Provincial Congress of New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Type | |
| History | |
| Founded | May 23, 1775 |
| Disbanded | August 27, 1776 |
| Preceded by | British Royal governors |
| Succeeded by | 1st Session of the New Jersey Legislature |
| Leadership | |
President | |
Secretary | |
Assistant(s) | |
| Meeting place | |
| Trenton, 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 served as the Council president, 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]