Summary
The representatives of the thirteen states agree to
create a confederacy called the United States
of America, in which each state maintains its own
sovereignty and all rights to govern, except
those rights specifically granted to Congress.
As these thirteen states enter into a firm "league
of friendship" for the purpose of defending each
other, there are standards that the states should
follow to help maintain good relationships. Each
state must recognize the legal proceedings and
official records of every other state, and that the
citizens of one state have the rights of
citizenship in any state. Additionally, a state
must help return runaway criminals to the state in
which the crime was committed.
States have the right to select and send two to
seven delegates to Congress each year. Each state
has one vote in congress, and delegates can only
serve for a period of three years in any interval
of six years. Delegates have certain privileges
while serving in Congress. They are guaranteed the
right to freedom of speech and are immune from
arrest for most petty crimes.
States are not allowed to conduct relationships
with foreign nations without the permission of
congress. They cannot wage war, negotiate peace,
raise an army or navy, conduct diplomacy, or make
an alliance with another state. However, they can
make imposts on goods, as long as they do not
interfere with foreign treaties. States must keep a
local militia, and they may wage war if they need
to quickly defend themselves.
During war, states have the right to appoint
officers of colonel rank and below. Congress pays
for war from a treasury that states contribute to
relative to the value of land in their state.
Congress has the sole power to deal with foreign
nations, including making war and peace, and to
deal with Indian (Native American) affairs. Congress
must maintain uniform standards of coins and
measures, make the rules for the army and navy, and
run the post office. Congress will help resolve
interstate disputes only as a last resort, and has
the sole right to hold trials for crimes committed
at sea.
Congress can appoint a provisional Committee of the
States to serve when Congress is not in session.
Congress can appoint other committees made up of
civilians to help run the nation, and a president
who can serve for one year every interval of three
years.
Congress determines the budget and will publish it
regularly, along with the proceedings of its
meetings. When Congress must request troops, it
will do so relative to the number of white
inhabitants in each state, and the states must
provide those troops on the date indicated.
On the most important issues of foreign affairs,
nine of thirteen delegates must agree.
If Canada chooses to join the United States, it
will be admitted as an equal state.
Congress takes full responsibility for all debts
from the American Revolution.
All states agree to follow the rules of the
Articles and the decisions of Congress and to never
violate the union.
Any changes to the Articles of Confederation
must be agreed to in congress and approved by every
state.
