The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1820-06-08
LEGISLATURES Of MAINE.

relating TO the organization OF lie frst Legs
ls.ure OF Maine we devote this part Of 10 day,
tarer to the insertion OF such papers as our
,'!imiis obliged US to exclude from the last.
We begin with the remarks made by The Pres
ideai OF the Senate, who, on taking HE char,
| thus addressed TIA, honorable body -
Gentlemen Of The seraie
/ The vote which you have given, by which
you have elected me 10 preside over your delbera-
lions, confers on me honor which had little
right to expect feel very sensibiy the honorable
testimony which you has. given OF your confidence
{ IN me l em however aware that the duties which
will devnlve on me will be arduous, and perhaps
more dicali Consequence of this being The FIRST
session Of The Legislature, under new government,
/. Nli.b is now abnu, 10 be organised. One better
,,sae1 q. Z: ;--.d- shan myself, might we'll hesitate
ia accepting the appointment snd assure yon,
Gentlemen, thai pohsg could induce me 10 accept
il, did not believe that The members OF the Senate
viii extend 10 me their utmost cahdor, and aid me
with their wisdom and experience, While shall en-
deayor 10 discharge the da'ies which you have
signed me. Relying, therefore, on your counsel and
} friendly assisiance, accept the appointment
/ IN ike manner the Speaker of tie House o.
Representatives, when he was conducted 10
the Chair, signiied his accepiance and the
Aigh sense he entertained for tina, body, in the
following terms -
GE.STLEMES:
II does no, become me 10 pretend indiferescc to-
wards expression Of favor, so honorabie as that
which assigns 10 the dul, of presiding over yous
deliberations. Tins would he ale G. alton, and
IN opposition 10 that spirit and principle IN man,
which seek the elevation oil ms nature and readily
return fhe expression Il gratitude Tor every effort in
ad oil this object Bat Al The same time ] cannot
conceal from yna The embarrassment, Under which |
must necessarily labor ~ the discharge OF ihesc i'm
pDi,aui duties. lhis results from variety OF con.
| ,,derat,ons We are convened al a season OF The
year, when the private and unavoidable concerns Of
| almost every member cannot fail Is produce de-
gree OF soileide hasten the business q. The session
and hence The public expectation, thai IL will be
transacted mol oay With accuracy, but wii' des-
patch, hat accuracy aud despa,ch, which surely
mol be effected BY oac who esiirciy without exre-
fienee and knowledge va tbe He's aud orders oi Par
| liamen,ary debate, winch alone qualify him 10
discharge the duties of tue chair with 10 himself
or acceptance 10 those, over whose deliberations lac
may preside, and without which he must be subject
10 ditncuity aud embarrassment, and dissppoint the
reason as'e expectations OF tue public The weight
oil iiese considerations wi, necessarily be increased
by the importance vi the subjects, 10 be presented
for your discussion !; subjects which in my sppre-
henson Involve the vital Interests, not Gully III the
prtsea, bat future and siisi ant geserations Were
therefore 10 consult my feelings merely,
should not hesitate to resign the homer conferred mp.
on me, that the chair might be iiled by one
better qualified than myself 10 discharge impor-
TAM duties. But 10 shrink from personal rrspoub
liyis part OF duty aud nolSithsiandn. the u,i.
culties which aniic'pale, snd which Ia INV own
strength am sure would i've insurG3oustable still
look with confidence 10 your candor yon- experience
II
wise would result 10 the public from my Spe-
rience, aud TO aid my efforts in he discharge - duty
IN these hopes and expectations an confident, I
shsll not be disappointed. they are warranted by
that general disposition, which has thus far prevailed
among the people Uot only 10 effect State lnde-
pcndence but 10 bt!og into existence aud operation
government upon principles aud ia manner most
honorable and Interesting In the community. II Is
this disposition and thesa efforts which under the
blessing Of God have associated US with the other
States in the Union, aud gwen us Constitution,
which, am proud TO say, will not suffer in compari
son with any other State Constitution under
ional compact. By the authority Of this co.siiiu-
ton are this day assembled L. am both sanguine
and happy ip the hope that the same spirit which
anvatcd ihe trainers Of IL, will also influence and Iii
reo your deliberaons-fheDw will the abors Of each
individual member be rendered pleasant aud useful
| by the combined energies OF the whole body, and The
measures adopted be presented 10 The people under
the imposing tonsideraion that they The result
ofun,ed efforts exerled the spirit Of free discussion
aiming only at the gooi of the whole. Thus Gen
temen shielding myseifnnder your readiness 10 ex.
cuse the errors shall doubtless commit, aud copfd
| ing in your disposition and wisdom 10 correct and
assist me, enter with diidenee upon the duties Of
the chair, with The tender OF assura nee, that my ef
forts will always be eaeried under the influence of
good motives.
The following observations us near can be recol
leeted. were made by Tbs. Governor elect previous
To his taking and subscribing the oahs reqnieed by
the Constitute
| Mr.. President and Gentlemen Of The Convention.
Having received official information oimy eec-
ton as Governor Of the State, now attend the two
branches Of she Legislature TO declare my aceep-
tance OF the Office.
Convinced that al tins time il is burthen few are
qualified to sustain with advantage 10 The public OF
credit 10 che msel,es. When with dhience ac-
quiesced IN the nomination of ny friends caution
ed them in this particular.
am sensible OF the hoGn- conferred the manner
has much enhanced its ,aue, t4 now only fear that
lsha not be able TO discharge myself from The load
Of obligation with which ] am oppressed. Although
there may not be entire attainment Of so desira-
BILE an end, il viii be my unilorn, endeayor TO eff
feet it.
The united exertions OF men preferrng the gen