The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-01-23
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,

MONDAY, JAN. A.-Messrs. Smith, Of Chess
ter, Leland and Wade, were appointed a COM
mittee to inquire whether any and what alter
ations ought to be made m the laws respcc e-r
bail given tor prisoners on original process.
Nlessrs JARVIS, Marsion, and Savage, were
appointed committee to consider the expedt-
ency OF making further provision by law, for
the better security of the insolvent estates Of
deceased persons, and to report by BIZ, or 9TH
erwisc.
Messrs. Bliss, Cushman, and Lyman, were
appointed committee to consider the expedi-
ency Of making further provision limiting tho
time within which claims against the Common
wealth shall be barred with leave to report by
bill OF otherwise.
TUESDAY, JAN. 15.-A committee was ap-
pointed to consider the expectancy of exempt
ing students in private schools, not belonging
to the towns where the schools are kept, from
military duty, with leave to report by bill or
otherwise
Mr.. Lyman. Of z Of the committee appoint
ed at the last session, on the subject of the adj
mission into this State of free negroes, sc.
made report requesting to be discharged from
the further consideration OF the subject which
was read and eventually accepted.
Ordered, That no petition be sustained by
this House during the present session, after the
3ist day of January instant.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. IA bill increasing
the numbers, and extending the powers Of
Justices Of the Court of Sessions, was reported,
read the first and second time, and Friday
next, IL O'Clock, assigned for the third read
ing, and committed, in the mean time, to
Messrs. Bliss, of Springfield, Lawrence, Of Gro
ton. and Prescott of Boston.
The Speaker having indicated his intention
TO resign his office, having been appointed to
an official situation, Mr.. Sprague, of Salem,
proposed the following vote, which passed
unanimously -
Ordered, That the thanks of this House be
given to the Hon. JOSIAH Quincy, for the
faithful, honorable, and impartial discharge
OF the duties of Speaker.
To this vote the Speaker returned the fol-
lowing reply
GENTLEMEN--I receive this testimony Of
your appreciation with the sentiment of one
i conscious that he has endeavoured to deserve
it, and with the humility of one alike conscious
how far endeavour has fallen short of duty.
reinquish this chair with reluctance which
cannot conceal, and yet which cannot ex-
| press. In my estimation, no station is more
desirable, none more honorable, none more
responsible, in the gift of this people.
On the motives of my resignation it is NOT
suitable forme, in this place, to speak. Imay
be permitted, however, to assert that it has
proceeded from a sense of duty, distinct and
unequivocal, and, in the existing relations of
my mind, irresistible.
The possession of this chair has, in all its
connexions, and in every consequent associa-
ton, been to me a source of unqualified de-
light and satisfaction. II has been my lot to
witness the asperites of party softened; men
long separated from each other by different
views concerning pubEck interest and national
policy on all sides harmonizing, uniting and
mutually extending to one another respect
and confidence--having reference more to pri-
vate character and intellectual attainment
than to political opinions. These are happy
omens In any Commonwealth. In such as
ours, how full are they of hope and of promise
FOR OF what has Massachusetts, to boast more
ennobling and precious than of that proud in
herltance, the wise institutions Of her fathers
and of the effect Of those Institutions the intel
lectual strength, the industrious habits, and
the moral and religious sentiments other sons2
And where has she any higher human hope
than in the united and concentrated action Of
all that is wise and virtuous and religious in
her State, in maintaining its rights and in adj
vancing its prosperity.
Accept, gentlemen, my final acknowledge
ments, for the kindness, respect, confidence,
and affection, which, in every period of my Of
fetal relation, have received from the mem
bers Of this House. II is my pride and happi-
ness that, in making this acknowledgment,
can make no discrimination. have no coll
lisions to remember-I have no asperities to
FORGET. From avarv orpntloYnon nr avaru t,artv
have at all times received and reciprocatcd,
Tho ira iiar af Ersnnd a.,.l... LroIl,an