Organizing the First Legislature Sprague's Journal of-Maine History Vol. VIII Special Number, JUNE, 1920 No. I Page 20-21 Organizing the First Legislature (From the Eastern Argus) Portland, Wednesday, May 31, 1820 This being the day designated by the Constitution of this State for convening the first Legislature the following gentlemen being regularly returned as senators, appeared in the Senate Chamber at 11 o'clock A.M.: From the County of York, William Moody, Josiah W. Seaver and John McDonald, Esquires; Cumberland, Joseph E. Foxcroft, Esq., Lincoln, Nathaniel Green, Esq.; Han- cock, Andrew Witham, Esq.; Washington, Jeremiah O'Brien, Esq.; Kennebec, John Chandler, Joshua Gage and Timothy Boutelle, Esquires; Oxford, Samuel Small, James W. Ripley, Esquires; Somerset, John Moore, William Kendall, Esqrs.; Penobscot, William D. Williamson, Esquire. At half past eleven o'clock, the President of the Convention accompanied by the Treasurer and Secretary pro tem, and attended by the Sheriff of Cumberland, came into the Senate Chamber and the gentlemen aforesaid, took and subscribed the oath prescribed by the Constitution to qualify them to discharge the duties of their offices. The Governor having returned, the members of the Senate pro- ceeded to the choice of President. John Chandler had 14 votes and was chosen. Mr. Chandler then arose and addressed the Senate as follows: The vote which you have now given, by which you have elected me to preside over your deliberations, confers on me an honor which I had little right to expect. I feel very sensibly the honor- able testimony which you have given of your confidence in me. I am however, aware that the duties which will devolve on me will be arduous, and perhaps more difficult, in consequence of this being the first session of the Legislature, under a new government, which is now about to be organized. One better qualified to preside than myself, might well hesitate in accepting the appointment, and I assure you, Gentlemen, that nothing could induce me to accept it, did I not believe that the members of the Senate will extend to me their utmost candor, and aid me with their wisdom and expe- rience, while I shall endeavor to discharge the duties which you have assigned me. Relying therefore on your friendly assist- ance, I accept the appointment. It was ordered that Messrs. Williamson, Boutelle, Seaver, Ripley and Foxcroft be a committee to receive and examine the votes for Senators and report theron. *** The Committee appointed to receive and examine the returns of votes given in the several towns and plantations for Governor, report the whole number of votes returned to the office of the Secretary of State to be 22, 914; neces- sary for a choice, 11,458, and that William King, Esq., has 21,083 votes, and is chosen. No return received from the town of Green- wood, Oxford county. (c) 1998 Courtesy of the Androscoggin Historical Society ************************************************* * * * * NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. * * * * The USGenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. It is always best to consult the original material for verification.