What event in 1786 involved representatives from only five states to address commercial relations?

The event in 1786 that involved representatives from only five states to address commercial relations was the Annapolis Convention. This gathering aimed to discuss the economic issues facing the states and the lack of a cohesive trade policy under the Articles of Confederation. Although the convention was poorly attended, it highlighted the need for a stronger national framework to regulate commerce and ultimately set the stage for the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

The Philadelphia Convention, which occurred a year later, brought together delegates from all 13 states and focused on drafting the new Constitution, making this option incorrect for the 1786 event. The Continental Congress and Second Continental Congress were significant earlier meetings related to the American Revolution and the management of war efforts, not focused specifically on commercial relations. These gathered all colonies and were pivotal in different contexts, thus they do not apply to the 1786 event concerning trade and commerce addressed by the Annapolis Convention.