Phenix Gazette

VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
Richmond. Tuesday, Dec. 6.

Yesterday both Houses of the General Assembly formed a quorum in their respective chambers.

In the Senate twenty-one members appeared. Wm. C. Holt, Esq. was re-elected Speaker without opposition. Addison Hansford was re-appointed Clerk—John Soyers Sergeant at Arms, and Littleton Allen and Julius Martin Door-keepers.

In the House of Delegates, the members were called to order by Mr. Blackburn, upon whose nomination, supported by Mr. Loyall, Linn Banks, Esq. was re-elected Speaker without opposition and by an unanimous vote—

Messrs. Blackburn and Loyall then conducted the Speaker to the Chair, who returned his thanks to the House in the following terms:

Gentlemen: I accept, with feelings of no ordinary gratitude, the continued evidence of your kindness and partiality, in calling me to preside over your deliberations.
The flattering manner which the office has been bestowed, has greatly enhanced the obligation, and will operate as an additional stimulus in my endeavors to discharge, with fidelity and impartiality, its various and complicated duties. In the administration of those duties, I am admonished, by the experience of the eight preceding sessions, that your friendly co-operation will be, at all times, necessary to preserve inviolate the rules and orders which you may adopt for the Government of the House. The good sense of the Representatives of the people of Virginia will be, at all times, a sure guarantee, that they will maintain the high character, acquired by their predecessors. The laborious, and at all times, delicate duties of this station, have, for a long series of years, most sensibly felt; I can only say, upon the present occasion, that every exertion will be made compatible with the duties of the office, to preserve a perfect impartiality, consulting the public interest, your ease and convenience in all of your deliberations. May your consultations, then, terminate in promoting the best interest of our common Country.

The House then proceeded to the election of a Clerk, in the place of the late William Munford, Esq. Richard E. Parker of Fairfax, was nominated by Mr. Cooke, supported by Messrs. Moore and Carter of Pr. Wm.—Lawrence Muse, by Mr. Hungerford.—D. Briggs, by Mr. Towles—Geo. Wythe Munford, by Mr. Morton.—Jno. Baker, by Mr. Branch.—Th. C. Howard, by Mr. Gordon, aided by Messrs. Upshur, Harris and Blackburn,—Saml. Branch of Buckingham, by Messrs. Wilson, Crump of Cumberland and Patteson of B. Edmund Pendleton, by Mr. Page, and Benj. W. S. Cabell, by Mr. Witcher.

The ballots stood: Munford 94. Mason 11, Pendleton 5, Cabell 12, Baker 4, Howard 25, Briggs 16, Branch 12 and Muse 11. There being no election the members again prepared their ballots; which upon being counted stood: Munford 122, Mason 8, Pendleton 2, Cabell 6, Baker 1, Howard 28, Briggs 10, Muse 5. (Mr. Branch being withdrawn) George Wythe Munford was thereupon duly elected Clerk.

On motion of Mr. Mercer, John Stubblefield, Henry H. Southall and Thomas Davis were re-elected Door-Keepers.

Mr. Davis of Hanover having entered into nominations of a fourth door-keeper, a resolution was offered by Mr. George, declaring such appointment inexpedient, and was agreed to.

On motion of Mr. Thompson, a writ of election was issued to the County of Norfolk, to supply the vacancy occasioned in the delegation of that county, by the death of Nelson Miller, Esq.

A communication was received from the Governor and Treasurer, and both ordered to be printed; and then the House adjourned until this day at 12 o'clock.