Britain but on failure thereof, this confederation is

to be perpetual.

JUNE 10, 1776.

Agreeable to order, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole to take into their farther consideration the resolutions to them referred; and after some time spent thereon, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee have had under consideration the resolutions, to them. referred, and have come to a resolution, which he read. The Congress took into consideration the report from the committee of the whole: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the consideration of the first resolution be postponed to this day three weeks; and in the mean while, that no time be lost, in case the Congress agree thereto, that a committee be appointed to prepare a declaration to the effect of the said first resolution, which is in these words: "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 po"litical connexion between them and the state of Great "Britain, is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."

JUNE 11, 1776.

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to prepare and digest the form of a confederation to be entered into between these colonies.

JUNE 12, 1776.

Resolved, That the committee, to prepare and digest the form of a confederation to be entered into between

these colonies, consist of a member from each colony.

The committee appointed to prepare articles of confederation, brought in a draft (in the hand-writing of J. Dickinson,) which was read, and is as follows:

The name of this confederacy shall be, THE UNITED

STATES OF AMERICA.

ARTICLE 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.

ARTICLE 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.

ARTICLE IV.

No colony or colonies, without the consent of the United States 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.

ARTICLE 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 assembled, specifying accurately the purposes for which the same is to be entered into, and how long it shall continue.

ARTICLE VI.

The inhabitants of each colony shall henceforth always enjoy 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.

ARTICLE 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 enjoy.

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ARTICLE 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.

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ARTICLE 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 publick stores, a due number of field pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of ammunition and camp equipage.