would seem to be virtually decided, and that in accordance with the ardent wishes of the great body of the people of the Union. The deep enthusiasm and strong determination manifested by the Texans in favor of annexation to our prosperous republic, leave no doubt of the speedy accomplishment of that great object. The unexampled unanimity of the people of Texas, in favor of the measure, has brought forth a response from their present government, favorable to their wishes. To me it seems that every patriotic citizen of the United States, cannot fail to rejoice that annexation will be accomplished in spite of the machinations and strenuous efforts of foreign emissaries and foreign despots. The recent intelligence of a joint treaty between Great Britain, France and Mexico, whereby those powers have undertaken to secure to Texas a favorable boundary on the side of Mexico, and to guaranty the independence of Texas, on the condition that she will reject the proffered union with the United States, must convince our doubting citizens, if any such there are, of the real nature of the contest. It is emphatically a contest between American rights and interests, and the arrogant assumptions of foreign or European monarchies. The independence of Texas has long been virtually established, and her right to unite herself to us is clear. The claim of Mexico is vain and visionary.Not a single hostile Mexican soldier has for years trod on the soil of Texas. Vitally important as are the considerations of the political and commercial benefits to be obtained by us by annexation, a still higher question is involved in that measure that of resistance to the insulting and aggressive pretensions and attempts of foreign despots, to control the distribution of political power on the American continent, and virtually say to the United States-you are large enough and powerful enough. I have no belief that England, France or Mexico will proceed any further than to attempt, by diplomatic maneuvering, to prevent annexation; but if they should, is there a single American so craven hearted as to yield to the dictation of European monarchies, or humbly beg of them the privilege of admitting new States into our Union?

The position of the Oregon question has recently attracted much attention. The interest excited by its discussion, pervades all parts of the Union. The President, in his in

augural address, declares our claim to Oregon to be "clear and unquestionable." The British ministry, affecting to take offence at that declaration, have taken occasion to assert that their claim was clear and unquestionable, and avow their determination to resort to extreme measures to maintain it. Whether Oregon is or would be valuable to us or not, is not now the question, if our rights to that country are clear and unquestionable, which fact I do not doubt, nor have I heard a single doubt from any American, (until after the British ministry asserted their claim,) of our right, not only to the 49th degree of north latitude, but to the 54th. Unfortunately for us, our government, some years since, in a spirit of concession and compromise, offered to limit our claim to the 49th degree. I say unfortunate, because no people or government ever yet admitted or even proposed to waive or yield any of its rights to the claims or demands of Great Britain, but in the end had cause to repent of so doing. The public, I trust, have not yet forgotten the easy terms on which that haughty power obtained possession of a large portion of the State of Maine. Our government was first induced to listen to quibbles about the words "Sea" and "Ocean," then amused by the discovery that Mars Hill was high enough to cast a shadow over the treaty line, and at last astounded by the discovery that Mars Hill was too high to permit the boundary line to pass over it. Warned by the disgraceful result of that negotiation, I trust that our government will not again suffer itself to be either coaxed or threatened out of our just rights. But it is not my intention or desire to enter into a discussion of this question. It is in the hands of an able and patriotic adminis_tration, who will, I doubt not, use every honorable exertion to bring it to an amicable close. At any rate, I feel confident that no timid concessions, no unmanly surrender of clear rights will be made, and that no truckling to menace, will again stain the annals of our beloved country. JOHN H. STEELE.

Council Chamber, June 5, 1845.

His Excellency the Governor then delivered to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, severally, a written copy of the foregoing address.

His Excellency the Governor, attended by the Honorable the Council, then returned to the Council Chamber.

Mr. Nettleton of the House, submitted the following resolution:

Resolved, That the address of His Excellency the Governor lie upon the table, and that the clerk be directed to procure one thousand printed copies for the use of both branches of the legislature.

Mr. Boylston moved to amend said resolution, by erasing the word "thousand," and inserting instead thereof the words "five hundred;"

And the question being put,

It was decided in the negative.

On motion of Mr. Peirce of Dover

The convention rose and the Senate withdrew.

IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

On motion of Mr. Sawyer of Dover

Resolved, That the address of His Excellency the Governor lie on the table, and that the clerk be directed to procure eight hundred printed copies for the use of the House.

On motion

The House adjourned.

AFTERNOON..

Mr. Blaisdell submitted the following resolution: Resolved, That the House are ready to meet the Senate in convention, for the purpose of proceeding in the elections, agreea bly to the provisions of the constitution;

And the question being put,

No quorum was found voting.

On motion

The House adjourned.

FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 1845.

On motion of Mr. Brown of Ossipee

Resolved, That a committee be appointed on the part of the House, with such as the Senate may join, for the purpose of fixing on a day on which the business of the present session may be brought to a close.

Ordered, That Messrs. Brown of Ossipee, Sawyer of Wakefield and Fowler be the committee on the part of the House. Ordered, That the clerk request the concurrence of the Senate therein.

On motion of Mr. Sawyer of Atkinson

Resolved, That the House are ready to meet the Senate in convention, for the purpose of proceeding in the elections, agreeably to the provisions of the constitution.

IN CONVENTION..

The Senate and House of Representatives being assembled in convention in the Representatives' Hall, for the purpose of proceeding in the elections, agreeably to the provisions of the constitution, the secretary of state came in and laid before the convention the returns of votes for Counsellors from the several counsellor districts in the State.

On motion of Mr. Sawyer of Dover of the House—

Resolved, That the returns of votes for Counsellors be referred to a committee, to examine the same, cast their numbers and report thereon.

Ordered, That Messrs. Smith of the Senate, Sawyer of Dover and Nettleton of the House be the committee.

IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

On motion of Mr. Garfield

Resolved, That a committee be appointed, with such as the Senate may join, to audit the accounts of the state treasurer. Ordered, That Messrs. Garfield, Howard and Clement be the committee on the part of the House.

Ordered, That the clerk request the concurrence of the Sen

ate therein.

Mr. Foster of Manchester, from the committee appointed to prepare and report joint rules for the government of both branches of the legislature the present year, by leave, reported the following

JOINT RULES OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES....

1. When a convention of the two houses is to be formed, whether by requirement of the constitution, or by a vote or resolve of the two houses, a message shall be sent from the House of Representatives to the Senate, giving notice when the House will meet the Senate in convention. As soon thereafter as the convenience of the Senate will permit, they will attend in the House. The Speaker of the House shall be chairman of the convention, and shall state the reason for forming the convention. When the House and Senate are thus formed in convention, the rules adopted as the rules of the House shall be considered the rules of the convention, so far as they may be deemed applicable, and the convention shall accordingly be governed thereby.

2. Messages shall be sent by such person or persons as a sense of propriety, in each House, may determine to be proper.

3. When a message shall be sent from either house to the other, it shall be announced at the door of the house to which it may be sent by the doorkeeper.

4. While bills are on their passage between the two houses, they shall be under the signature of the clerk of each house respectively.

5. There shall be a committee for the purpose of engrossing bills, consisting of two members of each house. All bills that pass both houses shall be delivered to said committee, be by them engrossed,carefully examined, and reported to the respective houses; and shall be signed, first, by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and then by the President of the Senate.

6. There shall be a committee, to consist of three members of the House and one of the Senate, on each of the following subjects, to wit:-On all matters relative to the State Library, and on all matters relative to the State House and State House Yard.

7. When a bill or resolve which shall have passed in one house, is rejected in the other, notice thereof shall be given to the house in which the same shall have passed.

9. Each house shall transmit to the other all papers on which any bill or resolve shall be founded.