338

Petition for New York to adopt women's suffrage, presented to reformer George William Curtis.

[Long Island, NY], [20 July 1867]
One manuscript page, 12½ x 7½ inches, headed "Petition to the Constitutional Convention of the State of New York"; mailing folds, minimal wear.

On 18 July 1867, the influential reformer George William Curtis (1824-1892) of Staten Island delivered an oration at the New York Constitutional Convention in favor of women's suffrage. Offered here is a transcript of a related petition to the convention, which was sent to Curtis as the state movement's most prominent supporter:

"The citizens of New York pray your honorable body, that in amending the Constitution, you will . . . secure the right of suffrage upon equal terms to both men and women." 

The 30 signatories are mostly from old Long Island families such as the Ludlams, Underhills, Cocks, and Robbins, and the petition was postmarked to Curtis from Oyster Bay, Long Island on 20 July (two days after his speech). By the time it arrived in Albany, Curtis had already left town and it was forwarded to his next stop at his family's summer home in Ashfield, MA. 

With--an early printing of the convention speech by Curtis: "Equal Rights for Women." 4 pages, 9¼ x 6¾ inches, on one folding sheet; moderate wear, skillful repairs. 

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