In July 1787, Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, formally organizing the entire Northwest Territory under United States control, and prohibited the taking of Indian lands "without their consent." Months later, in October 1787, Congress responded to the United Indian Nations' letter by directing the governor of the new Northwest Territory, General Arthur St. Clair, to "re-establish peace and harmony" with native nations. Congress took no further action in 1787, because it was engrossed in the debate over the proposed US Constitution. The confederacy assembled on the Maumee River in Autumn 1787 to consider a U.S. reply, but as they had not yet received one, they adjourned.