Page:Cambridge Modern History Volume 7.djvu/338

 306 The Continental Congress. [1733 Committee of the States to sit during a recess, ascertain the sums ol money to be raised for the use of the United States, apply this money to public uses, borrow money, build and equip a navy, raise and equip armies, and establish rules for the disposition of prizes and captures made during war. The States were forbidden to tax the property of the United States, to send or receive embassies, to conclude treaties, or to lay duties on imports that would interfere with any stipulations in any treaty made by the United States. No State could keep a standing army or navy in time of peace, or fit out privateers or engage in war without the consent of Congress, or lay any restriction on the trade and commerce of another State not laid equally on its own citizens. In Congress each State had one vote; and the affirmative votes of nine States were necessary to enable Congress to pass any ordinance of importance. To amend the Articles of Confederation, the consent of each one of the thirteen States was required. Congress had no power to levy a tax of any kind, to regulate trade with foreign countries or between the States, or to compel obedience to its own ordinances. The defects of this system of government were many and great. In the first place the system of representation was bad. No thought was taken of the population. The immense State of Virginia, whose territory contained the homes of 700,000 human beings, was to have no more influence in the councils of the nation than the petty State of Rhode Island, which had less than 70,000 inhabitants. But this absolute equality of the States was more apparent than real, for Congress possessed no revenue ; and the burden of supporting the delegates was cast on those who sent them. As the charge was not light, a motive was at once created for preferring a representation of two to a repre- sentation of seven, or, indeed, for sending no delegates at all. While the war was still raging and the enemy marching and counter- marching within the borders of several States, a sense of fear kept up the number of delegates from each State to at least two. Indeed, some of the wealthier and more populous States often had as many as four Congress-men on the floor of the House. But the war was now over; the stimulus derived from the presence of a hostile army was withdrawn ; and both representation and attendance fell off fast. Delaware and Georgia ceased to be represented. From the ratification of the treaty to the organisation of the government under the Constitution six years elapsed ; and during those six years Congress, though entitled to ninety- one members, was rarely attended by so many as twenty-five. The House was repeatedly forced to adjourn day after day for want of a quorum. No occasion, however impressive or important, could produce a large attendance. Seven States, represented by twenty delegates, witnessed the resignation of Washington in 1783. Twenty-three members, sitting for eleven States, voted for the ratification of the treaty with Great Britain.