The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-07-31


elect new body with power 10 form new govern.
OF united colonial Independence. 10 the mean.
time tue seat Of war was transferred 70
of June the British feet and army under Lord
Howe having entered the harbor, the Consress appre
nsa Congress should meet a. White Plains in the
county Of westchestsr, and adjourned On the YIN
OF July 1776, the newly elected delegates met a. me
Court House In place and elected General " ood-
hull president, and John McKesson and Robert
Berran secretaries. During the forenoon 2 letter
received from the delegates OF New York. IN the
OF American Independence, which had been adopted
on tho 9TH. II was immediately read ana referred 70
committee consisting Of Acssrs. Jay, Yates HOBART
Brasnier, and William Smith. Il was critical mo-
mcnt for these men. They had been just elected (;
aed and entered upon their duties, and now
thor first legislative act was to make up their
record upon an issue which. II successful made them
was resolve how clear their purpose, how serene
their minds is evidenced by tho fact that ON the after
OF the samc day the committee reported resolu
concurring IN the Declaration, fully adopting It
and nstrucne our delegates IN the General Congress
to support the same and give their united aid all
measures necessary 10 obtain its object The Con-
vention Immediately adopted the report. On tho
ing Of the next day, the 10th Of July, this body
House be changed from that oil the Provincial Con-
gross of The Colony OF New York; to that OF Tho Con-
YorE" ana thus on the 10th day Of july ZIG III.
state Of Now York born. In the afternoon
OF tue 10th they resolved TO enter on tho 10th
but by that time the situation OF affairs hero
became too alarming for elaboration. Washington
was contemplating the abandonment Of New York.
within six miles Of where thoy were sitting Their
whole attention was occupied In raising troops aud
supplies and providing for the public order On tho
18th thoy postponed tho question till the LIST Of
August. In the meanwhile they Professionally
affected toward Independence, continue the exercise
OF their duties until further ORDERS except that all
processes thereafter must issue IN the name OF the
State OF New York, and declared II to BIO treason and
punishable with death for any one living within the
State and enjoying the protection OF It's laws 10 al
here to the cause OF King Of Great Britain evy
war AGAINST the State IN his behalf With dangers
threatening every hand, tho British fleet In posses
sion OF New York Bay, the Hudson River and
numbers but few miles distant, thus boldly and fear
lcssy did the Representatives OF New York assert her
sovereignty. On the 9Th OF July the Convention
found n necessary 10 remove TO Harlem and hero on
the Isl oil August motion OF Gouverncur Norris and
seconded by SIR. Duer, committee was appointed 70
prepare aud report constitution or form ofg0vcrnment
This committee CONF posed OF the most eminent men
In the convention and Ia the common wealth. For u
generation alter independence was achieved majority
o them continued 70 receive in positions Of honor and
trust the highest marks Of the confidence and affection
OF their countrymen. Their abors in the Cabinet ana
In Congress IN the State Legislature and upon tho
bench and the diplomatic service form the brightest
pages In tho history OF the nation and tho State.
rng COMMITTEES AND IT'S WORK
John Jay chairman and his associates ware
Governor Morris Roben r. Livingston. William Duer
Abraham aud Robert Yates, General Scott, Coaoaei
Broome. Mr.. Hobart, Colonel Dc w.t. Samuel Towns
hend, William Smith and Mr. Wsner The committee
were rcport the 10Th OF August. 1876 but such
was the perous condition Of the State and SO mani
10 The duties Of the members OF the Con-
vcntion that no report was mado till March, 1777
The Convention meanwhile, by the alarming situa-
ana performing every class OF public duty. 1t was
Committee Public Safety; WIS providing the ways
now serving in tho Continental Congress, and again
with the army; they were acting as judges and
nego,'aiorH Today they were lying before tho
enemy, tomorrow furnishing protection Tor the
s3rciy pressed Commonwealth. At ono lime meet
ing at kinssoridgo. then ut Odelis', In Philips
kingston. AZ FishkiI they supplied themselves with
arms and ammunition, and thereafter lcgslacd with
their swords by their sides, literally building the
very presence Of the Alarms The pcrils and tho
mage o. war On tho 6th Of March, l777, at Kingston
the committee appointed 10 prepare a form o. govern
day. and that day. the l2th, the committee
made report which was read by Mr. Duane.
The draft was drawn by John Jay. and In his hand
writing This dra under discussion until tho 10Th
OF April and under some amendments and addi-
tons The leading minds IN the debates and IN the
OF the amendments adopted were John
Jay. Govcrneur Morris Robert H. Livingston and Mr..
Duane The constitution, however, WAS finally passed
almost 10 came from the hands of Mr.. Jay, and was
adopted With dissentng voice the Goth Of April
l7s1 IL the evening Of sunday, the President,
General Ten Broe'k, was absent as also the Wee Pres-
dent General Pierre Van Cortlandt; but revolutions
knos neither days nor individuals. General Leonard
Gansevoor acting President pro tea, attested The
document.
ORGANIZATION on rnE STATE GOVERNMENT.
The hight Robert H. Livingston, General Scott,
G0serpeur horris, Abraham Yates, Jonn Jay and Mr.
HOBART were appointed committee " report plan
for organizing and establishing the form OF govern
ment they next directed one Of the secretaries 10
proceed immediately TO fshkiI ana have ooo copies OF
the preamble printed, and instructed him TO give
gratuities 10 the workmen 10 have II executed with
despatch They then resolved that the constitution
II
the Court House al kingston, and tho village com
Initise we're notified TO prepare for tho event TINS
latter body expedtousy and economically to have
performed their duly bv erecting platform upon the
end OF hogshoad, and from TINS Wee President Van
Cortiandt presiding, Robert Berrian one of the
taries, read this immortal document 10 the
assembled people. The convention having pro-
mulgated their ordinance for the formation of the
state government, and hlled up, provsionslly, the
Offices necessary for carrying IL on until an election
could De had ana appointed thirteen OF their plumber
10 act Committee Of safety until tho Legislature
should assemble adjourned sine die on the 18Th of
May, 1775. thus passcl irto history this remarkable
convention In lofty patriosism seadfasness Of pur-
Inanship II had lew, " any, equals, even ong
the Legislative bodies Of extraordinary merit which
by JAY and declared by Jefferson the abesl document
OF the lerod, rs most compact and eloquent state
mcnt OF the fundamental principles OF free govern
mont ana was repuDlished by Congress for the whole
country aud translated into foreign tongues Oh the
many distinguished men who were IT'S members, three
stand out eorspicuousy aud form IN unequalled tr-
and intellect They were John Jay, Govsrnear
Morris ana Robert X Livingston. All young
men POSSESSING thea best education OF the
time, belonging 10 Tue wcaihicst families IN
the state by birth aud opportunity certain OF royal
favor and. hayiag tho largest stake IN loyalty and
stable government they yet rssked an aud pced their
lives Ior civil Liberty aud sell government John Jay
became Governor anu Cabinet Minister and foreign
envoy and the hrst Chief Justice VI the United States
Governor Morris distinguished himself 10 the coun
ellis Of the nation aud the diplomatic service OF the
country Roberl X. Livingston rendered tho
most eminent services botn TO this State aud
tuc Cnllcd States aud In foreign courts
Their examples efforts aDd contributors 10 educating
ana neryiug The colonies 20 the Declaration OF lnde
pcnaence 10 the events Which led TO tue recognition
Of Tue Republic. aud IN moulding the internal regua-
tons aud iorcign policy VI thc new government, are the
special pride oi New lorK aud The gofy OF the nation
No can to-day read the CONSTITUTIONS o 57s whoat
wondering hos htte have been able TO improve
uloa % In one hundred years When eonsacr that
purely representative government was then ala al
most unuied experiment THIS instrument be-
comes aud enduring monument
10 The vlsdum aud foresight Of as trainers.
II bcgins villa preamble setting forth The
which led 10 abe formation OF separate government,
and lhe authority conferred upon the Couycnton ny
the people W do this work II rccstes "a ongh the
bccaral 0n ~ Independence and the unanimous
luton OF the Convection the gth Of July, lss6,
dorsnc the Declaration and instfuctng the New York