The Portland Gazette

Meeting of the Convention.

At eleven o'clock this day, a large number of delegates having arrived in town, the bells were rung, and the convention assembled at the Court-house, the place appointed in the act for their first meeting. Mr. King, of Bath, opened the meeting by a few observations, and suggested as the recommendation of a number of the members, that the Hon. Mr. Cony, of Augusta, should be placed in the chair to organize the assembly; this nomination was unanimously assented to, and the Hon. gentleman was conducted to the chair—upon which he made the following very pertinent address:-

GENTLEMEN,

"With this day commences a new era in the history of Maine—a new state rising into existence under circumstances that will enable it to take honorable rank with the older states in the Union. The convention here convened in this Hall, consecrated to Justice, and assigned by the legislature as the place of their meeting, have a high and responsible trust in charge. Let us endeavor not to disappoint the reasonable expectations of our constituents. The first business will be to examine the returns of the members, and that before we proceed to organize the Convention."

Mr. Holmes then suggested that it would be proper before proceeding to any other business, to ascertain of their number present, those who actually belonged to the convention, and therefore moved that every member should lay the certificate of his election upon the Chairman's table, and that a Committee should be appointed to examine the credentials and report the number chosen. This committee consisted of Messrs. Holmes, of Alfred, Paris, of Portland, Gage, of Augusta, Abbot, of Castine, and Dana, of Fryeburg.—The committee reported that 274 members appeared to be returned.

The Chairman then observed that as the usual dining hour and a proper hour for adjournment had arrived, he begged to be indulged before that event took place in remarking, that it would be peculiarly proper, before commencing on the very interesting and important duty for which they had assembled, that prayers should be offered to the throne of grace for guidance and direction. The suggestion was unanimously approved; and the Rev. Mr. Titcomb of Brunswick was requested to officiate; after prayers the convention adjourned to 3 o'clock.

AFTERNOON.

The Convention met at 3 o'clock, agreeably to adjournment, and on motion of Mr. Whitman, of Portland, proceeded to the choice of a President by ballot. It appeared that 241 votes were given, of which the Hon. Wm. King had 230, and was chosen. He was conducted to the chair by the committee appointed to count the votes. They then proceeded to the choice of a Secretary, when it appeared that 243 were cast, of which 129 were necessary for a choice. No choice was made—R. C. Vose having 105, Ashur Ware 73, Nathaniel Coffin 50, and a few scattering. On the next vote, there were 257 given in, and R. C. Vose had 166, and was chosen.

Judge Parris of Portland, then addressed the convention on the subject of their future proceedings, and having read an extract from the bill, submitted some resolutions of which the substance is as follows—1st, that a committee be chosen to draft rules for the regulation of the convention—2d, that a committee be chosen to apply to congress for admission into the Union as a separate and independent state, and 3d, that there be a committee elected to report a Constitution of Government for the New State.