Chapter VI

1783-1787.

DECAY AND FAILURE OF THE CONFEDERATION.--PROGRESS OF
OPINION.--STEPS WHICH LED TO THE CONVENTION OF
1787.--INFLUENCE AND EXERTIONS OF HAMILTON.--MEETING OF THE
CONVENTION.

The Federal Power under the Confederation unequal to the
Discharge of its Duties 328

The Confederation destitute of Political Sovereignty 329

Capacities of the Country 330

Difficulties in the Formation of a Federal Constitution 331

Progress of Opinion upon the Subject of a General
Government 332, 333

Important Centres of Opinion 334

Action of Massachusetts 334

Distress pervading the Commercial Classes 334, 335

Governor Bowdoin's Message 336

The Legislature recommend a General Convention 336, 337

Their Delegates in Congress refuse to present the Resolves 337

Congress desire only a Temporary Power over Commerce 337

Jealousy in Congress of the Changes likely to be made in the
Government 338

The Legislature of Massachusetts rescind their Resolutions 339

Condition of Congress in 1785 339

Action of Virginia 340

Proposed Enlargement of the Powers of Congress over Trade 340

Difficulties between the Citizens of Virginia and Maryland 341

Meeting at Alexandria 341

Report of the Commissioners of Virginia and Maryland to their
Governments 342

Virginia invites a Meeting of Commissioners from all the
States at Annapolis 343

Action of New York 343

Final Appeal by Congress for the Establishment of the Revenue
System of 1783 344

Exertions of Hamilton 345

The Revenue System again rejected by the New York Legislature 346

Commissioners appointed by New York to attend the Commercial
Convention 346

Course of New York upon the Revenue System 346

Five States only represented at Annapolis 347

Hamilton's Original Plan, and its Modification 347, 348

His Report 348

He desires an entirely New System of Government 349

Caution in his Proposal 350

His extensive Views 350

Reception of the Recommendation of the Annapolis Commissioners
in Virginia 351

Objections to it in Congress 352-355

Report of the Commissioners taken into Consideration 355

Opinions of different Members upon the Subject 355

Legal Difficulties in the Way of a Convention 356

Views entertained in Congress 357

Critical State of the Country 357, 358

It impels Congress to Action 358

Influence of the Course of New York upon Congress 358, 359

Their Delegation instructed to move a Convention 360

Failure of this Proposition 360

Adoption of a Resolve proposed by the Massachusetts Members
for the same Purpose 361

Mode of Amendment recommended by Congress 362

Importance of this Action of Congress 362

Dangers of Inaction 363

Importance of the Sanction of the Old Government, in the
Formation of a new one 364

Hamilton's Wisdom 365

Reason for not intrusting the Revision of the System of
Government to Congress 365, 366

Powers of the Convention not defined by Congress 367

Nature of the Crisis 368

Danger of an Attempt to establish Monarchical Government 369

Washington's Opinions 370, 371

Other Difficulties attending the Revision of the Federal
System 371

Sectional Jealousy and its Causes 371, 372

New Idea of a Union 372, 373

Prevailing Feeling among Statesmen concerning the Convention 373

Hamilton fully equal to the Demands of the Crisis 373, 374

Assembling of the Convention 374

Novelty of their Undertaking 374, 375

State of Political Science in Modern Europe 375

The Results of English Liberty 376, 377

French Discussions 377, 378

The English Constitution an imperfect Guide 378

Nature of the Problem 379