1818 Michigan Territory General Assembly Referendum
The 1818 Michigan Territory general assembly referendum was held in the Territory of Michigan to determine whether a majority of the territory's Freehold (law), freeholders favored the creation of a general legislative assembly to replace the system of governors and judges in effect at the time, as provided for by the Northwest Ordinance. The election was called by Territorial Governor Lewis Cass, and results showed a majority opposed changing the system of government. Background The Northwest Ordinance outlined three stages of government for the Northwest Territory. The first stage consisted of a governor, a secretary, and three judges; the governor and judges together formed the legislative branch of government. The second stage called for a general assembly comprising the territorial governor, an elected house of representatives, and a five-person legislative council; this stage was to be instituted when the territory contained 5000 "free male inhabitants of full age" an ...
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