.MTUwNw.MTA2MDI

133

follows

Gentlemen of the Senate,

As a member of this board I feel it my duty to respect its favor and observe its requirements. A place of trust is always a place of responsibility. Your vote now calls me to one much the more [?] responsible & important I have been requested to fill. For this notice & expression of favor. I tender you the tribute of my unfeigned thanks. Conveying [?] of the candor & generous feelings of my worthy associates. I venture to accept the office assigned me, relying as I always shall, in the arduous understanding , on their aid, their council, in the orderly routine [?] & discharge of public business.

This third election to the chair of this Senate in the short period of four weeks, is a case truly remarkable. It reminds us of the unceasing changes incident [?] to all human affairs. Our places in life we also shall soon leave to others ; & the one now chosen may be unexpectedly taken away by the icy hand of death: for the events, even of a coming day are unknown to man, it behooves us therefore [?] to act well our part while the scenes of action continue. The names of the two gentlemen who have previously [?] presided over our deliberations will ever be dear to us ; for their abilities & their worth deserves our affirmation [?] collection, & our fervent prayer is that they may live many years, the men whom people delight to honor & whom heaven may be pleased to bless.

The session of the Legislature now nearly closed has been truly laborious & important. Many of the most interesting & momentous subjects [?] which can command the attention of Government, have come under consideration; unremitting exertions have been ever manifest in all to accomplish what might be promotive [?] of the public good ; & a spirit of exemplary harmony has pervaded deliberation & debate. In [?] this light it [?] is we [?] would cherish our amounting [?] confidence in the