Resolved, That five hundred copies of the Declaration of Independence, with the two last-mentioned resolutions of this congress for approving and proclaiming the same, be published in handbills and sent to all the county committees in this State. Resolved, That the delegates of this State, in continental congress, be and they are hereby authorized to consent to and adopt all such measures as they may deem conducive to the happiness and welfare of the United States of America.

On Thursday, the 11th day of July, therefore, " with beat of drum," the official proclamation of the great Declaration on the part of the representatives of the State of New York was made before the old court house at White Plains. There unfortunately existed at the time no local newspaper in the county to record the undoubtedly interesting- circumstances attending the grand event. On the second day of its sessions at White Plains, the "Convention of Representatives of the State of New York " began to consider plans for the organization of the proposed State government, but nothing definite was accomplished in that direction during the continuance ofthe body at our county-seat. On the 27th of July the convention terminated its sessions at White Plains, and from the 29th of July to the 29th of August it sat at Harlem. A committee of thirteen, of which John Jay was chairman and Gouverneur Morris was a member, was appointed on the 1st of August to take into consideration and report a plan for instituting a form of government. Out of this action resulted the first constitution of the State, which was reported on March 12 and adopted on April 20. 1777. Meantime, and until the new governmental machinery was started, New York remained under exclusive legislative and committee government. The State convention, after leaving tlarlem, met successively at Fishkill and Kingston, being dissolved on the loth of May, 1777.