tory. I have provided a fairly comprehensive bibliographic essay for
those who wish to explore individual topics or conventions in more
depth.

This volume is intended to provide a readable chronicle of New
York State's constitutional history for those who wish to understand
our state's constitutional tradition, including college instructors who
teach New York history or government, elementary and secondary
school teachers who are required by the Board of Regents to teach
New York history and government, and lawyers and judges who may
wish to put the current Constitution in the historical context out of
which it emerged.

The author would like to single out four individuals from among the
many who have assisted in the writing of this history: Francine Gray,
secretary to the Political Science Department at Canisius College, who
gave unstintingly of her time and advice and whose copyediting im-
proved every aspect of the book; Christopher Bopst, my student re-
search assistant, whose research skill, determination, and suggestions
were indispensable to its successful completion; the anonymous re-
viewer whose comments proved invaluable; Gerald Benjamin, who
gave me encouragement, intellectual support, and friendship; and Amy
Romessor, my student research assistant, who helped compile the
index.

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