RESOLUTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA, JANUARY 21, 1786, PROPOSING A JOINT MEETING OF COMMISSIONERS FROM THE STATES TO CONSIDER AND RECOMMEND A FEDERAL PLAN FOR REGULATING COMMERCE (1)

A motion was made, that the House do come to the following resolution:

Resolved, That Edmund Randolph, James Madison, jun. Walter Jones, Saint George Tucker and Meriwether Smith, Esquires, be appointed commissioners, who, or any three of whom, shall meet such commissioners as may be appointed by the other States in the Union, at a time and place to be agreed on, to take into consideration the trade of the United States; to examine the relative situations and trade of the said States; to consider how far a uniform system in their commercial regulations may be necessary to their common interest and their permanent harmony; and to report to the several States, such an act relative to this great object, as, when unanimously ratified by them, will enable the United States in Congress, effectually to provide for the same.

(1) Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, January 21, 1786, p. Use; Richmond, 1828. Journal of the Senate, January 21, 1786, p. 102; Richmond, 182p.

" In the Senate a further addition was made of Col. Mason, Mr. D. Ross and Mr. Ronald. The name of the latter was struck out at his desire. " James Madison to James Monroe, January 22, 1786. Writings of James Madison, Hunt, Editor, Vol. II (1901), p. 223. Back