Provincial Congress of New Jersey

The Provincial Congress of New Jersey was a transitional governing body of the Province of New Jersey in the early part of the American Revolution. It first met in 1775 with representatives from all New Jersey's then-thirteen counties, to supersede the Royal Governor. In June 1776, this congress had authorized the preparation of a constitution, which was written within five days, adopted by the Provincial Congress, and accepted by the Continental Congress. The Constitution of 1776 provided for a bicameral legislature consisting of a General Assembly with three members from each county and a Legislative Council with one member from each county. All state officials, including the governor, were to be appointed by the Legislature under this constitution. The Vice-President of Council would succeed the Governor (who was the President of the Council) if a vacancy occurred in that office.^[1][2] The Provincial Congress ceased to function when the first session of the new Legislature convened on August 27, 1776, under the New Jersey State Constitution it had prepared.^[2]

See also

• Colonial government in the Thirteen Colonies (Council and Assembly)
• New Jersey Legislature

References

1. ^ "The New Jersey Constitution of 1776". http://www.state.nj.us/njfacts/njdoc10.htm. Retrieved 2006-12-17.  See also: New Jersey Legislature#Before the Legislature and the Constitution of 1776.
2. ^ ^{a b} "New Jersey Legislature, Historical Information". http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/history.asp. Retrieved 2009-08-12.  See also: New Jersey Legislature#Before the Legislature and the Constitution of 1776.

External links

• Historical Information. New Jersey Legislature official website