ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION: A Proverbial Second Look

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Hi Group

 

Key dates under Review:

 

Thursday, November 13, 1777 @ a moment estimated 4:30 upto 5:00 pm

(References: Scroll down this message and read primary sources)

 

Saturday, November 15, 1777 @ a moment estimated 2:00 upto 2:30pm

 

The 13th was the adoption in principle of the ARTICLES

 

The 15th was the adoption of the finished text of the ARTICLES

 

I have attached no reference sources for the 15th. This date, as you know, was the choice of David Solte and his much commented upon Scorpionic America rectified for 12:46 pm.

 

To believe Solte's time moment choice one must believe that Congress on this Saturday took a ""3 hour"" dinner break, since the Chairman's order to the delegates to adjourn for dinner and to promptly return to start at 4:00 pm can hardly be interpreted as otherwise. This Solte interpretation stretches all credulity. This adoption of the text was the last item on the early session's agenda. THREE HOURS.....please...

 

But, of course, Solte had his astrological reasons, predictive success. etc. I leave it to the group to make of the data what they will.

 

But more importantly is Elbridge Gerry's letter (below) to be seen in its proper context: Letters of the delegates all, like Gerry, refer to the moment of closure on November 13th...the 15th appears to be just the dependent engineering of the momentous Thursday agreement. And undoubtedly some will be reminded of the events of July 2nd & 4th, 1776. Try as one may to view it otherwise ... Voted agreement to the substance of the mundane event trumps voted agreement on the letter of the text following from that event.

 

Personally I remain as unpersuaded by July 4th as I am now, having conducted this brief review, by November 15th.

 

Check it all out and make up your own mind.... but of course

 

 

Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 8 September 19, 1777 - January 31, 1778Elbridge Gerry to James Warren

My dear sir York in Pennsylvania, November. 13. 1777

 

We have this Evening finished the Confederacy, & it will be shortly sent to the several States for their Consideration.(2)

 

Note (2) This day Congress appointed a committee "to revise and arrange the Articles of Confederation agreed to, and to prepare a circular letter to the respective states to accompany the said articles." JCC, 9:900.

 

Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 8 September 19, 1777 - January 31, 1778Pennsylvania Delegates to Thomas Wharton

Sir York Town November. 13th. 1777

We have the happiness to inform the State that Confederation has this Evening passed Congress, but have it not in our power as yet to communicate it, as the several articles tho agreed to are not arranged in the order they are to appear, which we hope will be effected tomorrow, as they are committed for that purpose, and to have it in our power very soon to lay them before the State, therefore we ardently wish a full representation of the State may be convened to receive them, and that a Determination upon them may be speedy, as the ratification in our opinion is of infinite importance to the Independance of America. We are respectfully, Sir, Yr. most obt & very huml Servts. Wm Clingan Daniel Roberdeau

 

Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 8 September 19, 1777 - January 31, 1778Richard Henry Lee to Samuel Adams

Dear Sir, York the 15th of November. 1777

 

We have at length finished the Confederation and shall send it to the different States in a few days with strong exortation to give it quick consideration and speedy return

 

1 Congress approved the Articles of Confederation this day and ordered 300 copies to be printed. Two days later it also approved a circular letter of transmittal to the states, but printed texts of the Articles were not available for submission to the states until almost the end of November. See JCC, 9:907-28, 932-35; and William Williams to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., November 28, 1777.

 

Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 8 September 19, 1777 - January 31, 1778John Penn to Timothy Matlack

Dear Sir, York Town, November 16th, 1777. I have not a word on the subject of news worth communicating, unless, that we have gone through the confederation, it will be sent to Lancaster to be printed as soon as possible.

 

The committee appointed to arrange the articles of confederation, and prepare a circular letter to accompany it to the several states, brought in the following draught:

In Congress, York Town, 17 November, 1777

Congress having agreed upon a plan of confederacy for securing the freedom, sovereignty, and independence of the United States, authentie copies are now transmitted for the consideration of the respective legislatures.

 

 

 

Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1777

Early Session concluded. Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.

Commencing @ Four o'Clock p. m.(Here below)

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to revise and arrange the articles of confederation as amended and passed agreed to, and to prepare a circular letter to the respective states to accompany the said articles:

The members chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. [James] Duane, and Mr. [James] Lovell.

& par;The several matters to this day referred, being postponed, & par;

Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1777

The committee appointed to arrange the articles of confederation, and prepare a circular letter to accompany it to the several states, brought in the following draught:

In Congress, York Town, 17 November, 1777

Congress having agreed upon a plan of confederacy for securing the freedom, sovereignty, and independence of the United States, authenticated copies are now transmitted for the consideration of the respective legislatures.

This business, equally intricate and important, has, in its progress, been attended with uncommon embarrassments and delay, which the most anxious solicitude and persevering diligence could not prevent. To form a permanent union, accommodated to the opinion and wishes of the delegates of so many states, differing in habits, produce, commerce, and internal police, was found to be a work which nothing but time and reflection, conspiring with a disposition to conciliate, could mature and accomplish.

Hardly is it to be expected that any plan, in the variety of provisions essential to our union, should exactly correspond with the maxims and political views of every particular State. Let it be remarked, that, after the most, careful enquiry and the fullest information, this is proposed as the best which could be adapted to the circumstances of all; and as that alone which affords any tolerable prospect of a general ratification.

Permit us, then, earnestly to recommend these articles to the immediate and dispassionate attention of the legislatures of the respective states. Let them be candidly reviewed under a sense of the difficulty of combining in one general system the various sentiments and interests of a continent divided into so many sovereign and independent communities, under a conviction of the absolute necessity of uniting all our councils and all our strength, to maintain and defend our common liberties: let them be examined with a liberality becoming brethren and fellow-citizens surrounded by the same imminent dangers, contending for the same illustrious prize, and deeply interested in being forever bound and connected together by ties the most intimate and indissoluble; and finally, let them be adjusted with the temper and

magnanimity of wise and patriotic legislators, who, while they are concerned for the prosperity of their own more immediate circle, are capable of rising superior to local attachments, when they may be incompatible with the safety, happiness, and glory of the general Confederacy.

We have reason to regret the time which has elapsed in preparing this plan for consideration: with additional solicitude we look forward to that which must be necessarily spent before it can be ratified. Every motive loudly calls upon us to hasten its conclusion.

More than any other consideration, it will confound our foreign enemies, defeat the flagitious practices of the disaffected, strengthen and confirm our friends, support our public credit, restore the value of our money, enable us to maintain our fleets and armies, and add weight and respect to our councils at home, and to our treaties abroad.

In short, this salutary measure can no longer be deferred it seems essential to our very existence as a free people, and without it we may soon be constrained to bid adieu to independence, to liberty and safety; blessings which, from the justice of our cause, and the favour of our Almighty Creator visibly manifested in our protection, we have reason to expect, if, in an humble dependence on his divine providence, we strenuously exert the means which are placed in our power.

To conclude, if the legislature of any State shall not be assembled, Congress recommend to the executive authority to convene it without delay; and to each respective legislature it is recommended to invest its delegates with competent powers ultimately in the name and behalf of the state to articles of confederation and perpetual union of the United States; and to attend Congress for that purpose on or before theday of

On motion to fill up the blanks with "first" and "May," or as much sooner as possible

{table}

So it passed in the negative.

It was then moved to fill the first blank with "tenth," and second & par;with & par; "March next," and the question being put,

Resolved in the affirmative.

It was moved, to add after "next" these words "if practicable;"

{table}

So it passed in the negative.

The letter being agreed to,

Ordered, That thirteen copies be made out, signed by the president, and forwarded to the several states, with copies of the confederation.

Adjourned to 4 o'Clock.

Four O'Clock, p. m.

Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 8 September 19, 1777 - January 31, 1778William Williams to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr.

Hond & dear Sir York 28 Nov 1777 I wrote you somtime since that the Plan of Confederation was finished, after revising, correcting & c it was sent to Lancaster to be printed & is just returnd.

 

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