Page:Journal of the Sixth Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan.djvu/23

13.] this legislative body, much will depend upon yourselves, gentlemen, in maintaining and permanently preserving the rules that have been adopted for our government: in the maintenance of which I will at all times cheerfully co-operate. But without your kind and indulgent aid, as heretofore extended, all my efforts will be unavailing.

The preceding Legislative Council, at its last session, performed the duty of condensing and revising our Territorial laws. The session was extended by Congress to ninety days for the completion of that object; a period wholly inadequate to the performance of so important an undertaking, so that we may expect some inaccuracy and discrepancy to have occurred in the statutes, which it will be our business at this time to remedy, as far as it lies in our power. The sessions of the Legislative Council are limited to sixty days in the year, which time is altogether insufficient to do justice to the many important matters that will come under our consideration, and which will require the deliberation and action of the Council. I have myself, as president of the late Council, and a member elect of the present, written to our delegate at Washington, suggesting to him the propriety of applying to Congress for an extension of the session of the Legislative Council of this Territory. Should you, gentlemen, be of the same opinion with me, that such an extension is necessary, the Council ought to make an immediate application to Congress for the attainment of that object.

It would be superfluous in me to state to you, at this time, the many considerations that urge and impel our speedy transition from a state of colonial subjection to the high and lofty stand of self- government, and to claim our right to be on an equal footing with the other free, sovereign, and independent states of this happy, great and growing republic—a subject which I have no doubt will claim your early attention. Let us, therefore, engage in this and in the many other important matters that will come under our consideration, with a fixed determination to make the result beneficial to our constituents and honorable to ourselves.

On motion of Mr. Stockton, the Council proceeded to ballot for Secretary; and John Norvell was chosen.

On motion of Mr. Durocher, the Council proceeded to ballot for Recording Clerk; and Seneca Allen was chosen.

On motion of Mr. Bacon, the Council proceeded to ballot for Enrolling Clerk; and Theodore Williams was chosen.

On motion of Mr. Stockton, the Council proceeded to ballot for Sergeant-at-arms; and Elisha L. Atkins was chosen.

On motion of Mr. Millington, the Council proceeded to ballot for Doorkeeper; and Harvey Chubb was chosen.

On motion of Mr. Hascall, the Council proceeded to ballot for Messenger and assistant Messenger at the same time; and Solomon