For want of an uniform system of duties and imposts, [Footnote:  Each state regulated its own commerce.] and by conflicting commercial regulations in the different states, the commerce of the whole country was prostrated and well-nigh ruined....  Bankruptcy and distress were the rule rather than the exception....  The currency of the country had hardly a nominal value.  The states themselves were the objects of jealous hostility to each other....  In some of the states rebellion was already raising its horrid front, threatening the overthrow of all regular government and the inauguration or universal anarchy.” [Footnote:  Dr. J. H. McIlvaine in Princeton Review, October, 1861.  Read also Fiske’s Critical Period of American History, chapter IV.]

CHAPTER XIX.

THE ORIGIN OF THE CONSTITUTION.

“For several years efforts were made by some of our wisest and best patriots to procure an enlargement of the powers of the continental congress, but from the predominance of state jealousies, and the supposed incompatibility of state interests with each other, they all failed.  At length, however, it became apparent, that the confederation, being left without resources and without powers, must soon expire of its own debility.  It had not only lost all vigor, but it had ceased even to be respected.  It had approached the last stages of its decline; and the only question which remained was whether it should be left to a silent dissolution, or an attempt should be made to form a more efficient government before the great interests of the Union were buried beneath its ruins.” [Footnote:  Story]

Preliminary Movements.—­In 1785 a resolution was passed by the legislature of Massachusetts declaring the articles of confederation inadequate, and suggesting a convention of delegates from all the states to amend them.  No action, however, was taken.  In the same year commissioners from Virginia and Maryland met at Alexandria, Va., to arrange differences relative to the navigation of the Potomac, the Roanoke, and Chesapeake Bay.  The deliberations showed the necessity of having other states participate in the arrangement of a compact.  In 1786 the legislature of Virginia appointed commissioners “to meet such as might be appointed by the other states of the Union, ... to take into consideration the trade of the United States.”  Only four states accepted the invitation.  Commissioners from the five states met at Annapolis, and framed a report advising that the states appoint commissioners “to meet at Philadelphia on the second Monday in May next, to take into consideration the situation of the United States, to devise such further provisions as shall appear to them necessary to render the constitution of the federal government adequate to the exigencies of the Union.” [Footnote:  Elliot’s Debates] In accordance with this suggestion, congress passed a resolution, February 21, 1787, recommending that a convention of delegates, “who shall have been appointed by the several states, be held at Philadelphia, for the sole and express purpose of revising the articles of confederation.” [Footnote:  Elliott’s Debates]