the Indian wars.

In 1754 delegates from seven of the colonies met at Albany and adopted
a plan of union proposed by Benjamin Franklin. The plan provided for a
colonial army, the control of public lands, legislation affecting the
general welfare, and the levying of taxes for intercolonial projects.
In America Franklin's plan was regarded with considerable favor, but
it was never given serious consideration by the British Parliament.
The project fell through.

Still later (1765) delegates from nine of the colonies met in the
Stamp Act Congress, for the purpose of drawing up a protest against
the taxation policy of the mother country.

The two continental congresses may also be regarded as steps toward
union. The first of these met in 1774 and concerned itself chiefly
with a declaration of rights and grievances. The second (1775-1781)
assumed revolutionary powers, and, with the consent of the people,
exercised those powers during the greater part of the war period.

24. THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION.--Nothing so clearly illustrates the
sectional feeling of that era as the history of the Articles of
Confederation. The Articles were adopted by the Second Continental
Congress in 1777, but on account of the tardiness with which some of
the states ratified them, they were not put into actual operation
until March 1, 1781. By the terms of the Articles the states yielded
some of their powers, the central government being given the right to
declare war, borrow and coin money, establish post offices, and
otherwise act for the general good. On the other hand, the Articles
declared that "each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and