The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

BOSTON. May 26, 1774

Yesterday being the Anniversary of the Day appointed by Royal Charter for Convening a Great and General Court or Assembly of this Province, and for the Election of His Majesty's Council, the Gentlemen who were returned to serve and represent the several Towns, met agreeable to the Precepts at the Town-House in Boston, at Nine o'Clock in the Morning:--A Committee from the Honorable Board. authorized & appointed by his Excellency the Governor, administered the Oaths required by Act of Parliament. to the Members of the House, who after having taken the Oath of Abjuration and subscribed the Declaration, they unanimously chose Mr. SAM'L ADAMS, for their Clerk: The House then proceeded to the Choice of a Speaker. when the Hon. Thomas Cushing, Esq; was unanimously chosen.

At Eleven o'Clock, His Excellency the Governor accompanied by the Hon'ble His Majesty's Council. & a number of other Gentlemen, preceded by the Company of Cadets went from the Province House in Procession to the Council Chamber. His Excellency being in the Chair, a Committee of the House presented to him the Speaker Elect, who afterwards sent a Message in Writing, agreeable to the Royal Explanatory Charter, that he approved of their Choice.

This Business being finished, His Excellency, His Majesty's Council, and the Hon. House of Representatives, &c. went in Procession to the Old Brick Meeting-House, where a Sermon was preached before them by the Rev. Mr. Gad Hitchcock of Pembroke, from those Words in Proverbs, chap. xxix. v. 2.-- When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

After Divine Service. the Procession. etc. escorted by the Cadet Company, went to Faneuil-Hall where an Entertainment was provided for them.

At Noon the Guns at the Batteries were fired. and at One o'Clock those of His Majesty's Ships in the Harbour.

The following Gentlemen were elected Councillors for the ensuing Year.

For the late Colony of Massachusetts-Bay. The HONORABLE

Samuel Danforth, Esq; John Winthrop Esq; John Erving, Esq. * Wm Phillips, Esq;

James Bowdoin, Esq; * John Adams, Esq; James Pitts. Esq; *James Prescott,Esq;

Samuel Dexter, Esq; *Tim Danielson Esq; Artemus Ward. Esq: *Rich Derby, jr Esq;

Benja. Greenleaf, Esq; *Mich. Farley, Esq; Caleb Cushing, Esq; *Benja. Austin, Esq;

Samuel Phillips, Esq; *Jos. Quincy, Esq;

For the late Colony of Plymouth. James Otis, Esq: Walter Spooner, Esq; Wm. Sever, Esq: * Jerathmeel Bowers, Esq;

For the late Province of Maine. Jeremiah Powell, Esq; *Enoch Freeman Esq; Jedediah Preble. Esq;

For Sagadahock, *Benja. Chadbourne, Esq;

At Large. George Leonard, jr Esq; *Jedediah Foster Esq;

The Gentlemen with this [*] Mark, were not of the Council last Year.

Before the Election of Councillors, Letters were received from the Hon, ISAAC ROYALL, and JAMES GOWEN, Esqs. Resigning their Seats at the Board.

The List of Councillors chosen Yesterday being this Day, agreeable to the Direction of the Royal Charter, presented to his Excellency the Governor, His Excellency was pleased to consent to the Election of the Gentlemen before mentioned. except

James Bowdoin, Esq; Samuel Dexter, Esq; John Winthrop, Esq; Wm. Phillips, Esq; John Adams Esq; James Prescott, Esq; Timo. Danielson Esq;

Mich. Farley, Esq; Benja. Austin, Esq; Jos. Quincy, Esq; Jerath. Bowers Esq; Enoch Freeman Esq; Jedediah Foster Esq
This Day His Excellency was pleased to make the following SPEECH to both Houses.

Gentlemen of the Council and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

IT IS Majesty's having been pleased to appoint me Governor and Captain-General of his Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, and my Commissions having been read and published, I have met you for the Election of Councillors for the ensuing Year; on which Business you have been convened agreeably to your Charter.---And as that Work is finished you will proceed as you shall judge fit, to the Consideration Of such other Matters as may properly come before you, and that you judge ought to be entered upon previous to the first of next Month.--

And you will be assured that I shall with Pleasure concur with you to the utmost of my Power in all Matters that tend to the Welfare and Prosperity of the Province.

I make mention of the first of next Month, because I have the King's particular Commands for holding the General Court at Salem from that Day, until His Majesty shall have Signified his Royal Will and Pleasure for holding it again at Boston.

The honor of my Appointment to the Command of this Government being so lately conferred, and the time since I took it upon me so very short, I have not at present any Matter to lay before you, farther than to acquaint you, that the Provincial Treasurer having informed me, that sufficient Provision is made for the Redemption of the Government Securities that are now, and will become due in June 1775, you will have no other Burden upon you but to supply the Treasury for the Support of Government for the ensuing Year.

T. GAGE.

Council-Chamber, May 26th, 1774.