9. And for that the justest
wars may be of dangerous consequence, especially to the smaller
Plantations in these United Colonies, it is agreed that neither the
Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut, nor New Haven, nor any of the
members of them, shall at any time hereafter begin, undertake, or
engage themselves, or this Confederation, or any part thereof in any
war whatsoever (sudden exigencies, with the necessary consequents
thereof excepted), which are also to be moderated as much as the case
will permit, without the consent and agreement of the forementioned
eight Commissioners, or at least six of them, as in the sixth article
is provided: and that no charge be required of any of the
Confederates, in case of a defensive war, till the said Commissioners
have met, and approved the justice of the war, and have agreed upon
the sum of money to be levied, which sum is then to be paid by the
several Confederates in proportion according to the fourth article