It's greatest defect is the imperfect manner in which matters of commerce have been provided for. It has been so often said, as to be generally believed, that Congress have no power by the confederation to enforce any thing, e.g. contributions of money. When two nations make a compact, there results to each a power of compelling the other to execute it. This I hope will be done. The want of it has been the source of more evil than we have ever experienced from any other cause.
Nothing is so embarrassing nor so mischievous in a great assembly as the details of execution.
The smallest trifle of that kind occupies as long as the most important act of legislation, and takes place of every thing else. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson . Edited by Julian P. Boyd et al. All rights reserved.