Eleanor Finch
In 1787, the draft federal constitution was submitted to the states for ratification by popularly elected state conventions. New York's Legislature chose Alexander Hamilton, John Lansing, Jr., and Robert Yates as its delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. However, Lansing and Yates left the convention early, explaining in a letter to New York Governor George Clinton that they opposed any system that would consolidate the United States into one government. Hamilton was the only one of the three delegates from New York who signed the finished document. New York eventually ratified the Constitution, with Melancton Smith agreeing to do so on the condition that a Bill of Rights would be enacted later.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1787 |
| Number of Delegates | 3 |
| Names of Delegates | Alexander Hamilton, John Lansing Jr., Robert Yates |
| State Legislature's Concern | Centralization of power |
| Outcome | 2 delegates opposed the Constitution, 1 signed it |
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What You'll Learn
- Alexander Hamilton was the only New York delegate to sign the Constitution
- John Lansing Jr. and Robert Yates opposed the centralisation of power
- Lansing and Yates left the convention early, explaining their departure in a letter
- Hamilton, Lansing, and Yates were chosen as New York's delegates in 1787
- New York ratified the Constitution in full confidence that a Bill of Rights would follow
Alexander Hamilton was the only New York delegate to sign the Constitution
Alexander Hamilton was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He was a New York delegate and the only signatory to the Constitution from his state. Hamilton was a strong supporter of a centralized government and believed in replacing the Articles of Confederation. However, his fellow delegates from New York, John Lansing Jr. and Robert Yates, held anti-federalist views and opposed any consolidation of power under a single government. Due to their differences, Lansing and Yates withdrew from the convention, leaving Hamilton as the sole representative of New York. Despite his state's wishes to only revise the Articles of Confederation, Hamilton signed the Constitution as an individual, recognizing its improvement over the previous system.
Hamilton played a crucial role in securing the ratification of the Constitution in New York. He faced opposition from Anti-Federalists, including Governor George Clinton, who controlled the state. Hamilton's persuasive abilities and logical arguments drove the Constitution through the New York convention. He proposed that the federal government assume the debts of the states and establish a steady revenue stream through taxation on imported goods. Additionally, he used the issue of the federal capital's location to gain support from Virginia, demonstrating his political acumen.
Hamilton's influence extended beyond the Constitutional Convention. He authored a significant portion of The Federalist Papers, a series of essays defending the Constitution and republican government. Under the pseudonym Publius, he collaborated with James Madison and John Jay to write these influential pieces. Hamilton's dedication to a strong central government and his contributions to the Constitution solidified his place in American history.
The road to the creation and ratification of the Constitution was not without challenges. Hamilton's extreme nationalism and views on centralized power set him apart from his fellow delegates from New York. The state's anti-federalist sentiment posed a significant obstacle. However, Hamilton's persistence, intellect, and ability to find compromise ultimately contributed to the success of the Constitution's adoption.
In conclusion, Alexander Hamilton, as the sole New York signatory to the Constitution, played a pivotal role in its establishment and ratification. His influence extended beyond his signature, as he navigated political opposition and utilized his writing skills to build support for the Constitution. Hamilton's legacy is that of a dedicated nationalist who helped shape the foundation of the United States government.
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John Lansing Jr. and Robert Yates opposed the centralisation of power
John Lansing Jr. and Robert Yates were both delegates at the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, representing New York. They were appointed, along with Alexander Hamilton, by the New York Legislature "for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation".
However, Lansing and Yates became disillusioned with the convention as they believed it was exceeding its mandate by drafting a new constitution, rather than simply amending the existing Articles of Confederation. They felt that the convention's aim of producing an entirely new form of government was beyond their authority. Specifically, they opposed the centralisation of power, warning against the dangers of consolidating the United States into one government. In a joint letter to Governor George Clinton of New York, they stated:
> [The kind of government recommended by the convention could not] afford that security to equal and permanent liberty which we wished to make an invariable object of our pursuit.
Lansing and Yates withdrew from the convention on July 10, 1787, and published their reasons in a letter to Governor Clinton. Yates continued to oppose the Constitution in a series of letters signed "Brutus" and "Sydney", and voted against ratification at the Poughkeepsie Convention. He was considered a leader of the Anti-Federalist movement and, in 1788, was elected as an anti-federalist delegate to the New York State ratifying convention at Poughkeepsie, where he worked against the adoption of the Constitution.
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Lansing and Yates left the convention early, explaining their departure in a letter
John Lansing and Robert Yates, delegates from New York, left the Constitutional Convention early, explaining their departure in a joint letter to Governor George Clinton. They stated their opposition to any system that would consolidate the United States into one government, believing that the convention's aim was to amend the Articles of Confederation rather than create a new constitution. They warned that a centralized government could not guarantee equal and permanent liberty.
Lansing and Yates's departure from the convention was significant. As delegates from one of the most populous states, their absence reduced New York's influence in the proceedings. They were purposely selected to counterbalance their fellow delegate, Alexander Hamilton, a leading nationalist. Lansing and Yates were known as "uncompromising Clintonians and state-rights men," reflecting their commitment to state sovereignty and their alignment with Governor Clinton's faction.
The letter, dated December 21, 1787, explained their decision to leave the convention in July. They outlined their concerns about the convention's intentions and their belief that their further attendance would be fruitless. Historian Pauline Maier suggests that Yates left "in disgust," indicating a strong disagreement with the direction the convention was taking.
Lansing and Yates's early departure and their subsequent letter highlight the internal conflicts within the New York delegation. While Hamilton advocated for a stronger central government, Lansing and Yates firmly opposed any expansion of federal power. Their departure and subsequent actions demonstrate their commitment to their principles and their influence on the state's role in the drafting of the Constitution.
Lansing and Yates's actions had lasting impacts. Yates continued to criticize the Constitution, writing a series of letters signed with pseudonyms and voting against its ratification. Lansing, on the other hand, pursued a long judicial career, serving on the supreme court of New York and later as its chief justice. His mysterious disappearance in 1829, while on a visit to New York City, remains an enigma.
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Hamilton, Lansing, and Yates were chosen as New York's delegates in 1787
In 1787, Alexander Hamilton, John Lansing, and Robert Yates were chosen as New York's delegates to the Constitutional Convention. Hamilton, who was born on the island of Nevis in the British West Indies in 1757, had a quick ascent in New York society. He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1782-83 and established a law office in New York City the following year. Hamilton's interest in strengthening the central government led him to represent his state at the Annapolis Convention in 1786, where he advocated for a Constitutional Convention. In 1787, he served in the legislature and was appointed as a delegate to the convention. However, his extreme nationalism and frequent absences due to legal business led him to play a smaller part in the debates than expected.
John Lansing, on the other hand, began his career in public service in New York's Revolutionary provincial congress. He went on to serve in the militia and practised law. As a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, Lansing became disillusioned as the convention progressed. He believed the purpose of the gathering was solely to amend the Articles of Confederation and was dismayed by the push to create an entirely new constitution. After six weeks, Lansing and Yates left the convention, citing their opposition to consolidating the United States under one government. They warned against the dangers of centralizing power and urged Governor George Clinton of New York to reject the Constitution.
Robert Yates, a recognised leader of the Antifederalists in the 1780s, shared Lansing's concerns about centralising power. He was a classical education scholar and a lawyer who opposed any concessions to the federal congress that might diminish the sovereignty of the states. Like Lansing, he expected the Constitutional Convention to focus on revising the existing Articles. Yates served on the committee that debated representation in the legislature, but he and Lansing departed before the committee presented its report. Despite their early departure, Yates continued to criticise the Constitution through letters signed with pseudonyms and voted against its ratification at the Poughkeepsie convention.
The selection of Hamilton, Lansing, and Yates as New York's delegates reflected the state's diverse political perspectives during the Constitutional Convention. While Hamilton advocated for a stronger central government, Lansing and Yates cautioned against consolidating power, highlighting the ongoing debates and complexities surrounding the formation of the United States government.
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New York ratified the Constitution in full confidence that a Bill of Rights would follow
The United States Constitution was ratified by New York in 1788, along with eight other states, replacing the existing government under the Articles of Confederation. The new Constitution came into force on March 4, 1789, with eleven of the thirteen states participating.
The road to ratification was not without its challenges. New York's delegates to the Constitutional Convention, Robert Yates and John Lansing, left the convention early, expressing their opposition to a consolidated national government in a joint letter to Governor George Clinton. They had expected the convention to focus on revising the Articles of Confederation rather than drafting an entirely new constitution. Despite this, New York did ratify the Constitution, with Alexander Hamilton playing a critical role in securing the state's approval.
The Anti-Federalist majority in New York initially sought to make their ratification conditional on the prior proposal of amendments, but Hamilton, after consulting with James Madison, informed the Convention that this would not be accepted by Congress. Madison, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, altered the Constitution's text where he deemed appropriate, but his changes were presented as a list of amendments that would follow Article VII.
The first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791. These amendments addressed the objections raised by Anti-Federalists and guaranteed personal freedoms, such as freedom of speech, the right to assemble, and other natural and legal rights. Thus, New York ratified the Constitution in full confidence that a Bill of Rights would follow, as they had insisted on prior proposals for amendments, and the process of drafting and ratifying these amendments was already underway.
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Frequently asked questions
Three delegates represented New York at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787: Alexander Hamilton, John Lansing Jr., and Robert Yates.
No, only one of the three delegates from New York, Alexander Hamilton, signed the finished document. Robert Yates voted against ratification at the Poughkeepsie convention. John Lansing left the convention early along with Yates, expressing his opposition to the centralization of power.
The Anti-Federalists among the New York delegates believed that a powerful national government operating without a Bill of Rights would endanger the rights of individual citizens and the rights of the states. They wanted a declaration to protect the citizenry against a federal government.
To ensure ratification, the Federalists agreed to introduce a series of amendments protecting individual rights at the first Congress under the new Constitution. Of the 12 proposed amendments, 10 were ratified by the states and became the Bill of Rights in 1791.
Alexander Hamilton was a dedicated nationalist and orchestrated the groundswell for a Constitutional Convention. However, he played a surprisingly small part in the debates due to frequent absences, his extreme nationalism, and frustration with the conservative views of his fellow delegates from New York.
![[Official] returns for special general election [November 2] 1971 [for delegates to Constitutional Convention and vote on Referendum no. 68]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51IzrO-IuVL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
