On the record
In a word, the Confederation appears to me to be little more than a shadow without the substance, and Congress a nugatory body, their ordinances being little attended to....
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gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
Beck captures Washington's critical assessment of the effectiveness of the Confederation and Congress.
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Americans have never lacked interest in English history; for however broad the stream of our national life, how could we ignore its chief source?
They differed, at times heatedly, but always as gentlemen of candour and honour.
It discusses a great malaise of our age, for which, I fear, no written Constitution, however wise, is an adequate remedy.
Again the words of Washington suggest themselves: "If, to please the people, we offer what we ourselves disapprove, how can we afterwards defend our work?
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