Defeatism in New York

Continuing the advent to the first Independence Day, it was on this date back in 1776 that New York's provincial assembly disbanded.

Unlike their counterparts in Virginia the preceding day, they failed to declare New York a state instead of a colony.

Furthermore, they instructed their delegates at the Continental Congress to oppose American independence.

To be fair, they were staring down the barrel of a gun. Actually, there were a bunch of guns . . . big ones . . . on the British fleet that Admiral Howe had sailed into New York's harbor before the convention hastily drew to a close. So, I suppose they may be forgiven.

It's always darkest before the dawn. That was as true in 1776 as it is today.