66

"conduct to the executive authority of the state in "which the troops are, and shall be liable to be suspended thereby. The expenses of the troops so to "be raised shall be defrayed by the state to which "they belong; but when called into service by the "United States, they shall be fed and paid at the expense of the United States."A

66

Passed in the negative. Two ayes, nine noes,

12. In the first line of the eighth article strike out "charges of war and all other."

Passed in the negative. Two ayes, eight noes, one divided.

13. In the same article strike out 66 according to "such mode as the United States in Congress assem"bled shall from time to time direct and appoint;" and instead "and improvements thereon shall be esti"mated," read "and improvements thereon shall, by

periods of years not exceeding ten, as often as may "be required by Congress, be generally estimated by "persons to be appointed by the legislatures of the respective states to value the same upon oath."

66

66

Passed in the negative. Two ayes, nine noes.

14. In the first paragraph of article ninth, strike out appointing courts for the trial of piracies and felo"nies committed on the high seas," and in lieu thereof insert" declaring what acts committed on the high seas "shall be deemed piracies or felonies."

Passed in the negative. Two ayes, nine noes.

15. In the second paragraph of the ninth article, for "be the last resort on appeal," read "decide and "determine," and strike out all that relates to the mode

of settling differences between states and controversies concerning private right of soil.

Passed in the negative. Two ayes, nine noes.

16. In the fifth paragraph of the ninth article, after the words "in any term" strike out "three," and insert "two."

Passed in the negative. Three ayes, seven noes, one divided.

17. In the sixth paragraph of the ninth article, for "unless nine states," read "unless eleven states." Passed in the negative. Two ayes, nine noes. 18. At the end of the same paragraph, strike out the words "in Congress assembled."

Passed in the negative. One ay, ten noes.

19. In the last paragraph of the ninth article, after the words "and the yeas and nays of the delegates of "each state on," for "any" read "every," and strike out the words "when it is desired by any delegate."

Passed in the negative. Two ayes, nine noes.

20. In the same sentence, strike out "a state or," and also "at his or their request," and after the words "and the" insert "respective states or the," and after "shall," insert" upon requisition."

Passed in the negative. One ay, ten noes.

21. Amend the last clause of the thirteenth article, so as to read "unless such alteration be agreed to by "eleven of the United States in Congress assembled, "and be afterwards confirmed by the legislatures of "eleven of the United States."

Passed in the negative. Three ayes, six noes, two divided.

The delegate from Georgia, being called on, informed Congress that he has not yet received any instructions or orders from his constituents respecting the articles of confederation; but that his state having shown so much readiness to ratify them, even in an imperfect state, and it being so much for their interest that the confederation should be ratified, he had no doubt of their agreeing to the articles as they now stand.

Delaware and North Carolina, not having delegates present in Congress, no report was received from them, saving what is contained in Governour Caswell's letter informing that the legislature of North Carolina have agreed to the articles of confederation.

Ordered, That a committee of three be appointed to prepare the form of a ratification of the articles of confederation.

The members chosen-Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. G. Morris, and Mr. Dana.

Adjourned to 10 o'clock to-morrow.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 1778.

The committee appointed to prepare the form of a ratification of the articles of confederation brought in a draft, which was agreed to as follows:

To all to whom these presents shall come.

We, the delegates of the states affixed to our names, send greeting.

Whereas the delegates of the United States of America in Congress assembled did, on the fifteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven, and in the second year of the independence of America, agree to certain articles of confederation and perpetual union between the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, in the words following, namely,

ARTICLE I.

The style of this confederacy shall be, THE UNITED

STATES OF AMERICA.

ARTICLE II.

Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every power, jurisdiction and right which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States in Congress assembled.

ARTICLE III.

The said states hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defence, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare; binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretence whatever.

ARTICLE IV.

The better to secure and perpetuate mutual friendship and intercourse among the people of the different states in this union, the free inhabitants of each of these states, paupers, vagabonds and fugitives from justice excepted, shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several states; and the people of each state shall have free ingress and regress to and from any other state; and shall enjoy