The legislature of New York, renounces its royal charter, by promulgating its first constitution, the Preamble, Clauses one, five, seven and eight of which read as:

       “Whereas the many tyrannical and oppressive usurpations of the King and Parliament of Great Britain on the rights and liberties of the people of the American colonies had reduced them to the necessity of introducing a government by congresses and committees, as temporary expedients … resolve as follows:

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       “Whereas His Britannic Majesty, in conjunction with the lords and commons of Great Britain, has, by a late act of Parliament, excluded the inhabitants of these united colonies from the protection of his Crown; and whereas no answers whatever to the humble petition of the colonies for redress of grievances end reconciliation with Great Britain has been, or is likely to be, given. … Therefore,

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       “And whereas doubts have arisen whether this congress are invested with sufficient power and authority: to deliberate and determine on so important a subject as the necessity of erecting and constituting a new form of government and internal police, to the exclusion of all foreign jurisdiction, dominion, and control whatever; and whereas it appertains of right solely to the people of this colony to determine the said doubts: Therefore

       “Resolved, That it be recommended to the electors in the several counties in this colony … of instituting such new government as in and by the said resolution of the Continental Congress is … recommended. …

       And Articles 2, 3, 6, 7, 13, 25, 38, 39, 40, 41 of which:

• • Establish a bicameral legislature composed of the Assembly and the Senate.
  • Establish the Governor’s Council armed with the power to veto legislation.
  • Voting in the legislature is to be by public ballot and recorded to hold legislators accountable by their constituents.
  • Extends to all free males—regardless of ethnic heritage—who have been Citizens for six months and own 20 Pounds worth of debt-free property.
  • Guarantees due process.
  • Officers of the Court shall not hold offices in another branch of government.
  • Protect Liberty of Conscience/Freedom of Religion.
  • “Ministers of the Gospel” are ineligible to hold public office.
  • “The [M]ilitia … at all times hereafter, as well in peace as in war, shall be armed and disciplined. …”
  • “[T]hat trial by jury, in all cases in which it hath heretofore been used in the colony of New York, shall be established and remain inviolate forever.”

       [restored 11/16/2024]