state which a spark might set fire to." [ 7 ] Movement towards replacing the Articles of Confederation began the year after its formal adoption in June 1784. George Washington, the future president of the Convention, hosted Virginia and Maryland commissioners to negotiate joint commercial regulation of the Potomac River. [ a ] The compact drafted by the Mount Vernon Commission is still in force, but more importantly, they suggested a convention of states to "effectually" provide for a uniform commercial system throughout the United States. [ b ] This meant overcoming tariffs that the states had erected against one another during the Articles of Confederation regime. It was an idea for free trade across political boundaries like that advocated by Adam Smith in his influential 1776 Wealth of Nations . Over the next few months in state legislatures and in the Articles Congress, their recommendation was taken up and enlarged concerning individual rights, congressional governance and national security. [ 8 ] The Constitution was to establish the largest free trade area in the world. The Articles Congress received a "Grand Committee" report on August 7, 1786 proposing seven amendments to the states for power to "render the federal government adequate" to its declared purposes. As each achieved unanimous approval, it was to be adopted into the Articles of Confederation. But it did not leave Congress. Congress was to have "sole and exclusive" power to regulate trade. States could not favor foreigners over citizens. Tax bills would require 70% vote,