They expressly accepted matters as they were.

All statutes, charters, and privileges of provinces, cities, or corporations were to remain untouched.

They intended to form neither an independent state nor an independent federal system.

No doubt the formal renunciation of allegiance, which was to follow within two years, was contemplated by many as a future probability; but it could not be foreseen with certainty.
The simple act of union was not regarded as the constitution of a commonwealth.

Its object was a single one--defence against a foreign oppressor.