Union, but of those great and invaluable privileges for which they have so arduously and honorably contended."

This report was adopted, and by resolutions the subject of raising revenue was again communicated to the several States. Under these proceedings in Congress, the States, at different times, took various and inharmonious action. On the 3d of March, 1786, the subject was again before Congress, and further recommendation made by that body in favor of action by the States. On the 23d of October of the same year, Congress had before it the subject of the action of the States upon its recommendations, and again solicited united action. But nothing was accomplished by these various proceedings except to arouse public attention to the necessity of making, at an early day, such changes as would secure the revenue necessary for the exigencies of the government. The public mind was deeply impressed with the necessity of promptly adopting measures to remedy existing evils.

4. In 1786, several States, made recommendations similar to those adopted by New-York in 1782, which resulted in the appointment of delegates from New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia, who met at Annapolis on the 11th of September, 1786, to consider and recommend such changes in the articles of confederation as ought to be made. But five of the thirteen States were represented. Those present recommended the call of a

general convention of delegates from each of the States, to meet at Philadelphia on the second Monday of the following May, clothed with ample powers to adopt and recommend to the consideration of Congress and the States provisions adequate to the exigencies of the Union. The proceedings of this meeting were communicated to Congress.

On the 21st of February, 1787, Congress proceeded to consider the subject, when the following resolutions were adopted:

5." Whereas, There is provision in the articles of confederation and perpetual union for making alterations therein, by the assent of a Congress of the United States, and of the legislatures of the several States; and whereas, experience hath evinced that there are defects in the present confederation, as a means to remedy which several of the States, and particularly the State of New-York, by express instructions to their delegates in Congress, have suggested a convention for the purposes expressed in the following resolution; and such convention appearing to be the most probable means of establishing in these States a firm national government: "Resolved, That, in the opinion of Congress, it is expedient that on the second Monday in May next a convention of delegates, who shall have been ap pointed by the several States, be held at Philadelphia, for the sole and express purpose of revising the articles of confederation, and reporting to Congress and the several legislatures such alterations

and provisions therein as shall, when agreed to in Congress, and confirmed by the States, render the federal constitution adequate to the exigencies of government and the preservation of the Union."

6. In pursuance of this resolution delegates were elected by the several States, and convened at Philadelphia on the 14th of May, 1787. GEORGE WASHINGTON was elected President. Six of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, to wit, ROGER SHERMAN, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, ROBERT MORRIS, GEORGE CLYMER, JAMES WILSON, and GEORGE READ, appeared as delegates and took part in its proceedings. The convention completed its labors on the 17th of September, 1787, and reported the constitution agreed upon to Congress. That body approved the constitution which had been prepared, and recommended it to the favorable consideration of the several States, who, after severe contests, adopted it. Several of them accompanied their approval with recommendations of amendments designed to avoid misconstruction, and others to limit the powers which might otherwise be claimed by the new government under the constitution.

The convention encountered, in framing the constitution, many difficulties growing out of diversity of soil, climate, and pursuits. These occasioned local and distinct interests difficult to reconcile or harmonize. Some delegates favored a strong government, and others, one with limited authority, reserving to the States the great mass of powers.

Some desired a splendid, and others a plain government. Some sought to diminish State powers to a very considerable extent, and others preferred their retaining most of those they then possessed, confer ring upon the confederacy only such as were absolutely necessary for carrying on the confederation. Some desired a president and senate for life, and others wished to confine both to short periods of service. Many feared that the language used in the constitution might be so construed as to change the meaning of the instrument, and, in practice, the form of the government. Some feared that the powers reserved to the States were too numerous and broad, and might eventually cripple the federal government; others were apprehensive that the new government might eventually deprive the States of their essential powers and reduce them to utter insignificance. These and similar subjects formed the staple of contests in the States on the question of the adoption of the constitution.

7. Under that instrument, as originally framed, powers larger than those now deemed authorized could have been claimed with plausibility, though not upon good ground. In the proceedings on its adoption in New-York, Virginia, and Massachusetts, these States demanded the speedy ratification of sundry amendments which would more clearly define and limit the powers of the federal government. These were made soon after its adoption, and constitute the first ten of the amendments found in the constitution. Under

the government thus established, we have become a rich and powerful people, and, until recently, a contented and happy community of States.

We propose now to give an account of the powers, duties, and restrictions contained in the constitution, the officers created under it, and a sketch of their duties.