According to the four Organic Laws of the United States of America, Federal power is confined to the territory and other property belonging to the United States of America.
The Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776 extinguished the royal power but left the proprietary power over the King's property (now property of the original United States in Congress assembled).
The Articles of Confederation of November 15, 1777 created the Confederacy, the United States of America.
The Northwest Ordinance of July 13, 1787 created a temporary government for the Northwest Territory.
The Constitution of September 17, 1787 is both a revision of the Articles of Confederation and a permanent form of the temporary government set out in the Northwest Ordinance.