A JOURNAL

OF THE

PROCEEDINGS OF THE HONORABLE SENATE.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6th, 1787.

Being the day appointed by the Constitution for the annual Meeting of the General Court, The honorable Ebenezer Smith, Ebenezer Thompson, and John Bellows, Esquire,

Being elected by the people for Senators for the year ensuing attended and took the Oaths.

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The Members present met with the Honorable House of Representatives in their Chamber and proceeded to count the Votes for a President, but there not being time,

Adjourned till to-morrow Morning 8 O'Clock.

The Senators present returned to their Chamber, and agreed to meet in the Senate Chamber at 8 O'Clock to-morrow morning.

THURSDAY, JUNE 7th, 1787.

Met according to adjournment.
Present as yesterday.

The Senators present met with the Honorable House of Representatives in their Chamber and proceeded to examine the returns for a President, and they appointed a committee of five to Examine said Returns, agreed to adjourn till tomorrow 3 O'Clock P. M.

At 3 O'Clock met according to adjournment, and the committee appointed to re-examine the votes returned for a President, made the following report, viz.

That the whole number amounts to Nine thousand two hundred and eighty five. That there is for his Excellency President Sullivan three thousand six hundred and forty two.

* For the Honorable John Langdon Esquire Four thous-2-263 and thirty four. For the Honorable Josiah Bartlett, Esqr six hundred and twenty eight.

For the Honorable Samuel Livermore Esquire Six hundred and three, being the four persons who have the highest Numbers, by which it appears, that there is not a majority of votes for any person.

The Senators appointed by the people met with the House of Representatives proceed to the choice of Senators to fill up the vacancies.

The ballots being taken agreeably to the Constitution, the following Gentlemen were elected to fill up, the vacancies in the Senate viz.

Honorable George Atkinson

Joseph Gilman

John Bell and

Peter Green Esqrs

Hon. Robert Means and

Joshua Bayley Esqrs

for the County of
Rockingham.

for the County of
Hillsborough.

The Hon. Amos Shepard for County of Cheshire, and

The Hon. Elisha Payne Esquire for the County of Grafton. Agreed to adjourn till to-morrow 10 O'Clock A. M. and then the Senate retired to their Chamber.

The Honorable Peter Green and Amos Shepard Esqrs 2-264 took the Oaths agreeably * Constitution as Senators, and their Seats at the Senate Board.

Agreed to meet to-morrow morning 8 O'Clock.

FRIDAY, JUNE 8th, 1787.

Met according to adjournment.

Present as yesterday with the addition of the Honorable Peter Green and Amos Shepard Esquires.

The Honorable Senators present met with the Honorable hous of Representatives in their Chamber and agreed to adjourn till tomorrow 10 O'Clock A. M.

SATURDAY, JUNE 9th, 1787.

The Senators present meet with the Hon. House of Representatives in their Chamber, according to adjournment, and adjourned till Monday next 3 O'Clock P. M.

MONDAY, JUNE 11th, 1787.

The convention of both brances met this afternoon agreeably to constitution, and adjourned 'till to-morrow morning 10 O'Clock.

TUESDAY, JUNE 12th, 1787.

The Convention of both branches, meet according to adjournment and agreed to adjourn 'till four O'Clock P. M. the Senate then retired to their Chamber.

IN SENATE, JUNE 12th, 1787.

Present the Honorable Ebenezer Thompson, * Ebenezer Smith, Peter Green, Robert Means, John Bellows and Amos Shepard Esqrs

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The Honorable Joseph Gilman, Robert Means and John Bell Esquires, attended and took the Oaths agreeably to the constitution, and their Seats at the Senate Board.

The Honorable E. Payne Esquire attended and took the Oaths as Senator, and his Seat at the Senate Board.

The Honorable House of Representatives informed the Senate that they had proceeded to make choice of two persons out of the four who had the highest number of votes for a President, and the ballots being Called for, taken and counted the Honorable John Langdon Esquire and His Excellency John Sullivan were elected. The Senate then proceeded to the appointment of a Senior Senator and the ballots being taken, it appeared that the Honorable Joseph Gilman Esquire was chosen to that Office.

The Senate then proceeded to take the Ballots for a President by which it appeared that His Excellency John Sullivan Esquire, was chosen President for the Ensuing year.

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A Vote for a committee to join a committee of the Senate. to Inform his Excellency John Sullivan Esquire of his * Appointment to the Office of Chief Magistrate of this State for the current year, was brought up, read and concurred. Mr Thompson and Mr Payne joined.

The convention of both branches met this afternoon and ad

journed 'till to-morrow morning 10 O'Clock.

The Senate then retired to their Chamber, and adjourned 'till to-morrow 10 O'Clock.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13th, 1787.

Met according to adjournment.

Present as Yesterday.

The Senate met in Convention with the Honorable House of Representatives. After which His Excellency John Sullivan Esqr attended and delivered his Answer of acceptance as Presi

dent of said State. The Senior Senator then proceeded to administer the necessary Oaths to his Excellency the President, and then said Senior Senator declared before both branches of the Legislature that His Excellency John Sullivan Esquire, was elected president of said State for the year ensuing.

The Senate then retired to their own Chamber, and after some time met in Convention with the Honorable House of Representatives and proceeded to the choice of Councillors for the ensuing year. The ballots being taken it appeared that the Honorable Joseph Gilman Esquire was chosen a Councillor. 2-267 The Ballots being again taken it appeared that the Honorable Ebenezer Thompson Esquire, was chosen a

*

Councillor.

The Ballots being again taken it appeared that the Honorable Daniel Emerson Esquire, was chosen a Councillor.

The Ballots being again taken, it appeared that the Honorable Moses Chase Esquire was chosen a Councillor.

The Ballots being again taken, it appeared that the Honorable Francis Worchester was chosen a Councillor, who declineing to accept, proceeded to take the Ballots again and it appeared that the Honorable John Pickering Esqr was Chosen Councillor.

The Ballot being taken for a Secretary it appeared that Joseph Pearson Esqr was unanimously chosen to that Office for the year ensuing.

The Ballot being taken for a Treasurer of said State it appeared that the Honorable John T. Gilman Esquire was unanimously chosen to that Office for the year ensuing.

The ballots being taken for a commissary General it appeared that Col. Supply Clap was chosen to that Office for the year

ensuing.

* 2-268 *The Convention of both brances then adjourned 'till to-morrow 10 O'Clock A. M.

A Vote granting the prayer of the petition of the Inhabitants of Hamstead, who prayeth for a Representation, and that a writ issue accordingly, was brought up, read and concurred.

A Vote for a committee to join a committee of the Senate to take under considiration the Militia Law of this State and report such alterations as they shall judge necessary, was brought up, read and concurred. Mr Bellows and Mr Green joined.

A Vote to hear the petition of Benjamin Bellows and Thomas Sparhawk Esquire in behalf of Walpole on the third Wednesday of the next Session, was brought up, read and concurred.

A Vote for a committee to join a committee of the Senate to consider of the petition of the Selectmen of Lyme, was brought up, read and concurred with this amendment, that the words. and all similar matters" be expunged, sent down, brought concurred. Col. Green joined.

66

A Vote, that Mr Gilman, Mr Thornton, Mr Bellows, and Mr Payne, with such of the Honorable house as may join, be a committee to consider of His Excellencys Message and report thereon; and also of any other important business which may require the attention of the General Court in their present Session, was sent down for concurrence, brought up, concurred, reconsidered.

*

* A Vote for a committee to join a committee of the 2-269 Senate to consider of the petition of the Selectmen of Portsmouth and report thereon was brought up, read and concurred: Mr Wentworth and Mr Green joined.

A Vote for a committee to join a committee of the Senate, to consider of the petition of Henry Gerrish and others and report thereon, was brought up, read and concurred: Mr Smith and Mr Bell joined.

A Vote for a committee to join a committee of the Senate to consider of the account of Soloman Wheeler and report thereon, was brought up, read and concurred. Mr Thompson and Mr Smith joined.

A Vote for a committee to join a committee of the Senate to consider of the situation of Haverhill, Peirmont &c and report thereon, was brought up, read and concurred: Mr Shepard and Payne joined.

A Vote to hear the petition of James Hayes on the Second Tuesday of their next Session, was brought up, read and concurred.

A Vote, for a committee to join a committee of the Senate to take under consideration a Letter from Supply Clap Esquire Commisary General and report thereon, was brought up, read and concurred: Mr Bell, Mr Green and Mr Thompson joined.

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A Vote for a committee to join a committee of the Senate to consider of the petition of Barnard M'Keen and of all petitions from Sick and wounded Officers and Soldiers and report thereon, was brought up, read and concurred: Mr Bayley joined.

A Vote for a committee to join a committee of the Senate to consider of the petition of Messrs I. Rindge and T Martin, and