were treated, threatened the most alarming conse quences. The time seemed rapidly approaching when, to use the language of Washington, it would be a subject of "regret that so much blood and treasure have been lavished for no purpose, that so many suf ferings have been encountered without compensation, and that so many sacrifices have been made in vain.”

CHAPTER VII.

FORMATION OF THE CONSTITUTION.

In view of the defects of the Confederation, the necessity of a stronger government was apparent to most of the leading statesmen of the day. Quite a number were active and earnest in preparing the public mind for a change, but the two most prominent were James Madison and Alexander Hamilton.

Madison was the first to make a public movement in the right direction. In the spring of 1784 he became a candidate for a seat in the Legislature of Virginia, that if elected, he might influence that body to take some measures toward giving the country a government that would secure the freedom that had been so dearly purchased. He was elected, but found it difficult to make the desired impression. He found the majority exceedingly averse to any measures having a tendency to transfer power from the State to the United States.

He finally, after about two years labor, succeeded

in causing the legislature to pass the following resolu

tion:

"Resolved, That Messrs. Randolph, Madison, Jones, Tucker, and Lewis, be appointed Commissioners, who, or any of whom, shall meet such Commissioners as may be appointed by other States in the Union, to take into consideration the trade of the United States, to consider how far a uniform system in their commercial regulations may be necessary to their common interests and 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 effectually to provide for the same."

By the articles of confederation, Congress could not impose a tariff for revenue or for the protection of domestic industry. The evils resulting from this lack of

power had been so numerous and palpable, that Madison succeeded in securing the votes of a majority of his fellow legislators to the resolution above given. Had he proposed to them the formation of a new government, the plan of which was already clearly defined in his own mind, the proposition would doubtless have been voted down by an overwhelming majority. He knew the men with whom he was deal ing, and proceeded with the caution of wisdom.

Randolph, Tucker, and Madison attended the convention which met at Annapolis in September, 1786. Very little interest in the movement was felt by the

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people. Only five States were represented in the con vention, viz. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania Delaware, and Virginia.

Connecticut, Maryland, South Carolina, and Geor gia did not appoint delegates. New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and North Carolina appointed delegates, but they failed to attend the convention.

The friends of the Union as it ought to be, were everywhere active in urging the necessity of a reform. They seldom, if ever, advocated any thing more than such an amendment of the Articles of Confederation as would enable Congress to conduct national affairs in an efficient manner. Their arguments, assisted by the logic of events, began to have a perceptible influence on the public mind. During the interval between the appointment of delegates to the convention and the time of its meeting, there was an evident advance of public opinion in the desired direction. In consequence of this, the convention, under the lead of Madison and Hamilton, declined to enter upon the limited task assigned it, and recommended to Congress to call a convention with powers adequate to the occasion. The report containing this recommendation was drawn up by Alexander Hamilton. It proposed the appointment by the States, of commissioners to meet in Philadelphia, "to take into consideration the state of the United States, to devise

such further provisions as shall appear to them neces sary to render the Constitution of the Federal Government adequate to the exigencies of the Union, and to report such an act for that purpose to the United States, in Congress assembled, as when agreed to by them and afterwards confirmed by the legisla tures of every State, shall effectually provide for the

same."

This recommendation was first acted upon by the legislature of Virginia, by whom it received an unanimous approval. New York was the next State that moved in the matter. The legislature instructed its delegation in Congress to move a resolution recommending to the States the appointment of delegates to meet in convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Articles of Confederation.

On the 29th of February, 1787, a resolution was moved and carried in Congress, recommending a convention to meet in Philadelphia in May ensuing. Delegates were in due time appointed by all the States except Rhode Island.

The 14th of May was the day appointed for the opening of the convention. As only a small number of the delegates had arrived on that day, the convention did not open till the 25th of May. There were then present twenty-nine delegates from nine States. Other delegates soon came in till the whole number was fifty-five. This assembly is known in history

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