This being the day designated in the constitution of the state of Michigan for the assembling of the legislature, the Senate met in their chamber, at the capitol, in the city of Detroit; and the mem❤ bers present were called to order by Hon. Origen D. Richardson, Lieutenant Governor and President of the Senate. James E. Platt took the secretary's seat, and the roll having been called, there were present, Senators Compton, Cust, Gray, Green, Howell, Moody, Redfield, Shearer, Starkey and Wilson.

The names of the Senators elect were then called, and the following members, their credentials having been presented and approved, severally answered and subscribed the constitutional oath of office, administered by Hon. Charles W. Whipple, associate justice of the supreme court, and took their seats as Senators, to wit:

First District-Lorenzo M. Mason.

Second District-Edwin M. Cust.

Third District—Michael A. Patterson, Jefferson G. Thurber.
Fourth District-Abner Pratt, Jesse F. Turner.

Fifth District-William A. Richmond.

Sixth District-Johnson Niles.

Mr. Cust offered the following joint resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, (the House of Representatives concurring,) That the joint rules of the Senate and House of Representatives, and the rules

of the Senate and House of Representatives in joint convention, established and pursued at the last session of the legislature, be adopted and pursued until the said Senate and House of Representatives shall otherwise direct.

On motion of Mr. Wilson,

The Senate then proceeded to the election of permanent officers of the Senate, and the names of the members being called, they severally voted, viva voce, as follows:

For Secretary-James E. Platt, of Washtenaw county,

Whereupon, the President declared that James E. Platt, of Washtenaw county, was duly elected Secretary of the Senate.

For Engrossing, Enrolling and Recording Clerk-Charles A. Mack, of St. Clair county,

Whereupon, the President declared that Charles A. Mack, of St. Clair county, was elected engrossing, enrolling and recording clerk. For Sergeant-at-Arms-William McAllaster, of Kalamazoo county,

Whereupon, the President declared that William McAllaster was duly elected sergeant-at-arms.

The said officers then took and subscribed the constitutional oath of office.

Mr. Starkey offered the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That a committee be appointed, whose duty it shall be to

furnish all articles necessary for the use of the Senate, and that no account be allowed for supplies, unless certified by the chairman of the committee.

The President appointed as said committee, Senators Starkey, Green and Turner.

On motion of Mr. Howell,

The Senate then proceeded to elect a President pro tempore, for the session; and the names of the members being called, they severally voted, viva voce, as follows:

Mr. Starkey offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the Senate elect two Messengers for the Senate, whose pay shall not exceed one dollar per day-which was adopted

The Senate then proceeded to elect two messengers, which resulted in the election of William J. Moody, Jr., and Charles D. Pratt. On motion of Mr. Howell,

A committee of two, consisting of Senators Howell and Shearer, was appointed to inform the House that the Senate were organized and ready to proceed to business.

On motion of Mr. Starkey,

A committee consisting of Senators Starkey and Niles, was appointed to inform the Governor, that the Senate had elected Hon. Edwin M. Cust, President pro tem. of the Senate for the session.

The two committees after a short absence reported that they had. discharged their respective duties.

A committee from the House of Representatives, consisting of Messrs. Rowland and McLeod, was announced, who informed the Senate that the House of Representatives were duly organized and ready to proceed to the transaction of business.

The President called the President pro tem. to the chair.

Mr. Wilson offered the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That a committee of two be appointed to inform the House of Representatives, that the Senate are now ready to meet the House in joint convention, for the purpose of canvassing the votes of Governor and Lieut. Governor.

The President pro tem appointed Senators Wilson and Mason the committee, who soon reported a discharge of their duty.

The President pro tem. announced the following message from the House of Representatives.

To the President of the Senate:

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Monday, January 1, 1844.

SIR-I am instructed by the House of Representatives, to return to the Senate a joint resolution adopting the rules of joint conventions of the last session, and respectfully inform the Senate that the House have concurred therein.

E. J. ROBERTS,

Clerk of House of Representatives, pro tem.

Mr. Green offered the following joint resolution, which, the rule having been suspended, was adopted.

Resolved, By the Senate and House of Representatives of the state of Michigan, That the Governor be and he is hereby authorized to employ a private secretary during the present session of the legislature, who shall be allowed such compensation as the legislature may direct, not exceeding three dollars per day.

On motion of Mr. Howell,

The Senate then proceeded to the hall of the House of Representatives.

On their return to the Senate chamber, the President pro tem. announced that both Houses in joint convention had canvassed the returns of votes for Governor and Lt. Governor, and as John S. Barry