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 draw. ing 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, tó 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.J

I certify the preceding to be true copies of certain concurrent resolutions of the Senate and Assembly of this State, copied from the printed journal of the assembly in this office.

Albany, July 30, 1847.

ARCH'D. CAMPBELL, Dep. Sec. of State.

11. IN THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES OF THE STATE OF

VIRGINIA.

WEDNESDAY, 30TH NOVEMBER, 1785.

Mr. Alexander White reported, according to order, a resolution agreed to by the committee of the whole house on Monday last, respecting commerce; and he read the same in his place, and afterwards delivered it in at the clerk's table, where the same was again read, and is as followeth :

Whereas the relative situation of the United States has been found on trial to require uniformity in their commercial regulations, as the only effectual policy for obtaining in the ports of foreign nations a stipulation of privileges reciprocal to those enjoyed by the subjects of such nations in the ports of the United States, for preventing animosities which cannot fail to arise among the several States from the interference of partial and separate regulations; and whereas such uniformity can be best concerted and carried into effect by the federal councils, which, having been instituted for the purpose of managing the interests of the States in cases which cannot so well be provided for by measures individually pursued, ought to be invested with authority in this case, as being within the reason and policy of their institution:

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee, that the delegates representing this Commonwealth in Congress be instructed to propose in Congress a recommendation to the States in union to authorize that assembly to regulate their trade, on the following principles, and under the following qualifications:

1st. That the United States in Congress assembled be authorized to prohibit vessels belonging to any foreign nation from entering any of the ports thereof, or to impose any duties on such vessels and their cargoes which may be judged necessary; all such prohibitions and duties to be uniform throughout the United States, and the proceeds of the latter to De carried into the treasury of the State within which they shall accrue. 2d. That no State be at liberty to impose duties on any goods, wares,

or merchandise, imported by land or by water from any other State, but may altogether prohibit the importation from any State of any particular species or description of goods, wares, or merchandise, of which the importation is at the same time prohibited from all other places whatso

ever.

3d. That no act of Congress that may be authorized, as hereby proposed, shall be entered into by less than two-thirds of the confederated States, nor be in force longer than thirteen years.

A motion was made, and, the question being put to amend the resolution, by adding to the end thereof the following words, to wit: " unless continued by a like proportion of votes within one year immediately preceding the expiration of the said period, or be revived in like manner after the expiration thereof," it passed in the negative: ayes, 28; noes, 79.

On a motion made by Mr. Turberville, and seconded by Mr. Watkins,

Ordered, That the names of the ayes and noes, on the question to agree to the said amendment, be inserted in the journal.

And then the said resolution, being again read, was, on the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House.

Ordered, That Mr. Alexander White do carry the resolution to the Senate, and desire their concurrence.

THURSDAY, 1ST DECEMBER, 1785.

On a motion made to the following effect: that the resolutions reported from a committee of the whole house, and agreed to by the House on yesterday, containing instructions to the delegates of this Commonwealth in Congress, respecting commerce, does not, from a mistake, contain the sense of the majority of this House that voted for the said resolutions;

Ordered, therefore, That the direction to send the said resolution to the Senate for their concurrence be rescinded, and that this House do immediately resolve itself into a committee of the whole house, to reconsider the said resolution.

It was resolved in the affirmative: ayes, 60; noes, 33.

The House then accordingly resolved itself into a committee of the whole house on the said resolution; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Matthews reported that the said committee had, according to order, had the said resolution under their consideration, and had made several amendments thereto, which they

had directed him to report when the House should think proper to reeive the same.

Ordered, That the said report do lie on the table.

[With the same object in view, the General Assembly of Virginia eventually ursued a different course to attain it, as will be seen by the subjoined resolution.]

2. IN THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES OF THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.

21ST JANUARY, 1786.

Resolved, That Edmund Randolph, James Madison, junior, Walter Jones, Saint George Tucker, Meriwether Smith, David Ross, William Ronald, and George Mason, esquires, be appointed commissioners, who, or any five of whom, shall meet such commissioners as may be appointed by the other States in the Union, at a time and place to be agreed on, to take into consideration the trade of the United States; to examine the relative situations and trade of the said States; to consider how far an uniform system in their commercial regulations may be necessary to their common interest and their permanent harmony; and to report to the several States such an act relative to this great object, as, when unanimously ratified by them, will enable the United States in Congress assembled effectually to provide for the same: that the said commissioners shall immediately transmit to the several States copies of the preceding resolution, with a circular letter requesting their concurrence therein, and proposing a time and place for the meeting aforesaid.

Test:

1786, January 21st.

JOHN BECKLEY, C. H. D.

Agreed to by the Senate.

H. BROOKE, C. S.

By his excellency, Patrick Henry, esquire, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, it is hereby certified that John Beckley, the person subscribing the above resolve, is clerk of the House of I.. S.] Delegates, and that due faith and credit is, and ought to be, paid to all things done by him by virtue of his office. Given under my hand as Governor, and under the seal of the Commonwealth, at Richmond, the 6th day of July, 1786.

P. HENRY.

[Certain other of the States came readily into the measure proposed, and a meeting of commissioners took place at Annapolis, whose proceedings are stated in the following report.]

13. ANNAPOLIS, IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

SEPTEMBER 11, 1786.

At a meeting of commissioners from the States of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia:

Mr. Dickinson was unanimously elected chairman.

The commissioners produced their credentials from their respective States, which were read.

After a full communication of sentiments, and deliberate consideration of what would be proper to be done by the commissioners now assembled, it was unanimously agreed that a committee be appointed to prepare a draught of a report to be made to the States having commissioners attending at this meeting.

Adjourned till Wednesday morning.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1786.

Met agreeable to adjournment.

The committee appointed for that purpose reported the draught of the report; which being read, the meeting proceeded to the consideration thereof, and, after some time spent therein, adjourned till to-morrow morning.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1786.

Met agreeable to adjournment.

The meeting resumed the consideration of the draught of the report, and, after some time spent therein, and amendments made, the samo was unanimously agreed to, and is as follows, to wit:

To the honorable the Legislatures of Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, the commissioners from the said States, respectively, assembled at Annapolis, humbly beg leave to report: That, pursuant to their several appointments, they met at Annapolis, in the State of Maryland, on the 11th day of September instant, and