Final answer:
The residents of the Northwest Territory petitioned for statehood and representation in Congress in 1796, as aligned with the provisions of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which also set a precedent for governance and the prohibition of slavery in the new territories. The correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The residents of the Northwest Territory hoped to gain statehood and representation in Congress with their petition of 1796. This ambition was in line with the guidelines outlined in the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which already had established a path to statehood for territories. According to the Ordinance, once a territory's population exceeded 60,000, it could draft a constitution that must forbid slavery, uphold religious freedom, and then apply for statehood.
The Northwest Ordinance was a monumental piece of legislation that not only prohibited slavery in the territory but also provided for the establishment of basic freedoms and rights for its settlers. It paved the way for new states to join the Union and prevented the extension of slavery to these new northern states.
The passage of the Northwest Ordinance thus signified Congressional authority over the expansion into western territories and set a precedent for future governance and territorial organization.