In Massachusetts they broke out in actual rebellion named after the man who led it, Daniel Shays.

They were put down by the more or less doubtful appeal to veterans of the National Army, but their ebullition was not forgotten as a symptom of a very dangerous condition.

In 1786 representatives from five States met in a convention at Annapolis to consider the hard times and the troubles in trade.

Washington, Hamilton, and Madison were thought to be behind the convention, which accomplished little, but made it clear that a large general convention ought to meet and to discuss the way of securing a strong central government.

This convention was discussed during that summer and autumn, and a call was issued for a meeting in the following spring at Philadelphia.