“Certain measures now pursuing by some European States having a tendency materially to injure the general trade of America, the attention of this house is naturally turned to the affairs of Commerce, & therein we are struck with an apparent defect in the constitution of Congress; for as the local exercise within the States, of the powers of regulating & controlling trade, can result only in discordant systems productive of internal jealousies which are the effect of a lack of unity of Council; this house are clearly of opinion, that the
individual as well as general good will be best consulted, by relinquishing to Congress all these separate and independent powers.”“And this house are willing and desirous on the part of Pennsylvania, to concur in substantiating this idea by the necessary legal Acts.”
No. 6. Vide an Act of the Legislature of Virginia, Page 23.