USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns general and local statistics, military record, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc > Part 21
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The notorious Simon Girty was adopted by the Senecas. Girty's name was a terror and fiendish horror for many years. He not only led the Indians in their atrocities, but he added barbarism to their native wickedness.
CONCLUSION.
When peace was proclaimed, after the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee to Gen. U. S. Grant, the volunteer troops disbanded, and a return to home indus- tries instituted, Ohio, like many other States, gave direct attention to the inter- ests of returned soldiers. The thrift of the State was augmented by a spasmodic, and thereafter recognized as a fictitious, demand for products, commercial and industrial pursuits redoubled their forces. But the great wave of stagnation swept over this fair land-the re-action of a war excitement. Laborers were many, but wages were inadequate. Deeper and deeper settled this lethargy- called by many "hard times"-until the wheels of commercial life revolved slowly, and from the workshops and the factories went up the echoes of priva- tion and distress. There was no famine, no fever, no epidemic, it was simply exhaustion. In the larger cities there was much suffering. Idle people loitered about, barely seeking employment, the task seeming worse than hopeless.
During the years 1870, 1871 and 1872, the stringent measures brought about by the depressed state of business retarded any material advancement in general matters. The years 1873-74 were marked by a preceptible improve- ment, and a few factories were established, while larger numbers were employed in those already founded. The year 1875 was under the direction of a Demo- cratic Legislature. It was marked in many respects by a " reverse motion " in many laws and regulations.
The Legislature which convened in 1876, January 3, was Republican in the main. It repealed the "Geghan Law " passed by the preceding body. At the time of its adoption, there was the most intense feeling throughout the State, the charge being made that it was in the interests of the Catholics. Among the general enactments were laws re-organizing the government of the State insti- tutions, which the previous Legislature had ordered according to their own belief to follow new doctrines. The office of Comptroller of the Treasury was abolished. The powers of municipal corporations to levy taxes was limited, and their authority to incur debts was limited. Furthermore, this body prohibited any municipal appropriations, unless the actual money was in the Treasury to meet
201
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
the same in full. A law was passed for the protection of children under fourteen years of age, exhibited in public shows.
The temperance cause received more vigorous and solid support than was ever rendered by the State previously. A common-sense, highly moral and exalted platform was formed and supported by many leading men.
This year witnessed the serious "strikes" among the miners in Stark and Wayne Counties. The consequences were painful-distress, riots and distruc- tion of property.
The State Mine Inspector reported 300 coal mines in the State, with only twenty-five in operation. Not over 3,000,000 tons of coal were raised during the year, owing to the dullness of the times.
The State charities reported the aggregate number under public care to be 29,508. The taxation for the maintenance of these classes was one and one six-hundredth of a mill on each dollar of taxable property.
The reports given of the year 1877 indicated a revival of business interests and prosperity. The State produced of wheat, 27,306,566 bushels ; rye, 914,106 bushels; buckwheat, 225,822 bushels; oats, 29,325,611; barley, 1,629,817 bushels ; corn, 101,884,305 bushels ; timothy, tons of hay, 2,160,334 ; clover, tons of hay, 286,265; flax, pounds of fiber, 7,343,294 ; potatoes, 10,504,278 bushels; sweet potatoes, 126,354} bushels; tobacco, 24,214,950 pounds ; sorghum, sugar, 7,507} pounds ; syrup, 1,180,255 gallons ; maple sugar, 1,625,215 pounds; maple syrup, 324,036 gallons ; honey, 1,534,902 pounds.
The year 1878 was marked by a more vigorous and combined effort of the people to entirely overcome the stagnation of business, the influence of the lethargy yet combating the awakened interest. This energy was amply rewarded in 1879, by a general dawning of the " good times " so ardently desired. New enterprises were instituted, manufactories erected, improvements carried on, and agriculture was successful. Before the year closed, the State was basking in the light of prosperity, and the year 1880 was ushered in when the confidence of the people was again a permanent incentive-confidence in the nation, their State, each in the other and themselves. The old-time crown of power, influence and integrity, which Ohio has earned, is conspicuous in this year of 1881. The jewels have been reset, and we confidently doubt not that their luster will remain undimmed intrusted to so faithful and so earnest a people.
202
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
POPULATION OF OHIO BY COUNTIES.
COUNTIES.
1820
1830
1840
1830
1860
1870
1880
The State
581434
937903
1519467
1980329
2339511
2665260
31980€2
1 Adams
10406
12281
13183
18983
20309
20750
24005
2. Allen ..
578
9079
12109
19185
23623
31314
3' Ashland.
7382
14584
23724
28767
31814
32517
37139
5 Athens
6338
9787
19109
18215
21364
23768
28411
6 Auglaize
20329
28827
30901
34600
36399
39714
49638
8! Brown
13356
17967
22715
27332
29958
80802
82911
9 Butler.
21746
27142
28173
30789
35840
39912
42579
10'Carroll
8479
12131
16721
19782
22693
24188
27817
12 Clark ..
9533
13114
16882
22178
25300
32070
41948
13 Clermont
15820
20466
23106
30455
33031
34269
36713
14 Clinton.
8085
11436
15719
18838
21461
21914
24756
15 Columbiana
22033
35592
40379
33621
32836
38299
48602
17 Crawford
6328
10373
26506
48099
78033
132010
196943
19 Darke .
3717
6204
13282
20276
26009
32278
40496
21 Delaware
7639
11504
22060
21817
23902
25175
27381
22 Erie
16633
24786
31924
30264
30538
31138
31284
24 Fayette
6316
8182
10984
12726
15935
17170
20364
25 Franklin
10292
14741
25049
42909
50361
63019
86797
26 Fulton
7099
9733
13444
17063
22043
25545
28124
10529
14801
17528
21946
26197
28038
31349
9292
18036
27748
30438
24474
23838
27197
81764
52317
80145
15684 !
216410
260370
819374
813
9986
16751
22886
23847
27784
14345
20916
20099
20157
19110
18682
20456
36 Highland
12308
16345
22269
25781
27773
29133
90281
38 Holmes
9135
18088
20452
20589
18177
20776
39'Huron
6675
13341
23933
26203
26616
28532
31609
40 Jackson
3746
5941
9744
12719
17941
21759
23686
41 Jefferson
18531
22489
25030
29133
26115
29188
93019
42 Knox
83:26
17085
13719
14654
15576
15935
16326
44 Lawrence
3499
5367
9738
15246
23249
31390
99068
45 Licking
11861
20869
35096
38846
3.011
35,56
40450
46; Logan
3181
6440
14015
19162
20996
23028
26267
47 Lorain
5696
18467
26086
29744
30308
35526
49 Lucas.
4799
6190
9025
10015
13015 25894
31001
42871 20565
3082
7560
18352
24441
22517
20092
21453
53|Meigs
4480
6158
11452
17971
26534
31465
32325
54 Mercer
1110
8:277
2712
14104
32740
3615S
56 Monroe
4645
8768
18521
28351
25741
25779
26496
57 Montgomery
15999
24362
31938
38218
52230
64006
78550
58| Morgan
5297
11800
20852
28585
22119
20363
20074
59|Morrow
17824
20334
38749
45049
44416
44886
49774
61 Noble
20751
19949
21138
62 Ottawa
161
1034
1766
4945
8544
13485
8429
13970
19344
20775
19678
18453
28218
65 Pickaway
4253
6024
7626
10953
13643
15447
17927
10095
188:26
22965
24419
24208
245S4
27500
69 Putnam
230
5189
7221
12808
17031
23713
70 Richland
9169
24006
30879
31158
32516
36306
71 Ross.
852
2851
10182
14305
21429
25503
32057
73 Scioto
5750
8740
11192
18428
24297
29302
33511
74 Seneca
5159
18128
27104
30868
30827
36947
75 Shelby
2106
3671
12154
13958
17493
20748
24137
76 Stark.
12406
26588
34603
39878
42978
52508
64031
78 Trumbull
15546
26153
38107
30490
30656
38659
44580
79 Tuscarawas
8328
14298
25631
31761
32463
33840
40199
80 Union
1996
3192
8422
12204
16507
18730
22375
81 Van Wert
49
1577
4793
10239
15823
23028
82 Vinton
17223
83 Warren
17837
21468
23141
25560
26902
26699
28392
84 Washington
10425
11731
20823
29540
36268
40609
43244
85 Wayne
11933
23333
35808
32981
32493
35116
40076
86| Williams
387
4465
8018
16633
20991
23821
87 Wood
733
1102
5357
9157
17896
24596
34022
88| Wyandot
11194
15596
18553
22395
7791
15813
16297
17827
15917
14190
14251
32 Hancock
210
4598
8251
13570
18714
27023
34 Harrison
262
2503
3434
8901
14028
20585
37|Hocking
2130
4008
9741
14119
17057
17925
21126
16 Coshocton
7086
11161
21590
25674
25032
23600
26612
4791
13152
18177
23881
25556
305$3
20 Defiance
6966
11886
15719
22515
12599
18568
24474
29183
32640
23 Fairfield
7781
14043
17789
21053
27 Gallia
28 Geauga.
29 Greene.
30 Guernsey
31 Hamilton
50 Mahoning
6551
14765
12618
15490
16184
17254
21808
55|Miami
8851
12807
19688
24999
29959
13364
19762
64 Perry
13149
16001
19725
21006
23469
24875
27415
67 Portage 68 Preble
10237
16291
19482
21736
21820
21809
24533
20619
24068
44532 27460
32074
35071
37097
40307
72 Sandusky
77 Summit
22560
27485
27344
34674
43788
60 Muskingum
20280
20445
18583
19072
2248
3308
7016
63 Paulding
29579
28872
27735
26333
27431
43 Lake
9382
12363
25831
46722
67377
49 Madison
15633
20129
23735
51 Marion
52 Medina
18108
17685
15:39
14491
16416
23813
22951
21933
23883
4'Ashtabula.
11339
17187
20041
25444
7 Belmont
11 Champaign
18 Cuyahoga
33 Hardin
35| Henry
66 Pike
9353
13631
15027
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES.
STATES AND TERRITORIES.
AREA IN SQUARE MILES.
MIL'S R. R. 1882.
STATES AND TERRITORIES.
AREA IN SQUARE MILES.
1870.
1880.
1882.
1870.
1880.
STATES.
STATES.
Alabama
50.722
996,992
1.262,505 1,802
Oregon
95,244
90,923
174,768
689
Arkansas ..
52,198
484,471
802,025 1,0±1
Pennsylvania
46,000|
3,521,791
4,282,891
6,690
California
188,981
560,247
864,694 2,266
Rhode Island.
1,306
217,353
276,531
211
Colorado
South Carolina.
29,385
705,606
995,577
1,483
Connecticut
4,674
537,454
958
Tennessee
45,600
1,258,520
1,542,359
1,973
Delaware
2,120
125,015
146,608
278
Texas
237,504
818,579
1,591,749
5,344
Florida
59,268
187,748
269,493
793
Vermont
10,212
330,551
332,286
915
Georgia
58,000
1,184,109
1,542,180 2,581
Virginia
40,904
1,225,163
1,512,565
2,193
Illinois
55,410
2,539,891
3,077,871 8,325
West Virginia
23,000
442,014
618,457
711
Indiana
33,809
1,680,637
1,978,301 4,764
Wisconsin
53,924
1,054,670
1,315,497
3,441
Iowa
55.045
1,191,792
1,624,6156,112
Kansas
81,318
364,399
996,096 3,718
Total States
1,950,171 38,113,253
Kentucky
37,600
1,321.011
1,648,690 1,714
TERRITORIES.
113,916
9,658
40,440
557
Maryland
11,184
780,894
934,943 1,047
Colorada
104,500
39,864
.........
Massachusetts
7,800
1,457,351
1,783,085 1,934
Dakota
147,490
14,181
135,177
1,638
Michigan
56,451
1,184,059
1,656,937 4,283
District of Columbia
60
131,700
177,624
. ..
Minnesota.
83,531
439,706
780,773 3,390
Idaho
90,932
14,999
32,610
265
Mississippi
47,156
827,922
1,131,597 1,231
Montana ..
143,776
20,595
39,159
231
Missouri
65,350
1,721,295
2,168,380 4,211
Utah
80,056
86,786
143,963
908
Nevada
112,090
42,491
452,402 2,310 62,266 890
Washington
69,944
23,955
75,116
479
New Hampshire.
9,280
318,300
346,991 1,025 1,131,116 1,753
Wyoming
93,107
9,118
20,789
533
New Jersey
8,320
906,096
5,082,871 6,278
North Carolina
50,704
1,071,361
1,399,750 1,619
Ohio
39,964
2,665,260
3,198,062 6,663
Aggregate of U. S ...
2,915,203 38,555,983 50,155,783
PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD. POPULATION AND AREA.
COUNTRIES.
POPULATION
DATE OF
CENSUS.
AREA OF SQUARE MILES.
CAPITALS.
POPU- LATION.
China
380,627,183
1881
4,413,788
Pekin
2,000,000
British India
254,899,516
1881
1,425,723
Calcutta
500,000
Russia ....
98,297,407
1879
8,387,816
St Petersburg (1881) ..
876,575
United States-with Alaska
50,442,066
1880
3,602,990
Washington
147,293
German Empire
45,234,061
1880
212,091
Berlin
1,122,360
Turkey
42,213.400
1881
2,396,692
Constantinople
800,000
Austria and Hungary France
37,405,240
1881
204,092
Paris
2,269,023
Japan
35,925,313
1879
148.700
Yeddo
200,000
Great Britain and Ireland
35,262,762
1881
120,879
London
4,764,312
Italy.
28,452,639
1881
114,296
Florence
169,000
Egypt
16,952,000
1875
1,406,250
Cairo
250,000
Spain
16,625,860
1877
182,750
Madrid
397,690
Mexico
10,025,649
1881
743,948
Mexico
315,996
Brazil
9,883,622
1872
3,287,963
Rio de Janiero
274,972
Persia
7,653,600
1881
610,000
'Teberan.
200,000
Sweden and Norway
6,497,245
1881
233,848
Stockholın
168,775
Belgium
5,519,844
1880
11,373
Brussels
350,000
Rouinania
5,290,000
1878
48,307
Bucharest
221,805
Portugal.
4,348,551
1878
Lisbon ...
246,343
Dominion of Canada
4,324,810
1881
3,470,392
Ottawa
27,412
Netherlands
Amsterdam
328,047 68,320
2,699,945
1876
503,718
101,438
Chili
2,223,434
207,350
387,081
Venezuela
2,075,245
1881
439,120
60,000
Denmark
1,969,039
1880
13,784 1,204,486
Buenos Ayres (1881).
289,925
Servia
1,700,211
1880
20,850 41,830
Santiago de Guatemala
55,728
Ecuador
1,006,137
1875
248,372
Quito ..
70,000
Liberia
1,050,000
14,300
Monrovia.
13,000
Hayti ..
800,000
10,204
22,000
San Salvador
554,785
1878
7,225
San Salvador
18,500
Uruguay
438,245
1880
73,538
Montevideo
73,353
Nicaragua
350,000
49,500
Managua
8,000
Honduras ..
350,000
39,600
Tegucigalpa.
12,000
San Domingo
300,000
1880
18,045
San Domingo
10,000
Costa Rica
180,000
26,040
San Jose.
2,500
Louisiana
41,346
7%6.915
939,946
999
Maine
31,776
626,915
648,936 1,021
Arizona
New Mexico ...
121,201
91,874
119,565
975
Nebraska
75,995
123,993
New York.
47,000
4,382,759
Total Territories ..
965,032
442,730
POPULATION.
POPULATION.
MIL'S
R. R.
Greece
1,979,305
1881
25,041
Athens
63,374
Copenhagen
234,850
Argentine Confederation
1 859,685
1869
Belgrade ...
27,000
Guatemala.
1,252,497
1881
12,648
Switzerland.
2,846,102
1880
15,992
Geneva
Peru
Lima
Bolivia
2,300,000
La Paz
Santiago
Caraccas
...
37,786,246
1880
240,942
Vienna
1,103,857
36,510
4,114,077
1881
Port au Prince
203
... .
194,327 2,274
622,700
204
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
COMMENTS UPON THE ORDINANCE OF 1787, FROM THE STATUTES OF OHIO, EDITED BY SALMON P. CHASE, AND PUB- LISHED IN THE YEAR 1833.
[It would be difficult to find a more comprehensive review of the founda- tions of our system of laws than is given in the "Preliminary Sketch of the History of Ohio," by this distinguished representative of the bench and the bar of America. The work is now out of print, and is not easily obtained; besides, its great author has passed away; so these extracts are made more with a view of preserving old historical literature, than of introducing new; furthermore, the masses of the people have never had convenient access to the volumes, which, for the most part, have been in the hands of professional men only. The publication of the work first brought its compiler before the public, and marked the beginning of that career which, during its course, shaped the financial system of our country, and ended upon the Supreme Bench of the nation.]
By the ordinance of 1785, Congress had executed in part the great national trust confided to it, by providing for the disposal of the public lands for the common good, and by prescribing the manner and terms of sale. By that of 1787, provision was made for successive forms of Territorial government, adapted to successive steps of advancement in the settlement of the Western country. It comprehended an intelligible system of law on the descent and conveyance of real property, and the transfer of personal goods. It also con- tained five articles of compact between the original States, and the people and States of the Territory, establishing certain great fundamental principles of governmental duty and private right, as the basis of all future constitutions and legislation, unalterable and indestructible, except by that final and common ruin, which, as it has overtaken all former systems of human polity, may yet overwhelm our American union. Never, probably, in the history of the world, did a measure of legislation so accurately fulfill, and yet so mightily exceed the anticipations of the legislators. The ordinance has been well described, as having been a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night, in the settlement and government of the Northwestern States. When the settlers went into the wilderness, they found the law already there. It was impressed upon the soil itself, while it yet bore up nothing but the forest. The purchaser of land became, by that act, a party to the compact, and bound by its perpetual cove- nants, so far as its conditions did not conflict with the terms of the cessions of the States.
* *
This remarkable instrument was the last gift of the Congress of the old confederation to the country, and it was a fit consummation of their glorious
207
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
labors. At the time of its promulgation, the Federal Constitution was under discussion in the convention; and in a few months, upon the organization of the new national government, that Congress was dissolved, never again to re-as- semble. Some, and indeed most of the principles established by the articles of compact are to be found in the plan of 1784. and in the various English and American bills of rights. Others, however, and these not the least important, are original. Of this number are the clauses in relation to contracts, to slavery and to Indians. On the whole, these articles contain what they profess to con- tain, the true theory of American liberty. The great principles promulgated by it are wholly and purely American. They are indeed the genuine princi- ples of freedom, unadulterated by that compromise with circumstances, the effects of which are visible in the constitution and history of the Union.
The first form of civil government, provided by the ordinance, was now formally established within the Territory. Under this form, the people had no concern in the business of government. The Governor and Judges derived their appointments at first from Congress, and after the adoption of the Fed- eral Constitution, from the President. The commission of the former officer was for the term of three years, unless sooner revoked; those of the latter were during good behavior. It was required that the Governor should reside within the Territory, and possess a freehold estate there, in one thousand acres of land. He had authority to appoint all officers of militia, below the rank of Generals, and all magistrates and civil officers, except the Judges and the Secretary of the Territory; to establish convenient divisions of the whole dis- trict for the execution of progress, to lay out those parts to which the Indian titles might be extinguished into counties and townships. The Judges, or any two of them, constituted a court with common law jurisdiction. It was neces- sary that each Judge should possess a freehold estate in the territory of five hundred acres. The whole legislative power which, however, extended only to the adoption of such laws of the original States as might be suited to the cir- cumstances of the country, was vested in the Governor and Judges. The laws adopted were to continue in force, unless disapproved by Congress, until re- pealed by the Legislature, which was afterward to be organized. It was the duty of the Secretary to preserve all acts and laws, public records and executive proceedings, and to transmit authentic copies to the Secretary of Congress every six months.
Such was the first government devised for the Northwestern Territory. It is obvious that its character, as beneficent or oppressive, depended entirely upon · the temper and disposition of those who administrated it. All power, legisla- tive, judicial and executive, was concentrated in the Governor and Judges, and in its exercise they were responsible only to the distant Federal head. The expenses of the Government were defrayed in part by the United States, but were principally drawn from the pockets of the people in the shape of fees.
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HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
This temporary system, however unfriendly as it seems to liberty, was, perhaps, so established upon sufficient reasons. The Federal Constitution had not then been adopted, and there were strong apprehensions that the people of the Territory might not be disposed to organize States and apply for admission into the Union. It was, therefore, a matter of policy so to frame the Territorial system as to create some strong motives to draw them into the Union, as States, in due time.
The first acts of Territorial legislation were passed at Marietta, then the only American settlement northwest of the Ohio. The Governor and Judges did not strictly confine themselves within the limits of their legislative author- ity, as prescribed by the ordinance. When they could not find laws of the original States suited to the condition of the country, they supplied the want by enactments of their own. The earliest laws, from 1788 to 1795, were all thus enacted. The laws of 1788 provided for the organization of the militia; for the establishment of inferior courts; for the punishment of crimes, and for the limitations of actions; prescribed the duties of ministerial officers; regu- lated marriages, and appointed oaths of office. That the Governor and Judges in the enactment of these laws, exceeded their authority, without the slightest disposition to abuse it, may be inferred from the fact that except two, which had been previously repealed, they were all confirmed by the first Territorial Legislature.
At this period there was no seat of government, properly called. The Governor resided at Cincinnati, but laws were passed whenever they seemed to be needed, and promulgated at any place where the Territorial legislators hap- pened to be assembled. Before the year of 1795, no laws were, strictly speak- ing, adopted. Most of them were framed by the Governor and Judges to answer particular public ends; while in the enactmant of others, including all the laws of 1792, the Secretary of the Territory discharged, under the author- ity of an act of Congress, the functions of the Governor. The earliest laws, as has been already stated, were published at Marietta. Of the remainder, a few were published at Vincennes, and the rest at Cincinnati.
In the year 1789, the first Congress passed an act recognizing the binding force of the ordinance of 1787, and adapting its provisions to the Federal Con- stitution. This act provided that the communications directed in the ordinance to be made to Congress or its officers, by the Governor, should thenceforth be made to the President, and that the authority to appoint with the consent of the Senate, and commission officers, before that time appointed and commis- sioned by Congress, should likewise be vested in that officer. It also gave the Territorial Secretary the power already mentioned, of acting in certain cases, in the place of the Governor. In 1792, Congress passed another act giving to the Governor and Judges authority to repeal, at their discretion, the laws by
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HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
them made; and enabling a single Judge of the general court, in the absence of his brethren, to hold the terms.
At this time the Judges appointed by the national Executive constituted the Supreme Court of the Territory. They were commissioned during good behavior; and their judicial jurisdiction extended over the whole region north- west of the Ohio. The court, thus constituted, was fixed at no certain place, and its process, civil and criminal, was returnable wheresoever it might be in the Territory. Inferior to this court were the County Courts of Common Pleas, and the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace. The former consisted of any number of Judges, not less than three nor more than seven, and had a general common-law jurisdiction, concurrent, in the respective counties, with that of the Supreme Court; the latter consisted of a number of Justices for each county, to be determined by the Governor, who were required to hold three terms in every year, and had a limited criminal jurisdiction. Single Judges of the Common Pleas, and single Justices of the Quarter Sessions, were also clothed with certain civil and criminal powers to be exercised out of court. Besides these courts, each county had a Judge of Probate, clothed with the ordinary jurisdiction of a Probate Court.
Such was the original constitution of courts and distribution of judicial power in the Northwestern Territory. The expenses of the system were de- frayed in part by the National Government, and in part by assessments upon the counties, but principally by fees, which were payable to every officer con- cerned in the administration of justice, from the Judges of the General Court downward.
In 1795, the Governor and Judges undertook to revise the Territorial lawe. and to establish a complete system of statutory jurisprudence, by adoptions from the laws of the original States, in strict conformity to the provisions of the ordinance. For this purpose they assembled at Cincinnati, in June, and continued in session until the latter part of August. The judiciary system un- derwent some changes. The General Court was fixed at Cincinnati and Marietta, and a Circuit Court was established with power to try, in the several counties, issues in fact depending before the superior tribunal, where alone causes could be finally decided. Orphans' Courts, too, were established, with jurisdiction analogous to but more extensive than that of a Judge of Probate. Laws were also adopted to regulate judgments and executions, for limitation of actions, for the distribution of intestate estates, and for many other general purposes. Finally, as if with a view to create some great reservoir, from which, whatever principles and powers had beer omitted in the particular acts, might be drawn according to the exigency of circumstances, the Governor and Judges adopted a law, providing that the common law of England and all general statutes in aid of the common law, prior to the fourth year of James I, should be in full force within the Territory. The law thus adopted was an act of the Virginia Legislature. passed before the Declaration of Independence, when Virginia was
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