The Articles of Confederation

Franklin uses “colony” to refer to what Americans now call a “state.” At the time of his Articles of Confederation, there were 13 American colonies under British rule. Franklin mentions several other British colonies, such as Quebec, St. Johns, and the West India Islands, noting that they too could join the confederation. However, on the continent of North America, there were other colonies that were still ruled by Spain, such as the Louisiana territory and what is now California, but they are not included in Franklin’s definition of “colony” within this context.

Franklin’s Articles of Confederation want to create a “confederation” called “The United Colonies of North America” (Article I, 260). In this context, confederation refers to a union of colonies who share a purpose. They would still be independent entities that can govern themselves. Once the Constitution was passed, the system was considered a “federation,” which suggests a stronger connection between states. (Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopedia. "Confederation." Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Mar. 2020. Accessed 2 April 2021.)

Franklin refers to “polls” several times when talking about the system of proportional representation and taxes. This term means “citizens” or “people,” though, for purposes of representation and taxes, he focused on those “polls” who were men between the ages of 16 and 60.

In Article IX, the Articles explain that executive council members would fill continental positions on a “pro tempore” basis as needed. This term means “the time being.”