Question

Madison's Letter to Jefferson

It was generally agreed that the objects of the Union could not be secured by any system founded on the principle of a confederation of sovereign States. A voluntary observance of the federal law by all the members, could never be hoped for.

–James Madison,
letter to Thomas Jefferson,
October 24, 1787

Based on this passage and what you have learned, why were the states unwilling to voluntarily work together in a confederation?

The states preferred a unitary system of government.
Each state had its own interests and needs.
Each state hoped to conquer the other.
The states feared that cooperation would lead to monarchy.

Answer 1

Each state had its own interests and needs.

Madison is saying a loose confederation of sovereign states wouldn't work because states would not voluntarily follow federal law—their separate, often competing interests and priorities would prevent reliable cooperation.