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61-675: The Committee of Fifty-one was a committee of correspondence in the City and County of New York that first met on May 16, 1774. On May 30, the Committee formed a subcommittee to write a letter to the supervisors of the counties of New York to exhort them to also form similar committees of correspondence, which letter was adopted on a meeting of the Committee on May 31. In response to the letters from Boston, on July 4, 1774 resolutions were approved to appoint five delegates, Isaac Low , John Alsop , James Duane , Philip Livingston , and John Jay , to

122-597: A capital offense by the General Assembly. The executed men included James Few, Benjamin Merrill , Enoch Pugh, Robert Matear, "Captain" Robert Messer, Bryant Austin Sr, and one other. Six other convicted Regulators—Forrester Mercer, James Stewart, James Emmerson, Herman Cox, William Brown, and James Copeland—were pardoned by King George III and released by Tryon. The Regulator uprising is viewed by some historians as

183-643: A Provincial Convention in New York City on April 20, to elect delegates to the Second Continental Congress . On April 23, news of the battle of Lexington and Concord arrived. On April 26, Isaac Low called for the dismissal of the Committee of Sixty and the convening of a Provincial Congress , as well as a Committee of One Hundred to perform the function of the Provincial Congress until it was convened. On April 29, 1775

244-489: A central location for government business; he worked with Hawks during 1764 and 1765 to draw up plans for an elaborate home. In December 1766, the North Carolina legislature authorized £5,000 for the building of Tryon's mansion. Tryon told the legislature that the sum was not substantial enough for the plans he and Hawks had created; building it "in the plainest manner" would cost no less than £10,000 without including

305-460: A fifty-member committee of correspondence to be submitted to the public, and on May 17 they published a notice calling on the public to meet at the Coffee-house on May 19 at 1:00 pm to approve the committee and appoint others as they may see fit. At the meeting on May 19, Francis Lewis was also nominated and the entire Committee of Fifty-one was confirmed. On May 23, the committee met at

366-494: A mass meeting of residents signed a "General Association" whereby they agreed to obey the Continental Congress, the Committee of Sixty, and New York's Provincial Convention. The Committee of Sixty was replaced by a more representative Committee of One Hundred on May 1, 1775. By May 4, the city had four companies of volunteers. On May 15, the Continental Congress ordered the construction of a fort at Kings Bridge ,

427-567: A militia. Funds were also appropriated for the rebuilding of New York City's defenses. In 1772, opposition in New York was strong against the Tea Act . In December, the Sons of Liberty "persuaded" the tea agents to resign. Tryon proposed to land the tea and store it at Fort George. The Sons of Liberty were opposed and Alexander McDougall said, "prevent the landing, and kill [the] governor and all

488-480: A miserably bungled plot to kidnap General Washington and to assassinate his chief officers. Washington's bodyguard Thomas Hickey was involved in the plot. Hickey had been in prison for passing counterfeit money, and he bragged to his cellmate Isaac Ketcham about the kidnapping plot. Ketcham revealed it to authorities in an effort to gain his own freedom. Hickey was court-martialled and hanged for mutiny on 28 June 1776. In June, Admiral Howe arrived in New York City with

549-621: A precursor to the American Revolution . Tryon then raised taxes again to pay for the militia's campaign against the Regulators. Tryon's governorship ended, and he left North Carolina on 30 June 1771. Tryon Palace was reconstructed in the 1950s using the original architectural plans drawn by John Hawks. Many years later, in an op-ed for the Rocky Mount Telegram explaining why he wanted to limit veto power for

610-537: A series of raids on the Connecticut coast, attacking New Haven , Fairfield , and Norwalk , burning and plundering most of Fairfield and Norwalk. His raids were intended to draw Patriot forces away from the defense of the Hudson valley. In spite of pressure from Governor Jonathan Trumbull , George Washington did not move his troops. Patriot newspapers condemned him for making war on "women and children", and Clinton

671-583: A subcommittee to write a letter to the supervisors of the counties of New York to extort them to also form similar committees of correspondence , which letter was adopted at a meeting of the Committee on May 31. On July 4, 1774, a resolution was approved to appoint five delegates contingent upon their confirmation by the freeholders of the City and County of New York, and request that the other counties also send delegates. Isaac Low, John Alsop, James Duane , Philip Livingston , and John Jay were then appointed, and

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732-549: A trip to England, and Cadwallader Colden was the acting governor of New York in his absence. Tryon arrived back in New York on 25 June 1775 after the American Revolutionary War had begun. Isaac Sears returned in July from the Continental Congress with orders to put Tryon under arrest, but George Washington had ordered Philip Schuyler , the commander in New York, to leave Tryon alone. On 19 October 1775, he

793-629: Is known about the appointment of William Floyd . In three meetings held in Ulster County , the New York County delegates were authorized to act for those present, if not the whole county; it's not usually included with Albany, Duchess, and Westchester because congress received no credentials from that county authorizing the New York County delegates to act for it. The First Continental Congress met from September 5 to October 26, 1774. Previous to this committee's formation, opposition to

854-670: The Battle of Ridgefield when attempting to return to an invasion fleet anchored in Westport . In May 1778, he was given the rank of major-general in the British army, but in America only, and also the colonelcy of the 70th Regiment of Foot . He became the commander of all British forces on Long Island. Tryon had long advocated engaging in raids on Patriot towns, but General Henry Clinton turned down his proposals. In July 1779, he commanded

915-629: The Battles of Lexington and Concord arrived. The First Provincial Congress was convened in New York City on May 22, 1775 with Peter Van Brugh Livingston as president. The first resolution adopted was obedience to recommendations made by the Continental Congress. The congress adapted a "plan of Accommodation between Great Britain and America", which it sent to its delegates to the Continental Congress urging extreme caution in

976-784: The Declaration of Independence was read by George Washington on the commons of New York City to the Continental Army and local citizens, who celebrated by tearing down the statue of George III in Bowling Green . On July 10, 1776, the Fourth Provincial Congress changed its name to the Convention of Representatives of the State of New York, and "acts as legislature without an executive." On August 1,

1037-585: The East India Company 's Governor in Bombay from 1742–50, and had died on a ship off the Cape of Good Hope on the voyage home. Margaret was later the namesake of Wake County, North Carolina , where Raleigh is located. According to American historian Scott M. Smith, Tryon "achieved a reputation as a fair, honest and capable administrator. His signature accomplishment in this vein was the improvement of

1098-697: The New York General Assembly voted down successive resolutions approving the proceedings of the First Continental Congress and refused to send delegates to the Second Continental Congress . New York was the only colonial assembly which did not approve the proceeds of the First Continental Congress. Opposition to the Congress revolved around the opinion that the provincial houses of assembly were

1159-630: The Second Continental Congress . On March 15, 1775 the Committee of Sixty had issued a call to the counties of New York to send delegates to a Provincial Convention. Philip Livingston was its chairman. It included the delegates to the first congress and also five new members. All counties other than Tryon , Gloucester , and Cumberland were represented. The scope of the Provincial Convention did not extend beyond electing delegates, and they dispersed on April 22. On April 23, news of

1220-461: The "Congress of Deputies from the Colonies" (the First Continental Congress ), and request that the other counties also send delegates. Three counties (Westchester, Duchess, and Albany) acquiesced to the five delegates, while three counties (Kings, Suffolk, and Orange) sent delegates of their own. The First Continental Congress met from September 5 to October 26, 1774. In January and February 1775,

1281-546: The Assembly from passing a resolution in opposition to the Stamp Act. Tryon said that he was personally opposed to the Stamp Act and that he offered to pay the taxes on all stamped paper on which he was entitled to fees. Tryon requested troops to enforce the act, but instead he was informed on 25 June 1766 that the act was repealed. Tryon also composed plans for an elaborate governor's mansion, which would also function as

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1342-769: The Battery and while doing so the British HMS Asia opened fire on the combined civilian and militia forces. In late 1775, the provincial militia was restructured. It adjourned on November 4, 1775 and appointed a Committee of Safety to sit during its recess. This committee was dominated by Alexander McDougall and John Morin Scott . Members: The Second Provincial Congress was organized on December 6, 1775 and sat in New York City, and continued until adjournment on May 13, 1776. In January, 1776, George Washington ordered Major General Charles Lee to prepare New York City for

1403-403: The British army. Howe placed New York under martial law with James Robertson as the military commander. Tryon retained his nominal title as governor, but with little power. In early 1777, Tryon was given the rank of major-general of the provincials. In April, he was ordered to invade Connecticut and march on the city of Danbury to destroy an arsenal there. Tryon established his headquarters at

1464-409: The British was organized through the informal leadership of the Sons of Liberty . From late 1774, the Committee exercised effective control of New York City, and declared that Boston was "suffering in defence of the rights of America". On November 22, 1774 the Committee of Fifty-One and the Committee of Mechanics nominated a committee of inspection that was approved by the freeholders and freemen of

1525-404: The Coffee-house and appointed Isaac Low as permanent chairman and John Alsop as deputy chairman. The Committee then formed a subcommittee which reported a letter in response to the letters from Boston, calling for a "Congress of Deputies from the Colonies" to be assembled (which became known as the First Continental Congress ), which was approved by the committee. On May 30, the Committee formed

1586-690: The Continental Army Commander-in-Chief General George Washington on his way to take command at the Siege of Boston . On June 28, 1775 they authorized the raising of the four regiments of the New York Line . On July 20, 1775, members of the Sons of Liberty and others surprised a guard and captured a British storehouse at Turtle Bay. In August, the congress ordered the removal of the cannon at

1647-612: The Continental Congress recommended that each of the provinces establish themselves as states. In June, Howe's forces appeared in New York Harbor . Notable members (partial list): The Fourth Provincial Congress convened in White Plains on July 9, 1776 and became known as the First Constitutional Convention. It declared the independent state of New York on July 9, 1776. On the same day

1708-844: The Delegates from the other Colonies in the ensuing General Congress to consult on proper Measures to be taken for the promising the Redress of our Grievances for which Purpose they are devised to repair to the said Congress to be held at Philadelphia on or about the first Monday in September next or at such other Time and Place as shall be expedient for that Purpose By Order of the Meeting Balthas DeGroat Clerk William Tryon Lieutenant-General William Tryon (8 June 1729 – 27 January 1788)

1769-660: The General Meeting of all the Committees of the County of Orange . As told by Joseph Galloway , a delegate from Pennsylvania , the appointment for the Kings County (now Brooklyn) delegate was made thusly: two persons assembled; one was made chairman, the other clerk; and the latter certified to the congress that the former, Simon Boerum , was unanimously chosen for the county of Kings. For Suffolk County , less

1830-576: The King appointed him to the office of governor. After assuming the office of governor, Tryon worked to expand the Church of England in North Carolina. There were only five Anglican clergy members in North Carolina at that time. Tryon pushed for the completion of abandoned construction projects of Anglican churches in Brunswick Town, Wilmington , Edenton , and New Bern . Tryon appointed members of

1891-426: The New York County delegates were ultimately authorized to act in their stead. In Westchester County , meetings were held in the towns of Bedford , Mamaronee, Rye , and Westchester, and on August 22 a general county meeting at White Plains authorized the New York County delegates to act for the county. The action of Duchess County is not very clear. Henry Wisner and John Haring were appointed on August 16 by

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1952-458: The North Carolina governor, North Carolina State Senator Roy Cooper wrote, "Governor Tryon was hated as he ruled in opulent splendor from his palace." On 8 July 1771, Tryon arrived in the Province of New York and became its governor. In 1771 and 1772 he was successful in having the assembly appropriate funds for the quartering of British troops and also on 18 March 1772 the establishment of

2013-662: The State of New York signed the Articles of Confederation and officially became part of the government of the United States of America , though it had been a part of the nation as representative were signatories to the Declaration in 1776. 1st Provincial Congress 2nd Provincial Congress 3rd Provincial Congress 4th Provincial Congress and Representative Convention Committee of Sixty#Committee of Fifty-one The Committee of Sixty or Committee of Observation

2074-505: The city at City Hall (about 30-40 people showed, according to Lt. Gov. Cadwallader Colden ), known variously as the Committee of Sixty and/or the Committee of Observation, to carry the measures of the First Continental Congress into effect, i.e. the Continental Association , pursuant to the 11th resolution of the Congress. This Committee issued a call to the counties of New York on March 15, 1775 to send delegates to

2135-536: The clergy for these churches and encouraged the construction of new churches, especially in rural areas. There was strong opposition in North Carolina to the Stamp Act of 1765 . When the Stamp Act Congress was held, the colonial assembly was not in session, hence delegates could not be selected to attend. Tryon refused to allow meetings of the Assembly from 18 May 1765 to 3 November 1766 to prevent

2196-630: The colony’s postal service, a crucial link between the important commercial centers in South Carolina and Virginia." After assuming the office of North Carolina governor in 1765, Tryon stated "I shall ever think it equally my duty to preserve the People in their constitutional liberty; as to maintain inviolate the Just and necessary Rights of the Crown", a statement which Smith noted "would haunt Tryon for

2257-486: The coming British attack. In February, the provincial congress initially refused Lee's entry, but then agreed and also decided to stop provisioning the British ships in New York Harbor . The Third Provincial Congress was organized on May 22, 1776. It continued in session until June 30, 1776. It took place in Fishkill . It instructed its delegates to the 2nd Continental Congress to oppose independence. On May 31, 1776,

2318-587: The completed mansion. The house was "a monument of opulence and elegance extraordinary in the American colonies." Although he accomplished some notable improvements in the colony, such as the creation of a postal service in 1769, Tryon is most noted for suppressing the Regulator Movement in western North Carolina during the period from 1768 to 1771. The uprising was caused partly by taxation imposed to pay for Tryon Palace at New Bern (which Tryon made

2379-658: The construction of batteries in the Highlands , and the arming and training of a militia. The Committee of One Hundred still considered itself loyal to the British Crown , but was instead opposed to the laws of the Parliament of Great Britain which they considered unconstitutional because they had no representation in it. The committee wrote to Governor Cadwallader Colden in May, 1775 "that though they are arming with

2440-549: The convention assigned the task of drafting a constitution to a committee of thirteen and ordered it to report a draft by August 27, but it did not do so until March 12, 1777. While adjourned it left a Committee of Safety in charge. The Constitution of the State of New York was adopted on April 20, 1777 in Kingston . The governor would be elected and not appointed, voting qualifications were reduced, secret ballots were introduced, and civil rights were guaranteed. On July 9, 1778

2501-701: The council". When news of the Boston Tea Party arrived on 22 December, Tryon gave up trying to land the tea. He told London the tea could be brought ashore "only under the protection of the point of the bayonet, and muzzle of cannon, and even then I do not see how consumption could be effected". In 1774, the New Yorkers dumped their own consignment of tea into the harbor. On 29 December 1773 the governor's mansion and all its contents were destroyed by fire. The New York Assembly appropriated five thousand pounds for his losses. On 7 April 1774, Tryon departed for

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2562-483: The greatest diligence and industry; it is not with design to oppose, but to strengthen government in the due exercise of constitutional authority". In May, all inhabitants were asked to sign an Association . Anyone who refused to sign were to be called "enemies of this country". Some of the Loyalists were tarred and feathered . The committee disarmed all loyalists within its jurisdiction. The Committee of One Hundred

2623-418: The house of a Loyalist named Joseph Dibble, at the south end of the village and near the public stores. Generals Agnew and Erskine made their headquarters in a house near the bridge, at the upper end of the main street. All the other houses in the village were quartered with British troops for the night. Tryon engaged and defeated Patriot forces under the command of General David Wooster and Benedict Arnold at

2684-584: The news that the port of Boston would be closed under the Boston Port Act , an advertisement was posted at the Coffee-house on Wall-street in New York City, a noted place of resort for shipmasters and merchants, inviting merchants to meet on May 16, 1774 at the Fraunces Tavern "in order to consult on measures proper to be pursued on the present critical and important situation." At that meeting, with Isaac Low as chair, they resolved to nominate

2745-501: The operation went smoothly until the withdrawal, when they came under intense fire from the French at the Battle of Saint Cast . Tryon was wounded in the thigh and head. On 26 April 1764, through family connections, Tryon obtained the position of acting lieutenant governor of the Province of North Carolina . He arrived in North Carolina with his family, including a young daughter, and architect John Hawks , in early October to find that

2806-458: The outbuildings he envisioned. Hawks agreed to supervise the construction for three years and went to Philadelphia at Tryon's behest to hire workers; Tryon said native North Carolina workers would not know how to construct such a building. Tryon was eventually able to convince the legislature to increase taxes to help pay for the project. The unpopularity of the new taxes spawned the derogatory nickname ' Tryon Palace '. In 1770, Tryon moved into

2867-468: The planned invasion of Canada , since they had a plan of reconciliation. When in June the British troops in New York City left to board British ships, Marinus Willett intervened to prevent them taking carts loaded with arms back to the ships. The congress welcomed the return of Governor William Tryon , regarded as someone who could be reasoned with, while on the same day providing a more elaborate welcome for

2928-502: The previous governor, Arthur Dobbs , had not left. He said that he would not be leaving until May. Tryon found himself with no income (although he was Lieutenant Governor). In 1765, a house called Russelborough on the Cape Fear River near Brunswick Town was renovated to serve as Tryon's residence while he acted as Lieutenant Governor. Tryon assumed his position as acting governor when Dobbs died on 28 March 1765. On 10 July,

2989-455: The proper agencies to solicit redress for grievances. In March, the Assembly broke with the rest of the colonies and wrote a petition to London, but London rejected the petition because it contained claims about a lack of authority of the "parent state" to tax colonists, "which made it impossible" to accept. The Assembly last met on April 3, 1775. A Provincial Convention assembled in New York City on April 20, 1775 where delegates were elected to

3050-455: The provincial capital) and partly by tax abuse and fraud by western officials. Matters came to a head in May 1771, when colonial militia defeated 2,000 Regulators in the Battle of Alamance . Following the battle, Tryon ordered the execution of seven alleged Regulators, convicted by Judge Richard Henderson . Most of the men were accused of violating the Riot Act , a crime temporarily made

3111-684: The public of the City and County was invited to attend City Hall and concur in the appointments on July 7. This caused friction with the more radical Sons of Liberty ( Committee of Mechanics ) faction, who held the Meeting in the Fields on July 6. Three counties (Westchester, Duchess, and Albany) acquiesced to the five delegates, as did Ulster County but this was unrecognized by the congress, while three counties (Kings, Suffolk, and Orange) sent delegates of their own, and six counties were unresponsive. Albany County had appointed delegates of its own, but

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3172-426: The quarrel with England. The plan demanded the English authorities repeal of all unconstitutional laws affecting the colonies and an acknowledgement of the right of the colonies to self-taxation. In return New York promised to contribute to the costs of defence, the maintenance of civil government, and to recognize England's right to regulate imperial trade. In May, they ordered the militia to stockpile arms, undertake

3233-438: The removal of cannon from Fort Crown Point and Fort Ticonderoga , and the erection of fortifications and defences on Manhattan Island. All loyalists in the province were disarmed. In May, the raising of 3,000 militia to serve until December 31 was authorized, and in early June they authorized the payment of five pounds sterling for each hundredweight of gunpowder delivered to county military stockpiles. The Congress condemned

3294-466: The rest of his life." During the Revolutionary War, Tryon's raids in Connecticut were denounced by Patriot leaders, and president of the Continental Congress Henry Laurens wrote in 1779 that Tryon's memory ought to be "held in everlasting contempt." In 1930, business magnate John D. Rockefeller donated land in New York City to the municipal authorities, which created Fort Tryon Park . Later that year, local historian Reginald Pelham Bolton argued

3355-473: Was Robert Shirley, 1st Earl Ferrers . In 1751, Tryon enlisted in the British Army as a lieutenant in the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards and was promoted to the rank of captain later that year. In 1758, Tryon was promoted to lieutenant-colonel . During the Seven Years' War , Tryon and his regiment were involved in the British raid on Cherbourg . They landed at Cherbourg and destroyed all military facilities. In September, they reembarked for St Malo, where

3416-416: Was a committee of inspection formed in the City and County of New York ( Manhattan , New York City ), in 1775, by rebels to enforce the Continental Association , a boycott of British goods enacted by the First Continental Congress . It was the successor to the Committee of Fifty-one, which had originally called for the Congress to be held, and was replaced by the Committee of One Hundred. In response to

3477-437: Was a British Army officer and colonial administrator who served as governor of North Carolina from 1764 to 1771 and the governor of New York from 1771 to 1777. He also served during the Seven Years' War , the Regulator Movement , and the American War of Independence . Tryon was born on 8 June 1729 at the Tryon family's seat at Norbury Park , Surrey , the son of Charles Tryon and Lady Mary Shirley. His maternal grandfather

3538-420: Was also indignant about Tryon disobeying his orders. Tryon found approval of his conduct from Lord George Germain , but Clinton refused to give him any further significant commands. In September 1780, Tryon returned to his home in London. He directed the affairs of the 70th Regiment, who were still in America, and he gave directions in 1783 for the regiment to be brought back to England for disbandment. In 1782, he

3599-421: Was compelled to seek refuge on the British sloop-of-war Halifax in New York Harbor. He then set up an offshore headquarters nearby on board the merchant ship Duchess of Gordon . In 1776, he dissolved the assembly and called for new elections in February. The new assembly was for independence, so Tryon dissolved it. During the spring and summer of 1776, Tryon and New York City mayor David Mathews conspired in

3660-419: Was officially replaced by the New York Provincial Congress which first convened on May 23, 1775, but the committee continued to meet for a while. At a General Meeting of all the Committees of the County of Orange Assembled at the House of Stephen Stot in said County on Tuesday the 16th August 1774. John Coe Esq. Chairman Resolved that Henry Wisner and John Haring Esq. be the Delegates from this County to meet

3721-453: Was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general. In 1784, he was made the colonel of the 29th Regiment of Foot , which was stationed in Canada. Tryon died at his home in London on 27 January 1788 and was buried at St Mary's Church, Twickenham , Middlesex , England . Tryon had a daughter by Mary Stanton, whom he never married. In 1757, he married Margaret Wake , a London heiress with a dowry of 30,000 pounds. Her father, William , had been

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