(Reference: Gordon S. Wood's The Creation of the American Republic 1776-1787, W.W. Norton & Co., c1993.)

Henry VI and the patriot Sully of France had conceived of a Christian European union in the late sixteenth century, a sort of "league of friendship." "Treaty of Confederation" or "council of nations."

Confederate alliances were not new to America. First initiated as early as 1637, in 1643, Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut and New Haven colonies succeeded in forming the first American confederation in the United Colonies of New-England as a "perpetual league" of friendship to provide for mutual assistance, common defense against Indians and to resist possible Dutch and French intrusion. Under its Articles, commissioners appointed by each colony were to meet and determine all affairs of war and peace and to frame and establish agreements and orders for other general interests. Responsibility was apportioned among the colonies as established under the Articles, and in case of invasion of any colony, the others were to furnish a certain proportion of armed men for its assistance. Although Rhode Island made application to be admitted into the confederation, it was refused upon the grounds that the territory was within the limits of Plymouth colony.

With only a few alterations, the Confederation survived until 1686, when King James I eliminated all member corporate charters.