The
New York Provincial Congress (1775-1777) was an organization formed by rebels in 1775, during the
American Revolution, as a replacement for the
Province of New York Assembly, and as a replacement for the
Committee of One Hundred.
A
Provincial Convention assembled in
New York City on April 20, 1775 with
Philip Livingston as its chairman. All counties other than
Tryon,
Gloucester, and
Cumberland were represented. Delegates were elected to the
Second Continental Congress, which included the delegates to the first congress and also five new members. The scope of the Provincial Convention did not extend beyond electing delegates, and they dispersed on April 22.
On April 23, news of the
Battles of Lexington and Concord arrived.
First Provincial Congress
The First Provincial Congress was convened in
New York City on May 22, 1775 with
Peter Van Brugh Livingston as president. The first resolution adopted was obedience to recommendations made by the Continental Congress.
The congress adapted a "plan of Accommodation between Great Britain and America", which it sent to its delegates to the
Continental Congress urging extreme caution in the quarrel with England. The plan demanded the English authorities repeal of all unconstitutional laws affecting the colonies and an acknowledgement of the right of the colonies to self-taxation. In return New York promised to contribute to the costs of defence, the maintenance of civil government, and to recognize England's right to regulate imperial trade.
In May, they ordered the militia to stockpile arms, undertake the removal of cannon from
Fort Crown Point and
Fort Ticonderoga, and the erection of fortifications and defences on Manhattan Island. All loyalists in the province were disarmed. In May, the raising of 3,000 to serve until December 31 was authorized. They condemned the planned invasion of Canada, since they had a plan of reconciliation. When in June the British troops in New York City left to board British ships,
Marinus Willett intervened to prevent them taking carts loaded with arms back to the ships. The congress welcomed the return of Governor
William Tryon. On June 28, 1775 they authorized the raising of the four regiments of the
New York Line. On July 20, 1775, members of the
Sons of Liberty and others surprised a guard and captured a British storehouse at
Turtle Bay. In August, the congress ordered the removal of the cannon at
Fort George and while doing so the British
HMS Asia opened fire on the
militia. In late 1775, the provincial militia was restructured.
It adjourned on November 4, 1775 and appointed a
Committee of Safety to sit during its recess. This committee was dominated by
Alexander McDougall and
John Morin Scott.
Second Provincial Congress
The Second Provincial Congress was organized on December 6, 1775 and sat in New York City, and continued until adjournment on May 13, 1776. In January, 1776, George Washington ordered Major General Charles Lee to prepare New York City for the coming British attack. In February, the provincial congress initially refused Lee's entry, but then agreed and also decided to stop provisioning the British ships in New York City harbour.
Third Provincial Congress
The Third Provincial Congress was organized on May 22, 1776. It continued in session until June 30, 1776. It instructed its delegates to the
2nd Continental Congress to oppose independence. On May 31, 1776, the Continental Congress recommended that each of the provinces establish themselves as states. On June 17, the provincial congress called a new election with the delegates vested with the power to declare independence. In June, Howe's forces appeared in
New York Harbor.
First Constitutional Convention
The Fourth Provincial Congress convened in White Plains on July 9, 1776 and became known as the First Constitutional Convention. It declared the independent state of
New York on July 9, 1776. New York City celebrated by tearing down the statue of George III in
Bowling Green. On July 10, 1776, the Fourth Provincial Congress changed its name to the Convention of Representatives of the State of New York, and "acts as legislature without an executive." While adjourned it left a
Committee of Safety in charge.
The
Constitution of the State of New York was adopted on April 20, 1777. The governor would be elected not appointed, voting qualifications were reduced, secret ballots were introduced, and civil rights were guaranteed. On July 9, 1778 the State of New York signed the
Articles of Confederation and officially became part of the government of the
United States of America, though it had been a part of the nation since it was declared in 1776.
President of Provincial Congress
1st Provincial Congress
2nd Provincial Congress
3rd Provincial Congress
4th Provincial Congress and Representative Convention
Chairmen of the Committee of Safety
President of the Council of Safety
Footnotes
