60 
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work, although it was forty-four years afterwards superseded by another, cor¬ 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 Woodhull, afterwards president of 
the provincial congress, were associated with 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, 
with 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 
ol 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- 
