"Our political machine, composed of thirteen independent sovereignties, have been perpetually operating against each other and against the federal head ever since the peace"

This quote by Henry Knox is referring to the political framework of the United States at the time of the American Revolution. Knox is referring to the thirteen initial colonies as "independent sovereignties" that have been in continuous competitors with each various other and also the federal government because the end of the battle. This quote highlights the problem of developing a unified country out of thirteen different nests that had actually been made use of to regulating themselves separately. Knox is emphasizing the obstacle of creating a strong federal government that could efficiently handle the events of the country while still respecting the freedom of the individual states. This quote additionally works as a tip of the significance of compromise and collaboration between the states as well as the federal government in order to make certain the success of the country.