SERIOUS DEFECTS IN THIS FORM OF GOVERNMENT. 39

SERIOUS DEFECTS IN THIS FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

This confederation was formed in time of war, and under very unfavorable circumstances in many respects, hence upon trial, it soon became evident that the powers conferred upon the Continental Congress were inadequate to the legitimate objects of an effective national government. More especially was this manifested, when it became necessary to legislate upon matters relating to commerce and taxes.

There was a want of, or deficiency of coercive power in Congress. It had not the exclusive power to regulate commerce, to issue paper money, or to enforce the laws made, the rules adopted, or the orders given, and even several of the States began to exercise the sovereign, and absolute right of treating the recommendations of Congress with contempt.

By this political compact, the United States in Congress assembled had rights and powers, without being able to enforce them.

Another defect was in the mode of representation, which, before the adoption of the Constitution gave to each State an equal share of power, although some were ten times as important as others in population and value of property. The States had each an equal voice and share in the Union. The small State of Delaware for instance, had an equal vote and an equal influence in the National Council with Virginia, although Virginia had to pay for the support of the government, by reason of the number of its inhabitants and value of its property, nearly twelve times as much as Delaware.

The population of Delaware at this time was about 50,000 and its quota of taxes in requisition of Congress was $32,475, while Virginia had a population of 650,000 and its quota of taxes was $371,136. So also Rhode Island had a population of only 59,670, and her quota of taxes was only 46,764, while Massachusetts had a population of about 400,000, and her quota of taxes was $324,746, and yet their representatives and power in Congress were equal.

The original articles of confederation were found to be insufficient, and ineffectual in many other important particulars. Public credit could not be supported, collection of taxes could not be enforced, alliances could not be obtained, nor treaties preserved, and what was still more defective, hostilities between the States could not be prevented, nor insurrections among citizens.

In the spring of 1787 the nation seemed to be on the verge of bankruptcy. Congress had previously made a requisition upon the several States, for money to support, and carry on the government but only a few had responded. New York had paid more than her quota, Pennsylvania nearly all of hers, Connecticut and Delaware about one third of their quota, but many had paid comparatively nothing. The interest both on the foreign and domestic debt was rapidly accumulating.

The receipts of money paid into the federal treasury from Nov. 1st, 1781, to Nov. 1st, 1784, a period of three years was only $2,025,089.34 or about $642,000 per annum. For three years previous to 1787, the whole amount in specie paid into the federal treasury, did not exceed $1,400,000, being a little more than $400,000 per annum. The amount paid in, on these requisitions to carry on the government in 1786, was less than $200,000, and this came from two or three States; thus the receipts of the treasury were constantly decreasing, while the expenditures were increasing.

The foreign debt at this time was $7,000,000 and the interest coming due, and to be paid the early part of 1787, was as follows.

Interest on loans of the King of France,

66

$240,740

22,000

Certificates and foreign officers

In addition, there would fall due on principal sum and interest, payable during the year 1787, on French and Dutch loans, more than $1,000,000, makingin the aggregate $1,600,000 to pay in 1787, and about $1,000,000 annually thereafter, (on an average) for the next ten years on said loans, and then about $300,000 annually, for the next ten years thereafter. In addition to this, there was a large domestic debt, upon which interest was accruing, and the indebtedness increasing.

This was indeed a dark hour for the new Republic. Congress was powerless; she could make requisitions on the several States, but could not compel the payment of a farthing. "The GREAT CRISIS HAD ARRIVED when the people of these United States, by whose will, and for whose benefit, the federal government was instituted had to decide whether they would support their rank as a nation by maintaining the PUBLIC FAITH at home and abroad, or whether for want of a timely exertion in establishing a General Revenue, and thereby giving strength to the confederacy, they would hazard not only the existence of the UNION, but of those great and invaluable privileges, for which they have so arduously and so honorably contended."

Previous to this General Washington had addressed his circular letter to the Governors of the several States, urging them in the strongest language to comply with the requisition of Congress, and to preserve the public credit. Many of the States had attempted to do this, but they were impoverished by the continued drain on the people. The war had been long and expensive, the entire cost being estimated at one hundred and thirty millions of dollars, exclusive of certain losses of forty millions more.

By reason of this state of affairs in Febuary 1787 a resolution was offered in Congress, that on the second Monday of May fol

42

CONVENTION OF DELEGATES.

lowing, a convention of delegates, who should be appointed by the several States be held at Philadelphia, for the sole purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation, and reporting to Congress, and the several legislatures, such alterations and provisions therein, as the exigencies of the government

required.

In May 1787, the delegates from all the States presented themselves, excepting from New Hampshire and Rhode Island. They were not represented. Washington was chosen president of the convention, and for upwards of four months it continued with closed doors, and it was not till August 6th, 1787, that the committee which had been appointed for that purpose reported a rough draft of the constitution, and finally on the 15th of September 1787, after a warm and lengthy debate, and after many amendments and revisions, a Constitution was adopted.