The ablest men in the individual States held aloof from Congress.

They felt that they had more dignity and power if they sat in their own legislatures.

The assembly which in the first days had as members men of the type of Washington and Franklin sank into a gathering of second-rate men who were divided into fierce factions.

They debated interminably and did little.

Each member usually felt that he must champion the interests of his own State against the hostility of others.