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1. DEBATE OVER CONSTITUTION
1 March
26 June
28 June
29 June
19 November
15 December
25-28 March
21 January
3 August
29 August
11-14 September
I November
17 November
23 November
4 December
7 December
21 February
22 February
1784
Congress accepts Virginia's cession of Northwest Territory.
Legislature approves amendment to Articles of Confedera-
tion to share expenses according to population.
Legislature appoints commissioners to meet with Maryland
commissioners to discuss commercial problems over the
jurisdiction and navigation of the Potomac River.
Legislature approves amendment to Articles of Confedera-
tion to grant Congress power to regulate commerce for
fifteen years.
Legislature instructs delegates to Congress to secure navi-
gation of Mississippi River.
Congress officially informed that Spain has closed navigation
of Mississippi River to Americans.
1785
Mount Vernon Conference.
1786
Legislature calls interstate meeting to consider granting Con-
gress power to regulate trade and appoints Edmund Ran-
dolph, James Madison, Walter Jones, St. George Tucker,
and Meriwether Smith as delegates.
Congress receives Secretary for Foreign Affairs John Jay's
request to forbear navigation of Mississippi River for twenty-
five years so he could conclude commercial treaty with Spain.
Congress votes seven states to five to approve Jay's request.
Virginia votes with minority.
Annapolis Convention meets and calls for a convention to
meet in Philadelphia on 14 May 1787.
House of Delegates rejects petitions favoring paper money;
it condemns paper money as "unjust, impolitic, and de-
structive."
House of Delegates receives petition from inhabitants of Ken-
tucky protesting rumored action by Congress giving up nav-
igation of Mississippi River.
Legislature authorizes appointment of delegates to Consti-
tutional Convention.
Legislature elects George Washington, Patrick Henry, Ed-
mund Randolph, John Blair, James Madison, George Ma-
son, and George Wythe as delegates to Constitutional Con-
vention.
Legislature instructs its delegates to Congress to oppose any
attempt by Congress to give up right to navigate Mississippi
River.
1787
Congress calls for Constitutional Convention to meet in Phil-
adelphia on 14 May.
Thomas Nelson, Jr., appointed delegate to Constitutional
Convention in place of Patrick Henry, who declined to
serve.
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