On July 4 all work was suspended to celebrate the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Since most of the settlers had served in the Revolutionary Army, they observed the occasion with feelings of intense patriotism. A federal salute of 13 guns from Fort Harmar opened the celebration at dawn. At “The Point” on the east bank of the Muskingum a table 60 feet long was spread with wild meat, fish, vegetables, grog, punch, and wine. Harmar arrived with his lady and officers from the fort at one o’clock. Varnum, one of the judges of the territory, then delivered a flowery oration.
After the oration, the guests were twice driven from the table by thunderstorms before they finally finished dinner. The patriotic event continued with the drinking of the following toasts which illustrate the topics of general interest of the time:
- 1. The United States.
- 2. The Congress.
- 3. His Most Christian Majesty, the King of France.
- 4. The United Netherlands.
- 5. The Friendly Powers throughout the World.
- 6. The New Federal Constitution.
- 7. His Excellency General Washington, and the Society of Cincinnati.
- 8. His Excellency Governor St. Clair, and the Western Territory.
- 9. The memory of Those Who Have Nobly Fallen in Defense of American Freedom.
- 10. Patriots, and Heroes.
- 11. Captain Pipe, Chief of the Delawares, and a Happy Treaty with the Natives.
- 12. Agriculture and Commerce, Arts and Sciences.
- 13. The Amiable Partners of Our Delicate Pleasures.
- 14. The Glorious Fourth of July.
The Celebration closed with another salute of 13 guns and a “beautiful illumination” at Fort Harmar.
Chapter IV
THE BEGINNINGS OF GOVERNMENT
The Northwest Territory at the time of its organization included all of the region comprising the present states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and a portion of Minnesota. The ordinance for its government was framed and ordained at the last session of the Continental Congress in 1787.
This ordinance vested the governing authority in four men, a governor and three judges. Two years later, by act of Congress, “the Secretary of the Territory, in case of the death, removal, resignation or necessary absence of the Governor, became the acting Governor.”
The first governor of the Northwest Territory was Arthur St. Clair, who arrived at the new settlement, July 9, 1788. He landed at Fort Harmar, which was garrisoned with United States troops. Sergeant Joseph Buell, who was stationed at Fort Harmar, wrote in his Journal on the day of the governor’s arrival: