New York abstained from the Second Continental Congress vote for independence in 1776.
The New York delegation lacked authorization from the colony’s provincial government when Congress first considered the independence resolution. As a result, New York did not cast an affirmative or negative vote at that stage. The other colonial delegations eventually provided the support needed for the resolution.
New York later received authorization and approved independence. Its delegates also became represented among the signers of the Declaration, including William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, and Lewis Morris. This is why New York’s initial abstention did not mean that the colony rejected independence permanently.
Delaware had a different problem: its delegation was split, with Thomas McKean favoring independence and George Read opposing it until Caesar Rodney arrived and broke the tie. Pennsylvania and South Carolina also initially opposed the independence resolution but later changed their positions.