<P> The conference's success encouraged James Madison to introduce a proposal in the Virginia General Assembly for further debate of interstate issues . With Maryland's agreement, on January 21, 1786, Virginia invited all the states to attend another interstate meeting later that year in Annapolis, Maryland, to discuss the trade barriers between the various states . </P> <P> The Articles Congress received a report on August 7, 1786 from a twelve - member "Grand Committee", appointed to develop and present "such amendments to the Confederation, and such resolutions as it may be necessary to recommend to the several states, for the purpose of obtaining from them such powers as will render the federal government adequate to" its declared purposes . Seven amendments to the Articles of Confederation were proposed . Under these reforms, Congress would gain "sole and exclusive" power to regulate trade . States could not favor foreigners over citizens . Tax bills would require 70% vote, public debt 85%, not 100% . Congress could charge states a late payment penalty fee . A state withholding troops would be charged for them, plus a penalty . If a state did not pay, Congress could collect directly from its cities and counties . A state payment on another's requisition would earn annual 6% . There would have been a national court of seven . No - shows at Congress would have been banned from any U.S. or state office . These proposals were, however, sent back to committee without a vote and were not taken up again . </P> <P> The Annapolis Convention, formally titled "A Meeting of Commissioners to Remedy Defects of the Federal Government", convened at George Mann's Tavern on September 11, 1786 . Delegates from five states gathered to discuss ways to facilitate commerce between the states and establish standard rules and regulations . At the time, each state was largely independent from the others and the national government had no authority in these matters . </P> <P> Appointed delegates from four states either arrived too late to participate or otherwise decided not attend . Because so few states were present, delegates did not deem "it advisable to proceed on the business of their mission ." However, they did adopt a report calling for another convention of the states to discuss possible improvements to the Articles of Confederation . They desired that Constitutional Convention take place in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787 . </P>

Who contributed the most to creating the constitution