In 1786, her General Assembly adopted resolutions calling for a meeting
of representatives from all the states to prepare such amendments to the
Articles of Confederation as would enlarge the powers of Congress over
commerce,—foreign and domestic. A delegation, with James Madison at its
head, was appointed and the first Monday in September, 1786, fixed as
the time, and Annapolis as the place, for the assembling of the
convention. Representatives from only five states responded to
Virginia's appeal, but they issued an address calling for a convention
to assemble in Philadelphia on the second Monday in May, 1787, to devise
such provisions as would "render the constitution of the Federal
Government adequate to the exigencies of the Union." Despite the
imminence of the dangers which threatened the country, and the manifest
need of a stronger union, the Continental Congress at first refused its
sanction to the movement; the Governor of New York denied the need of
any action; and the Legislature of Massachusetts formally declined to
appoint delegates to the convention.[347]
"From this state of despair," says Mr. Bancroft, "the country was
lifted by Madison and Virginia. The recommendation of a
plenipotentiary convention was well received by the Assembly of
Virginia.... On the motion of Madison the Assembly gave its unanimous
sanction to the recommendation from Annapolis."[348]
Continuing, Mr. Bancroft says: "We come now upon the week glorious for
Virginia beyond any event in its annals or in the history of any former
republic."[349] Without a dissenting voice, the General Assembly adopted
a memorial approving the plan for the Philadelphia Convention, the
spirit and purpose of which will appear from the following extract:
"The General Assembly of this commonwealth, taking into view the
situation of the confederacy as well as reflecting on the alarming
representations made from time to time by the United States in
Congress, particularly in their act of the 15th day of February last,
can no longer doubt that the crisis is arrived at which the people of
America are to decide the solemn question whether they will by wise
and magnanimous efforts reap the fruits of independence and of union,
or whether by giving way to unmanly jealousies and prejudices or to
partial and transitory interests they will renounce the blessings
prepared for them by the Revolution. The same noble and extended
policy, and the same fraternal and affectionate sentiments which
originally determined the citizens of this commonwealth to unite with
their brethren of the other states in establishing a Federal
Government cannot but be felt with equal force now as motives to lay
aside every inferior consideration, and to concur in such further
concessions and provisions as may be necessary to secure the objects
for which that Government was instituted, and render the United States
as happy in peace as they have been glorious in war."[350]