Printed cover page and draft of the handwritten New York State Constitution of 1777. The first constitution of the State of New York was adopted by the Convention of Representatives of the State of New York at Kingston on April 20, 1777. This text is a manuscript draft containing numerous strikeouts, additions, and corrections. It is signed by Leonard Gansevoort, President Pro Temp., with a certificate by J.V.N. Yates, Secretary of State, dated August 30, 1821, stating that the manuscript had been received that day from John McKesson. Following is a letter of McKesson dated New York, August 29, 1821, noting that part of the Preamble and all of Sections 27 and 28 were missing.

Identifier
NYSA_A1802-78

Date Original
April 20 1777

Language
English

Source
New York State Archives. New York (State). Secretary of State. First constitution of the State of New York, 1777. Series A1802-78.

Rights
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