Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 44.djvu/16

10 South Carolina— Messrs. [Wm. W.] Boyce, [W. P.] Miles, [M. L.] Bonham, [John] McQueen, Ayer and [James] Farrow.

Tennessee — Messrs. [D. M.] Currin, [Henry S.] Foote, [Thos.] Menees, [Geo. W.] Jones, [W. G.] Swan, [W. H.] Tibbs, [E. L.] Gardiner [Gardenhire] and [J. B.] Heiskell.

Texas— Messrs. [J. A.] Wilcox, [P. W.] Gray, [C. C.] Herbert, [W. B.] Wright, [M. D.] Graham and [F. B.] Sexton.

Virginia — Messrs. [John R.] Chambliss, Garnett, [James] Lyons, [Roger A.] Pryor, [Thos. S.] Bocock, [John] Goode [Jr.] [D. C] Dejarnette, [Wm.] Smith, [Alex. R.] Boteler, [Waller R.] Staples, Preston, [A. G.] Jenkins, [Robert] Johnston and [Charles W.] Russell.

The members came forward, according to their States, and took the oath of office, viz., to support the Constitution of the Confederate States of America.

The House then proceeded to organize by electing a Speaker. Mr. Foote, of Tennessee, offered a resolution that Thomas S. Bocock, member-elect from the State of Virginia, be unanimously declared Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Confederate States of America.

Mr. Foote said that he would say nothing in commendation of Mr. Bocock, for the reason that the gentleman was well known as one who combined all the qualifications requisite to fill such a responsible position as that for which he was nominated.

The vote having been taken viva voce, Mr. Bocock was unanimously declared Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Messrs. Foote, of Tennessee, and Boyce, of South Carolina, were appointed to escort him to the chair.

Mr. Bocock then said:

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : I return you my sincere thanks for the honour you have done me in electing me to preside over the dHberations of this Congress, the first under our permanent constitution.

I desire to say, that it shall be my honour and great aim to perform all the duties of this office so as to meet the approbation of you all, and I know that when discipline is required, I may --