alterations therein, by the assent of a Congress of the United States, and of the legislatures of the several states; and whereas experience hath evinced, that there are defects in the present Confederation; as a mean to remedy which, several of the states, and particularly the State of New York , by express instructions to their delegates in Congress, have suggested a convention for the purposes expressed in the following resolution; and such convention appearing to be the most probable mean of establishing in these states a firm national government : “ Resolved —That in the opinion of Congress it is expedient, that on the second Monday of May next a convention of delegates, who shall have been appointed by the several states, be held at Philadelphia, for the sole and express purpose of revising the articles of Confederation , and reporting to Congress and the several legislatures such alterations and provisions therein , as shall, when agreed to in Congress, and confirmed by the states, render the federal Constitution adequate to the exigencies of government and the preservation of the Union .”
From these two acts, it appears, 1st, that the object of the convention was to establish, in these states, a firm national government ; 2nd, that this government was to be such as would be adequate to the exigencies of government and the preservation of the Union ; 3rd, that these purposes were to be effected by alterations and provisions in the articles of Confederation , as it is expressed in the act of Congress, or by such further provisions as should appear necessary , as it stands in the recommendatory act from Annapolis; 4th, that the alterations and provisions were to be reported to Congress, and to the states, in order to be agreed to by the former and confirmed by the latter.