Historical Documents

of the United States of America

The Articles Of Confederation And Perpetual Union ~ 1777

Passed 15 November 1777
    Initial Ratification 04 March 1778
    Final Ratification 01 March 1781

 

     Although it declared the intention to be independent, and itemized all of the grievances against the King and Parliament, the Unanimous Declaration Of The Thirteen United States Of America, aka the Declaration Of Independence, was simply that: a declaration of intent. The actual progression toward independence was initiated through the composition and passage of the Articles Of Confederation And Perpetual Union.
     During the session of Friday, 07 June 1776, the delegates meeting in the Second Continental Congress passed "Certain resolutions respecting independency":

 

     Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.
 
     That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.
 
     That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.
From Journals Of The Continental Congress 1774-1789, Volume V, 1906, Government Printing Office, Page 425.

 

      A transcription of the Articles Of Confederation And Perpetual Union, after all changes had been discussed and made to the document:

 

     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.
 
     Article 1. The stile of this confederacy shall be "The United States of America."
 
     Article 2. 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 3. The said states hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other for their common defense, 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 pretense whatever.
 
     Article 4. 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 therein all the privileges of trade and commerce, subject to the same duties, impositions, and restrictions, as the inhabitants thereof respectively; provided, that such restrictions shall not extend so far as to prevent the removal of property, imported into any State, to any other State of which the owner is an inhabitant; provided also, that no imposition, duties or restriction, shall be laid by any State, on the property of the United States, or either of them.
 
     If any person guilty of, or charged with, treason, felony, or other high misdemeanor in any State, shall flee from justice and be found in any of the United States, he shall, upon demand of the governor or executive power of the State from which he fled, be delivered up and removed to the State having jurisdiction of his offense.
 
     Full faith and credit shall be given in each of these states to the records, acts, and judicial proceedings of the courts and magistrates of every other State.
 
     Article 5. For the most convenient management of the general interests of the United States, delegates shall be annually appointed, in such manner as the legislature of each State shall direct, to meet in Congress, on the 1st Monday in November in every year, with a power reserved to each State to recal its delegates, or any of them, at any time within the year, and to send others in their stead for the remainder of the year.
 
     No State shall be represented in Congress by less than two, nor by more than seven members; and no person shall be capable of being a delegate for more than three years in any term of six years; nor shall any person, being a delegate, be capable of holding any office under the United States, for which he, or any other for his benefit, receives any salary, fees or emolument of any kind.
 
     Each State shall maintain its own delegates in a meeting of the states, and while they act as members of the committee of the states.
 
     In determining questions in the United States, in Congress assembled, each State shall have one vote.
 
     Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Congress: and the members of Congress shall be protected in their persons from arrests or imprisonments, during the time of their going to and from, and attendence on Congress, except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace.
 
     Article 6. No State, without the consent of the United States, in Congress assembled, shall send any embassy to, or receive any embassy from, or enter into any conference, agreement, alliance, or treaty with any king, prince or state; nor shall any person, holding any office of profit or trust under the United States, or any of them, accept any present, emolument, office or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince or foreign state; nor shall the United States, in Congress assembled, or any of them, grant any title of nobility.
 
     No two or more States shall enter into any treaty, confederation, or alliance, whatever, between them, without the consent of the United States, in Congress assembled, specifying accurately the purposes for which the same is to be entered into, and how long it shall continue.
 
     No State shall lay any imposts or duties which may interfere with any stipulations in treaties entered into by the United States, in Congress assembled, with any king, prince, or state, in pursuance of any treaties already proposed by Congress to the courts of France and Spain.
 
     No vessel of war shall be kept up in time of peace by any State, except such number only as shall be deemed necessary by the United States, in Congress assembled, for the defense of such State or its trade; nor shall any body of forces be kept up by any State, in time of peace, except such number only as, in the judgement of the United States, in Congress assembled, shall be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the defense of such State; but every State shall always keep up a well regulated and disciplined militia, sufficiently armed and accoutered, and shall provide, and constantly have ready for use, in public stores, a due number of field pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of arms, ammunition and camp equipage.
 
     No State shall engage in any war without the consent of the United States, in Congress assembled, unless such State be actually invaded by enemies, or shall have received certain advice of a resolution being formed by some nation of Indians to invade such State, and the danger is so imminent as not to admit of a delay till the United States, in Congress assembled, can be consulted; nor shall any State grant commissions to any ships or vessels of war, nor letters of marque or reprisal, except it be after a declaration of war by the United States, in Congress assembled, and then only against the kingdom or state, and the subjects thereof, against which war has been so declared, and under such regulations as shall be established by the United States, in Congress assembled, unless such State be infested by pirates, in which case vessels of war may be fitted out for that occasion, and kept so long as the danger shall continue, or until the United States, in Congress assembled, shall determine otherwise.
 
     Article 7. When land forces are raised by any State for the common defense, all officers of or under the rank of colonel, shall be appointed by the legislature of each State respectively, by whom such forces shall be raised, or in such manner as such State shall direct; and all vacancies shall be filled up by the State which first made the appointment.
 
     Article 8. All charges of war and all other expences, that shall be incurred for the common defence or general welfare, and allowed by the United States, in Congress assembled, shall be defrayed out of a common treasury, which shall be supplied by the several states, in proportion to the value of all land within each State, granted or surveyed for any person, as such land and the buildings and improvements thereon shall be estimated according to such mode as the United States, in Congress assembled, shall, from time to time, direct and appoint.
 
     The taxes for paying that proportion shall be laid and levied by the authority and direction of the legislatures of the several States, within the time agreed upon by the United States, in Congress assembled.
 
     Article 9. The United States, in Congress assembled, shall have the sole and exclusive right and power of determining on peace and war, except in the cases mentioned in the 6th article; of sending and receiving ambassadors; entering into treaties and alliances, provided that no treaty of commerce shall be made, whereby the legislative power of the respective states shall be restrained from imposing such imposts and duties on foreigners as their own people are subjected to, or from prohibiting the exportation or importation of any species of goods or commodities whatsoever; of establishing rules for deciding, in all cases, what captures on land or water shall be legal, and in what manner prizes, taken by land or naval forces in the service of the United States, shall be divided or appropriated; of granting letters of marque and reprisal in times of peace; appointing courts for the trial of piracies and felonies commited on the high seas, and establishing courts for receiving and determining, finally, appeals in all cases of captures; provided, that no member of Congress shall be appointed a judge of any of the said courts.
 
     The United States, in Congress assembled, shall also be the last resort on appeal in all disputes and differences now subsisting, or that hereafter may arise between two or more states concerning boundary, jurisdiction or any other causes whatever; which authority shall always be exercised in the manner following: whenever the legislative or executive authority, or lawful agent of any State, in controversy with another, shall present a petition to Congress, stating the matter in question, and praying for a hearing, notice thereof shall be given, by order of Congress, to the legislative or executive authority of the other State in controversy, and a day assigned for the appearance of the parties by their lawful agents, who shall then be directed to appoint, by joint consent, commissioners or judges to constitute a court for hearing and determining the matter in question; but, if they cannot agree, Congress shall name three persons out of each of the United States, and from the list of such persons each party shall alternately strike out one, the petitioners beginning, until the number shall be reduced to thirteen; and from that number not less than seven, nor more than nine names, as Congress shall direct, shall, in the presence of Congress, be drawn out by lot, and the persons whose names shall be so drawn, or any five of them, shall be commissioners or judges to hear and finally determine the controversy, so always as a major part of the judges who shall hear the cause shall agree in the determination; and if either party shall neglect to attend at the day appointed, without shewing reasons which Congress shall judge sufficient, or, being present, shall refuse to strike, the Congress shall proceed to nominate three persons out of each State, and the secretary of Congress shall strike in behalf of such party absent or refusing; and the judgement and sentence of the court to be appointed, in the manner before prescribed, shall be final and conclusive; and if any of the parties shall refuse to submit to the authority of such court, or to appear or defend their claim or cause, the court shall nevertheless proceed to pronounce sentence or judgement, which shall, in like manner, be final and decisive, the judgement or sentence and other proceedings being, in either case, transmitted to Congress, and lodged among the acts of Congress for the security of the parties concerned: provided, that every commissioner, before he sits in judgement, shall take an oath, to be administered by one of the judges of the supreme or superior court of the State where the cause shall be tried, “well and truly to hear and determine the matter in question, according to the best of his judgement, without favour, affection or hope of reward:” provided, also, that no State shall be deprived of territory for the benefit of the United States.
 
     All controversies concerning the private right of soil, claimed under different grants of two or more states, whose jurisdictions, as they may respect such lands and the states which passed such grants, are adjusted, the said grants, or either of them, being at the same time claimed to have originated antecedent to such settlement of jurisdiction, shall, on the petition of either party to the Congress of the United States, be finally determined, as near as may be, in the same manner as is before presecribed for deciding disputes respecting territorial jurisdiction between different states.
 
     The United States, in Congress assembled, shall also have the sole and exclusive right and power of regulating the alloy and value of coin struck by their own authority, or by that of the respective states; fixing the standard of weights and measures throughout the United States; regulating the trade and managing all affairs with the Indians, not members of any of the states, provided that the legislative right of any State within its own limits be not infringed or violated; establishing or regulating post offices from one State to another throughout all the United States, and exacting such postage on the papers passing through the same as may be requisite to defray the expences of the said office; appointing all officers of the land forces in the service of the United States, excepting regimental officers; appointing all the officers of the naval forces, and commissioning all officers whatever in the service of the United States; making rules for the government and regulation of the said land and naval forces, and directing their operations.
 
     The United States, in Congress assembled, shall have authority to appoint a committee to sit in the recess of Congress, to be denominated “a Committee of the States,” and to consist of one delegate from each State, and to appoint such other committees and civil officers as may be necessary for managing the general affairs of the United States, under their direction; to appoint one of their number to preside,: provided that no person be allowed to serve in the office of president more than one year in any term of three years; to ascertain the necessary sums of money to be raised for the service of the United States, and to appropriate and apply the same for defraying the public expences; to borrow money or emit bills on the credit of the United States, transmitting, every half year, to the respective states, an account of the sums of money so borrowed or emitted; to build and equip a navy; to agree upon the number of land forces, and to make requisitions from each State for its quota, in proportion to the number of white inhabitants in such State; which requisition shall be binding; and thereupon, the legislature of each State shall appoint the regimental officers, raise the men, and cloath, arm, and equip them in a soldier-like manner, at the expence of the United States; and the officers and men so cloathed, armed, and equipped, shall march to the place appointed and within the time agreed on by the United States, in Congress assembled; but if the United States, in Congress assembled, shall, on consideration of circumstances, judge proper that any State should not raise men, or should raise a smaller number than its quota, and that any other State should raise a greater number of men than the quota thereof, such extra number shall be raised, officered, cloathed, armed, and equipped, in the same manner as the quota of each State, unless the legislature of such State shall judge that such extra number cannot be safely spared out in the same, in which case they shall raise, officer, cloath, arm, and equip, as many of such extra number as they judge can be safely spared. And the officers and men so cloathed, armed, and equipped, shall march to the place appointed and within the time agreed on by the United States, in Congress assembled.
 
     The United States, in Congress assembled, shall never engage in a war, nor grant letters of marque or reprisal in time of peace, nor enter into any treaties or alliances, nor coin money, nor regulate the value thereof, nor ascertain the sums and expences necessary for the defence and welfare of the United States, or any of them; nor emit bills, nor borrow money on the credit of the United States, nor appropriate money, nor agree upon the number of vessels of war to be built or purchased, or the number of land or sea forces to be raised, nor appoint a commander in chief of the army or navy, unless nine states assent to the same; nor shall a question on any other point, except for adjourning from day to day, be determined, unless by the votes of the majority of the United States, in Congress assembled.
 
     The Congress of the United States shall have power to adjourn to any time within the year, and to any place within the United States, so that no period of adjournment be for a longer duration than the space of six months, and shall publish the journal of their proceedings monthly, except such parts thereof relating to treaties, alliances or military operations, as in their judgement, require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the delegates of each State on any question shall be entered on the journal, when it is desired by any delegate; and the delegates of a State, or any of them, at his, or their request, shall be furnished with a transcript of the said journal, except such parts as are above excepted, to lay before the legislatures of the several States.
 
     Article 10. The committee of the states, or any nine of them, shall be authorized to execute, in the recess of Congress, such of the powers of Congress as the United States, in Congress assembled, by the consent of the nine states, shall, from time to time, think expedient to vest them with; provided, that no power be delegated to the said committee, for the exercise of which, by the articles of confederation, the voice of nine states, in the Congress of the United States assembled, is requisite.
 
     Article 11. Canada acceding to this confederation, and joining in the measures of the United States, shall be admitted into and entitled to all the advantages of this union; but no other colony shall be admitted into the same, unless such admission be agreed to by nine states.
 
     Article 12. Canada acceding to this confederation, and joining in the measures of the United States, shall be admitted into and entitled to all the advantages of this union; but no other colony shall be admitted into the same, unless such admission be agreed to by nine states.
 
     Article 13. Every State shall abide by the determination of the United States, in Congress assembled, on all questions which, by this confederation, are submitted to them. And the articles of this confederation shall be inviolably observed by every State, and the union shall be perpetual; nor shall any alteration at any time hereafter be made in any of them, unless such alteration be agreed to in a Congress of the United States, and be afterwards confirmed by the legislatures of every State.
 
     These articles shall be proposed to the legislatures of all the United States, to be considered, and if approved by them, they are advised to authorize their delegates to ratify the same in the Congress of the United States; which being done, the same shall become conclusive.
From Journals Of The Continental Congress 1774-1789, Volume IX, 1906, Government Printing Office, Pages 909-925.

 

     On 12 June 1776, a committee consisting of thirteen delegates (one from each colony) was chosen for the purpose of preparing a plan of confederation: Roger Sherman (Connecticut), Thomas McKean (Delaware), Button Gwinnett (Georgia), Thomas Stone (Maryland), Samuel Adams (Massachusetts), Josiah Bartlett (New Hampshire), Robert R. Livingston (New York), Joseph Hewes (North Carolina), John Dickinson (Pennsylvania), Stephen Hopkins (Rhode Island), Edward Rutledge (South Carolina), and Thomas Nelson (Virginia). (New Jersey did not have a delegate chosen.)
     The first draft of the Articles was read before the main body of the Congress on Friday, 11 July 1776. According to certain sources, a draft of the Articles, in the handwriting of Josiah Bartlett, of New Hampshire, was dated 17 June. That might have been the draft read on 11 July, but it can't be verified. (A transcript of that first draft, presented to Congress on 11 July, 1776 is included toward the bottom of this webpage.)
     The 'final' version of the Articles, as composed by the committee, was presented, discussed and approved during the session of Saturday, 15 November, 1777. At that time, copies of the Articles, along with a letter, were prepared to be sent to the legislative assemblies of each of the colonies for their review and suggestions. By the summer of 1778, the legislative assemblies of the colonies had responded regarding either their approval of the Articles as they stood, or with suggestions for changes where necessary. During the session of Friday, 26 June 1778, the delegates meeting in the Second Continental Congress altered the document, including changing the last line slightly, and adding a new 'last line' as transcribed in the following:

 

     Which articles were by Congress "proposed to the legislatures of all the United States, to be considered, and if appoved of by them, they were advised to authorize their delegates to ratify the same in the Congress of the United States."
 
     And, whereas, it hath pleased the Great Governor of the World to incline the hearts of the legislatures we respectively represent in Congress, to approve of, and to authorize us to ratify the said articles of confederation and perpetual union; KNOW YE, that we, the undersigned delegates, by virtue of the power and authority to us given for that purpose, do, by these presents, in the name and in behalf of our respective constituents, fully and entirely ratify and confirm each and every of the said articles of confederation and perpetual union, and all and singular the matters and things therein contained; and we do further solemnly plight and engage the faith of our respective constituents that they shall abide by the determinations of the United States in Congress assembled, on all questions, which by the said confederation are submitted to them; and that the articles thereof shall be inviolably observed by the states we respectively represent; and that the union shall be perpetual.
From Journals Of The Continental Congress 1774-1789, Volume XI, 1908, Government Printing Office, Pages 657-658.

 

     With all the necessary changes noted during the session of 26 June 1778, the document was sent to the printer to be engrossed, meaning that it was to be set in type, and a master copy printed, perhaps on vellum, and ready for the delegates' signatures. The engrossed copy was delivered to the Congress the following day, at which time it was discovered that the copy was incorrect in some manner. A second engrossed copy was requested; it would not be signed by the delegates until 09 July 1778.
     As soon as the colonies received copies of the Articles, in late-1777, it was immediately ratified by certain of them. The first state to ratify the Articles Of Confederation And Perpetual Union was Virginia, which did so on 16 December 1777. South Carolina followed suit on 05 February 1778. New York ratified the Articles on the following day, 06 February 1778. Rhode Island then ratified on the 9th, Connecticut ratified on the 12th and Georgia ratified on the 26th of February. During March, three states approved ratification: New Hampshire on the 4th, Pennsylvania on the 5th, and Massachusetts Bay on the 10th. North Carolina ratified the Articles on 05 April 1778 and New Jersey did so on 19 November 1778. The twelfth state to ratify the Articles, Delaware, did so on 01 February 1779. The thirteenth and final state to ratify the Articles was Maryland. Maryland's legislature did not ratify the Articles Of Confederation And Perpetual Union until 01 March 1781. The reason for their delay was due to a dispute Maryland had with Virginia and New York over claims to lands in the Ohio River Valley.
The Articles Of Confederation And Perpetual Union ~ Initial & Second Drafts ~ 1776

Submitted 12 July 1776 & 20 August 1776

 

     The first draft of the Articles was submitted by the committee to the main body of the Second Continental Congress during the session held on Friday, 12 July 1776. The document was in the handwriting of John Dickinson. During the session, Charles Thomson added notes to the document and made changes resulting from the discussion.
     The first draft of the Articles of Confederation And Perpetual Union is transcribed below in the left column. In the right column is a transcript of the version of the Articles submitted for the main body of the Congress' review on 20 August 1776, with corresponding passages.
      Note: Words, or groups of words, which the committee initially wrote, but then were changed through discussion by the main body of the delegates, are enclosed by braces, as: {    }.

 

     Articles of confederation and perpetual union, between the colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, The counbties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
     Art. I. THE Name of this Confederacy shall be "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."      Art. I. THE name of this Confederacy shall be "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."
     Art. II. The said Colonies unite themselves so as never to be divided by any Act whatever, and 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 the said Colonies to assist one another 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.      Art. II. 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.
     Art. III. Each Colony shall retain and enjoy as much of its present Laws, Rights and Customs, as it may think fit, and reserves to itself the sole and exclusive Regulation and Government of its internal police, in all matters that shall not interfere with the Articles of this Confederation.      Art. III. Each State reserves to itself the sole and exclusive regulation and government of its internal police, in all matters that shall not interfere with the articles of this Confederation.
     Art. IV. No Colony or Colonies, without the Consent of the United States {in Congress} assembled, shall send any Embassy to or receive any Embassy from, or enter into any Treaty, Convention or Conference with the King or Kingdom of Great-Britain, or any foreign Prince or State; nor shall any Colony or Colonies, nor any Servant or Servants of the United States, or of any Colony or Colonies, accept of any Present, Emolument, Office, or Title of any Kind whatever, from the King or Kingdom of Great-Britain, or any foreign Prince or State; nor shall the United States assembled, or any Colony grant any Title of Nobility.      Art. IV. No State, without the Consent of the United States in Congress Assembled, shall send any Embassy to or receive any embassy from, or enter into any conference, agreement, alliance or treaty with any King, Prince or State; nor shall any person holding any office of profit or trust under the United States or any [of] them, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State; nor shall the United States Assembled, or any of them, grant any title of nobility.
     Art. V. No two or more Colonies shall enter into any Treaty, Confederation or Alliance whatever between them, without the previous and free Consent and Allowance of the United States {in Congress} assembled, specifying accurately the Purposes for which the same is to be entered into, and how long it shall continue.      Art. V. No two or more States shall enter into any treaty, confederation or alliance whatever between them, without the Consent of the United States in Congress assembled, specifying accurately the purposes for which the same is to be entered into, and how long it shall continue.
     Art. VI. The Inhabitants of each Colony shall henceforth always have the same Rights, Liberties, Privileges, Immunities and Advantages, in the other Colonies, which the said Inhabitants now have, in all Cases whatever, except in those provided for by the next following Article.      
     Art. VII. The Inhabitants of each Colony shall enjoy all the Rights, Liberties, Privileges, Immunities, and Advantages, in Trade, Navigation, and Commerce, in any other Colony, and in going to and from the same from and to any Part of the World, which the Natives of such Colony {or any Commercial Society, established by its Authority shall} enjoy.      
     Art. VIII. Each Colony may assess or lay such Imposts or Duties as it thinks proper, on Importations or Exportations, provided such Imposts or Duties do not interfere with any Stipulations in Treaties hereafter entered into by the United States assembled, with the King or Kingdom of Great Britain, or any foreign Prince or State.      Art. VI. No State shall lay any imposts or duties which may interfere with any stipulations in treaties hereafter entered into by the United States Assembled, with any King, Prince or State.
     Art. IX. No standing Army or Body of Forces shall be kept up by any Colony or Colonies in Times of Peace, except such a Number only as may be requisite to garrison the Forts necessary for the Defence of such Colony or Colonies: But every Colony shall always keep up a well regulated and disciplined Militia, sufficiently armed and accoutred; and shall provide and constantly have ready for Use in public Stores, a due Number of Field Pieces and Tents, and a proper Quantity of Ammunition, and {other} Camp Equipage.      Art. VII. No vessels of war shall be kept up in time of peace by any State, except such number only as shall be deemed necessary by the United States Assembled for the defence of such state or its trade, nor shall any body of forces by kept up by any State in time of peace, except such number only as in the judgement of the United States in Congress Assembled shall be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the defence of such State, but every State shall always keep up a well regulated and disciplined Militia, sufficiently armed and accoutred, and shall provide and constantly have ready for use in public stores a due number of field pieces and tents and a proper quantity of ammunition and a camp equipage.
     Art. X. When Troops are raised in any of the Colonies for the common Defence, the Commission Officers proper for the Troops raised in each Colony, except the General Officers, shall be appointed by the Legislature of each Colony respectively, or in such manner as shall by them be directed.      Art. VIII. When land forces are raised by any State for the common defence, all officers of or under the rank of Colonel, shall be appointed by the legislatures of each State respectively, by whom such forces shall be raised, or in such manner as such State shall direct, and all vacancies shall be filled up by the State which first made the appointment.
     Art. XI. All Charges of Wars and all other Expences that shall be incurred for the common Defence, or general Welfare, and allowed by the United States {in General Congress} assembled, shall be defrayed out of a common Treasury, which shall be supplied by the several Colonies in Proportion to the Number of Inhabitants of every Age, Sex and Quality, except Indians not paying Taxes, in each Colony, a true Account of which, distinguishing the white Inhabitants {who are not slaves}, shall be triennially taken and transmitted to {Congress} the Assembly of the United States. The Taxes for paying that Proportion shall be laid and levied by the Authority and Direction of the Legislatures of the several Colonies, within the Time agreed upon by United States assembled.      Art. IX. All charges of wars and all other expences that shall be incurred for the common defence, or general welfare, and allowed by the United States Assembled, shall be defrayed out of a common treasury, which shall be supplied by the several States in proportion to the number of inhabitants of every age, sex and quality except Indians not paying taxes, in each State, a true account of which, distinguishing the white inhabitants shall be triennially taken and transmitted to the Assembly of the United States. The taxes for paying that proportion shall be laid and levied by the authority and direction of the legislatures of the several States, within the time agreed upon by United States Assembled.
     Art. XII. Every Colony shall abide by the Determinations of the United States {in General Congress} assembled, concerning the Services performed and Losses or Expences incurred by every Colony for the common Defence or general Welfare, and no Colony or Colonies shall in any Case whatever endeavor by Force to procure Redress of any Injury or Injustice supposed to be done by the United States to such Colony or Colonies in not granting such Satisfactions, Indemnifications, Compensations, Retributions, Exemptions, or Benefits of any Kind, as such Colony or Colonies may think just or reasonable.      Art. X. Every State shall abide by the determinations of the United States in Congress Assembled, on all questions which by this Confederation are submitted to them.
     Art. XIII. No Colony or Colonies shall engage in any War without the previous Consent of the United States assembled, unless such Colony or Colonies be actually invaded by Enemies, or shall have received certain Advice of a Resolution being formed by some Nations of Indians to invade such Colony or Colonies, and the Danger is so imminent, as not to admit of a Delay, till the other Colonies can be consulted: Nor shall any Colony or Colonies grant Commissions to any Ships or Vessels of War, nor Letters of Marque or Reprisal, except it be after a Declaration of War by the United States assembled, and then only against the Kingdom or State and the Subjects thereof, against which War has been so declared, and under such Regulations as shall be established by the United States assembled.      Art. XI. No State shall engage in any war without the consent of the United States in Congress Assembled, unless such State be actually invaded by enemies, or shall have received certain advice of a resolution being formed by some nation of Indians to invade such State, and the danger is so imminent, as not to admit of a delay, till the other States can be consulted: Nor shall any State grant commissions to any ships or vessels of war, nor letters of marque or reprisal, except it be after a declaration of war by the United States Assembled, and then only against the Kingdom or State and the subjects thereof against which war has been so declared and under such regulations as shall be established by the United States Assembled.
     Art. XIV. A perpetual Alliance, offensive and defensive, is to be entered into by the United States assembled as soon as may be, with the Six Nations, and all other neighbouring Nations of Indians; their Limits to be ascertained, their Lands to be secured to them, and not encroached on; no Purchases of Lands, hereafter to be made of the Indians by Colonies or private Persons before the Limits of the Colonies are ascertained, to be valid: All Purchases of Lands not included within those Limits, where ascertained, to be made by Contracts between the United States assembled, or by Persons for that Purpose authorized by them, and the great Councils of the Indians, for the general Benefit of all the United Colonies.      
     Art. XV. When the Boundaries of any Colony shall be ascertained by Agreement, or in the Manner herein after directed, all the other Colonies shall guarantee to such Colony the full and peaceable Possession of, and the free and entire Jurisdiction in and over the Territory included within such Boundaries.      
     Art. XVI. For the more convenient Management of the general Interests of the United States, Delegates should be annually appointed in such Manner as the Legislature of each Colony shall direct, {or such Branches thereof as the Colony shall authorize for that purpose,} to meet {in General Congress} at the City of Philadelphia, in the Colony of Pennsylvania, until otherwise ordered by {Congress} the United States assembled; which Meeting shall be on the first Monday of November in every Year, with a Power reserved to those who appointed the said Delegates, respectively to {supercede} recal them or any of them at any time within the Year, and to send new Delegates in their stead for the Remainder of the Year. Each Colony shall support its own Delegates in {Congress} a Meeting of the States, and while they act as Members of the Council of State, herein after mentioned.      Art. XII. For the more convenient management of the general interests of the United States, Delegates shall be annually appointed in such manner as the legislature of each State shall direct, to meet at the City of Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania, until otherwise ordered by the United States in Congress Assembled; which meeting shall be on the first Monday in November in every year, with a power reserved to each State to recal its Delegates or any of them at any time within the year, and to send others in their stead for the remainder of the year. Each State shall support its own Delegates in a meeting of the States, and while they act as members of the Council of State, herein after mentioned.
     Art. XVII. In determining Questions {in Congress} each Colony shall have one Vote.      Art. XIII. In determining questions each State shall have one vote.
     Art. XVIII. The United States assembled shall have the sole and exclusive Right and Power of determining on Peace and War, except in the Cases mentioned in the thirteenth Article ~ Of establishing Rules for deciding in all Cases, what Captures on Land or Water shall be legal ~ In what Manner Prizes taken by land or naval Forces in the Service of the United States shall be divided or appropriated ~ Granting Letters of Marque and Reprisal in Times of Peace ~ Appointing Courts for the Trial of all Crimes, Frauds and Piracies committed on the High Seas, or on any navigable River, not within the Body of a County or Parish ~ Establishing Courts for receiving and determining finally Appeals in all Cases of Captures ~ Sending and receiving Ambassadors under any Character ~ Entering into Treaties and Alliances ~ Settling all Disputes and Differences now subsisting, or that hereafter may arise between two or more Colonies concerning Boundaries, Jurisdictions, or any other Cause whatever ~ Coining Money and regulating the Value thereof ~ Regulating the {Indian} Trade, and managing all {Indian} Affairs with the Indians ~ Limiting the Bounds of those Colonies, which by Charter or Proclamation, or under any Pretence, are said to extend to the South Sea, and ascertaining those Bounds of any other Colony that appear to be indeterminate ~ Assigning Territories for new Colonies, either in Lands to be thus separated from Colonies and heretofore purchased or obtained by the Crown of Great-Britain from the Indians, or hereafter to be purchased or obtained from them ~ Disposing of all such Lands for the general Benefit of all the United Colonies ~ Ascertaining Boundaries to such new Colonies, within which Forms of Government are to be established on the Principles of Liberty ~ Establishing and regulating Post-Offices throughout all the United Colonies, on the Lines of Communication from one Colony to another ~ Appointing General Officers of the Land Forces in the Service of the United States ~ Commissioning such other Officers of the said Forces as shall be appointed by Virtue of the tenth Article ~ Appointing all the Officers of the Naval Forces in the Service of the United States ~ Making Rules for the Government and Regulation of the said Land and Naval Forces, and directing the {Marches, Cruises and} operations {of such land and naval Forces} ~ Appointing a Council of State, and such Committees and civil Officers as may be necessary for managing the general Affairs of the United States, under their Direction while assembled, and in their Recess, of the Council of State ~ Appointing one of their number to preside, and a suitable Person for Secretary ~ And adjourning to any Time within the Year.      Art. XIV. The United States Assembled shall have the sole and exclusive right and power of determining on peace and war, except in the cases mentioned in the eleventh article ~ Of establishing rules for deciding in all cases, what captures on land or water shall be legal ~ In what manner prizes taken by land or naval forces in the service of the United States shall be divided or appropriated ~ granting letters of marque and reprisal in times of peace ~ appointing Courts for the trial of piracies and felonies committed on the high seas ~ establishing Courts for receiving and determining finally appeals in all cases of captures ~ sending and receiving Ambassadors ~ entering into treaties and alliances ~ deciding all disputes and differences now subsisting, or that hereafter may arise between two or more States concerning boundaries, jurisdictions, or any other cause whatever ~ coining money and regulating the value thereof ~ fixing the standard of weights and measures throughout the United States ~ regulating the trade, and managing all affairs with the Indians, not members of any of the States ~ establishing and regulating Post-Offices throughout all the United States, and exacting such postage on the papers passing through the same, as may be requisite to defray the expences of said office ~ appointing general Officers of the land forces in the service of the United States ~ commissioning such other officers of the said forces as shall be appointed by virtue of the eighth article ~ appointing all the officers of the naval forces in the service of the United States ~ making rules for the government and regulation of the said land and naval forces, and directing their operations.
     The United States assembled shall have Authority for the Defence and Welfare of the United Colonies and every of them, to agree upon and fix the necessary Sums and Expences ~ To emit Bills, or to borrow Money on the Credit of the United Colonies ~ To raise Naval Forces ~ To agree upon the Number of Land Forces to be raised, and to make Requisitions from the Legislature of each Colony, or the Persons therein authorized by the Legislature to execute such Requisitions, for the Quota of each Colony, which is to be in Proportion to the Number of white inhabitants in that Colony {who are not slaves}, which Requisitions shall be binding, and thereupon the Legislature of each Colony or the Persons authorized as aforesaid, shall appoint the Regimental Officers, {and} raise the Men, and arm and equip them in a soldier-like Manner; and the Officers and Men so armed and equipped, shall march to the Place appointed, and within the Time agreed on by the United States assembled.      The United States in Congress Assembled shall have authority to appoint a Council of State, and such Committees and Civil Officers as may be necessary for managing the general affairs of the United States, under their direction while assembled, and in their recess under that of the Council of State ~ to appoint one of their number to preside, and a suitable person for Secretary ~ And to adjourn to any time within the year, and to any place within the United States ~ to agree upon and fix the necessary sums and expences ~ to borrow Money or emit bills on the credit of the United States ~ to build and equip a navy ~ to agree upon the number of land forces, and to make requisitions from each State, for its quota in proportion to the number of white inhabitants in such State, which requisitions shall be binding, and thereupon the legislature of each State shall appoint the regimental officers, raise the men, and arm and equip them in a soldier-like manner; and the officers and men so armed and equipped, shall march to the place appointed, and within the time agreed on by the United States Assembled.
     But if the United States assembled shall on Consideration of Circumstances judge proper, that any Colony or Colonies should not raise Men, or should raise a smaller Number than the Quota or Quotas of such Colony or Colonies, and that any other Colony or Colonies should raise a greater number of men than the Quota or Quotas thereof, such extra-numbers shall be raised, officered, armed and equipped in the same Manner as the Quota or Quotas of such Colony or Colonies, unless the Legislature of such Colony or Colonies respectively, shall judge, that such extra-numbers cannot be safely spared out of the same, in which Case they shall raise, officer, arm and equip as many of such extra-numbers as they judge can be safely spared; and the Officers and Men so armed and equip[p]ed shall march to the Place appointed, and within the Time agreed on by the United States assembled.      But if the United States in Congress Assembled shall on consideration of circumstances judge proper, that any State or States should not raise men, or should raise a smaller number than the quota or quotas of such State or States, and that any other State or States should raise a greater number of men than the quota or quotas thereof, such extra-numbers shall be raised, officered, armed and equipped in the same Manner as the quota or quotas of such State or States respectively, shall judge, that such extra-numbers cannot be safely spared out of the same, in which case they shall raise, officer, arm and equip as many of such extra-numbers as they judge can be safely spared; and the officers and men so armed and equipped shall march to the place appointed, and within the time agreed on by the United States Assembled.
     To establish the same Weights and Measures throughout the United Colonies.      
     But the United States assembled shall never impose or levy any Taxes or Duties, except in managing the Post-Office, nor interfere in the internal Police of any Colony, any further than such Police may be affected by the Articles of this Confederation. The United States assembled shall never engage the United Colonies in a War, nor grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal in Time of Peace, nor enter into Treaties or Alliances, nor coin Money nor regulate the Value thereof, nor agree upon nor fix the Sums and Expences necessary for the Defence and Welfare of the United Colonies, or any of them, nor emit Bills, nor borrow Money on the Credit of the United Colonies, nor raise Naval Forces, nor agree upon the Number of Land Forces to be raised, unless the Delegates of nine Colonies freely assent to the same: Nor shall a Question on any other Point, except for adjourning, be determined, unless the Delegates of seven Colonies vote in the affirmative.      The United States in Congress Assembled shall never engage in a war, nor grant letters of marque and reprisal in time of peace, nor enter into any treaties or alliances, except for peace, nor coin money nor regulate the value thereof, nor agree upon nor fix the sums and expences necessary for the defence and welfare of the United States, or any of them, nor emit bills, nor borrow money on the credit of the United States, nor appropriate money, nor agree upon the number of vessels of war to be built or purchased, or the number of land or sea forces to be raised, nor appoint a Commander in Chief of the army or navy, unless nine States assent to the same: Nor shall a question on any other point, except for adjourning from day to day be determined, unless by the votes of a majority of the United States.
     No Person shall be capable of being a Delegate for more than three Years in any Term of six Years.      No person shall be capable of being a delegate for more than three years in any term of six years.
     No Person holding any Office under the United States, for which he, or another for his Benefit, receives any Salary, Fees, or Emolument of any Kind, shall be capable of being a Delegate.      No person holding any office under the United States, for which he, or another for his benefit, receives any salary, fees, or emolument of any kind, shall be capable of being a Delegate.
     The Assembly of the United States to publish the Journal of their Proceedings monthly, except such Parts thereof relating to Treaties, Alliances, or military Operations, as in their Judgment require Secrecy ~ The Yeas and Nays of the Delegates of each Colony on any Question to be entered on the Journal, where it is desired by any Delegate; and the Delegates of a Colony, or any of them, at his or their Request, to be furnished with a Transcript of the said Journal, except such Parts as are above excepted, to lay before the Legislatures of the several Colonies.      The Assembly of the United States to publish the Journal of their Proceedings monthly, except such Parts thereof relating to treaties, alliances, or military operations, as in their judgment require secrecy, the yeas and nays of the Delegates of each State on any question to be entered on the Journal, when it is desired by any delegate; and the Delegates of a State, or any of them, at his or their request, to be furnished with a transcript of the said Journal, except such parts as are above excepted, to lay before the legislatures of the several States.
     Art. XIX. The Council of State shall consist of one Delegate from each C[o]lony, to be named annually by the Delegates of each Colony, and where they cannot agree, by the United States assembled.
 
     {The Business and Duty of} This Council shall have Power to receive and open all Letters directed to the United States, and to return proper Answers; but not to make any Engagements that shall be binding on the United States ~ To correspond with the Legislature of each Colony, and all Persons acting under the Authority of the United States, or of the said Legislatures ~ To apply to such Legislatures, or to the Officers in the several Colonies who are entrusted with the executive Powers of Government, for occasional Aid whenever and wherever necessary ~ To give Counsel to the Commanding Officers, and to direct military Operations by Sea and Land, not changing any Objects or Expeditions determined on by the United States assembled, unless an Alteration of Circumstances which shall come to the Knowledge of the Council after the Recess of the States, shall make such Change absolutely necessary ~ To attend to the Defence and Preservation of Forts and strong Posts, and to prevent the Enemy from acquiring new Holds ~ To procure Intelligence of the Condition and Designs of the Enemy ~ To expedite the Execution of such Measures as may be resolved on by the United States assembled, in Pursuance of the Powers hereby given to them ~ To draw upon the Treasurers for such Sums as may be appropriated by the United States assembled, and for the Payment of such Contracts as the said Council may make in Pursuance of the Powers hereby given to them ~ To superintend and controul or suspend all Officers civil and military, acting under the Authority of the United States ~ In Case of the Death or Removal of any Officer within the Appointment of the United States assembled, to employ a Person to fulfill the Duties of such Office until the Assembly of the States meet ~ To publish and disperse authentic Accounts of military Operations ~ To summon an Assembly of the States at an earlier Day than that appointed for their next Meeting, if any great and unexpected Emergency should render it necessary for the Safety or Welfare of the United Colonies or any of them ~ To prepare Matters for the Consideration of the United States, and to lay before them at their next Meeting all Letters and Advices received by the Council, with a Report of their Proceedings ~ To appoint a proper Person for their Clerk, who shall take an Oath of Secrecy and Fidelity, before he enters on the Exercise of his Office ~ Seven Members shall have Power to act ~ In Case of the Death of any Member, the Council shall immediately apply to his surviving Colleagues to appoint some one of themselves to be a Member thereof till the Meeting of the States, and if only one survives, they shall give him immediate Notice, that he may take his Seat as a Councilor till such Meeting. 		     Art. XV. The Council of State shall consist of one Delegate from each State, to be a named annually by the Delegates of each State, and where they cannot agree, by the United States assembled.
 
     This Council shall have power to receive and open all Letters directed to the United States, and to return proper Answers; but not to make any engagements that shall be binding on the United States ~ To correspond with the legislature of every State, and all persons acting under the authority of the United States, or of the said legislatures ~ To apply to such Legislatures, or to the Officers in the several States who are entrusted with the executive powers of government, for occasional aid whenever and wherever necessary ~ To give counsel to the Commanding Officers, and to direct military operations by sea and land, not changing any objects or expeditions determined on by the United States Assembled, unless an alteration of circumstances which shall come to the knowledge of the Council after the recess of the States, shall make such change absolutely necessary ~ To attend to the defence and preservation of forts and strong posts ~ to procure intelligence of the condition and designs of the enemy ~ To expedite the execution of such measures as may be resolved on by the United States Assembled, in pursuance of the powers hereby given to them ~ To draw upon the treasurers for such sums as may be appropriated by the United States Assembled, and for the payment of such contracts as the said Council may make in pursuance of the powers hereby given to them ~ To superintend and controul or suspend all Officers civil and military, acting under the authority of the United States ~ In case of the death or removal of any Officer within the appointment of the United States Assembled, to employ a person to fulfill the Duties of such Office until the Assembly of the States meet ~ To publish and disperse authentic accounts of military operations ~ To summon an Assembly of the States at an earlier day than that appointed for their next meeting, if any great and unexpected emergency should render it necessary for the safety or welfare of the United States or any of them ~ To prepare matters for the consideration of the United States, and to lay before them at their next meeting all letters and advices received by the Council, with a report of their proceedings ~ To appoint a proper person for their Clerk, who shall take an oath of secrecy and fidelity, before he enters on the exercise of his office ~ seven Members shall have power to act ~ In case of the death of any Member, the Council shall immediately apply to his surviving colleagues to appoint some one of themselves to be a Member thereof till the meeting of the States, and if only one survives, they shall give him immediate notice, that he may take his seat as a Councilor till such meeting.
     Art. XX. Canada acceding to this Confederation, and entirely joining in the Measures of the United Colonies, shall be admitted into and entitled to all the Advantages of this Union: But no other Colony shall be admitted into the same, unless such Admission be agreed to by the Delegates of nine Colonies.      Art. XVI. Canada acceding to this Confederation and entirely joining in the measures of the United States, shall be admitted into and entitled to all the advantages of this Union: But no other Colony shall be admitted into the same, unless such admission be agreed to by nine States.
     These Articles shall be proposed to the Legislatures of all the United Colonies, to be by them considered, and if approved by them, they are advised to authorize their Delegates to ratify the same in the Assembly of the United States, which being done, the {foregoing} Articles of this Confederation shall inviolably be observed by every Colony, and the Union is to be perpetual: Nor shall any Alteration be at any Time hereafter made in these Articles or any of them, unless such Alteration be agreed to in an Assembly of the United States, and be afterwards confirmed by the Legislatures of every Colony.      These Articles shall be proposed to the legislatures of all the United States, to be by them considered, and if approved by them, they are advised to authorize their Delegates to ratify the same in the Assembly of the United States, which being done, the Articles of this Confederation shall inviolably be observed by every State, and the Union is to be perpetual: Nor shall any alteration be at any time hereafter be made in these Articles or any of them, unless such alteration be agreed to in an Assembly of the United States, and be afterwards confirmed by the Legislatures of every State.
From Journals Of The Continental Congress 1774-1789, Volume V, 1906, Government Printing Office, Pages 546-554.