TO ALL RECIPIENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT, we, the undersigned representatives from the listed States, send our greetings. The Delegates of the United States of America, who met in Congress on November 15th, 1777, in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy seven and in the Second Year of American independence, came to an agreement on a set of articles to establish a Confederation and perpetual Union among the following States: New Hampshire, Massachusetts bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey,Pennsylvania, Delaware,Maryland,Virginia,North Carolina,South Carolina,and Georgia.The articles state that 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 have formed a confederacy called "The United States of
...America." Each state will maintain its sovereignty, freedom, and independence. The confederation will only possess powers that are explicitly delegated to it by the states. These states hereby establish a strong alliance in order to protect their collective interests and ensure their freedoms and well-being. They pledge to support each other in the face of any attacks or forces directed at them or any individual state for reasons such as religion, sovereignty, trade or any other pretext. They also aim to promote friendly relations among people residing in different states within this union. All free inhabitants from each state (excluding paupers, vagabonds and fugitives from justice) shall enjoy all privileges and rights as free citizens in every member state.The text stresses the importance of unrestricted freedom to travel and engage in trade between states, while also adhering to the responsibilities and limitation
imposed on residents. However, these limitations should not hinder the transfer of imported property if its owner is a resident of that state. Additionally, no state can impose taxes or restrictions on properties owned by the United States.
If an individual accused of serious crimes flees from one state to another within this union's jurisdictional boundaries, upon request by the governor or executive authority of the fleeing state, there is an emphasis on extraditing them back to their original jurisdiction responsible for their offense.
The text underscores that each state must respect and acknowledge the records, acts, and judicial proceedings of other states. To effectively manage the interests of the United States, delegates will be selected annually by each state's legislature to convene in Congress on the first Monday in November. States have the right to recall and replace their delegates at any time throughout the year.
Congress will consist of a minimum of two members from each state but no more than seven. Delegates can serve for up to three out of every six years.Delegates or anyone connected to them are prohibited from holding any position under the United States if they receive payment or compensation. Each state must maintain its own delegates during meetings where they act as committee members. In Congress, each state has one vote for decision-making on matters at hand. Members of Congress have protection in terms of speech and debate, being immune from arrest and imprisonment except for specific crimes committed.
No state can establish diplomatic relations or participate in conferences, agreements, alliances, or treaties with kings, princes, or foreign states without approval from Congress. Furthermore, individuals currently employed by the US government
cannot accept gifts, payments, positions, or titles from any foreign state.
The United States in Congress assembled is not allowed to grant any title of nobility. The text also requires the consent of the United States in Congress assembled for any treaty, confederation, or alliance between multiple states. The agreement must accurately specify its terms and duration.
No state can impose duties that contradict treaties made by the United States in Congress assembled with any king, prince, or state as proposed by Congress to the courts of France and Spain. Moreover,no state can maintain war vessels during peacetime unless deemed necessary by the United States in Congress assembled for defense purposes.It is determined that no state can maintain a body of forces during peacetime without approval from the United States in Congress assembled, unless it is necessary to guard essential forts for defense. The text states that each state must have a well-regulated militia with adequate arms and equipment, including field pieces, tents, ammunition, and camp gear available in public storage. Additionally, a state cannot participate in any war without consent from the United States in Congress assembled unless it is being invaded or has credible information about an imminent invasion by a Native American nation. In urgent cases where consultation with Congress is not possible, the state may take necessary action. However, states are prohibited from granting commissions to warships or issuing letters of marque or reprisal unless Congress has declared war against a specific kingdom or state and its subjects. These actions must be carried out according to regulations established by Congress. There is an exception if a state faces piracy issues; in such cases,
ships of war can be prepared and maintained until the danger subsides or until Congress decides otherwise. When a state raises land forces for defensive purposes, all officers below colonel rank will be appointed by the respective state legislature or as per instructions provided by the state itself. Any vacancies that occur will be filled by the original appointing state.The text states that all expenses related to warfare and other costs for common defense or general welfare will be funded by a common treasury, which will be contributed to proportionately by each state based on the value of land within their borders. The determination of this contribution will follow guidelines set by Congress. The taxes required to pay this share will be imposed by individual state legislatures at a time agreed upon by the United States in congress assembled. The United States in congress assembled holds complete authority over matters of peace and war. Certain exceptions are mentioned in Article 6, such as sending and receiving ambassadors, making treaties, and forming alliances. However, it is prohibited to make a treaty of commerce that limits the legislative power of states to impose duties on foreigners or prohibit the exportation or importation of goods. The United States in congress assembled has authority over establishing rules for determining the legality of captures on land or water and how prizes taken by land or naval forces in service of the United States shall be divided. They also have the power to grant letters of marquee and reprisal during peace, appoint courts for trying piracy and felonies on the high seas, as well as establish courts for hearing appeals in
capture cases. It should be noted that no member of congress can serve as a judge in any of these courts.
In addition, the United States in congress assembled is the ultimate authority for handling appeals in disputes between states concerning boundaries, jurisdiction, or any other cause. To address such disputes, a specific procedure must always be followed. When a state's legislative or executive authority, or their lawful representative, presents a petition to congress outlining the issue and requesting a hearing; congress will inform the legislative or executive authority of the opposing state involved and specify a date for both parties to appear with their legal representatives. These representatives will then collaborate to choose commissioners or judges who will form a court and settle the matter at hand. If an agreement cannot be reached on the selection process, congress will appoint three individuals from each state. The number of names drawn by lot (between seven and nine) will eventually be reduced to thirteen through an alternating striking out process where each party eliminates one name at a time. These selected individuals (or any five of them) will serve as commissioners or judges to hear and make final decisions on the dispute. It is crucial for there to be majority agreement among the judges regarding their determination. If either party fails to attend without sufficient reason or refuses to participate in striking out names, Congress will choose three individuals from each state while the secretary of Congress strikes on behalf of the absent or refusing party.The court's judgment and sentence will be considered final and binding as per the outlined procedure. Even if a party refuses to
submit or defend their claim, the court will still pronounce a final judgment, which will then be sent to congress for record-keeping purposes. Commissioners must take an oath to ensure fair decision-making without bias before sitting in judgment. No state can lose any territory for the benefit of the United States.
Congress has the ultimate authority to resolve disputes over land claimed under different state grants, regulate coinage, and establish standard weights and measures. They are responsible for managing Indian affairs, regulating inter-state post offices, appointing military and naval officers, as well as creating rules for the armed forces. During recess, Congress can appoint a Committee of the States.
The text confirms that the United States is authorized to appoint committees and civil officers who will manage the country under their direction. Additionally, they have the power to select a president for a one-year term within a three-year period. It is their duty to determine necessary funds for public expenses and utilize them accordingly. The United States can borrow money and issue bills on credit while providing updates on this matter every six months to respective states. Moreover, Congress has the ability to establish and equip a navy while deciding on an appropriate number of land forces needed.Each state must comply with these requests by appointing officers, recruiting soldiers, and supplying appropriate clothing, weapons, and equipment at the expense of the United States. The soldiers are obligated to march to the specified location within the agreed timeframe set by the United States Congress. If the United States in Congress assembled determines that a state should raise fewer men than its quota or another state should raise more
men than its quota, the additional number must be raised, officered, clothed, armed and equipped in a similar manner as the respective state's quota. However, if the legislature of such state decides that it cannot safely spare the extra number of men, they must raise, officer, clothe, arm and equip as many of them as they believe can be safely spared. Once properly clothed, armed and equipped both officers and men shall march to the designated place within an agreed-upon time set by tThe United States in Congress assembled. During periods of peace , The United States in Congress assembled is prohibited from declaring war or issuing letters of marque and reprisal; forming treaties or alliances; minting or regulating currency; determining necessary funds for defense and welfare for all parts together with each part individually; creating bills or borrowing money on behalf of any part of The United States; allocating funds; deciding on construction or purchase quantities for warshipsThe Congress of the United States holds the authority to determine sizes for land or sea forces to be raised, and they must obtain approval from nine states in order to appoint a commander in chief for the army or navy. Any question, with the exception of adjourning from day to day, can only be resolved through a majority vote of the United States in Congress assembled.
Congress has the ability to adjourn at any location within the country and at any time during the year, but no adjournment should last longer than six months. They are also obligated to publish a monthly journal that details their actions, excluding information about treaties, alliances, or military operations that need
to remain secret as determined by their own judgement.
According to this text, whenever requested, each state's delegates' yeas and nays will be recorded in the Journal. Furthermore, delegates from a state have the right to request a copy of the Journal (excluding specific parts) in order to present it to their state legislatures.
When Congress is not in session with consent from at least nine states, either the committee of states or any group consisting of nine members will possess power to fulfill congressional duties. However, this committee does not hold any powers specified in articles of confederation that require approval from nine states for their exercise.If Canada supports and joins measures undertaken by the United States, they will become an integral part of this union and enjoy all associated benefits. However, consent from nine states is necessary for the admission of any other colony. All bills of credit, borrowed money, and debts contracted by or under congressional authority prior to the formation of the United States will be considered as obligations of the United States. The United States guarantees payment and satisfaction of these obligations to demonstrate their commitment to upholding public faith. Every state must strictly adhere to decisions made by the United States Congress on all matters submitted through this confederation. Each state is required to follow the articles outlined in this confederation without deviation, ensuring a perpetual union and prohibiting any future alterations. To summarize succinctly: Ratifying each article of the confederation and perpetual union on behalf of our constituents requires agreement in a Congress of the United States, subsequently confirmed by each state's legislatures. Additionally, we pledge unwavering fidelity from our
constituents towards abiding by decisions made by the United States Congress on matters submitted via this confederation.The undersigned states, including New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware,Maryland,Virginia,North Carolina,South Carolina,and Georgia affirm our commitment to faithfully observe these articles. This document is created in Philadelphia on July 9th, 1778 in Pennsylvania during the thirty-third year of America's independence. It is signed by JNo Walton representing all the mentioned states. Bibliography: [Include relevant information about the source]
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