Final answer:
After a territory had at least 5,000 free white men, it could form an elected legislature. Once the population exceeded 60,000, it could draft a constitution protecting certain rights and apply for statehood.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the criteria under the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 for a territory to be eligible to become a state. According to the provisions of the ordinance, once a territory had at least 5,000 free white men living in it, it could establish its own elected legislature, although the governor would still be appointed by Congress. This step was seen as an intermediate stage towards full statehood. Further population growth to more than 60,000 white male inhabitants would then allow the territory to draft a constitution, which needed to uphold certain rights like the forbiddance of slavery and the protection of religious freedom, and thereafter, the territory could apply for statehood, a status granted by Congress. It seems like your question is referencing a historical or legal context, but it lacks specific details. The requirement of having a certain number of free white men to live in an area might be associated with various historical events or legal provisions. To provide a more accurate answer, could you please provide additional information or context about the specific time period, location, or historical event you're referring to?