Land Ordinance of 1785 You can read the whole thing for yourself.
(American Revolution 1776-1782) (Articles of Confederation 1778-1789)
My condensed version:
I have numbered the paragraphs!
The Land Ordinance of 1785 established the uniform methods of surveying US lands.
1. Congress decides.
2. The Geographer of the United States supervises the surveyors
3. A surveyor is appointed for each state.
3. continued: A surveyor has a chain carrier under him. (Chain is a unit of measure equaling 66 feet)
4.The surveyors divide territory into townships of six miles square, by lines
running
due north and south, and others crossing these at right angles as practicable
considering Indian lands.
5. Surveyors allowed $2.00 a mile for expenses.
6. The first line running north and south shall begin on the river
Ohio, at a point due north from the
extension of the southern boundary of the state of Pennsylvania;
6. Con't: The first line running east and west shall begin at the same point,
and shall extend throughout the whole
territory.
6. Con't: The geographer shall number townships progressively from south to
north, always beginning with No. 1;
and the ranges shall be distinguished by their progressive numbers to the
westward.
6. Con't: The first range extending from the Ohio to the lake Erie, being marked No. 1.
7. The lines shall be measured with a chain; (66 feet)
shall be plainly marked by chaps on the trees,
and exactly described on a plat,
whereon shall be noted by the surveyor, at their proper distances all mines,
salt
springs, salt licks and mill seats, that shall come to his knowledge,
and all water courses, mountains, and other remarkable and permanent
things, over or near which such lines shall pass, and also the quantity of the
lands.
8. The plats of the townships shall be marked by subdivision
into sections of one mile square, or 640 acres, in the same direction as the
external lines, and numbered from 1 to 36. (in order like a snake)
9. Pay attention to the magnetic needle
10. Bound reports to the Secretary of the Treasury
10. Con't: Bound reports to the Secretary of War (for bounty land warrants-not fully complied with, see Ohio)
11. Instructions on sale of land
12. The US shall reserve sections 8, 11, 26, 29. Also one third part of all gold, silver, lead and copper mines
There shall be reserved the lot No. 16 of every
township, for
the maintenance of public schools within the said township.
The wording for land patents.
From Article: Ordinances
From Heading: Geography and the City of Grand Rapids
From Website: MyGrandRapids.info