THE TOLEDO STRIP 1832 - 1837 Purpose: Provide insight into “Toledo Strip” post offices and people - events that led to their establishment. Importance: Establishment of postal service in “Toledo Strip” developed in response to economic social, and political sentiments of area. “Strip” development was important key in further Northwest Territory development. Background: 1787 Northwest Ordinance set boundaries for 5 states to be formed from Northwest Territory. One border of area to become Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan was set as line from southern most point of Lake Michigan east to Lake Erie. Gaining statehood in 1803 Ohio’s northwestern border was described in their constitution and approved by U.S. Congress as a line from “southern end of Lake Michigan to northern cape of the Miami Bay.” (Maumee Bay) From 1803 to 1834 Michigan exercised authority over 468 square Depot MT 12/1/1823 - 10/6/1825 miles between Northwest Ordinance line and line outlined set down in Ohio Constitution. Ohio paid little attention to area because of Port Lawrence, MT #1 10/7/1825 - 01/07/1834 remoteness and separation from rest of state by Great Black Swamp. Temainsville, MT 01/07/1834 - 08/8/1853 During this time period eight communities developed as Michigan Port Lawrence, MT #2 01/08/1834 - 1/08/1835 communities as Ohio did not care. Six of eight are represented in this exhibit. There are no known covers from “Depot” and the only Vistula, MT 01/08/1834 - 1/08/1835 known “Vistula” cover is in University of Michigan Library. Toledo, MT 01/09/1835 - Present Whiteford, MT 06/02/1835 - 2/12/1859 PORT LAWRENCE #1, MICHIGAN TERRITORY October 7, 1825 to January 6, 1834 Manhattan, MT 02/08/1836 - 3/04/1858 As trade increased, a canal system was planned, and mouth of Miami River (Maumee) was a logical canal terminus. As area was claimed by two entities that would greatly benefit from canal ending in their territory years of legal maneuvering ensued. Dispute effected various aspects of daily life including postal service. Mail handled in disputed territory often showed political sentiments of local postmaster by cancelation ap- plied. Dispute also caused confusion by postmasters Oldest known surviving cover from “Toledo Strip” Dispute ended in 1837 when Dated 12 January 1832 it is clearly marked Mic. Ty.. Proceeding main period of controversy, post- Ohio received “Strip” and master of this time period was B. F. Stickney who helped build Toledo. This office was established Michigan was given Upper as a Michigan Territory PO. No “Ohio” markings known from this office. Peninsula as a consolation. Letter written by employee, of Lewis Godard of Detroit, selling general goods. Just arrived in area and writing home. He was also employed locally by B. F. Stickneyto clear his property of trees and build a dock over the Maumee River. Exhibit Highlights Exhibit Plan Oldest known cover from “Toledo Strip Area” Background on events causing confusion. Earliest known use of “Straight Line” Toledo, O cancel Post offices will be discussed by date of establishment. One of 3 Port Lawrence #2 cover known and only one of 2 in Postal items from each office will be shown by date. private hands Earliest known “Toledo, Ohio” postmark On page with cover brief background of author of letter or Latest known use of “Straight Line” Toledo M.T. cancel and postmaster accepting it. one of 2 in private hands. Toledo Strip History Dispute centered on two documents. Northwest Ordinance of 1787 passed by Second Continental Congress and Ohio Constitution approved by United States Congress becoming law February 19, 1803. Copy of first page of 1787 document with relevant language enlarged. Text in purple deals with Ohio - Michigan border. Note: Language does not specify “Due” East-West Art. 5. There shall be formed in the said territory, not less than three nor more than five States; and the boundaries of the States, as soon as Virginia shall alter her act of cession, and consent to the same, shall become fixed and established as follows, to wit: The western State in the said territory, shall be bounded by the Mississippi, the Ohio, and Wabash Rivers; a direct line drawn from the Wabash and Post Vincents, due North, to the territorial line between the United States and Canada; and, by the said territorial line, to the Lake of the Woods and Mississippi. The middle State shall be bounded by the said direct line, the Wabash from Post Vincents to the Ohio, by the Ohio, by a direct line, drawn due north from the mouth of the Great Miami, to the said territorial line, and by the said territorial line. The eastern State shall be bounded by the last mentioned direct line, the Ohio, Pennsylvania, and the said territorial line: Provided, however, and it is further understood and declared, that the boundaries of these three States shall be subject so far to be altered, that, if Congress shall hereafter find it expedient, they shall have authority to form one or two States in that part of the said territory which lies north of an east and west line drawn through the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan. And, whenever any of the said States shall have sixty thousand free inhabitants therein, such State shall be admitted, by its delegates, into the Congress of the United States, on an equal footing with the original States in all respects whatever, and shall be at liberty to form a permanent constitution and State government: Provided, the constitution and government so to be formed, shall be republican, and in conformity to the principles contained in these articles; and, so far as it can be consistent with the general interest of the confederacy, such admission shall be allowed at an earlier period, and when there may be a less number of free inhabitants in the State than sixty thousand. Ohio’s Constitution, approved by 7th Congress outlined boundaries . This superseded 1787 Ordinance. 1803 Ohio Constitution page with relevant language enlarged. Text in purple deals with Ohio - Michigan border. Note: Language DOES specify a “Due” East - West line and if line falls east of Miami River (Maumee River known as Miami of the North in 1803) then line shall extend to “northerly cape” of Miami Bay. Article VII BOUNDARIES OF THE STATE. sec 6. That the limits and boundaries of this State be ascertained, it is declared that they are as hereafter mentioned; that is to say: bounded on the east by the Pennsylvania line; on the south by the Ohio River to the mouth of the Great Miami, aforesaid; and on the north by an east and west line and drawn through the southerly extreme of Lake Michigan, running east, after intersecting the due north line, aforesaid, from the mouth of the Great Miami until it shall intersect Lake Erie or the territorial line, and thence with the same, through Lake Erie, to the Pennsylvania line aforesaid; provided always, and it is hereby fully understood and declared by this convention, that if the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan should extend so far south, that a line drawn due east from it should not intersect Lake Erie, or if it should intersect the said Lake Erie, east of the mouth of the Miami River of the Lake, then in the case, with the assent of Congress of the United States, the northern boundary of this State shall be established by, and extended to a direct line running from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan to the most northerly cape of the Miami Bay, after intersecting the due north line from the mouth of the Great Miami River as aforesaid, thence northeast to the territorial line, and, by the said territorial line to the Pennsylvania line. David H. Burr was topographer for U.S. Post Office Department 1832–38. Also geographer to House of Representatives in 1838–47. Information from postmasters about transportation routes—post roads, railroads, and canals— and location of post offices was used to produce a set of state and regional maps. Published in 1839 by firm of John Arrowsmith, The Harris Line or Ohio’s The Fulton Line or The Northwest Constitutional Border Ordinance’s prescribed boundary. Toledo Strip History Northwest Territory was north of Ohio River, east of Mississippi River, west of Pennsylvania as shown right. England ceded area to U.S. in Treaty of Paris 1783. Became first territory established by congress in Northwest Ordinance of 1787. Division caused a political conflict known as “Toledo War” Territorial development prompted, conflicts in postal system, a border dispute, Michigan was given Upper Peninsula, a 1937 Northwest Territory commemorative and two Ohio Statehood commemorative stamps. Toledo Strip Port Lawrence, Michigan Territory PORT LAWRENCE #1, MICHIGAN TERRITORY October 7, 1823 to January 6, 1834 Route: Port Lawrence-Lower Sandusky-Cleveland-Lockport Port Lawrence #1 Contractor: #1451 Detroit-Lower Sandusky Rate: Effective May 1, 1816 Manuscript Postal marking of Port Lawrence M T May27th. (1833) Heading of letter from Samuel J. Keeler places letter as being mailed 1n 1833. Addressed to John Van Pelt in New York City. Letter is advising Van Pelt that Keeler has sold his land for $200 and requests Van Pelt forward a deed to Keeler. Toledo Strip Tremainsville, Michigan Territory January 7, 1834 to August 8, 1853 Route: Tremainsville-Toledo-Lower Sandusky-Cleveland- Lockport Tremainsville Contractor: #1451 Detroit-Lower Sandusky Rate: Effective May 1, 1816 Tremainsville established when B.F. Stickney moved Port Lawrence #1 office to the banks of the Maumee. This letter is written by an I.M. Brown to his wife.