Part 144

From Ohio--Jeremiah Morrow.

From Mississippi Territory--George Poindexter, Delegate.

From Indiana Territory--Jonathan Jennings, Delegate.

And a quorum, consisting of a majority of the whole number of Members, being present, the House proceeded, by ballot, to the choice of a Speaker; and, upon examining the ballots, it appeared that HENRY CLAY, one of the Representatives for the State of Kentucky, was duly elected; Whereupon,

Mr. CLAY was conducted to the Speaker's chair, and the oath to support the Constitution of the United States, as prescribed by the act, entitled "An act to regulate the time and manner of administering certain oaths," was administered to him by Mr. FINDLAY, one of the members for the State of Pennsylvania; after which, he made his acknowledgments to the House, in the following words:

"GENTLEMEN: In coming to the station which you have done me the honor to assign me--an honor for which you will be pleased to accept my thanks--I obey rather your commands than my own inclination. I am sensible of the imperfections which I bring along with me, and a consciousness of these would deter me from attempting a discharge of the duties of the Chair, did I not rely, confidently, upon your generous support.

Should the rare and delicate occasion present itself, when your Speaker shall be called upon to check or control the wanderings or intemperance in debate, your justice will, I hope, ascribe to its interposition the motives only of public good and a regard to the dignity of the House. And in all instances, be assured, gentlemen, that I shall, with infinite pleasure, afford every facility in my power to the despatch of public business, in the most agreeable manner."

The oath or affirmation to support the Constitution of the United States was then administered, by the SPEAKER, to all the other members present.

GEORGE POINDEXTER, and JONATHAN JENNINGS, having also appeared, and produced their credentials as the delegates from the Mississippi and Indiana Territories of the United States, the oath was administered to them by the Speaker.

The House proceeded, by ballot, to the choice of a Clerk, and, upon examining the ballots, it appeared that PATRICK MAGRUDER was duly elected, and the oath, together with the oath of office, administered by the Speaker to the Clerk.

THOMAS DUNN was then re-elected Sergeant-at-Arms, and THOMAS CLAXTON, Doorkeeper, without opposition. BENJAMIN BURCH was also chosen Assistant Doorkeeper.

The usual messages were interchanged with the Senate on the subject of their being formed and ready to proceed to business.

Mr. MITCHILL and Mr. PITKIN were appointed a committee on the part of the House, jointly with the committee appointed on the part of the Senate, to wait on the President of the United States, and inform him that a quorum of the two Houses is assembled, and ready to receive any communications he may be pleased to make to them.

Mr. MITCHILL, from the joint committee appointed to wait on the President of the United States, reported that the committee had performed the service assigned to them, and that the President answered, that he would make a communication to Congress to-morrow at twelve o'clock.

TUESDAY, November 5.

Several other members, to wit, ABNER LACOCK, from Pennsylvania; JOHN BAKER, from Virginia; and RICHARD WYNN from South Carolina, appeared, produced their credentials, were qualified, and took their seats.

On motion of Mr. NEWTON, the Clerk of the House was directed to procure newspapers from any number of offices that the members may elect, provided that the expense do not exceed the amount of three daily papers.

A Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, by Mr. EDWARD COLES; his Secretary, who delivered the same and withdrew. [For which see Senate proceedings of this date, ante page 401.]

The Message having been read, and the documents accompanying it in part, an adjournment was called for, and carried.

WEDNESDAY, November 6.

Two other members, to wit: MESHACK FRANKLIN, from North Carolina, and JOHN C. CALHOUN, from South Carolina, produced their credentials, were qualified, and took their seats.

THURSDAY, November 7.

Another member, to wit, LEMUEL SAWYER, from North Carolina, appeared, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat.

FRIDAY, November 8.

Another member, to wit, JOHN SEVIER, from Tennessee, appeared, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat.

MONDAY, November 11.

Several other members, to wit: WILLIAM WIDGERY, from Massachusetts; GEORGE C. MAXWELL, from New Jersey; and PHILIP B. KEY, and PHILIP STUART, from Maryland, appeared, produced their credentials, were qualified, and took their seats.

TUESDAY, November 12.