Drafted principally by Thomas Jefferson, with assistance from David Howell of Rhode Island and Jeremiah Townley Chase of Maryland, the Ordinance of 1784 was adopted by the Confederation Congress by a 22–2 vote on April 23, 1784. It established a framework for dividing the western territory into future states, providing for temporary governments and eventual admission into the Union on an equal footing with the original states.

Thomas Jefferson's Letter on the Missouri Compromise April 22, 1820

Original Draft of the Declaration of Independence

Jefferson's 1808 State of the Union

Jefferson's 1807 State of the Union

Jefferson's 1806 State of the Union

Jefferson's 1805 State of the Union

Jefferson's Second Inaugural Address

Jefferson's 1804 State of the Union

A SUMMARY VIEW OF THE RIGHTS OF BRITISH AMERICA — Thomas Jefferson