The term you are looking for is the "Articles of Confederation" adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1777 and ratified by the states in 1781. The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document for the United States.<span />
Congress or the legislative branch has the power to collect taxes (power of the purse).
California declared its independence in June 1846, and became a very short-lived California Republic until July. The News that did not reach California then was that of the developments of the Mexican-American War. California did not want to remain a part of Mexico, as it felt neglected by it. However, they did not know that US Congress had already declared war on Mexico on May 13, because at that time there were no efficient means of communication on the continent.
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