greatest number, it was proposed in the Congress, that the respective states should appoint commissioners to meet in convention at Annapolis, Maryland, in September, 1786, for the purpose of agreeing upon some amendments to the articles of confederation-to effect a firm and a practicable government. There were present at this convention, representatives from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia. The commissioners appointed by the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and North Carolina, did not attend. The states of Connecticut, Maryland, South Carolina, and Georgia, did not appoint commissioners. The convention could not do anything; but it proposed to the Congress, the convening of another, to meet in 1787, at Philadelphia. In February, 1787, Congress adopted a resolution, requesting the states to appoint commissioners, to meet at Philadelphia in the succeeding May, "for the sole and express purpose of revising the articles of confederation, and reporting to Congress and the several legislatures, such alterations and provisions therein, as shall, when agreed to in Congress, and confirmed by the states, render the federal constitution adequate to the exigencies of government, and the preservation of the Union."

In conformity with this resolution, all the states, except Rhode Island, appointed delegates to meet in the proposed convention. This state declined to take any part in the affair. It was a component part of the confederation; and it was not inclined to disturb that national compact. On the 29th of May, 1787, the convention assembled in Philadelphia: George Washington,

a delegate from Virginia, was elected president. The object of meeting was fully declared in the resolution passed by Congress, and repeated in the respective letters of appointment. It was, "to revise and amend the articles of confederation." Early after the assembling of the delegates, the idea of revising the articles was abandoned, and the convention proceeded to frame a constitution for the organisation of a new government, and the establishment of a consolidated nation. The confederation had proved to be a failure; and the articles forming it could not be amended so as to make it effective. All seemed to admit the necessity of a constitutional government, with powers and means to maintain itself, and not to be dependent upon the respective states for the ratification of its own enactments. How to effect this desideratum was a question most difficult to solve. The convention, however, was composed of men who were patriots and statesmen-men who could see the wants of the people, the necessity of protecting and permanently establishing the liberty achieved by the hard-fought battles of the revolution, and that the prosperity of all the colonies or states depended upon their unity of interests, action, affection, and glory. How to attain the great end desired—namely, a nation-an American nation-engaged the serious thoughts of every delegate. Confident that their constituencies would appreciate the result of their labours, they determined to deviate from their instructions, and frame a government, which, in their opinion, would be more conducive to the welfare of each and of the whole. The states were sovereign and independent, except so far as

they had delegated authority to the confederation; and whether or not they would ever consent to surrender or delegate further power to a general government, was a question that could only be determined upon its submis. sion to the popular consideration. The delegates had faith in the wisdom and discretion of the people, and that they would be willing to surrender or delegate to the national government all needful powers to effect its successful continuance and permanency, not only for and during their own natural lives, but for their posteritynot for an era or for a century only, but for all time-not for the then existing people only, but for generations unborn. It was not to be a confederation, as of the cantons of Switzerland, or as that of the duchies and sovereignties of Germany; but they contemplated the formation of a nation, to be united, prosperous, and happy. They wished to establish a temple of freedom-as complete a republican structure as was possible to come from the genius of man.

ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF 1787.

The convention continued in session four months; and, on the 17th day of September, 1787, the following organic national instrument was adopted :

CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America.

ARTICLE I.-Section 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall

be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Section 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states, and the electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature. No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained to the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen.

Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The number of representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least one representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the state of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.

When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker and other officers; and shall have the sole power of impeachment.

Section 3. The senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof, for six years; and each senator shall have one vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes. The seats of the senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year, of the second class at the expiration of the fourth year, and of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one-third may be chosen every second year;

and if vacancies happen, by resignation or otherwise, during the recess of the legislature of any state, the executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies.

No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall be chosen.

The vice-president of the United States shall be president of the senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.

The senate shall choose their other officers, and also a president pro tempore, in the absence of the vice-president, or when he shall exercise the office of president of the United States.

The senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the president of the United States is tried, the chief justice shall preside. And no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present.

Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honour, trust, or profit under the United States; but the party convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment, according to law.

Section 4. The times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time, by law, make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

Section 5. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorised to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as each house may provide.

Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behaviour, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member.

Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time