<P> Upon war's end, New York's borders became well--defined: the counties east of Lake Champlain became Vermont and the state's western borders were settled by 1786 . </P> <P> Many Iroquois supported the British (typically fearing future American ambitions). Many were killed during the war; others went into exile with the British . Those remaining lived on twelve reservations; by 1826 only eight reservations remained, all of which survived into the 21st century . </P> <P> The state adopted its constitution in April 1777, creating a strong executive and strict separation of powers . It strongly influenced the federal constitution a decade later . Debate over the federal constitution in 1787 led to formation of the groups known as Federalists--mainly "downstaters" (those who lived in or near New York City) who supported a strong national government--and Antifederalists--mainly upstaters (those who lived to the city's north and west) who opposed large national institutions . In 1787, Alexander Hamilton, a leading Federalist from New York and signatory to the Constitution, wrote the first essay of the Federalist Papers . He published and wrote most of the series in New York City newspapers in support of the proposed United States Constitution . Antifederalists were not swayed by the arguments, but the state ratified it in 1788 . </P> <P> In 1785, New York City became the national capital and continued as such on and off until 1790; George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States in front of Federal Hall in 1789 . The United States Bill of Rights was drafted there, and the United States Supreme Court sat for the first time . From statehood to 1797, the Legislature frequently moved the state capital between Albany, Kingston, Poughkeepsie, and New York City . Thereafter, Albany retained that role . </P>

When did new york became a part of the united states