Alexandria Daily Advertiser

ELECTION OF GOVERNOR.

Of the commonwealth of Massachusetts by Mr. Strong has been declared governor the unanimous vote of both houses of the Legislature. The following, from the Boston Palladium of Friday, are the legislative proceedings upon this interesting subject:-

On Wednesday forenoon, while the house were debating on an amendment offered to the report of the election committee by Mr. Upham, Mr. King rose and observed, that, as it had been ascertained, that there were returns included in the calculations in the report, which were not conformable to the requisitions of the constitution, and must be rejected; and that as it would appear, when those returns were rejected, that governor Strong was re-elected; he moved that the further consideration of the report should subside. This motion was carried.

It was moved to re-commit the report that it might be brought into a new draft; which was agreed to.

In the afternoon the committee reported, that the house should concur with the Senate, in the report of the joint committee as taken into a new draft. This draft merely stated, that his excellency Caleb Strong, had a majority of the votes for governor, and the honorable William Heath a majority of the votes for lieutenant governor, and were elected to those offices. This report was unanimously accepted; and sent to the Senate for concurrence.

All the contested points in the former report, were purposely avoided in the new draft; as whatever discussions might have been made on them, after long discussions, the fact, it was agreed would remain the same, that governor Strong had a majority of the suffrages.

In the Senate the new draft was committed. In about half an hour the committee recommended a concurrence with the house, which was unanimously agreed to.

A committee was then appointed to wait upon his excellency governor Strong, and the honorable Mr. Heath, and inform them of their election, and that the legislature is ready to administer the necessary oaths of office, at any time most agreeable to them.

Yesterday the Senate and house of Representatives, assembled in convention when his excellency governor Strong, attended by the Council, entered the representatives chamber and his excellency the governor took the oaths of office, and declaration of his election was made by the sheriff of Suffolk; after which the governor and council withdrew. The convention then proceeded to the choice of councillors: when the honorable Messrs. How, Maynard, Hill, Deane, Coffin, Childs, Woodman, Earley and Willis, were chosen.-- The members of the Senate then withdrew.

It is supposed the gentlemen now chosen to the council will resign, and that an election will be made at large this day.

The following letter was received from the Hon. WILLIAM HEATH:

To the honorable Senate & honorable house of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Gentlemen,

I have been notified by a very respectable committee of both houses, that I have been elected lieutenant governor of the commonwealth of Massachusetts for the year ensuing, by a majority of the votes of the electors.

Impressed with the most lively sense of gratitude for this mark of confidence and esteem, I present to you, and through you to my fellow citizens, my most sincere and hearty thanks.

Having been more than forty years in public life contemporary with the asserters of American rights and the adoption of measures for that defence, and near the illustrious Washington during the revolutionary war, in the most difficult, perilous and interesting periods our country has as yet experienced, the prime of my life has passed away, and I have arrived at nearly the common age of man, when the vigor of the mind abate, and the most splendid offices cease to charm.

I have seen my beloved country in deep distress, struggling to retain the life of that equal liberty which Heaven has given as an unalienable legacy to man; I have seen her triumph, in peace, sovereignty and independence; forming constructions of civil government, selected and combined of principles calculated for durability, superior to those found in any other republics yet seen. I now see her under a wise and prudent administration of the general government, respected abroad and prosperous at home, beyond a parallel in any other nation; and this, my native state, whose prosperity is the unceasing wish of my heart, one of the most respectable and prosperous among her sisters.

Pausing at this point of view, with thankful admiration, although a laudable ambition to serve my country, and a long public life, which has rendered its duties familiar, tend to excite a wish for continuance in it, reason points me to retirement, rather than to the acceptance of a new station. I do, therefore, decline qualifying myself to attempt a discharge of the duties of the honorable office to which I have been elected.

Beseeching the all wise counsellor, to guide and direct the legislature in all the important business which may come before them, and that this Commonwealth, and the United States, may be a name and a praise in the earth, so long as time shall endure.

I have the honor to be with the most profound respect, gentlemen, your most obedient servant.

W. HEATH.

Roxbury, June 12, 1806.

According to the last report, which has been accepted in the legislature, the whole number of votes are 72,784; necessary to make a choice 36,398; governor Strong has 36,438, and therefore a majority of 40, or plurality of 80.

Mr. Heath having declined the office to which he was elected, the state will be without a lieutenant governor the present year.