Page:Cambridge Modern History Volume 7.djvu/337

CHAPTER 131 THE STRUGGLE FOR COMMERCIAL INDEPENDENCE. (17831812.) ON November 3, 1783, the definitive treaty which recognised the independence of the English colonies in America was signed at Paris ; and the rebellion came to a triumphant end. Though the work of revolution, the work of demolition, was thus accomplished, that of reconstruction was yet to begin. An enormous debt was to be paid off; a depreciated currency was to be restored; a national currency was to be created ; public credit was to be established ; commerce was to be built up ; a foreign policy was to be framed suitable to the high rank which the United States was expected to take in the family of nations, and such a domestic policy was to be adopted as would unite the conflicting interests of thirteen jealous republics. Under the best of governments the task would have been a hard one. But the Continental Congress was called on to perform it under one of the worst. The Articles of Confederation adopted by Congress in 1777, and ratified by the thirteen States on March 1, 1781, provided for a Congress of one House, to which each State must send at least two delegates, and might send any number up to seven. The delegates were chosen annually by the States, might be recalled at any time, could not serve more than three years in any period of six, and were paid by the States that sent them. Once seated in Congress, these men found themselves members of what a few years later would have been denounced as a " dark and secret conclave." The doors of their chamber were shut ; the debates took place in private ; and no reports of them were published. Their deliberations were controlled by a President annually elected by the Congress and looked up to as the representative of the sovereignty of the States united for common defence; but he was merely the President of Congress and never the President of the United States. Congress had power to make war and peace, coin money, establish post-offices and post-routes, appoint all officers in the land and naval forces of the United States, except regimental officers, appoint a C. M. H. VII. CH. IX. 20