<Ul> <Li> Luther Martin, MD if not state equality create regional nations </Li> </Ul> <Li> Luther Martin, MD if not state equality create regional nations </Li> <P> After these defeats, the delegates who called themselves the "old patriots" of 1776 and the "men of original principles" organized a caucus in the Convention . William Paterson (NJ) spoke for them introducing his "New Jersey Plan". Roger Sherman (CT), a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was with them . Supporters explained that it "sustained the sovereignty of the states", while the Edmund Randolph (VA) "Virginia Plan" erased it . The Convention had no authority to propose anything not sent up from state legislatures, and the states were not likely to adopt anything new . The "nationalists" answered, The Convention could not conclude anything, but it could recommend anything . </P> <P> "Patriots" said if their legislature knew anything about proposals for consolidated government, it would not have sent anyone . "Nationalists" countered, that it would be treason to withhold any proposal for good government when the salvation of the American republic was at stake . Three sessions after its introduction, the New Jersey Plan failed: 7 against, 3 for, 1 divided . For nearly a month there was no progress; small states were seriously thinking of walking out of the Convention . </P>

Because they were created by congress to address the constitutional provisions of article 1