The New International Encyclopædia/Annapolis Convention, The

ANNAPOLIS CONVEN′TION, The. A convention held at Annapolis, Md., September 11, 1786, to consider the question of intercolonial commerce and discuss some proposed alterations in the Articles of Confederation. Commissioners from only five States, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, were present (though New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and North Carolina had appointed delegates, who did not attend); and the Convention accordingly adjourned after recommending that a convention of all the States be called for the purpose of rendering “the Constitution of the Federal Government adequate to the exigencies of the Union.” This led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787.