New York abstained from the July 2, 1776 vote on the Lee Resolution.
New York’s delegates had not yet received authorization from their provincial government to vote for independence. As a result, the resolution passed with the support of twelve colonies while New York abstained rather than voting against it.
New York later joined the other colonies. Its provincial congress voted on July 9 to support independence, and the colony’s delegates subsequently participated in the revolutionary government. This explains why New York appears among the thirteen states represented by the Declaration even though it did not vote on the initial resolution.
The abstention is often confused with opposition. New York did not reject independence permanently; its delegates simply lacked instructions at the crucial July 2 meeting. The Declaration itself was then approved on July 4.