My condensed Northwest Ordinance:
For the purpose of this website, sections C and E are the most pertinent and are highlighted.
1. This land should be one territory but can become two later.
2. Criteria for inheritance and mentions dower rights. Michigan, unlike California, is a dower-rights state. (No 50-50 split in divorces)
3. Rules for a Governor.
4. Rules for a Secretary
5. Establishing Laws
6. Militia
7. Civil officers of counties and townships
8. Civil and Criminal law
9. Election of Representatives.
10. Replacement of Representatives
11. State House of Representatives
12. Taking oath and sitting, but not voting, in Congress.
13. Right to become a State.
14. forever remain unalterable, unless by common consent,
A. No person, demeaning himself in a peaceable and orderly manner, shall ever be molested on account of his mode of worship or religious sentiments, in the said territory. (Yes you can mention Christ in a public school).
B. habeas corpus
C. Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged. (Yes you can post the Ten Commandants in a school)
D. The said territory, and the States which may be formed therein, shall forever remain a part of this Confederacy of the United States of America
E. Boundaries of at least 3 possibly 5 states to be created from this Territory. (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin)
F. Free not slave states.
From Article: Ordinances
From Heading: Geography and the City of Grand Rapids
From Website: MyGrandRapids.info