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At the instance of the Lords of Trade, commissioners from the colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland met at Albany on June 19, 1754, to arrange a treaty with the Six Nations. They also proceeded to consider a plan of colonial union proposed by Franklin, a member, and adopted it. It provided for a president-general of all the colonies, with veto power, and a grand council, to consist of from two to seven members from each colony, chosen by the assemblies to serve three years. These should have power to control Indian affairs, to raise and equip forces for colonial defence, and to lay taxes therefor. The crown rejected the plan because it gave too much power to the colonies, the colonies because it gave too much power to the crown; but it was among the beginnings of national union.