powers equal, it will be necessary for the States of Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and South Carolina, so far to amend their acts as to permit the authorities therein granted to commence their operation at the time Congress shall begin to exercise them; yet still the powers granted by them and by the States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, and Georgia, are other. wise in such compliance with the recommendation, that, if the States of New Hampshire and North Carolina had conformed their acts to the said resolution, agreeable to the urgent recommendation of Congress of the 3d of March last, the powers therein requested might immediately begin to operate. The committee, however, are of opinion that the acts of the States of New Hampshire and North Carolina manifest so liberal a disposition to grant the necessary powers upon this subject, that their not having complied with the recommendation of March last must be attributed to other reasons than a disinclination in them to adopt measures similar to those of their sister States. The committee, therefore, conceive it unnecessary to detail to them the situation of our commerce, languishing under the most ruinous restrictions in foreign ports, or the benefits which must arise from the due and equal use of powers competent to its protection and support, by that body which can alone beneficially, safely, and effectually exercise the same." Whereupon,

Resolved, That it be again earnestly recommended to the Legislatures of the States of New Hampshire and North Carolina, at their next session, to reconsider their acts, and pass them in such conformity with the resolutions of the 30th April, 1784, as to enable, on their part, the United States in Congress assembled to exercise the powers thereby invested, as soon as possible.

Resolved, That, as the extent and duration of the powers to be exercised by the United States in Congress assembled, under the recom mendation above mentioned, ought to be equal, it be recommended to the Legislatures of Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and South Carolina, so far to amend their acts as to vest the powers therein contained for the term of fifteen years from the day on which Congress shall begin to exercise the same.

8. REMARKS ON PROCEEDINGS WHICH IMMEDIATELY LED TO THE FORMATION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

These extracts show the final efforts made by the Congress of the Con federation to obtain from the States an increase of power for the purposes

apparent in these proceedings. These exertions of the friends of liberty and the Union having proved unsuccessful, and having completely disclosed the incompetency of the Confederation to provide for the credit and the wants of the country, or to fulfil the duties and obligations of a general government, manifested the necessity for that radical change in the system, under whose powerful and benign influence the United States have arrived at their present condition of strength, prosperity, and happiness.

The active measures which immediately led to the accomplishment of this momentous object, appear to have commenced under the lead of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and through the patriotic zeal and sagacity of her eminent statesmen: justice, however, to the great State of New York, and to the distinguished individuals who, at that day, guided her councils, demands the insertion of the proceedings, which, it will be perceived, took place more than three years before those in Virginia, and point more clearly and directly to the necessity for adopting the present form of government than the resolutions of Virginia. The ostensible object of the latter appearing to have been, to vest the Congress of the Confederation with the power of regulating the general trade and commerce of the country. The act of Virginia, however, led to the meeting of the commissioners of several States at Annapolis, who, being thus assembled, availed themselves of the idea adopted by the State of New Jersey, and incorporated in the commissions to her deputies inserted in this chapter, "extending the powers of their deputies to other objects than those of commerce," being "an improvement on the original plan, and will deserve to be incorporated into that of a future convention," &c.

These facts prove, that the credit of producing the vital change in the government, which gave being to our glorious Constitution, does not belong to any particular State or individual, but resulted from the widespread conviction of the wise and honest men, and true patriots with whom the country was blessed at that critical and eventful period in its history, which will, no doubt, become more apparent on the completion of the fifth and sixth series of Colonel Force's documentary history of the Revolution.

The proceedings in New York, appearing to have been consequent upon the condition of affairs as indicated in a previous resolution of Congress, and responsive to it, the insertion of that resolution previous to those proceedings, appears necessary to its proper understanding.

9. IN THE CONGRESS OF THE CONFEDERATION.
WEDNESDAY, May 22, 1782.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Madison, Mr. Root, Mr. Lowell, Mr. Rutledge, and Mr. Clymer, to whom was referred a letter of the 17th, from the superintendent of finance, and who were instructed to confer with the said superintendent :

Resolved, That Mr. Rutledge and Mr. Clymer be appointed to repair forthwith to the several States southward of this, and Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Root to the States eastward; and that they be, and hereby are instructed to make such representations to the several States, as are best adapted to their respective circumstances and the present situation of public affairs, and as may induce them to carry the requisitions of Congress into effect with the greatest despatch: that they make the like representations to the State of Pennsylvania, before they leave this city, (Philadelphia:) that previous to their departure, they confer with the superintendent of finance, the secretary of war, and the secretary for foreign affairs, who are hereby directed to communicate to them such information from their respective departments as may be most conducive to the end proposed.

10. IN THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SUNDAY, JULY 21, 1782.

George Clinton, esq., Governor.

A copy of certain resolutions of the honorable the Senate, delivered by Mr. Paine, were read, and committed to a committee of the whole house, to be taken into consideration with the message of the honorable the Senate, of the 19th inst., on the state of the nation.

The house then resolved itself into a committee of the whole House, on the said resolutions, and the subject of the said message; and after some time spent thereon, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Clark, from the said committee, reported, that the committee had gone through the said resolutions without amendment, which he was directed to report to the House; and he delivered the said resolutions in at the table, where the same were again read, and in the words following, to wit, viz:

Resolved, That it appears to this Legislature, after full and solemn consideration of the several matters communicated by the hon. the committee of Congress, relating to the present posture of our affairs, foreign and domestic, and contained in a letter from the secretary for foreign affairs respecting the former, as well as of the representations from time to time made by the superintendent of the finances of the United States, relative to his particular department-that the situation of these States is in a peculiar manner critical, and affords the strongest reason to apprehend, from a continuance of the present Constitution of the Continental Government, a subversion of public credit, and consequences highly dangerous to the safety and independence of these States.

Resolved, That while this Legislature are convinced by the before-mentioned communications, that notwithstanding the generous intentions of an ally from whom we have experienced, and doubtless shall still experience, all possible support, exigencies may arise to prevent our receiving pecuniary succours hereafter, in any degree proportioned to our necessities. They are also convinced, from facts within their own knowledge, that the provisions made by the respective States for carrying on the war, are not only inadequate to the end, but must continue to be so, while there is an adherence to the principles which now direct the operation of public measures.

Resolved, That it is also the opinion of this Legislature, that the present plan instituted by Congress for the administration of their finances, is founded in wisdom and sound policy. That the salutary effects of it have already been felt in an extensive degree; and that after so many violent shocks sustained by the public credit, a failure in this system, for want of the support which the States are able to give, would be productive of evils too pernicious to be hazarded.

Resolved, That it appears to this Legislature, that the present British ministry, with a disposition not less hostile than that of their predecessors, taught by experience to avoid their errors, and assuming the appearance of moderation, are pursuing a scheme calculated to conciliate in Europe, and seduce in America. That the economical arrangements they appear to be adopting, are adopted to enlarging the credit of their government, and multiplying its resources, at the same time that they serve to confirm the prepossessions and confidence of the people; and that the plan of a defensive war on this continent, while they direct all their attention and resources to the augmentation of their navy, is that which may be productive of consequences ultimately dangerous to the United States.

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Legislature, that the present system of these States exposes the common cause to a precarious issue; and leaves us at the mercy of events over which we have no influence: a conduct extremely unwise in any nation, and at all times, and to a change of which we are impelled at this juncture, by reasons of peculiar and irresistible weight; and that it is the natural tendency of the weakness and disorders in our national measures, to spread diffidence and distrust among the people, and prepare their minds to receive the impressions the enemy wish to make.

Resolved, That the general state of European affairs, as far as they have come to the knowledge of this Legislature, affords, in their opinion, easonable ground of confidence, and assures us, that with judicious and

vigorous exertion on our part, we may rely on the final attainment of our object; but, far from justifying indifference and security, calls upon us by every motive of honor, good faith, and patriotism, without delay, to unite in some system more effectual, for producing energy, harmony, and consistency of measures, than that which now exists, and more capable of putting the common cause out of the reach of contingencies.

Resolved, That in the opinion of this Legislature, the radical source of most of our embarrassments, is the want of sufficient power in Congress, to effectuate that ready and perfect co-operation of the different States, on which their immediate safety and future happiness depend. That experience has demonstrated the Confederation to be defective in several essential points, particularly in not vesting the Federal Government either with a power of providing revenue for itself, or with ascertained and productive funds, secured by a sanction so solemn and general, as would inspire the fullest confidence in them, and make them a substantial basis of credit. That these defects ought to be without loss of time repaired; the powers of Congress extended, a solid security established for the payment of debts already incurred, and competent means provided for future credit, and for supplying the future demands of the war.

Resolved, That it appears evidently to this Legislature, that the annual income of these States, admitting the best means were adopted for drawing out their resources, would fall far short of the annual expenditure; and that there would be a large deficiency to be supplied on the credit of these States, which, if it should be inconvenient for those powers to afford, on whose friendship we justly rely, must be sought for from individuals, to engage whom to iend, satisfactory securities must be pledged for the punctual payment of interest, and the final redemption of the principal.

Resolved, That it appears to this Legislature, that the aforegoing important ends can never be attained by partial deliberations of the States separately; but that it is essential to the common welfare, that there should be, as soon as possible, a conference of the whole on the subject; and that it would be advisable for this purpose, to propose to Congress to recommend, and to each State to adopt the measure of assembling a general convention of the States, specially authorized to revise and amend the Confederation, reserving a right to the respective legislatures to ratify their determinations.

Resolved unanimously, That this House do concur with the honorable the Senate, in the said resolutions.

[Introduced and passed in Senate, on Saturday morning, July 20,

1782.)