Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/548

516 were the administration, that the expedition under Burgoyne, would be crowned with success.

On the 3d of December, the news of the victory of Saratoga reached England. Astonishment and dismay were the consequence; Lord North and the ministry were immediately attacked by the opposition. Profoundly mortified and vexed, the ministry endeavored to shift the blame from themselves to the commanders of the army in America. They asserted that they had done every thing which could be done, to warrant success, and deprecated condemnation without full inquiry. A temporary respite was obtained by the ministry, by the adjournment of Parliament to the 20th of January, 1778.

In a previous chapter we have spoken of the measures taken to effect a more solid and effective union of the various colonies, so as to enable Congress to act with vigor and efficiency. It was plain that something must be done, for Congress had no powers or rights, except in so far as the states chose to recognize them, by carrying out its resolves. As a government, it was certain that Congress could not efficiently discharge the duties expected from its position: inherent defects attached to the revolutionary government, and it was fast breaking down, as well from the want of executive authority over the people of the whole country, as from the futility of any federative union among sovereign states, which leaves the execution of the measures adopted in general council, to the separate members of the confederacy

Early in October, the approach of the British having compelled Congress to retire to Yorktown, the Articles of Confederation were taken up and discussed from day to day, until the middle of November. At that date, they were adopted for recommendation to the states, and the following circular letter was addressed to the several legislatures, urging their adoption. "Congress having agreed upon a plan of confederacy for securing the freedom, sovereignty, and independence of the United States, authentic copies are now transmitted for the consideration of the respective legislatures. The 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 inquiry and the fullest information, this is proposed as the best which could be adapted to the circumstances