The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

,ET. 54.] -LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 429
conform. When these propositions received the assent of the legislature of Virginia, an additional resolution was passed, directing that which respected the
duties on imports to be communicated to all the States
in the Union, which were invited to send deputies to
the meeting." *
Accordingly, in January following, the Assembly of
Virginia appointed commissioners, who were instructed
to meet such as should be appointed by the other
States, "to take into consideration the trade of the
United States, to examine the relative situation and
trade of the said States, to consider how far a uniform
system in their commercial relations may be necessary
to their common interest and their permanent harmony, and to report to the several States such an act
relative to this great object, as, when unanimously ratified by them, will enable the United States in Congress
assembled effectually to provide for the same." The
commissioners met at Annapolis, in September, 1786.
Five States only sent deputies, and some of these
came with such limited powers, that it was soon ascertained that nothing could be done towards effecting
the object for which they had come together. Their
deliberations ended in a report to their respective
States, in which they represented the defects of the
federal system, and the necessity of a revision. They
likewise recommended another convention of deputies
from all the States, furnished with requisite powers,
who should meet at Philadelphia on the second day:
of May. At the same time they sent a letter to Congress, accompanied with a copy of their report to the
States.
When the legislature of Virginia assembled, the report of the deputies was taken into consideration, and
* MARSHALL's Life of Washington, 2d edition, Vol. II. p. 105.