of abolishing all laws for the collection of debts under the amount of twenty dollars, accruing upon all contracts made after the first day of May next.

Mr. Giddings gave notice that on some future day he will ask leave to introduce

A bill relative to juries in county courts;

A bill for the reduction of the price of university lands; and
A bill relative to county and township poor.

Mr. Cady gave notice that on some future day he will ask leave to introduce

A bill to incorporate a company to construct a plank road in the county of Macomb.

On motion of Mr. Salyer,

Resolved, That the committee on printing be instructed to inquire and report to this House, as soon as practicable, whether the journals of the last session have been printed; and if not, at what time we can have them; and also, to inquire if the contract with the printers of last year did not bind them to have such journals ready for distribution prior to the commencement of the present session.

Mr. Ingersoll gave notice that on some future day he will ask leave to introduce a bill to incorporate the village of St. Mary; and A bill to provide for the payment of officers and members of the legislature, and for other purposes.

On motion of Mr. Chittenden,

Resolved, That the Speaker be authorized to draw his certificate for three days' services as fireman of the House, in favor of Joseph Keusch, at the rate of two dollars per day.

Mr. Burk gave notice that on some future day he will ask leave to introduce a bill authorizing the construction of a bridge across the St. Joseph river, at the mouth of M'Coy's creek.

Mr. Tilden gave notice that on some future day he will ask leave to introduce a bill to amend the revised statutes in relation to the assessment of highway taxes.

Mr. Chamberlain gave notice that on some future day he will ask leave to introduce

A bill to incorporate the New Buffalo and Laporte plank road company;

A bill to amend chapter one hundred and six of the revised statutes; and

A bill to repeal an act entitled an act to exempt a homestead from forced sale in certain cases.

On motion of Mr. O. C. Comstock,

Resolved, That the use of the Representative Hall be tendered to Rev. W. W. Atterbury, of the Congregational and Presbyterian society, in the forenoon of each Sabbath; and to Rev, Ransom R. Richards, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the afternoon, for religious worship, until the first day of January next.

Mr. O. C. Comstock offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the House respectfully invite Hon. Ira Mayhew, superintendent of public instruction, to lecture on the subject of moral and religious education, on Sunday next, at half past ten o'clock A. M., and two o'clock P. M.

Mr. Coe gave notice that on some future day he will ask leave to introduce a bill on some subject neglected by other members.

On motion of Mr. Ingersoll,

Resolved, That one thousand extra copies of the annual report of the Auditor General be printed for the use of this House.

The Speaker announced as the select committee to whom was referred that portion of the Governor's message relating to a convention to revise the constitution, Messrs. Hawley, Bowne, O. C. Comstock, McNeil and Andrews.

Mr. G. B. Turner moved an adjournment, which motion was lost.

Mr. Hawley moved that the House take a recess for half an hour; Which motion was decided in the negative.

On motion of Mr. Waite,

The House adjourned to meet on Monday morning at ten o'clock.

Monday, January 8, 1849.

The House met pursuant to adjournment, and was called to order by the Speaker.

Prayer by Rev. Dr. O. C. Comstock.

The roll was called and the journal of Friday was read and approved.

Mr. Dayton announced that Mr. NOBLE, a Representative from the

county of Shiawassee, departed this life at his lodgings, in Lansing, on Sunday morning at half-past three o'clock.

Mr. Dayton continued:

Mr. SPEAKER: This painful message devolves on me the melancholy duty of paying a brief tribute to the virtues of the deceased, and of asking this House to unite in the customary ceremonials of respect for the memory of the lamented NOBLE.

The fearful messenger of DEATH has now for the first time since the removal of the capitol from Detroit, entered into our midst, and we are called to put on the habiliments of mourning. It was not my fortune to be well acquainted with him, but from those who knew him. well, I learn that he was a young man of the highest promise, and of most excellent character. He was a man of quiet and unobtrusive habits, and of a disposition so kind and benevolent, so willing to serve others rather than himself, that he won golden opinions from all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. His election as a member of the House of Representatives, during the late exciting election, was but a feeble tribute to his virtues-living in a county opposed to himself in politics, he was elected by a handsome majority over his political opponent.

But, alas! what is man!-and who knoweth what a day or an hour may bring forth? The warm heart that beat for others is now hushed by the cold embrace of death! The fond husband is no more -the affectionate father has left us, and in one short week the bright hope of a life of future usefulness is changed to the weeping of a hushandless wife, for a fond and devoted husband.

Such, feebly, are a few of the traits in the character of the lamented NOBLE.

May God in his mercy, temper the wind to her who is left to mourn, and may He also protect the hapless orphan.

To the living-to us, as members of the House of Representatives, and to all around us, while pestilence is around and about us, well may we exclaim with holy writ: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might-for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest!"

Mr. CoE offered the following preamble and resolutions: Whereas, The painful and startling intelligence of the death of Hon. HERMAN C. NOBLE, a member of this House, from the county of Shi

awassee, on Sunday the 7th inst., has this morning been announced; therefere,

Resolved, That the sudden decease of one of the members of this body, in the prime of life and in the full enjoyment of his physical and mental powers, is a dispensation of Divine Providence, which teaches the vanity of earthly hopes, and administers to us the solemn admonition, that we are all hastening to that "bourne from whence no traveler returns."

Resolved, That we tender our heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family and friends, and cheerfully bear our testimony to the high moral and social worth of the deceased, and would solemnly invoke Him who rules over us to "temper the wind to the shorn lamb."

Resolved, That as a tribute of respect to the memory of the departed, the members and officers of this House will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded by the Clerk of the House, to the friends of the deceased.

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed, consisting of Messrs. Wright, Lockwood, Salyer, Fox and Campbell, to make suitable arrangements for the interment of the remains of our departed Brother, and under the direction of the Speaker, to deliver the same to the family and friends.

Resolved, That as a further tribute to the meniory of the departed, this House do now adjourn.

Mr. Ingersoll rose and supported the resolutions as follows:

Mr. SPEAKER: In rising to support the adoption of the resolutions offered by my Honorable friend from Branch, I would briefly add a tribute to the memory of our departed friend, whose official duties with us had just commenced. Five days only were allotted him on this floor by an inscrutable Providence. Full of buoyancy and hope, he left that seat on Friday, at the moment of adjournment. Appa rent health and serene happiness beamed from his sparkling eye, and sat upon his manly brow. But now, how changed! The mourning drapery which enshrouds yonder chair tells the sad story that the Destroyer has been here.

"Leaves have their time to fall,

And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath;

And stars to set-but all,

Thou hast all seasons for thine own-O death!"

It was not the good fortune of us all to become intimately acquaint

ed with every manly virtue that ennobled the heart of our departed associate-but where his character was best known, it was highly appreciated. A young man, of scarce twenty-eight years, with no wealth to gain him influence, or immediate relatives to usher him before the public eye, the citizens of the county of Shiawassee sought him out and committed their legislative interests on this floor to his wisdom. And faithfully would they have been represented.

Mr. Speaker, while we lament the loss of our friend, let us treasure up his many excellent qualities as worthy of imitation, and ever bear in mind that it is but a single step to that "bourne from whence no traveler returns."

Sir, I support the adoption of the resolutions.

Pending the question

On the adoption of the preamble and resolutions,

Mr. J. W. Turner moved the appointment of a committee of three to inquire into and report the facts in regard to the existence of an epidemic disease in Lansing, which motion prevailed, and

The Speaker appointed as such committee, Messrs. J. W. Turner, O. C. Comstock and Moffatt.

The preamble and resolutions were then unanimously adopted, and

The Speaker declared the House adjourned until to-morrow morning at ten o'clock.

Tuesday, January 9, 1849.

The House met pursuant to adjournment, and was called to order by the Speaker.

Prayer by the Chaplain.

The roll was called and Mr. Ferguson was absent on leave, and Messrs. Davis, Fox, Hammond, Holmes, Lockwood, Lovell, Parkhurst, Salyer, Smith, Tilden and Wright were absent without leave. Mr. Morton asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. Tilden for an indefinite period.

The journal of yesterday was read and approved.

Mr. H. H. Comstock presented the petition of Benjamin Porter, asking payment justly due him for building the state capitol, which was referred to the committee on claims.