Replies

It was not economic considerations, but the total failure of the national government under the Articles of Confederation, which drove the Constitutional Convention in 1787. By that time, the primary function of American diplomats was to borrow money at interest up to 20% to finance the daily expenses of the then federal government.

It is also true that the Convention itself grew out of questions of national survival. There was a shooting war between Virginians and Marylanders in 1785 over fishing rights in the Chesapeake Bay. The successful conclusion of those negotiations, conducted at Mount Vernon, led Virginia to issue an invitation to all states to attend a Convention in Annapolis in 1786.

Only five states managed to send delegations to Annapolis, with Maryland not officially in attendance even though the meeting was in its own capitol. Still, the Convention issued a final report which was an invitation of all states to attend the Philadelphia Convention, equipped with the authority to "do what was necessary" to make the federal government "meet the exigencies" of the times.

In short, there is a great deal of truth in the article above, but it leaves out a significant part of the history of the times and the political/legal dynamics which brought about the Philadelphia Convention.

Thanks for asking.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column: "We Have Seen the Light"