"The local government bowled along merrily under this system.

There was the greatest abundance of government, for the more the United States neglected them the more authority their officials assumed."* Nor could the ordinance operate until settlers became numerous.

It was partly, indeed, to hasten settlement that the Ordinance of 1785 for the survey and sale of the public lands was passed.** * Jacob Piat Dunn, Jr., "Indiana: A Redemption from Slavery," 1888.
** Although the machinery was set in motion, by the appointment of men and the beginning of work, it was not until 1789 that the survey of the first seven ranges of townships was completed and the land offered for sale.
In the meantime efforts were being made by Congress to improve the unsatisfactory ordinance for the government of the West.

Committees were appointed, reports were made, and at intervals of weeks or months the subject was considered.

Some amendments were actually adopted, but Congress, notoriously inefficient, hesitated to undertake a fundamental revision of the ordinance.