The New Hampshire Gazette

Boston, Nov. 17, 1796.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

In the House of Representatives, Nov. 18, 1796.

Ordered, that Messrs. Otis, Hill, Eustis, M'Clellan, and Sprague, be a committee to wait on His Excellency the Governor, with the following Address, in answer to His Excellency's Speech at the opening of the Session.

EDW. H. ROBBINS, Speaker.

May it please your Excellency.

The business of the House of Representatives, will be principally confined to the important object for which they were peculiarly adjourned, relative to the choice of Electors of President and Vice-President of the United States. The discharge of the trust, reposed in the Legislature, upon this great occasion, is rendered peculiarly interesting by the intended retirement of our illustrious President, whose pre-eminent merit and unrivalled services have hitherto secured the unanimous suffrages of a grateful people. We should be deficient in that gratitude which is the surest incentive, and best reward of patriotic services, to withhold a public tribute of veneration and respect for the character and conduct of this distinguished friend to his country. Our warmest wishes for his health and happiness will attend him in the vale of retirement, which his fondness for the tranquility of private life has long inclined him to seek, but which his ardent patriotism and perseverance in the public service have hitherto forbidden him to enjoy: And we sincerely unite in our prayers to Heaven, that his remaining years may be rendered pleasant and happy, by a consummation of all his earthly wishes and exertions, in the continued peace and increasing prosperity of our country.

We are suitably impressed with a persuasion of your Excellency's readiness to give all convenient dispatch to the business of the Session, and to promote harmony between the different Branches of the Government, in which objects we desire sincerely and zealously to co-operate.