§f INTRODUCTION. 



To such labors Mr. Jay added the preparation of the first constitution of 

 the state of New- York, which was adopted by the convention in 1777. This 

 work, although it was forty-four years afterwards superseded by another, cor- 

 recting some defects disclosed in its operation, nevertheless asserted the chief 

 popular rights, defined the relative powers of the various departments, and esta- 

 blished the great principles of fundamental law as they yet exist, and will con- 

 tinue for all time to come. 



It is time, however, to notice other actors who had come upon the stage. Philip 

 Schuyler had secured to himself a thorough knowledge of the French language, 

 then a rare accomplishment in this country, together with varied learning and 

 extensive knowledge of the exact sciences. His favorite studies were finance, 

 military engineering and political economy. He had been distinguished in the 

 provincial military service, and first drew to himself the attention of his fellow- 

 citizens, by his efforts in the general assembly in 1775, in the debates which 

 brought the struggle between the ministerial and whig parties to a crisis. George 

 Clinton, afterwards governor, and Nathaniel WoodhuU, afterwards president of 

 the provincial congress, were associated v\dth Schuyler in these debates, which 

 involved not only the immediate causes of irritation, but also the fundamental 

 principles of the British constitution, and of free representative government. To 

 the spirit manifested on that occasion by the indomitable minority, may be attri- 

 buted in a great measure the acquiescence of the people in the bold recommenda- 

 tion for discarding the general assembly and instituting a new provincial legisla- 

 ture. Thus was the boundary passed, a constitution subverted, and the colony, 

 vidth her sister provinces, arrayed in open defiance of the British government. 



On the 9th of July, 1776, the provincial congress ratified the declaration of 

 independence, and immediately assumed the title of the convention of the state 

 of New- York. A committee was appointed to prepare a constitution, and that 

 task was entrusted to John Jay, James Duane, Gouverneur Morris, and Robert 

 R. Livingston. The draft of the constitution was in the handwriting of Mr. Jay 

 and was submitted by Mr, Duane ; and those individuals, together with Gouver- 



