Important Dates 1600-1700

1674

English retake New Amsterdam, when the Dutch and English come to a peace agreement. New Amsterdam is now known as New York City.

1674 -1681

Sir Edmund Andros is appointed by the king as New York's royal governor. Andros reintroduces English form of government, makes English official language, and recommends an elected assembly to the Duke of York, but he refuses it.

1685

The Duke of York becomes King James II. During his rule, he rejects New York's Charter of Liberties and Privileges and in 1686 the Assembly is abolished.

March, 1691

Colonel Henry Sloughter, sent by King William III to replace Leisler, arrives in New York, assembles a new Council made of up Leisler's enemies, and puts Leisler to death. When Sloughter dies this same year, the Council selects the commander of troops, Robert Ingolsby, as a temporary governor until Governor Benjamin Fletcher arrives. The Council also re-establishes in essence the "Charter of Liberties and Privileges" of 1683 which sets up courts and local government.

1708-1760

During this time period, New York begins to develop constitutional principles and procedures similar to those of England. Although the British government and its governors fight to retain power over New York, there is a gradual shift in power from governor to the Colonial Assembly when the Assembly gains more control over the administration of governmental finances and begins to control appointments. 

1774

Local committees in New York select and send delegates to First Continental Congress, an intercolonial congress, which is held in Philadelphia between September 5 and October 6. The First Continental Congress asserts that colonists' have basic rights by formally refusing to obey the Intolerable Acts, recommends the need for local militia, and calls for local committees to enforce an agreement called the "Continental Association," whereby colonies refuse to trade with England until the restoration of their basic rights.

April 19, 1775

At Lexington, the "shot heard round the world" starts the American Revolution.

July 5, 1776

New York's Fourth Provincial Congress meets in White Plains' Courthouse and endorses the Declaration of Independence.

September, 1777

New York State Legislature meets in Kingston for first time. Between 1777 and 1783 the legislature meets in various places to avoid the British. After the Revolution, it meets in New York City, Poughkeepsie, Fishkill and Albany.