Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1840-01-11


by Mr.. Banks of Virginia, and Mr. Law
renee of Massachusetts, and the oath ad
ministed by MIR. Williams of North Caro-
lima.
On the l7lh, Mr.. Hunter took the chair
and called the House 10 order; after which
he addressed the House as follows:
Gentlemen oftie House of Representa-
tires:-Tbe high and undeserved honor
which you have conferred upon me has
been SO unexpected, that even now can
scarcely find terms in which to express
my grateful sense Of your kindness.
trust, however, 10 be able to offer better
evidence Of that sentiment in the earnest
efforts which shall make to discharge
my duties justly and impartially. Called
as | have been to this high station, not so
much from any merits of my own as from
the independence of my position, shall
feel it especially due from me to you to
preside as The speaker, not Of Il party, but
of the House. Whilst shall deem it my
duty on all proper occasions to sustain the
principles upon which 1 stand pledged be-
fore the country, shall hold myself
bound at the same time to afford every
facility within my power TO the foil and
free expression Of the wishes and senti>
ments of every section of the great Con-
federacy. You will doubtless deem il
your daty, gentlemen, as The grand inquest
Of the nation, to Investigate all matters Of
which the people ought to be Informed; to
Tetrench expenditures which are unneces
sary and unconstitutional; to maintain
the just relations between all of the great
interests of the country; and to preserve
inriolate the Constitution which you wiH be
S,cornto support; whilst it will be mine to
aid you in such labors with all the means
within my power. And although deeply
impressed with painful sense of nv TO-.
experience and of the difficulties of a new
and untried station, am yet cheered by
the hore that you will sustain me in my
efforts TO preserve the order of business
and the decorum of debate. | am aware
that party fervor is occasionally impatient
of the restraint which If is the duty of the
Chair to impose upon the asperity of de-
bate, but at the snme time know the
just of all parties will sustain the Speaker
who is honestly endeavoring tospleserye
the dignity of the House and the R1ruony
of its members.
Permit me, in conclusion gentlemen to
tender you the homage of my heartfelt
thanks for the honor which you have con-
ferred upon me, and 10 express the hope
that your councils may be so guided. by
wisdom as to rebound TO your own reputa.
ton and the welfare of our common coun-
try.
After Mr.. Hunter had finished his adj
dress, Mr.. Droomgale Of Virginia, offered
resolution that "the rules and orders Of
the last Congress should be the rules and
orders had of this" Mr. Johnson OF Mary
land, moved to lay the resolution on the
table until the members of the House
were sworn; whereupon Mr.. Vanderpool,
called 10: the vote Of the House, the resul
of which was tie: the Speaker voted il
the affirmative, and the resolution was lai
on the table.
The Clerk proceeded to call the rol
by states, and the members were SEVERAL
: sworn. When j. F. Randolph of Ne,
Jersey, was called, there was no answer
hut as soon as the roll had been Gale
through, the six federal claimants to seat
from N. j. paraded themselves before tn
Speaker and demanded to be sworn. ii
u III A. nj. DO ndaln 1