Our Federal Constitution
New York State became the eleventh state to ratify the federal constitution on July 26, 1788 by a narrow margin of 30 votes for 27 against.
The ratification, held after a series of contentious debates, happened at a convention held at Poughkeepsie.
Secretary John McKesson kept a journal of proceedings of the Poughkeepsie Convention, including minutes of resolutions and votes by delegates. The last pages include signatures of George Clinton and other delegates.
