T is necessary to look at the political status of the American colonies before the Revolution in order to fully comprehend the difficulties encountered by the framers of the Constitution. The colonies of New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and the Carolinas had provincial governments. The action of the authorities governing these colonies- the governor, council, and assembly was subject to the direct supervision of the crown. Any and all of their acts could be disapproved and annulled by the crown. They were as completely subordinate and subject to the king as if they were under the shadow of his palace. Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland were proprietary governments, which permitted more freedom of action, but always enforcing the sovereignty of the mother country. In Maryland the liberty was so broad I that its laws were not subject to the direct control of the king. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut were governed under charters granted by the crown. They were representative governments most of the officers were elected by popular vote. It.was only required that their laws, so far as possible, should conform to the laws of England: Interference by Parliament with these vested rights in Massachusetts caused apprehension all the colonies that they, too, would be curtailed of their privileges, and was one of the chief causes leading to the Revolution. This fear of complete subjection to England opened the eyes of the colonists, to the necessity of some sort of union for mutual protection. Some, content with the freedom they enjoyed, and feeling secure in its continuance, were reluctantly brought to the suggestion of Franklin that a general congress be held, with representatives from all the colonies; and "after full and solemn assertion and declaration of their rights, to engage firmly with each other that they will never grant aids to the crown in any general war until those rights were recog nized by the king and both houses of Parliament." This was on July 7, 1773. This was the germ from which the Continental Congress grew, and whose complete fruitage was the Constitution of the United States. The Continental Congress was a mere temporary expedient. No one thought of independence. All felt that a united protest and appeal to the crown would secure the redress of grievances; and then each colony would continue its separate and independent government. But the sword was thus sharpened which was to sever all ties which bound the colonies to the crown. Immediately after the independence of the States had been established and recognized, the question of their future government commanded the earnest and anxious |