Education

In 1805, DeWitt Clinton and his fellow New Yorkers petitioned the New York State Assembly for access to free education. Clinton argued that while the government is “favorable to the general diffusion of knowledge [...] the blessings of such a government can be expected to be enjoyed no longer than while its Citizens continue virtuous and while the majority of the People, through the advantage of a proper, early education, possess sufficient knowledge to enable them to understand and pursue their best interests.”
That same year, Chapter 66 of the Laws of 1805 was passed, authorizing the sale of 500,000 acres of unappropriated State land to create a fund to support public schools.

 

 

 

 

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