What issue kept the ratification of the articles from taking place for four years? maryland would not agree to ratify the articles until all the conflicting land claims, mostly from virginia, over the lands west of the ohio river were settled, and the western land claims were surrendered. new york would not agree to ratify the articles until all the conflicting land claims, mostly from missouri, over the lands west of the ohio river were settled, and the western land claims were surrendered. maryland would not agree to ratify the articles until all the land claims were enforced. pennsylvania would not agree to ratify the articles until all the conflicting land claims, mostly from virginia, over the lands east of the mississippi river were settled. virginia would not agree to ratify the articles until all the land claims were settled.