CHAPTER V.

FEDERATE RELATIONS.

It was shown in the preceding chapter that,
according to the spirit of our political institu-
tions, the actual sovereignty resided with the
people. They make and model the constitu-
tion and form of their governments, and regu-
late the authority of its officers, at pleasure.
It was also asserted that the state government
instead of being subordinate to the general go-
vernment, was essentially sovereign and inde-
pendent. But the state is also a member of a
confederation pt states. It remains to consider
her as such.

When the confederation was first formed, it
consisted of thirteen states—others have been
gradually added to the number. At present
there are twenty-four, and it is probable that
number will soon be increased.

As a member of the confederation, Maryland
enjoys a singular position in several res-
pects.

As a central slate, neither properly belonging
to the northern nor to the southern division of the
Union. We find all writers class the western
states as North or South, by the discriminating
line of the Ohio river. But the Atlantic state
are oftner designated Northern, and Southerns