory - the Commissions of the Governour, the Honble Judges Saml. H. Parsons, James M. Varnum, and the Secretary's, After which His Excellency addressed the People assembled at Marietta as follows -

"From the Ordinance for the Establishment of Civil Govern- ment in this Quarter, that has been just now read, you have a Proof Gentlemen of the Attention of Congress to the Welfare of the Citizens of the United States how remote soever their Situation may be --

A good Government well administered is the first of Blessings to a People - Everything desirable in Life is thereby secured to them, & from the Operation of wholesome & equal Laws, the Passions of Men are restrain'd within due Bounds; their Actions receive a proper Direc- tion; the Virtues are cultivated, & the beautiful Fabric of civilized Life is reared & brought to Perfection - The Executive Part of the Administration of this Government has been entrusted to me, & I am truly Sensible of the Importance of the Trus & how much depends upon the due Execution of it - to you Gentlemen, over whom it is to be immediately exercised! - to your Posterity! per- haps to the Whole Community of America! Would to God I were more equal to the Discharge of it! but my best Endeavours shall not be wanting to fulfil the Desire & the Expectation of Congress, that you may find yourselves happy under it; which is the surest Way