Extract from the Committee Report to the Confederation Congress for the Government of Western Territory

That after the year 1800 of the christian æra, there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in any of the said states, otherwise than in punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted to have been personally guilty.

MS (DLC); entirely in TJ’s hand; endorsed by Secretary of Congress Charles Thomson: “Report Mr Jefferson Mr Chase Mr Howell. Temporary governmt. of Western Country Delivered 1 March 1784.” Printed broadside (DLC); with notes in TJ’s hand. Published in PTJ, 6:604.