Existing comment:
The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union
1776 to 1780
"Each state in the confederacy is an independent sovereignty."
-- Ezra Stiles, 1783
The Articles of Confederation answered critical and timely questions. Who would govern in the place of King and Parliament? How did political theory translate into practical government? Where should power be located? Over and over again, except in foreign affairs, the Articles gave the same response. The states, not the national government, possessed the real authority to govern.
The Elbridge Gerry copy of the second printed draft:
Printed in August 1776 by John Dunlap and David Claypoole, in Philadelphia
The notations made by Massachusetts Congressman, Elbridge Gerry, remind us of the give year struggle to complete the Articles of Confederation. Debate on the first draft began on July 22, 1776, but more pressing matters soon pushed the Articles from congressional agendas. Not until November 17, 1777, did the states finally get a document for review. Multiple disagreements delayed final ratification for over three more years, until March 1, 1781. |