Civil List and Constitutional History of the Colony and State of New York, Part 36

Author:
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Albany
Number of Pages: 1380


USA > New York > Civil List and Constitutional History of the Colony and State of New York > Part 36


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101


1690.


Thomas Williams.


1081-83.


Lewis Morris.


1091.


William Pinhorne. 9


1681 85 ..


John Palmer.


1691-92


Joseph Dudley.


16.85.


Nicholas Bayard.


1691 -97.


Thomas Willett.


1655


James Graham.


1691-98.


Nicholas Bayard.


1655-85.


Jervas Baxter.


1691-98.


Chidley Brooke.


1687-58


1691-98


Willlant Nicoll.


1657-88.


James Graham. 7


1691-98


Frederick Phillipse.


1687-88.


John Palmer.


16991-17 x)


Stephen van Cortlandt.


Dias.


John Allen.


160 1701


William Smith. 10


Walter Clarke.


1092.


Thomas Johnson.


16.83. 168%


Robert Mason.


1692-98.


John Lanrence.


1685.


Walter Newberry.


1692-98


Richard Townley. 12


1688


Edward Randolph.


1692-98.


Jola Youngs. Peter Selinyler.


1038


John Usher.


1693-98.


William Pinhorne.


1 Forcibly expelled from the council, 28th February, 1651.


3 Appointed Vice-Director at Fort Orange, 28th September, 1656.


4 Went to Holland in the fall of this year.


5 Absent from the country from 29th July, 1659, to 12th July, 1660.


7 In place of Youngs.


8 Connulttee of Safety appointed by finhabitants. This Comunittee organized the Leister Government (see p. 53), and designated a Council December 11, 1659, which is next above given.


9 Suspended September 1, 1692.


10 Dled in 1701.


11 In place of Dudley.


12 Refused to sit, being a resident of East Jersey.


---


Nicasins de Sille, Peter Touteman, Johanuls de Decker.


1650.


Nicasius de Sille, Peter Tonnem., 4 Joh.utans de D .cker, 5 Cornelis van Ruyven.


1660.


Nicasins de Sille. Johanuls de Decker, Cornelis van Ruyven.


Paulus Leendertsen van der Grist, Jacob Loper,


Cornelis van Werkhoven2 Nicasius de Sille, first councillor.


1664-1673. Colony in possession o the English.


1636.


Andries Ilndde. Claes van Elslant, Jacobus van Curler.


1638. Johannis La Montagne. 1639. Johannis La Montagne, Ulrich Lupold.


16 t2. Johannis La Montagne. 1617.


1652 Johannis La Montagne, Brian Newton. 1653. Johannis La Montagne, Brian Newton.


William Kleft, ex-director, Lnbertus van Dincklage, rice-director, Johannis La Montagne, Brian Newton.


Jehuer Tomassen,


1655.


16ts.


Lnbertus van Dincklage, Johanids La Montagne, Brlan Newton,


Paulus Leendertsen van der Grist, Adriaen Keyser. 1650. Inbertus van Dineklage, 1 Johannis La Montagne, Brian Newion, Adriaen Key ser.


1658.


2 Returned to Holland in 1654.


Joseph Dudley.


1692-97


Caleb Heathcote. 11


Joker Youngs.


1691-95


Gabriel Monvielle.


Nicholas Bayard.


Richard Smith.


192-1720.


6 Naval officer.


313


COUNCIL OF NEW YORK.


YEARS.


COUNCILLORS.


YEARS.


COUNCIL.LORSS.


Robert Livingston. 1


1726 6]


Archibald Kennedy. 29


1016-1702.


Mba.cham de Pevsler. 2, 6


1720-53.


James De Lancey. 30


1094-1702.


Samuel Staats. 3, 6


1730 |>.


Philip Conrland. 31


100- - 1702 Robert Walters, 1,6


1733-11.


Henry Lane. 32


1.201-1700.


Janes Graham.


1733 17. Daniel Horsemanden. 33


1701 ...


Robert Livingston.


1735 30.


George Clarke, Jr. 31


1501-2.


Thomas Weaver.5, 6


1711 58.


Joseph Murray. 35


1702-3.


lohn Brid.ses. 7


171 40


Jeremias van Rensselaer. 36


1702 -4.


Sampson shelton Bronghton. 8


John Moore. 37


1702-6.


William Laurence.


John Rutherford. 38


1702- >


Wollgang William Romer.


17 10-17


Stephen Bayard.39


1.02-20.


Caleb Heathcote. 7


1718-56


Elward Holland. 10


1702-23. ..


Gerardus Beeckman.


1750 50


James Alexander. 11


1702-35.


Bp van Dam. 9


1751 71


Sir William Johnson. 2


1.03-4 ...


Matthew Ling. 10


1752 63


John Chambers. 43


1.03-9 ...


Thomas Wenham. Il


1753 67


William Smith. 11


1704-19.


Kinaen Van Rensselaer. 12


1735 60. JJames De Lancey. 15


1.05-15


Roger Mompresson. 13, 11


1755 69


George Cluke, Jr.


1700-21


Adolph Phillipse. 13


1755 76 ..


D.miel Horsemanden.


1705-28


John Barbarie. 6, 13, 15


William Walton. 16


170 -....


Abrahan He Peyster. 16


1755 -76 .


John Watts, 47


1708-9 ..


lo jah Martin. 15


10 -- 11.


David Provoost.


1760-76


Oliver De Lancey. 19


1710-16.


Fummel Staats. 17


1762 63


Benjamin Pratt. 50


1710-22.


Abraham De Pevster.


1762 68.


1,10-31.


Robert Walters. 18


1761-71


Joseph Reade. 52


1:11-25.


Thomas Everly. 19


1761 70


1710-22.


Jolm Johnston. 20


1764-76.


1716-36.


George Clarke. 21


1767 72.


Irmy Crnger. 55


1720-35.


Francis Harison. 22


1767 -76 ...


William Smith, Jr. 56


1:21 -29


Lewis Morris. 23


1760 ..


James De Lancey. 57


1:21 37.


James Alexander. 21


1769-76


1721-76


Cadwallader Colden. 25


1769 76


1723-32.


With.an Provoost.26


1771 76 ..


William Astell. 59


1723-41.


Abrahama van Horne. 27


1773-76


Jolui Harris Cruger. 60


1725-50 ..


Philip Livingston. 28


1775 76 ... James Janncey.61


CLERKS OF THE COUNCIL.


Secretary of The Province 1661-93 | Barne Cosens 2- Sept., 1099


.. 1693 | Secretary of the Province ............... .. 21 March, 1700 David Jamison .


COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.


The first Provincial Congress having resolved to adjourn, ap- pointed, on the Sth July, 1775, a certain number of its own mem. bers a COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, with power to open all letters directed


1 Appointed September 28, 1698, in place of Monville.


2 Appointed September 28, 100%, In place of Bavard.


3 Appointed September 28, 1699, in place of Lawrence.


4 Appointed September 23, 1698, In place of Phillipse. Died in 1701.


5 In place of Graham, deceased.


6 Suspended June 9, 1702. 7 Appointed Inne 15, 1702. 8 Died In 1701.


9 Suspended November 21. 1735. 10 Died in 5501. 11 Died September, 1709.


12 Appointed October 27, 1701. Died In 1717. 15 Died in 1728. 16 Declined to act.


20 In place of Staat<, deceased.


21 In place of Mompesson, deceased. Appointed Lieutenant-Governor in October, 1736.


22 Left The province in April. 1735.


21 In place of Phillipse. Elected to The Assembly In June, 1737.


25 In place of Schuyler. Lieutenant-Governor, Angust 1, 1760, to October 26, 1761 ; November 18, 1761, to June 14, 1762; June 25, 1763, to November 13, 1765 ; September 12, 1769. ta October 19, 1790 ; April 7, 1771, to 26 In place of Johnslon.


June 28. 1775. Died in September, 1776.


27 In place of De Pevster. Died in 1711.


29 In place of Beverly. Resigned in November, 1761.


30 In jdace of Bat barie, deceased. Lieutenant-Governor, October 12, 1753, to September 3, 1755 ; and June 3, 1757, to .Inty 20, 1760.


32 In place of Wallers, deceased. Died in 1711.


31 In place of Harison. Never qualified.


36 Did nol qualify. 37 In place of Van Horne. Died in 1749. 38 Died In 1758.


39 Suspended in September, 1747.


40 In place of Cortland1. Died In 1756.


Al In pace of Moore, Died In 1756.


43 In place of Bavard. Dled in 1763.


16 In place of Holland. Died in Hos.


45 In place of Murray. Went to West Indies in May, 1762.


50 Dled in 176.3.


51 Claimed to be Earl of Stirling, Resigned In 1768.


51 In place of Chambers.


55 Resigned in 1772.


53 In place of Pratt. 56 In place of William Smith.


57 In place of William Alexander, Earl of Stirling. Declined the appointment.


58 In place of Walton. 59 In place of Readle, deceased.


60 In place of Henry Cruger, resigned. 01 In place of Sir William Johnson, deceased.


19 In place of Rutherford.


52 In place ot Martin. Died in 1771.


31 In place of Morris, Died in 1746.


33 In place of Provoost. Suspended September, 1717.


35 In place of Lane. Died in 175%.


12 In place of Livingston. Died in November, 1771.


41 Resigned in 1767. 15 Died in July, 1760.


17 In place of Alexander.


2> In place of Beeckman. Dled in 1750.


23 In place ol Heathcote.


19 In place of Provoost.


13 Appointed February, 1705. 11 Died in 1716.


17 Died in 1716. 15 Died in June, 1731.


Willian Alexander.51


Charles Ward Apthorpe. 53


Roger Morris. 51


William Peartree.


1750 62.


Sir Peter Warren. 36


William Atwood.6


174 ....


1745 .41


Hugh Wallace. 55


Heury White.


314


COMMITTEE AND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.


to the Congress, and to answer the same ; to examine suspected per- sous; take such measures as they shall think proper to carry into exeention all orders, resolutions and recommendations of the Conti- mental Congress and that of the province, and to comply with any requisitions made by the generals of the Continental army ; to super- intend and direct the military affairs of the province ; to appropriate money for the public service, and to convoke at any time the Provin- cial Congress if emergency require.


SESSIONS OF THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.


At New York.


July


11. 1775, to July


25, 1775.


September 4. 1775, to October


3, 1775.


January


3, 1776, to February


12, 1776.


March


18. 1776, to May


8, 1776.


September 8, 1776, to September 13, 1776.


August


19, 1776.


September 23, 1776, to September 25, 1776. September 20, 1776, to September 27, 1776.


it Harlem.


October 7. 1776, to October 11, 1776.


August


27,1776.


October 16, 1776, to December 1,1.70.


Angust


29, 1776.


December 5, 1776, to February 11, 1777.


At Kingsbridge.


At Kingston.


August


30. 1776.


February 19, 1777, to March 5, 1777.


COUNCIL OF SAFETY.


This body was appointed on the 3d May, 1777, after the formation of the State Constitution, as a temporary form of government, until a Governor should be elected and the Legislature meet. It consisted of fifteen members, and sat from the 14th May to the 10th of Sep- tember, 1777.


On the adjournment of the Legislature in October, a second Coun- cil of Safety was appointed, which held its sessions first at Kings- ton ; moved thence to Hurley and finally removed to Poughkeepsie. This Council consisted of thirteen persons ; but every member of the Senate and Assembly, and the Delegates of the State in Congress, were ex officio members, and entitled to a vote. It continned in session from the 8th of October, 1777, to the 7th of January, 1778, and was superseded by the Legislative Convention which met in the interval between that date and the assembling of the Legislature.


COUNCIL OF SAFETY. President-Pierre Van Cortlandt. Secretaries-John McKesson and Robert Benson.


First Council.


Matthew Cantine, Jacob Onyler. Charles De Witt,


Robert llarpur,


John Stoss Hobart,


John Jay, Robert R. Livingston,


Gouverneur Morris, Zephaniah Platt, John Morin Scott,


Christopher Tappen, Jonathan G. Tompkins. Thomas Tredwell, Plerre Van Cortlandt, Abraham Yates, Jr.


Second Council.


Evert Bancker, Egbert Benson, Daniel Dunscomb, William Floyd, Robert Harpur, Jonathan Landon,


Levi Pawling, John Morin Scott, Johannis Snyder, Peter Pra Van Zandt, Alexander Webster, William B. Whiting, Abraham Yates, Jr.


August


At Philipse's Manor. 31, 1770.


Lit Fishkill. September 2, 5776, to September 4, 1776.


315


REVISION OF LAWS.


COUNCIL OF REVISION.


The original section of the Constitution creating the Council of Revision (See. 3), was introduced into the Convention on the 1st of April, 1777, by Robert R. Livingston (afterward Chancellor of the -State), and the original draft is in his handwriting. After stat- ing that " laws inconsistent with the spirit of this Constitution, or with the public good, may be hastily and unadvisedly passed," it ordained " that the Governor, for the time being, the Chancellor and the Judges of the Supreme Court, or any two of them, together with the Governor, shall be, and hereby are, constituted a Council to revise all bills about to be passed into Laws by the Legislature. And for that purpose shall assemble themselves, from time to time, when the Legislature shall be convened. And that all bills which have passed the Senate and Assembly shall, before they become laws, be presented to the said Council for their revisal and considera- tion ; and if upon such revision and consideration, it should appear improper to the said Council, or a majority of them, that the said bill should become a law of this State, that they return the same, together with their objections thereto in writing, to the Senate or House of Assembly, in whichsoever the same shall have originated, who shall enter the objections sent down by the Council, at large, in their minutes, and proceed to reconsider the said bill." Upon such reconsideration being had, the bill shall become a law "if approved by two-thirds of the members present." In order to prevent any un- necessary delays, it further ordained, " that if any bill shall not be returned by the Council within ten days after it shall have been pre- sented, the same shall be a law, unless the Legislature shall, by their adjournment, render a return of the said bill within ten days in- practicable ; in which case, the bill shall be returned on the first day of the meeting of the Legislature, after the expiration of the said ten days."


The Council had a Clerk, and sat with closed doors. Its members were not to be allowed any compensation, under any pretense what- ever. During its existence it returned one hundred and sixty-nine bills to the Legislature, with its objections, fifty-one of which became laws notwithstanding. The Council was abolished by the Constitu- tion of 1821. Its minutes comprise five voliunes, and are deposited in the office of the Secretary of State. They have never been printed ; but a history of the Conneil, its Members and its Vetoes, edited by ALFRED B. STREET, formerly State Librarian, has been published.


316


APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS.


COUNCIL OF APPOINTMENT.


The Executive Conneil of the Colonial period was succeeded under the first State Constitution, by a Council of Appointment, which was composed of one Senator from each district, openly nominated and appointed each year by the Assembly, no Senator being eligible two years successively. At first, difficulties occurred, in a few instances, in settling upon the term of office, but it was finally determined that members held their office for a full year from the date of their appointment, without regard to their senatorial term. In 1751, Gov. Clinton protested against the admission of Parks, appointed in place of Paine expelled, on the ground that under the Constitution nomi- nations could only be made " once in a year." This position was overruled, and Parks admitted to the seat. The Governor was the presiding officer of the Council, and had a casting vote. Until 101, he alone exercised the power of originating nominations, but the Con- stitutional Convention, which assembled that year, gave a concurrent power of nomination to the several members of the Council.


COUNCIL OF APPOINTMENT.


SOUTHERN DISTRICT.


MIDDLE DISTRICT.


EASTERN DISTRICT.


WESTERN DISTRICT.


APPOINTED.


John Morin Scott.


Jesse Woodhull


Alexander Webster ...


Abraham Yales, Jr ....


Sept. 16, 1777


Jonathan Lawrence.


Zephaniah Platt ...


Ebenezer Russell.


D. Wessel Ten Brock


1).1. 17. 177%


I aac Roosevelt ..


Levi Pawling


Alexander Webster ...


Rinier Myudlerse ...


Sopl. 11. 1779


Stephen Ward


Ephraim Paine 1


Ebenezer Russell .. .


Abraham Ten Broeck


Sept. 11. 17~0


J-aac Stoutenburgh.


Zephaniah Platt


Alexander Webster ...


Henry Oothoudt


20, 17-1


Joli Having.


Elkanah Dav.


William B. Whiting.


July 22, 172


Jonathan Lawrence. Ezra L'Hommedieu. . Isaac Roosevelt


Jacobs Swartwout.


Alexander Welester ...


Abraham Y.des, Jr ...


J.III. 21.17 4


lewis Morris. .


Jacobus Swart wollt. John Hathorn.


Ebenezer Russell


Peter Schuyler.


J.IL. 15, 1757


lohn Vanderbilt ..


Anthony Hothman


David Hopkins


Phillp Schuyler ..


.1.01. 18. 1758


Sammel Townseud.


John Hathorn. ..


John Williamts.


Peter Van Ness Janı. 2, 17.


Philip Livingstou.


John Cantine.


Edward Savage.


Philip Schuyler


.Jan.


15. 1790


Isaac Roosevelt.


Thomas Tillotson


Peter Schuyler.


JJant. 11. 1791


Philip Van Cortlandt. David Gel-ton


Joseph Hasbrouck


Robert Woodworth


Jau.


11. 1793


Selah Strong


Renben Hopkins.


Vana Hitchcock


Philip Schuyler.


J.In .. . 7, 1794


Richard Hattield


Joseph Hasbrouck


William Powers


1. Van Schoonhoven


.un.


G. 1795


Joshua Sands.


Abraham Schenck. Anibrose Spencer


Thomas Morris .l.m. 9. 1797


.l.u. 3. 1798


William Denning


Ebenezer Foute.


Ebenezer Clank


lohn Frey.


.Jan.


4. 1799


De Witt Clinton


Ambrose Spencer.


John Sanders


Robert Roseboom


Nov.


7, 1:00


Benjamin Hunting


James W. Wilkin. ... John C. Hogeboom.


1. Van Schoonhoven.


Jacob Snell


Feb. 3. 1-03


John Brconle


Abraham Adriance .


Thomas Tredwell.


Caleb Hyde


Feb. 7. 1>04


John Schenck


Joshua 11. Brett.


Stephen Thora,


Jedledllah Peck


J.m. 20, 1505


De Witt Clinton


Robert Johnson ...


Adam Conplock .


Henry Huntington .... Jan.


31. 1506


Thomas Thomas.


lames Burt ....


Edward Savage


John Nicholas .


JAIL.


25. 1807


Benjamin Coe ..


Peter C. Adamıs.


John Verder ..


Nathan Smith.


Jan.


29. 1-03


Jonathan Ward


James G. Graham


Alexander Rea.


J.11. 27. 1809


Isaac Carl ....


Robert Williams


Daniel Paris


Amos Hall.


31. 1>10)


Benjamin Coe ...


James W. Wilkin.


John Melcan ..


Philetu- Swift. .


Jau.


31. 1811


William W. Gilbert


Johannes Bruyn


Henry Yates


Francis A. Bloodgood Jonas Platt


Jan.


12. 1$13


Jonathan Dayton


Luens Elmendorf.


Farran Stranahan. Feb.


1. 1.15


Darius Crosby.


William Ross


Perley Keyes


Archibaldl S. Clark Feb.


5, 1×16 2, 1×17


Peter R. Livingston ...


Jahez D. Hammond.


Henry Seymour. .1al.


31. 1.18


Stephen Barnmin


William Ross .


Stephen Bates.


Feb.


3. 1-19


John D. Ditmls


John Lounshely


Ephraim Hart.


.Jan. 11. 1>20


Walter Bowne.


John T. More.


Roger Skinner


David E. Evans Nov. 8. 1-20


John Townsend.


Charles E. Dudley


Benjamin Mooers


Perry G. Childs


Jun. 10. 1$22


Joseph Gasheric


Ebenezer Russell


William B. Whiting .


Oct. 19. 1734


David Hopkins.


Phillp Schuyler ....


19, 17:6


William Floyd


Davil Pvc. ..


William Powers ..


Stp'n Van Rensselaer lolin Frey


J.m. 1t. 1792


Ebenezer Russell


Michael Myers. .lau. 7. 1796


Andrew Ouderdonk


Ezra L'Hommethen ..


William Thompson


Joseph White ..


Samuel Haight.


Robert Sans


James Gordon .


Thomas R. Gold


J.IL.


EAlward Savage


Lemmel Chipman


JaIn.


30. 1:02


Egbert 11. Jones


Morgan Lewis


Sammel Stewart.


Henry A. Townsend. Jan.


25. 1-14


Waller Bowne


John Noyes.


John 1. Prendergast


Henry Blooml. Frb.


Feb,


1. 1>12


Peter W. Radcliff


James W. Wilkin


John Stearns.


Ruggles Hubbard.


Ileury Yates, Jr.


George Rosecrantz. ... Levl Adams


Isaac Kellogg


Ebenezer Purdy ...


Alexander Webster.


Leonard Gansevoort. Moses Vail.


1 Vacated by expulsion from Senate March 15, 1781, and Arthur Parks appointed March 23, 1751.


317


THE STATE SENATE.


SENATE.


The Lieutenant-Governor is, ex officio, presiding officer of the Sen- ate. He cannot participate in debates, nor vote, except in cases of a tie. In his absence the Senate elects one of its own members to act as President, pro tem., and while so acting he has the right to vote. Under the first Constitution the Senate consisted of twenty-four members, apportioned among four great districts. After the first election they were divided by lot into four classes, so that the terms . of six should expire each year. An additional Senator was to be added to each district whenever, by a septemmial census, it was shown that the number of electors in the district had increased one twenty- fourth. This increase was to be allowed until the number reached 100. The census of 1795 made the number forty-three. In 1801, the rule being found unequal in its operation, the Constitution was amended so as to fix the number permanently at thirty-two, which has ever since been retained ..


The principal change made by the Constitution of 1821, in the legislative branch of the government, was the election of State officers by joint ballot, and the conferring of the appointing power upon the Governor and Senate. The following officers were thus appointed, besides several local and minor officers:1 Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Judges of County Courts, Surrogates, Masters and Examiners in Chancery, Notaries Public, Supreme Court Commissioners, Loan Commissioners, Inspectors and Measurers for commercial purposes, Recorders and Marshals of cities, Commis- sioners of Deeds in this State, Superintendent of Salt Springs, Har- bor Masters, Port Wardens and Pilots, Directors in certain Banks, Inspectors and Clerks of Prisons, Indian agents, etc., Inspectors of turnpikes, Canal Appraisers, Major-Generals, Brigade Inspectors and Chiefs of the Staff departments, except Adjutant-General (ap- pointed by the Governor) and Commissary-General. At the time of the adoption of the new Constitution, 2,238 officers were thus ap- pointed.


The power of appointment by the Governor and Senate is limited to Superintendent of Public Works, Superintendent of Prisons, Superin- tendents of the Bank and Insurance Departments, Railroad Commis- sioners, Capitol Commissioner, Commissioners of Claims, Civil Service Commissioners, Commissioner in Lunacy, Commissioner of Statistics of Labor, Members of Board of State Charities, State Assessors, Trus- tees of Asylums for Idiots and Insane, Port Wardens and Harbor Mas-


1 See Documents, Convention of 1816, Vol. 1, No. 41, for a list of these officers in each county.


31S


SENATORIAL APPORTIONMENTS.


ters of New York, Health Officer and Captain of the Port of New York, Commissioners of Emigration, and other civil officers, Majors- General and Commissary-General.


When deliberating upon appointments to office, the Senate is said to be in executive session, and they usually on such occasions sit with closed doors ; their votes and debates are not preserved, and their proceedings are recorded separately in volumes kept by their clerk. Executive sessions of the Senate have been repeatedly con- vened at times when the Legislature was not in session, and when important offices were to be filled.


The State was divided into eight great Senatorial districts, each of which was entitled to four Senators, one being elected every year. Term of office, four years. Under the present Constitution, the Senate consists of thirty-two members, who are elected each odd year, one in each Senatorial district. The Senate districts must con- sist of contiguous territory, and no county can be divided unless entitled to two or more Senators. A census is required to be taken every ten years (1875, 1855, etc.), and an apportiomnent must be made by the Legislature at its first session after the return of every enumeration.


SENATORIAL DISTRICTS. FIRST CONSTITUTION.


SOUTHERN DISTRICT. By Constitution - Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Sullolk and Westchester - entitled tomine Senators. Act of February 7, 1791-Samo counties- entitled to right Senators. Act of March 4. 17:6 - Same counties - entitled to nine Senators until los, and to five from less to 115. let of April 17, 1815 - Dutchess, Kings, New York, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester - en- titled to six Senators.


MIDDLE DISTRICT. By Constitution - Dutchess, Orange and Ulster - entitled to six Senators. act of Feb rotary 7, 1791 - Samme counties and same representation. atet of March 4, 1796 - Columbia, Dutchess, Orange and Uister ; Delaware from March 10, 1797 1 ; Chenango from March 15, 17981 ; Greene from March 25, 1800 ; & Sullivan from March 27, 1509 1 - entitled to twelve Senators until tak, and to seven from tos to 1st5. Act of April 17. 1815 - Albany, Chenango, Colmbia, Delaware, Greene, Orange, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster -entitled to nine Senators.


EASTERN DISTRICT. By Constitution - Charlotte, 2 Cumberland, 3 Gloucester, 3 and Columbia, from April 1, 17-6. 1 - entitled to three Senators. Act of February 7, 1791 - Clinton, Columbia, Rensselaer, and Wash- ington - entitled to tive Senators. Art of March t, 1796 - Albany, Clinton, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Washing- ton, Essex, from March 1, 1791. 1, Montgomery From 1303, Franklin from March 11, Isos, I Schenectady from March 7, 1909, 1 and Warren from March 12, 1-13, 1 - entitled toeleven Senators until tros, and eight from tsos to 1815. Act of April 17, 1-15 - Clinton, Essex. Franklin, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Montgomery, Rensselaer, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, Washington, and Hamilton from April 12, 1:16, 1 - entitled to eight Senators.


WESTERN DISTRICT. Bu Constitution- Albany, Tryon, 4 and Ontario from January 27, 17591 - entitled to six members. Act of February 7, 1791 -- Albany, Herkimer, Montgomery, Ontario, Otsego, Saratoga, Tioga from February 16, 1791, 1 Onondaga from March 5. 1791, and Schoharie from April 6, 1795, 1 - entitled to tive members. Act of March 1, 1796- Allegany. Herkimer, Montgomery until 1503, Onondaga, Ontario, Oisego, Schoharie, Tioga, Steuben from March ts, 696, 1 Ouvila from March 15, 1798, 1 Cayuga from March 8. 1793, 1, St. Lawrence from March 3, 1-02, 1 Genesee from March 30, 1502, 1 Seneca from March 29. 1vot, 1 Jefferson and Lewis from March 28, 1505. 1 Madison from March 21, 1-06, 1 Broome from March 28. 1:06, 1 Cattaraugus, Chautanque and Niagara from March It, 180%, 1 and Cortland from April s, 1508.1 -- entitled to eleven members until 1803, mine from 1803 until lsns, and twelve from 1-0s to 1515. Alot of April 17, 1-15 - Allogny, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautanque, Cortland, Genesee, Madison, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Securea, Steuben, Tioga, Oswego, from March 1, Ist6. 1 and Tompkins from April 17, 1-17,1 - entitled to nine members.


SECOND CONSTITUTION.


FIRST .- Kings, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk and New York, until Act passed May 23, 1836; Kings, Rich- mond and New York after that date.


SECOND .- Dutchess, Putnam. Rockland, Orange, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester, until April 18, 1926, when Delaware was annexed, and May 23, 1836, when Queens and Suffolk were added, and Delaware trans- ferred.


1 Date of organization.


2 Now Washington county,


3 Now in Vermont.


4 Name changed to Montgomery April 2, 1784.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.