Fernando Wood: When Disunion has become a fixed and certain fact, why may not New York disrupt the bands which bind her to a venal and corrupt master... ?

New York City secession, the secession of New York City (and possibly neighboring areas) from New York State and/or the United States, has been proposed several times in history. These movements have been in some ways just extreme manifestations of the ordinary tensions between the city area and the government based in the economically and politically distinct Upstate New York region at Albany. File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Fernando Wood (June 14, 1812–February 14, 1881) is famous for being the most corrupt mayor in the history of New York City. ... Secession is the act of withdrawing from an organization, union, or political entity. ... Midtown Manhattan, looking north from the Empire State Building, 2005 New York City (officially named the City of New York) is the most populous city in the United States, the most densely populated major city in North America, and is at the center of international finance, politics, entertainment, and culture. ... State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki (R) Official languages None (English is de facto) Area 141,205 km² (27th)  - Land 122,409 km²  - Water 18,795 km² (13. ... Upstate New York is the region of New York State outside of the core of the New York metropolitan area. ... New York State Capitol Building, completed in 1899 at a cost of $25 million was the most expensive government building of its time. ...

In the battle over the ratification of the United States Constitution in 1787-88, Governor George Clinton in Albany, wishing to preserve his independent power, led the local Anti-Federalists in opposition, with support for the Constitution coming from Alexander Hamilton and the Federalists, largely urbanites who saw opportunity in a stronger national union, and famously published as their manifesto the Federalist Papers in New York City newspapers. There was a real divide, and with the recent independence of Vermont, a real threat of secession of New York City and the southern counties to join the new Federal government. The leaders of Richmond County, which always had a somewhat ambiguous position, threatened to join New Jersey. With secession threatening to marginalize Governor Clinton and a lightly developed upstate, ratification was finally agreed and the divisional crisis passed. Page I of the Constitution of the United States of America Page II of the United States Constitution Page III of the United States Constitution Page IV of the United States Constitution The Syng inkstand, with which the Constitution was signed The Constitution of the United States is the supreme... 1787 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1788 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... This page is for the Vice President George Clinton. ... The Anti-Federalist Party was an unoffical coalition in late 18th Century American politics. ... A portrait of Alexander Hamilton by John Trumbull, 1792. ... ... Title page of an early Federalist compilation. ... State nickname: The Green Mountain State Other U.S. States Capital Montpelier Largest city Burlington Governor Jim Douglas (R) Official languages None Area 24,923 km² (45th)  - Land 23,974 km²  - Water 949 km² (3. ... Staten Island lies to the South West of the rest of New York City. ... State nickname: The Garden State Other U.S. States Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Governor Richard Codey (D)Acting Official languages None defined Area 22,608 km² (47th)  - Land 19,231 km²  - Water 3,378 km² (14. ...

In the period of national crisis immediately preceding the American Civil War, Democratic Mayor Fernando Wood, widely considered the most corrupt in the city's history, proposed the secession of the city as a sovereign city-state to be called the Free City of Tri-Insula (Tri-Insula meaning "three islands" in Latin), and incorporating Manhattan, Long Island and Staten Island. In an address to the city's Common Council on January 6, 1861, Mayor Wood expressed a Copperhead sympathy with the threatened seceding states and a desire to maintain profitable cotton shipping, confidence that the city-state would prosper on the import tariffs that then supplied 2/3 of the Federal revenues, and especially dissatisafaction with the state government at Albany. But the idea of leaving the United States proved too radical even in the turmoil of 1861 and was poorly received, especially after the Southern bombardment of Fort Sumter starting on April 12. The war, and especially conscription, was nevertheless often unpopular in the city, sparking the deadly New York Draft Riots. The origins of the American Civil War lay in the complex issues of slavery, expansionism, sectionalism, and political party politics of the Antebellum Period. ... The American Civil War was fought in North America from 1861 until 1865 between the United States of America – forces coming mostly from the 23 northern states of the Union – and the newly-formed Confederate States of America, which consisted of 11 southern states that had declared their secession. ... The Democratic Party is one of two major political parties in the United States. ... Fernando Wood (June 14, 1812–February 14, 1881) is famous for being the most corrupt mayor in the history of New York City. ... A city-state is a region controlled exclusively by a city. ... Latin is the language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ... Manhattan Borough,highlighted in yellow, lies between the East River and the Hudson River. ... Image of Long Island taken by NASA. Long Island is an island off the North American coast. ... Staten Island lies to the South West of the rest of New York City. ... January 6 is the 6th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1861 is a common year starting on Tuesday. ... The Copperheads were a group of Northern Democrats who opposed the American Civil War, wanting an immediate peace settlement with the Confederates. ... Motto: Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God our Vindicator) Anthem: God Save the South (unofficial) Dixie (popular) Capital Montgomery, Alabama February 4, 1861–May 29, 1861 Richmond, Virginia May 29, 1861–April 9, 1865 Danville, Virginia April 3–April 10, 1865 Largest city New Orleans February 4, 1861 until captured May... Cotton is a soft fibre that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant, a shrub native to the tropical and subtropical regions of both the Old World and the New World. ... Shipping is the transport of cargo between seaports by ships, typically large steel vessels powered by diesel engines or steam turbine plants. ... An import tariff is a schedule of duties imposed by a country on imported goods. ... The Battle of Fort Sumter (April 12 – 13, 1861), a minor military engagement at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, began the American Civil War. ... April 12 is the 102nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (103rd in leap years). ... The New York Draft Riots (New York City, July 13 - July 17, 1863) began as protests against President Abraham Lincolns Enrollment Act of Conscription drafting men to fight in the ongoing United States Civil War. ...

A U.S. 51 star flag has been flown by some proponents of New York City secession.

In 1969, writer Norman Mailer and columnist Jimmy Breslin ran together on an independent ticket seeking the mayoralty and City Council Presidentship, challenging Mayor John Lindsay with an agenda to make New York City the 51st state. When questioned as to the name of the new state, they said the city deserved to keep "New York" and, rather ludicrously, that upstate should be renamed "Buffalo", after its largest city. Download high resolution version (1520x800, 20 KB)Proposed 51-star US flag (in case a state is added) File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States 51st state U.S. 51 star flag New York City secession Categories: Flag images ... Download high resolution version (1520x800, 20 KB)Proposed 51-star US flag (in case a state is added) File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States 51st state U.S. 51 star flag New York City secession Categories: Flag images ... Proposed 51-star US Flag The 51 Star Flag is a proposed design for the US Flag by the United Statess Institute of Heraldry. ... 1969 was a common year starting on Wednesday For other uses, see Number 1969. ... Norman Mailer, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1948 Norman Kingsley Mailer (born January 31, 1923) is an American writer and innovator of the nonfictional novel. ... Jimmy Breslin (born October 17, 1930) is a columnist who has appeared regularly in various newspapers in New York City, where he lives. ... John Vliet Lindsay (November 24, 1921 – December 19, 2000) was an American politician who served as a Congressman (1959-1965) and mayor of New York City (1966-1973). ... A U.S. 51 star flag has been designed in case of a 51st state actually joining the United States. ... Aerial view of downtown Buffalo, New York Buffalo, also known as The Queen City, Tuffalo, The Nickel City, and the City of Good Neighbors, is an American city in western New York. ...

On February 26, 2003, a bill was introduced by Astoria, Queens Councilman Peter Vallone, and sponsored by 20 of 51 City Council members, reviving the idea of a secession referendum in the context of the red state vs. blue state divide and opposition to the policies of Governor George Pataki. A committee report was written but otherwise little action was taken, and the bill was reintroduced with one additional sponsor on the same date in 2004. Although Vallone still supports the concept, he has not reintroduced the bill in 2005. Like Mayor Wood, Councilman Vallone has emphasized the fiscal benefits of secession, with revenue now derived not from tariffs, but from Wall Street. February 26 is the 57th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2003(MMIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A photograph of Steinway Street near its intersection with Broadway Astoria, New York is a neighborhood in the northwestern part of Queens, New York. ... A referendum (plural: referendums or referenda) or plebiscite is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. ... Map of results by state of the 2004 U.S. presidential election, representing states as either red or blue. ... George E. Pataki George Elmer Pataki (born June 24, 1945) is the current governor of the U.S. state of New York (since 1995). ... 2004(MMIV) is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005(MMV) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... View up Wall Street from Pearl Street Wall Street is the name of a narrow thoroughfare in lower Manhattan running east from Broadway downhill to the East River. ...

See also

• Urban secession
• Upstate New York's Statehood Movement
• Maine - A state that used to be part of Massachusetts.
• Kentucky - Formerly western Virginia.
• Tennessee - Formerly western North Carolina.
• Vermont - Depending on who you talk to, it was once western New Hampshire or northeastern New York.
• West Virginia - A state formed by a section of Virginia breaking off from the rest of the state due to opposition to Virginian secession during the Civil War.
• Province of Toronto - A proposal for the secession of Canada's most populous city.

Urban secession is a citys secession from its surrounding region, to form a new political unit (usually a state or district or province of the same country as its surroundings, but not always). ... As economic woes have increased in Upstate New York, many living in this region have began to consider pushing for it to be become its own state as they believe that the state emphasis on New York City issues has contributed to their problems. ... State nickname: The Pine Tree State Other U.S. States Capital Augusta Largest city Portland Governor John Baldacci (D) Official languages None Area 86,542 km² (39th)  - Land 80,005 km²  - Water 11,724 km² (13. ... State nickname: Bluegrass State Other U.S. States Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Governor Ernie Fletcher (R) Official languages English Area 104,749 km² (37th)  - Land 102,989 km²  - Water 1,760 km² (1. ... State nickname: Old Dominion Other U.S. States Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Governor Mark R. Warner (D) Official languages English Area 110,862 km² (35th)  - Land 102,642 km²  - Water 8,220 km² (7. ... State nickname: Volunteer State Other U.S. States Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Governor Phil Bredesen (D) Official languages English Area 109,247 km² (36th)  - Land 106,846 km²  - Water 2,400 km² (2. ... State nickname: The Green Mountain State Other U.S. States Capital Montpelier Largest city Burlington Governor Jim Douglas (R) Official languages None Area 24,923 km² (45th)  - Land 23,974 km²  - Water 949 km² (3. ... State nickname: Mountain State Other U.S. States Capital Charleston Largest city Charleston Governor Joe Manchin (D) Official languages English Area 62,809 km² (41st)  - Land 62,436 km²  - Water 376 km² (0. ... Some politicians and urban affairs commentators have proposed that the City of Toronto, Canada secede from the Province of Ontario to become the Province of Toronto, the eleventh province of Canada. ...

External links and references

• Politics in New York State: Federal Period to 1800
  • Mayor Wood’s Recommendation of the Secession of New York City
• The Independent Republic of New York - New York Magazine
• Long Live the Free Republic of Gotham - New York Press
• Throwback or FutureWorld? New York City As The 51st State - Southeast Queens Press
  • Text of Vallone's bill of February 26, 2003; as reintroduced February 26, 2004
  • Committee Report of May 1, 2003