The very day that the Continental Congress appointed a committee to frame a declaration of independence, another committee was ordered to prepare articles of union.

A month later, as soon as the Declaration of Independence had been adopted, this second committee, of which John Dickinson of Pennsylvania was chairman, presented to Congress a report in the form of Articles of Confederation.
Although the outbreak of fighting made some sort of united action imperative, this plan of union was subjected to debate intermittently for over sixteen months and even after being adopted by Congress, toward the end of 1777, it was not ratified by the States until March, 1781, when the war was already drawing to a close.

The exigencies of the hour forced Congress, without any authorization, to act as if it had been duly empowered and in general to proceed as if the Confederation had been formed.
Benjamin Franklin was an enthusiast for union.

It was he who had submitted the plan of union to the Albany Congress in 1754, which with modifications was recommended by that congress for adoption.

It provided for a Grand Council of representatives chosen by the legislature of each colony, the members to be proportioned to the contribution of that colony to the American military service.