When the Revolution began the states having claims to western lands at once put them forward, and New York also claimed a right to about one-half of the disputed territory.

Naturally, the states that had no claims to these lands had quite different views.
The Marylanders, for example, thought that the western lands should be regarded as national territory and used for the common benefit.

Maryland refused to join the Confederation until New York had ceded her claims to the United States, and Virginia had proposed a cession of the territory claimed by her.
[Sidenote: The states cede their claims to the United States.
_McMaster_, 159-160.] 175.

The Land Cessions .-- In 1784 Virginia gave up her claims to the land northwest of the Ohio River with the exception of certain large tracts which she reserved for her veteran soldiers.

Massachusetts ceded her claims in 1785.