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(93)

Saturday 13th February 1830-

The Senators present were called to order by the President, at the hour appointed for the meeting of the Senate.

[Messenger's statement in relative to absent members]

The Messenger stated that in obedience to the order of yesterday, he had proceeded to the Boarding Houses of the several Members of the Senate therein named; and that being unable to meet any of said gentlemen, he had eight [?] countified copies of said orders at their respective Boarding Houses aforesaid -

[Message from Governor.]

The Secretary of State came in and delivered a written message from the Governor, which was ordered to be on the table, there not being a Quorum of the Senate present

[Relative to absent numbers]

Mr Steele moved the following order: Whereas the convention on the 2d inst. which undertook to supply supposed deficiencies in the Senate by election was, as appears by the unanimous opinion of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court, illegal and unconstitutional; and said elections wholly void; and Whereas the right and duty of the Senate of judging of the elections and qualifications of its Members, of determining on deficiencies and on the Candidates to supply them has not been fully exercised : and Whereas pending an inquiry into the election and qualifications of Members of the Senate, preparatory to preceding in the business of Legislation, so great a number of the Senators have absented themselves from the Senate as to leave less than a Quorum for doing business; and all suitable means having been adopted to induce said absentees to attend the sittings of the Senate, but hitherts [?] without success; and it not appearing probable that further exertions will be nay more successful: and Whereas the Legislature has been nearly six weeks in session, at great expense to the People of this