The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

HARTFORD, in Connecticut; May 12.

Last Thursday being the Anniversary Election, (agreeable to the Royal Charter granted to this Colony) the following Gentlemen were elected, viz.

Hon. WILLIAM PITKIN, Esq; Governor.

Hon. JONATHAN TRUMBULL, Esq; Deputy Governor.

ASSISTANTS

Hezekiah Huntington, Esq
Matthew Griswold, Esq:
Shubael Conant, Esq:
Elisha Sheldon, Esq;
Eliphalet Dyer, Esq:
Ezra Huntington, Esq;

William Pitkin. jun. Esq:
Roger Sherman Esq;
Robert Walker, Esq:
Abraham Davenport, Esq
Wm. Sam. Johnson, Esq
Joseph Spencer, Esq;

[Those with an § prefix'd are new Members.]

Joseph Talcott, Esq: Treasurer.
George Wyllys, Esq; Secretary.

The Hon. THOMAS FITCH, Esq; who had sustained the Post of Governor with Honor; for twelve Years past, and who was left out for taking the Oath required of Governors, in the Stamp Act, took his Leave of the Assembly the same Day; by the following SPEECH.

Gentlemen of the Assembly.

WHEN I was first elected to the Office I have attained till now, I not only had an affecting Sense of the good Opinion the People entertained of me: but also considered the Voice of the Freemen, as a Call of Providence; therefore, thought it my Duty to undertake to serve my King and Country .in that arduous and important Trust. And on the Desire of the Electors, have laboured therein twelve Years. In the Whole of this Time I have studiously endeavoured, to the utmost of my Ability, to maintain the Privileges, and promote the Interest and Welfare of the Colony ; giving continual Attendance to the Business assigned me, in the various intricate, as well as more common Branches thereof.

Thro' the Course of a long War, and by Reason of other Occurrences intermixed, during the Period. it is well known the Difficulties attending my Office, were peculiarly great and burthensome : Yet, as I was called to continue in that Service, by the repeated Voice of the Freemen ; I was animated to exert myself with unremitting Application, to do every Thing in my Power. to fulfil the Trust reposed in me.--I had also the Satisfaction of having an Opportunity to spend my Time and Strength for the public Good, and of believing my Services were in general acceptable ; until of late, it has been my Lot to be so unhappy, as to have the Freemen differ from me in Sentiment, and therefore they have excepted against my Conduct, more especially with Regard to one particular Affair ; the in that Matter, I can truly say. I never was more concerned for the Security of the Privileges of the Colony. than at that Time ; and that my Intentions were really upright. Nevertheless, altho' I have been, and am disposed, from Principle, to serve the Public, to the utmost of my Capacity, when properly called thereto : Yet on the other Hand. I have at all Times endeavored to maintain such a Temper of Mind as to be free and willing, whenever such call should cease, to submit to the Directions of Providence therein--And therefore, as the Freemen have now thought proper publicly to signify they have at present no further Service for me, I cheerfully acquiesce in this Dispensation of a retirement. Being therefore, in Consequence thereof, now to take my Leave of the Assembly, I embrace this Opportunity, to return my Thanks to the Assembly. and their Constituents, for those many Marks of Esteem and Respect shown to me, wishing Divine Council & Wisdom may continually attend both you and them,

Council Chamber, Hartford, 8th, May, 1766.

Four of the former Assistants who administered the Oath to him, were also omitted in the Choice.