Nathan Dane
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nathan Dane (December 29, 1752 – February 15, 1835) was an American lawyer and statesman who represented Massachusetts in the Congress of the Confederation from 1785 through 1788. Dane helped formulate the Northwest Ordinance while in Congress, and introduced an amendment to the ordinance prohibiting slavery in the territory, actions that would have tremendous impact on the future of the United States.[1]
Dane was born at Ipswich in Essex County, Massachusetts. After graduating from Harvard in 1778 he taught school and read for the law. He was admitted to the bar and set up a legal practice in Beverly in 1782. That same year he entered elected office in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Dane served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1782 to 1785, and the Confederation Congress from 1787 to 1788, where he helped draft and pass the Northwest Ordinance, which encouraged American settlers into the Northwest Territory and formed the basis of the Constitutions of the five states there: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. He was then sent to the Massachusetts State Senate from 1790 to 1791 and again from 1794 to 1797. In 1794 he served on a commission that reviewed and codified the laws of Massachusetts.
His participation in the Hartford Convention during the War of 1812 damaged his reputation, although Dane saw himself as a voice of moderation at the Convention who did not have any secessionist intentions.[2]
Dane died at home in Beverly and was buried in the Central Cemetery there. Dane County, Wisconsin was named in his honor.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Dane, Nathan, 1752-1835
- ^ George Dargo. "Dane, Nathan". American National Biography Online February 2000.
[edit] Further reading
- Johnson, Andrew J. The Life and Constitutional Thought of Nathan Dane. New York: Garland, 1987. ISBN 0-8240-8277-X
