Article XII. All bills of credit emitted, monies borrowed, and debts contracted by, or under the authority of congress, before the assembling of the united States, in pursuance of the present confederation, shall be deemed and considered as a charge against the United States, for payment and satisfaction whereof the said united States, and the public faith are hereby solemnly pledged.
Article XIII. Every State shall abide by the determination of the united States in congress assembled, on all questions which by this confederation are submitted to them. And the Articles of this confederation shall be inviolably observed by every State, and the union shall be perpetual; nor shall any alteration at any time hereafter be made in any of them; unless such alteration be agreed to in a congress of the united States, and be afterwards confirmed by the legislatures of every State.
And Whereas it hath pleased the Great Governor of the World to incline the hearts of the legislatures we respectively represent in Congress, to approve of, and to authorize us to ratify the said articles of confederation and perpetual union. Know Ye that we the undersigned delegates, by virtue of the power and authority to us given for that purpose, do by these presents, in the name and in behalf of our respective constituents, fully and entirely ratify and confirm each and every of the said articles of confederation and perpetual union, and all and singular the matters and things therein contained: And we do further solemnly plight and engage the faith of our respective constituents, that they shall abide by the determinations of the united States in congress assembled, on all questions, which by the said confederation are submitted to them. And that the articles thereof shall be inviolably observed by the States we respectively represent, and that the union shall be perpetual.
In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands in Congress. Done at Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania the ninth Day of July in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven Hundred and Seventy-eight, and in the Third Year of the independence of America.
Article XII allowed the new United States to assume all the debt of the individual states that had been incurred due to the war with Britain. Even then the Federal government was doing bailouts.
Article XIII establishes that the Articles are the law of the land. It also provides for the method of amending the Articles, namely the agreement of every State. This is one of the major flaws of the Articles, unanimous consent is required to make a change. While a majority consent is in the best interest of the people, it is very rare that people can agree 100% on a matter. This is one of the reasons the Articles failed.
This ends the series on the Articles of Confederation. I'm sure I could continue to discuss them for many years, but I do want people to read my blog. So next week will start a new educational series of posts. Until then, have a great week.
May The Force Be With You.
God Bless America.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Articles of Confederation Part 6
Article X. The committee of the States, or any nine of them, shall be authorized to execute, in the recess of congress, such of the powers of congress as the united States in congress assembled, by the consent of the nine States, shall from time to time think expedient to vest them with; provided that no power be delegated to the said Committee, for the exercise of which, by the articles of confederation, the voice of nine States in the Congress of the United States assembled be requisite.
Article XI. Canada acceding to this confederation, and adjoining in the measures of the united States, shall be admitted into, and entitled to all the advantages of this union; but no other colony shall be admitted into the same, unless such admission be agreed to by nine States.
These two are actually pretty simple. Article X was to set up a committee to handle mundane tasks in place of the full Congress. The committee would only have the ability to decide things that would not require majority (9 of 13 states) consent. Very little power. The way that it should be.
Article XI invited Canada to join the United States. Not really a shock, they are our neighbors to the north. But can you imagine the country if Canada were a part of the US? Article XI also established that majority would be required to admit any other States.
Both of these Articles were pretty mundane, yet very important, procedural guidelines.
Not a whole lot to say today. Too busy getting ready for the Tea Party rally tomorrow. If you have never been, I invite you to come. We always welcome more guests. Despite how we have been painted by the media, we are peaceful people who are very open minded and accepting of everyone. So, satisfy your curiosity and head to your local capitol tomorrow. Look forward to seeing you there.
May The Force Be With You.
God Bless America.
Article XI. Canada acceding to this confederation, and adjoining in the measures of the united States, shall be admitted into, and entitled to all the advantages of this union; but no other colony shall be admitted into the same, unless such admission be agreed to by nine States.
These two are actually pretty simple. Article X was to set up a committee to handle mundane tasks in place of the full Congress. The committee would only have the ability to decide things that would not require majority (9 of 13 states) consent. Very little power. The way that it should be.
Article XI invited Canada to join the United States. Not really a shock, they are our neighbors to the north. But can you imagine the country if Canada were a part of the US? Article XI also established that majority would be required to admit any other States.
Both of these Articles were pretty mundane, yet very important, procedural guidelines.
Not a whole lot to say today. Too busy getting ready for the Tea Party rally tomorrow. If you have never been, I invite you to come. We always welcome more guests. Despite how we have been painted by the media, we are peaceful people who are very open minded and accepting of everyone. So, satisfy your curiosity and head to your local capitol tomorrow. Look forward to seeing you there.
May The Force Be With You.
God Bless America.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Articles of Confederation Part 5
And now on to the longest of the Articles:
Article IX. The united States in congress assembled, shall have the sole and exclusive right and power of determining on peace and war, except in the cases mentioned in the sixth article — of sending and receiving ambassadors — entering into treaties and alliances, provided that no treaty of commerce shall be made whereby the legislative power of the respective States shall be restrained from imposing such imposts and duties on foreigners, as their own people are subjected to, or from prohibiting the exportation or importation of any species of goods or commodities whatsoever — of establishing rules for deciding in all cases, what captures on land or water shall be legal, and in what manner prizes taken by land or naval forces in the service of the United States shall be divided or appropriated — of granting letters of marque and reprisal in times of peace — appointing courts for the trial of piracies and felonies committed on the high seas and establishing courts for receiving and determining finally appeals in all cases of captures, provided that no member of Congress shall be appointed a judge of any of the said courts.
The United States in Congress assembled shall also be the last resort on appeal in all disputes and differences now subsisting or that hereafter may arise between two or more States concerning boundary, jurisdiction or any other causes whatever; which authority shall always be exercised in the manner following. Whenever the legislative or executive authority or lawful agent of any State in controversy with another shall present a petition to Congress stating the matter in question and praying for a hearing, notice thereof shall be given by order of Congress to the legislative or executive authority of the other State in controversy, and a day assigned for the appearance of the parties by their lawful agents, who shall then be directed to appoint by joint consent, commissioners or judges to constitute a court for hearing and determining the matter in question: but if they cannot agree, Congress shall name three persons out of each of the United States, and from the list of such persons each party shall alternately strike out one, the petitioners beginning, until the number shall be reduced to thirteen; and from that number not less than seven, nor more than nine names as Congress shall direct, shall in the presence of Congress be drawn out by lot, and the persons whose names shall be so drawn or any five of them, shall be commissioners or judges, to hear and finally determine the controversy, so always as a major part of the judges who shall hear the cause shall agree in the determination: and if either party shall neglect to attend at the day appointed, without showing reasons, which Congress shall judge sufficient, or being present shall refuse to strike, the Congress shall proceed to nominate three persons out of each State, and the secretary of Congress shall strike in behalf of such party absent or refusing; and the judgement and sentence of the court to be appointed, in the manner before prescribed, shall be final and conclusive; and if any of the parties shall refuse to submit to the authority of such court, or to appear or defend their claim or cause, the court shall nevertheless proceed to pronounce sentence, or judgement, which shall in like manner be final and decisive, the judgement or sentence and other proceedings being in either case transmitted to Congress, and lodged among the acts of Congress for the security of the parties concerned: provided that every commissioner, before he sits in judgement, shall take an oath to be administered by one of the judges of the supreme or superior court of the State, where the cause shall be tried, 'well and truly to hear and determine the matter in question, according to the best of his judgement, without favor, affection or hope of reward': provided also, that no State shall be deprived of territory for the benefit of the United States.
All controversies concerning the private right of soil claimed under different grants of two or more States, whose jurisdictions as they may respect such lands, and the States which passed such grants are adjusted, the said grants or either of them being at the same time claimed to have originated antecedent to such settlement of jurisdiction, shall on the petition of either party to the Congress of the United States, be finally determined as near as may be in the same manner as is before prescribed for deciding disputes respecting territorial jurisdiction between different States.
The United States in Congress assembled shall also have the sole and exclusive right and power of regulating the alloy and value of coin struck by their own authority, or by that of the respective States — fixing the standards of weights and measures throughout the United States — regulating the trade and managing all affairs with the Indians, not members of any of the States, provided that the legislative right of any State within its own limits be not infringed or violated — establishing or regulating post offices from one State to another, throughout all the United States, and exacting such postage on the papers passing through the same as may be requisite to defray the expenses of the said office — appointing all officers of the land forces, in the service of the United States, excepting regimental officers — appointing all the officers of the naval forces, and commissioning all officers whatever in the service of the United States — making rules for the government and regulation of the said land and naval forces, and directing their operations.
The United States in Congress assembled shall have authority to appoint a committee, to sit in the recess of Congress, to be denominated 'A Committee of the States', and to consist of one delegate from each State; and to appoint such other committees and civil officers as may be necessary for managing the general affairs of the United States under their direction — to appoint one of their members to preside, provided that no person be allowed to serve in the office of president more than one year in any term of three years; to ascertain the necessary sums of money to be raised for the service of the United States, and to appropriate and apply the same for defraying the public expenses — to borrow money, or emit bills on the credit of the United States, transmitting every half-year to the respective States an account of the sums of money so borrowed or emitted — to build and equip a navy — to agree upon the number of land forces, and to make requisitions from each State for its quota, in proportion to the number of white inhabitants in such State; which requisition shall be binding, and thereupon the legislature of each State shall appoint the regimental officers, raise the men and cloath, arm and equip them in a solid- like manner, at the expense of the United States; and the officers and men so cloathed, armed and equipped shall march to the place appointed, and within the time agreed on by the United States in Congress assembled. But if the United States in Congress assembled shall, on consideration of circumstances judge proper that any State should not raise men, or should raise a smaller number of men than the quota thereof, such extra number shall be raised, officered, cloathed, armed and equipped in the same manner as the quota of each State, unless the legislature of such State shall judge that such extra number cannot be safely spread out in the same, in which case they shall raise, officer, cloath, arm and equip as many of such extra number as they judge can be safely spared. And the officers and men so cloathed, armed, and equipped, shall march to the place appointed, and within the time agreed on by the united States in congress assembled.
The united States in congress assembled shall never engage in a war, nor grant letters of marque or reprisal in time of peace, nor enter into any treaties or alliances, nor coin money, nor regulate the value thereof, nor ascertain the sums and expenses necessary for the defense and welfare of the United States, or any of them, nor emit bills, nor borrow money on the credit of the united States, nor appropriate money, nor agree upon the number of vessels of war, to be built or purchased, or the number of land or sea forces to be raised, nor appoint a commander in chief of the army or navy, unless nine States assent to the same: nor shall a question on any other point, except for adjourning from day to day be determined, unless by the votes of the majority of the united States in congress assembled.
The congress of the united States shall have power to adjourn to any time within the year, and to any place within the united States, so that no period of adjournment be for a longer duration than the space of six months, and shall publish the journal of their proceedings monthly, except such parts thereof relating to treaties, alliances or military operations, as in their judgement require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the delegates of each State on any question shall be entered on the journal, when it is desired by any delegates of a State, or any of them, at his or their request shall be furnished with a transcript of the said journal, except such parts as are above excepted, to lay before the legislatures of the several States.
To quote a great site, usconstitution.net, Article IX : "details the powers of Congress. To make and wage war; to appoint ambassadors; to enter into treaties; to establish maritime courts. The Congress had final authority to settle border disputes between states, or any other inter-state dispute. A complicated method for selecting a panel of judges to hear such disputes is laid forth. The Congress could set the value of coin, but was not able to strike it. It could regulate trade with Indian tribes, and could set post offices and charge postage. It could appoint officers to the army and navy, and set the rules for those forces.
A committee, called the Committee of the States, was built to sit whenever the full Congress was in recess, with one delegate from each state. A President of the Congress was to be chosen, to run the debates (with a one-year term). It could borrow and raise money, with a full accounting of all such monies sent to the states every half-year. Affirmative votes of nine states were required for most Congressional action, including the borrowing of money, the start of war, raise taxes, etc."
For the most part, these powers are reasonable and should fall under the purview of the Federal government. The economic powers of the Federal government are something still debated to this day and, though I am interested in the different views on this, I still do not feel qualified to state a firm position on the subject.
While the postal service may have been best handled by the government in the day and age of the Articles, what exists now is a hollow shell of what it once was and, in my opinion, the USPS needs to be completely privatized and allowed to compete with companies like UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
Can you imagine a President only sitting in office for only one year? They would spend all year campaigning instead of doing there job (sounds like the fourth year of most recent Presidents, or in Obama's case, the third year).
Have a great weekend fellow patriots.
May The Force Be With You.
God Bless America.
Article IX. The united States in congress assembled, shall have the sole and exclusive right and power of determining on peace and war, except in the cases mentioned in the sixth article — of sending and receiving ambassadors — entering into treaties and alliances, provided that no treaty of commerce shall be made whereby the legislative power of the respective States shall be restrained from imposing such imposts and duties on foreigners, as their own people are subjected to, or from prohibiting the exportation or importation of any species of goods or commodities whatsoever — of establishing rules for deciding in all cases, what captures on land or water shall be legal, and in what manner prizes taken by land or naval forces in the service of the United States shall be divided or appropriated — of granting letters of marque and reprisal in times of peace — appointing courts for the trial of piracies and felonies committed on the high seas and establishing courts for receiving and determining finally appeals in all cases of captures, provided that no member of Congress shall be appointed a judge of any of the said courts.
The United States in Congress assembled shall also be the last resort on appeal in all disputes and differences now subsisting or that hereafter may arise between two or more States concerning boundary, jurisdiction or any other causes whatever; which authority shall always be exercised in the manner following. Whenever the legislative or executive authority or lawful agent of any State in controversy with another shall present a petition to Congress stating the matter in question and praying for a hearing, notice thereof shall be given by order of Congress to the legislative or executive authority of the other State in controversy, and a day assigned for the appearance of the parties by their lawful agents, who shall then be directed to appoint by joint consent, commissioners or judges to constitute a court for hearing and determining the matter in question: but if they cannot agree, Congress shall name three persons out of each of the United States, and from the list of such persons each party shall alternately strike out one, the petitioners beginning, until the number shall be reduced to thirteen; and from that number not less than seven, nor more than nine names as Congress shall direct, shall in the presence of Congress be drawn out by lot, and the persons whose names shall be so drawn or any five of them, shall be commissioners or judges, to hear and finally determine the controversy, so always as a major part of the judges who shall hear the cause shall agree in the determination: and if either party shall neglect to attend at the day appointed, without showing reasons, which Congress shall judge sufficient, or being present shall refuse to strike, the Congress shall proceed to nominate three persons out of each State, and the secretary of Congress shall strike in behalf of such party absent or refusing; and the judgement and sentence of the court to be appointed, in the manner before prescribed, shall be final and conclusive; and if any of the parties shall refuse to submit to the authority of such court, or to appear or defend their claim or cause, the court shall nevertheless proceed to pronounce sentence, or judgement, which shall in like manner be final and decisive, the judgement or sentence and other proceedings being in either case transmitted to Congress, and lodged among the acts of Congress for the security of the parties concerned: provided that every commissioner, before he sits in judgement, shall take an oath to be administered by one of the judges of the supreme or superior court of the State, where the cause shall be tried, 'well and truly to hear and determine the matter in question, according to the best of his judgement, without favor, affection or hope of reward': provided also, that no State shall be deprived of territory for the benefit of the United States.
All controversies concerning the private right of soil claimed under different grants of two or more States, whose jurisdictions as they may respect such lands, and the States which passed such grants are adjusted, the said grants or either of them being at the same time claimed to have originated antecedent to such settlement of jurisdiction, shall on the petition of either party to the Congress of the United States, be finally determined as near as may be in the same manner as is before prescribed for deciding disputes respecting territorial jurisdiction between different States.
The United States in Congress assembled shall also have the sole and exclusive right and power of regulating the alloy and value of coin struck by their own authority, or by that of the respective States — fixing the standards of weights and measures throughout the United States — regulating the trade and managing all affairs with the Indians, not members of any of the States, provided that the legislative right of any State within its own limits be not infringed or violated — establishing or regulating post offices from one State to another, throughout all the United States, and exacting such postage on the papers passing through the same as may be requisite to defray the expenses of the said office — appointing all officers of the land forces, in the service of the United States, excepting regimental officers — appointing all the officers of the naval forces, and commissioning all officers whatever in the service of the United States — making rules for the government and regulation of the said land and naval forces, and directing their operations.
The United States in Congress assembled shall have authority to appoint a committee, to sit in the recess of Congress, to be denominated 'A Committee of the States', and to consist of one delegate from each State; and to appoint such other committees and civil officers as may be necessary for managing the general affairs of the United States under their direction — to appoint one of their members to preside, provided that no person be allowed to serve in the office of president more than one year in any term of three years; to ascertain the necessary sums of money to be raised for the service of the United States, and to appropriate and apply the same for defraying the public expenses — to borrow money, or emit bills on the credit of the United States, transmitting every half-year to the respective States an account of the sums of money so borrowed or emitted — to build and equip a navy — to agree upon the number of land forces, and to make requisitions from each State for its quota, in proportion to the number of white inhabitants in such State; which requisition shall be binding, and thereupon the legislature of each State shall appoint the regimental officers, raise the men and cloath, arm and equip them in a solid- like manner, at the expense of the United States; and the officers and men so cloathed, armed and equipped shall march to the place appointed, and within the time agreed on by the United States in Congress assembled. But if the United States in Congress assembled shall, on consideration of circumstances judge proper that any State should not raise men, or should raise a smaller number of men than the quota thereof, such extra number shall be raised, officered, cloathed, armed and equipped in the same manner as the quota of each State, unless the legislature of such State shall judge that such extra number cannot be safely spread out in the same, in which case they shall raise, officer, cloath, arm and equip as many of such extra number as they judge can be safely spared. And the officers and men so cloathed, armed, and equipped, shall march to the place appointed, and within the time agreed on by the united States in congress assembled.
The united States in congress assembled shall never engage in a war, nor grant letters of marque or reprisal in time of peace, nor enter into any treaties or alliances, nor coin money, nor regulate the value thereof, nor ascertain the sums and expenses necessary for the defense and welfare of the United States, or any of them, nor emit bills, nor borrow money on the credit of the united States, nor appropriate money, nor agree upon the number of vessels of war, to be built or purchased, or the number of land or sea forces to be raised, nor appoint a commander in chief of the army or navy, unless nine States assent to the same: nor shall a question on any other point, except for adjourning from day to day be determined, unless by the votes of the majority of the united States in congress assembled.
The congress of the united States shall have power to adjourn to any time within the year, and to any place within the united States, so that no period of adjournment be for a longer duration than the space of six months, and shall publish the journal of their proceedings monthly, except such parts thereof relating to treaties, alliances or military operations, as in their judgement require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the delegates of each State on any question shall be entered on the journal, when it is desired by any delegates of a State, or any of them, at his or their request shall be furnished with a transcript of the said journal, except such parts as are above excepted, to lay before the legislatures of the several States.
To quote a great site, usconstitution.net, Article IX : "details the powers of Congress. To make and wage war; to appoint ambassadors; to enter into treaties; to establish maritime courts. The Congress had final authority to settle border disputes between states, or any other inter-state dispute. A complicated method for selecting a panel of judges to hear such disputes is laid forth. The Congress could set the value of coin, but was not able to strike it. It could regulate trade with Indian tribes, and could set post offices and charge postage. It could appoint officers to the army and navy, and set the rules for those forces.
A committee, called the Committee of the States, was built to sit whenever the full Congress was in recess, with one delegate from each state. A President of the Congress was to be chosen, to run the debates (with a one-year term). It could borrow and raise money, with a full accounting of all such monies sent to the states every half-year. Affirmative votes of nine states were required for most Congressional action, including the borrowing of money, the start of war, raise taxes, etc."
For the most part, these powers are reasonable and should fall under the purview of the Federal government. The economic powers of the Federal government are something still debated to this day and, though I am interested in the different views on this, I still do not feel qualified to state a firm position on the subject.
While the postal service may have been best handled by the government in the day and age of the Articles, what exists now is a hollow shell of what it once was and, in my opinion, the USPS needs to be completely privatized and allowed to compete with companies like UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
Can you imagine a President only sitting in office for only one year? They would spend all year campaigning instead of doing there job (sounds like the fourth year of most recent Presidents, or in Obama's case, the third year).
Have a great weekend fellow patriots.
May The Force Be With You.
God Bless America.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Articles of Confederation Part 4
Before I get started, I want to apologize for missing a week. I had kind of a family emergency. My grandmother was in the hospital and we didn't think she was going to make it. But I am happy to report she is doing much better and is now back in the rest home.
So without further ado, let us continue.
Article VII. When land forces are raised by any State for the common defense, all officers of or under the rank of colonel, shall be appointed by the legislature 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 VIII. All charges of war, and all other expenses that shall be incurred for the common defense or general welfare, and allowed by the united States in congress assembled, shall be defrayed out of a common treasury, which shall be supplied by the several States in proportion to the value of all land within each State, granted or surveyed for any person, as such land and the buildings and improvements thereon shall be estimated according to such mode as the united States in congress assembled, shall from time to time direct and appoint.
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 in congress assembled.
Article VII is interesting to me. The states had the ability to appoint officers to the Army, giving them a personal stake in the military, as well as protection against the abuse of power by outside forces.
Article VIII establishes a national treasury and states that funds for federal powers should be paid from this. The Article states that the funding should be equal to the value of the land in the individual States. This is kind of an interesting idea. Although still not maybe the best system for determining taxes, might be an idea to revisit.
Gonna keep this week short, hope everyone has a great week.
May The Force Be With You.
God Bless America.
So without further ado, let us continue.
Article VII. When land forces are raised by any State for the common defense, all officers of or under the rank of colonel, shall be appointed by the legislature 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 VIII. All charges of war, and all other expenses that shall be incurred for the common defense or general welfare, and allowed by the united States in congress assembled, shall be defrayed out of a common treasury, which shall be supplied by the several States in proportion to the value of all land within each State, granted or surveyed for any person, as such land and the buildings and improvements thereon shall be estimated according to such mode as the united States in congress assembled, shall from time to time direct and appoint.
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 in congress assembled.
Article VII is interesting to me. The states had the ability to appoint officers to the Army, giving them a personal stake in the military, as well as protection against the abuse of power by outside forces.
Article VIII establishes a national treasury and states that funds for federal powers should be paid from this. The Article states that the funding should be equal to the value of the land in the individual States. This is kind of an interesting idea. Although still not maybe the best system for determining taxes, might be an idea to revisit.
Gonna keep this week short, hope everyone has a great week.
May The Force Be With You.
God Bless America.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Articles OF Confederation Part 3
Article VI. 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 any present, emolument, office or title of any kind whatever from any King, Prince or foreign State; nor shall the United States in congress assembled, or any of them, grant any title of nobility.
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.
No State shall lay any imposts or duties, which may interfere with any stipulations in treaties, entered into by the united States in congress assembled, with any King, Prince or State, in pursuance of any treaties already proposed by congress, to the courts of France and Spain.
No vessel 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 in congress assembled, for the defense 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 judgement of the united States, in congress assembled, shall be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the defense of such State; but every State shall always keep up a well-regulated and disciplined militia, sufficiently armed and accoutered, and shall provide and constantly have ready for use, in public stores, a due number of field pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of arms, ammunition and camp equipage.
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 a delay till the united States in congress assembled 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 in congress 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 in congress assembled, unless such State be infested by pirates, in which case vessels of war may be fitted out for that occasion, and kept so long as the danger shall continue, or until the united States in congress assembled shall determine otherwise.
The 6th Article establishes what areas the Federal government should have control over. Specifically: Diplomacy; Treaties; Military Forces; and War.
While the founding fathers wanted the people in the individual states to have a great deal of power to self govern, they understood that there are somethings that should be handled by a central governing body. Hypothetically, if the state of New York entered in to a treaty with Portugal, whom had declared Massachusetts and enemy, this could cause great conflict.
And likewise, having individual states maintain their own Navies could cause great confusion in command structure during military actions against another country. Or worse yet, states could make war on one another.
I am a fervent supporter of State's rights, but I do understand the need for some measure of control over certain areas of governance. In some matters, the States must be protected from themselves and one another. And in many other areas the States must assert their authority over their own governance.
The Founding Fathers, while far from perfect, did have a great deal of foresight and wisdom. They thoroughly thought the governance of these United States through to great detail.
May The Force Be With You.
God Bless America.
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.
No State shall lay any imposts or duties, which may interfere with any stipulations in treaties, entered into by the united States in congress assembled, with any King, Prince or State, in pursuance of any treaties already proposed by congress, to the courts of France and Spain.
No vessel 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 in congress assembled, for the defense 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 judgement of the united States, in congress assembled, shall be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the defense of such State; but every State shall always keep up a well-regulated and disciplined militia, sufficiently armed and accoutered, and shall provide and constantly have ready for use, in public stores, a due number of field pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of arms, ammunition and camp equipage.
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 a delay till the united States in congress assembled 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 in congress 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 in congress assembled, unless such State be infested by pirates, in which case vessels of war may be fitted out for that occasion, and kept so long as the danger shall continue, or until the united States in congress assembled shall determine otherwise.
The 6th Article establishes what areas the Federal government should have control over. Specifically: Diplomacy; Treaties; Military Forces; and War.
While the founding fathers wanted the people in the individual states to have a great deal of power to self govern, they understood that there are somethings that should be handled by a central governing body. Hypothetically, if the state of New York entered in to a treaty with Portugal, whom had declared Massachusetts and enemy, this could cause great conflict.
And likewise, having individual states maintain their own Navies could cause great confusion in command structure during military actions against another country. Or worse yet, states could make war on one another.
I am a fervent supporter of State's rights, but I do understand the need for some measure of control over certain areas of governance. In some matters, the States must be protected from themselves and one another. And in many other areas the States must assert their authority over their own governance.
The Founding Fathers, while far from perfect, did have a great deal of foresight and wisdom. They thoroughly thought the governance of these United States through to great detail.
May The Force Be With You.
God Bless America.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Articles Of Confederation Part 2
Article IV. The better to secure and perpetuate mutual friendship and intercourse among the people of the different States in this union, the free inhabitants of each of these States, paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from justice excepted, shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several States; and the people of each State shall have free ingress and regress to and from any other State, and shall enjoy therein all the privileges of trade and commerce, subject to the same duties, impositions, and restrictions as the inhabitants thereof respectively, provided that such restrictions shall not extend so far as to prevent the removal of property imported into any State, to any other State, of which the owner is an inhabitant; provided also that no imposition, duties or restriction shall be laid by any State, on the property of the united States, or either of them.
If any person guilty of, or charged with, treason, felony, or other high misdemeanor in any State, shall flee from justice, and be found in any of the united States, he shall, upon demand of the Governor or executive power of the State from which he fled, be delivered up and removed to the State having jurisdiction of his offense.
Full faith and credit shall be given in each of these States to the records, acts, and judicial proceedings of the courts and magistrates of every other State.
Article V. For the most convenient management of the general interests of the united States, delegates shall be annually appointed in such manner as the legislatures of each State shall direct, to meet in Congress on the first Monday in November, in every year, with a power reserved to each State to recall its delegates, or any of them, at any time within the year, and to send others in their stead for the remainder of the year.
No State shall be represented in Congress by less than two, nor more than seven members; and no person shall be capable of being a delegate for more than three years in any term of six years; nor shall any person, being a delegate, be capable of holding any office under the united States, for which he, or another for his benefit, receives any salary, fees or emolument of any kind.
Each State shall maintain its own delegates in a meeting of the States, and while they act as members of the committee of the States.
In determining questions in the united States, in Congress assembled, each State shall have one vote.
Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Congress, and the members of Congress shall be protected in their persons from arrests or imprisonments, during the time of their going to and from, and attendance on Congress, except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace.
Article IV deals with the right of citizens and States regarding travel, commerce, and extradition. Congress did not want citizens to be limited concerning interstate travel, but they also did not want citizens able to flee criminal charges by simply crossing a State border.
Interestingly enough, this particular Article has set a precedent for legal cases regarding the requirements for driver's licenses. I won't go in to too much detail, but do a google search for "right to travel" some time and you'll see what I mean.
Article V sets up the format of Congress and the voting power of representatives. Interestingly the Articles only provide one vote for each State, regardless of State population, size, or delegation membership. Considering there was only one body for Congress, it does seem to be the only way to ensure larger states or those with greater populations would have undue influence over others.
Not a lot to say this week. The Wisconsin Government finally represented the will of the people, striking a blow for freedom. Here in Nevada, we will not be having a state fair for the first time in 136 years. Pretty sad, but unfortunately that is the economic realities of an overly taxed society that can not afford small luxuries.
May The Force Be With You.
God Bless America.
If any person guilty of, or charged with, treason, felony, or other high misdemeanor in any State, shall flee from justice, and be found in any of the united States, he shall, upon demand of the Governor or executive power of the State from which he fled, be delivered up and removed to the State having jurisdiction of his offense.
Full faith and credit shall be given in each of these States to the records, acts, and judicial proceedings of the courts and magistrates of every other State.
Article V. For the most convenient management of the general interests of the united States, delegates shall be annually appointed in such manner as the legislatures of each State shall direct, to meet in Congress on the first Monday in November, in every year, with a power reserved to each State to recall its delegates, or any of them, at any time within the year, and to send others in their stead for the remainder of the year.
No State shall be represented in Congress by less than two, nor more than seven members; and no person shall be capable of being a delegate for more than three years in any term of six years; nor shall any person, being a delegate, be capable of holding any office under the united States, for which he, or another for his benefit, receives any salary, fees or emolument of any kind.
Each State shall maintain its own delegates in a meeting of the States, and while they act as members of the committee of the States.
In determining questions in the united States, in Congress assembled, each State shall have one vote.
Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Congress, and the members of Congress shall be protected in their persons from arrests or imprisonments, during the time of their going to and from, and attendance on Congress, except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace.
Article IV deals with the right of citizens and States regarding travel, commerce, and extradition. Congress did not want citizens to be limited concerning interstate travel, but they also did not want citizens able to flee criminal charges by simply crossing a State border.
Interestingly enough, this particular Article has set a precedent for legal cases regarding the requirements for driver's licenses. I won't go in to too much detail, but do a google search for "right to travel" some time and you'll see what I mean.
Article V sets up the format of Congress and the voting power of representatives. Interestingly the Articles only provide one vote for each State, regardless of State population, size, or delegation membership. Considering there was only one body for Congress, it does seem to be the only way to ensure larger states or those with greater populations would have undue influence over others.
Not a lot to say this week. The Wisconsin Government finally represented the will of the people, striking a blow for freedom. Here in Nevada, we will not be having a state fair for the first time in 136 years. Pretty sad, but unfortunately that is the economic realities of an overly taxed society that can not afford small luxuries.
May The Force Be With You.
God Bless America.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
The Original Constitution
The Articles of Confederation
Agreed to by Congress November 15, 1777; ratified and in force, March 1, 1781.Preamble
To all to whom these Presents shall come, we the undersigned Delegates of the States affixed to our Names send greeting.Whereas the Delegates of the United States of America in Congress assembled did on the fifteenth day of November in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy seven, and in the Second Year of the Independence of America, agree to certain articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between 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, in the words following, viz:
Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between 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.
Article I. The Stile of this Confederacy shall be "The United States of America."
Article II. Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every Power, Jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.
Article III. The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, 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 pretense whatever.
The Articles Of Confederation were our nation's first attempt at organizing the new independent United States of America in to a working nation. And while I appreciate the attempt, Confederations never last. In a confederation, the individual political units, States in this case, maintain their sovereignty (in other words, each is its own nation), but they join together in a coordinated way to deal with certain issues, such as security. This independence of each political unit is seen as both the main advantage and main disadvantage of a confederation.
While I am very much in favor of the power and independence of individual states, I also understand that there is a very small area between anarchy and oppression. A delicate balance has to be maintained between the powers of the individual and the state, as well as between the state powers and Federal powers.
In these Articles the States outline their desire to remain independent while at the same time retaining the protection of their continued alliance. Unfortunately, the Articles do not give a structure to enforce this alliance. Their is no way to maintain the balance.
We must always beware those who would desire to shift the balance to far one way or the other. Our nation is designed to allow for corrections, to allow shifts in the balance. But we must actively participate if we are to maintain the balance.
We must balance security and liberty. We must balance economy and conservation. We must balance welfare and independence.
May The Force Be With You.
God Bless America.
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