1787 -- The Last Time a Convention to Amend our Constitution Was Called

 Here is the text of the last call for an amendments convention.

Resolution of Congress, February 21, 1787

                 Whereas there is provision in the Articles of Confederation & perpetual Union for making alterations therein by the Assent of a Congress of the United States and of the legislatures of the several States; And whereas experience hath evinced that there are defects in the present Confederation, as a mean to remedy which several of the States and particularly the State of New York by express instructions to their delegates in Congress have suggested a convention for the purposes expressed in the following resolution and such Convention appearing to be the most probable means of establishing in these states a firm national government.

                Resolved that in the opinion of Congress it is expedient that on the second Monday in May next a Convention of delegates who shall have been appointed by the several states be held in Philadelphia for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation and reporting to Congress and the several legislatures such alterations and provisions therein as shall when agreed to in Congress and confirmed by the states render the federal constitution adequate to the exigencies of Government & the preservation of the Union.

 Reference:  On pages 13 and 14 in “The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787”, volume III, edited by Max Farrand, Yale University Press, 1966  https://www.amazon.com/Records-Federal-Convention-1787-Vol/dp/0300000820/

 Notice these important words:  “…for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation …”