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be reprinted; and that the Secretary be under the like injunction.

AUGUST 20, 1776.

On the 22d July the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole to consider the articles of confederation; and proceeded to debate the same, in committee, on the 23d, 24th, 25th, 26th, 29th, 30th, and 31st of that month, and on the 1st, 2d, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 20th of August, 1776. On the day lastmentioned, they reported a new draft, which was read and ordered to be printed for the use of the members, under the same injunctions and restrictions as the former draft.

The draft of the articles of confederation reported by the committee of the whole is as follows:

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The name of this confederacy shall be, THE UNITED

STATES OF AMERICA.

ARTICLE 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.

ARTICLE III.

Each state reserves to itself the sole and exclusive regulations and government of its internal police in all matters that shall not interfere with the articles of this confederation.

ARTICLE 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.

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ARTICLE 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.

ARTICLE 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.

ARTICLE 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 be kept up by any state in time of peace, except such number only as in the judgment 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 publick stores,

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

ARTICLE 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.

ARTICLE IX.

All charges of war, and all other expenses 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 the United States assembled.

ARTICLE 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.

ARTICLE 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 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.

ARTICLE XII.

For the more convenient management of the general interests of the United States, the 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

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