More than four pages, or three-fifths of the whole printed draft, were devoted to Congress and its powers.

It is more significant, however, that in the new Constitution the legislative powers of the Confederation were transferred bodily to the Congress of the United States, and that the powers added were few in number, although of course of the first importance.

The Virginia Plan declared that, in addition to the powers under the Confederation, Congress should have the right "to legislate in all cases to which the separate States are incompetent." This statement was elaborated in the printed draft which granted specific powers of taxation, of regulating commerce, of establishing a uniform rule of naturalization, and at the end of the enumeration of powers two clauses were added giving to Congress authority: "To call forth the aid of the militia, in order to execute the laws of the Union, enforce treaties, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions; "And to make all laws that shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers." On the other hand, it was necessary to place some limitations upon the power of Congress.

A general restriction was laid by giving to the executive a right of veto, which might be overruled, however, by a two-thirds vote of both houses.

Following British tradition yielding as it were to an inherited fear--these delegates in America were led to place the first restraint upon the exercise of congressional authority in connection with treason.