The Honourable Theodore Atkinson, Jonathan Warner, Peter Gillman, and John Sherburne, Esquires, came from the Board and informed the House that his Excellency approved of the Honourable John Wentworth, Esquire, as Speaker of the House, and that his Excellency required the attendance of the Speaker and all the Members in the Council Chamber.

The Speaker and House immediately waited on his Excellency in the Council Chamber, where his Excellency was pleased to make a Speech to both Houses, after which they returned to their, Chamber.

Voted, That Meshech Weare, Esquire, be Clerk to this House.

The Honourable Meshech Weare, Esquire, the Clerk elect of this House, being absent,

Voted, That Ebenezer Thompson, Esquire, be Clerk pro tempore to this House, who was sworn to the faithful discharge of his trust by Wiseman Clagget, Esquire.

Voted, That the following Rules be observed by this House, viz:

First. That whoever shall, by any misbehaviour in speech or action, justly offend any of the Members of this. House, shall be admonished, fined, or imprisoned, as the House shall see meet.

Second. That no Member speak twice to any matter in debate before the House, until every Member have liberty to speak once to the same matter, if he should see cause.

Third. That every Member direct his speech to the Speaker, and not to one another; and when any Member has a mind to speak to any matter in debate, he shall stand up and ask leave of the Speaker, and not speak without his consent, and shall be silent at his command; but if the Member speaking thinks such command unseasonable or unreasonable, the Speaker shall take a vote of the House thereon, to which such Member shall submit on pain of forfeiting such sum as the House shall determine.

Fourth, That whenever it happens there are as many votes on the one side of the question as on the other without the Speaker, that then the Speaker make the casting vote.

Fifth. That if the Speaker be absent, the House may choose a Speaker pro tempore, that the business of the House may be carried on without delay,

Sixth. That if any Member, after being qualified and entered, shall absent himself at any time without leave from the House, he shall be liable to be fined at the discretion of the House.

Seventh. That if any Member of this House shall by the major part of the House be thought unfit and not qualified for said place, it shall be in the power of the House to dismiss such person, giving to the Town or Precinct notice to choose another person to fill up such vacancy.

Eighth. That every Bill to be passed in this House be read three times, and that there be two adjournments of this House before any Bill be passed into an Act.

Ninth. That the Speaker and eighteen Members be a House to do business.

Tenth. That no vote that is passed in this House shall be reconsidered by a less number than was present when it passed.

Voted, That Mr. Speaker, Doctor Gidding, Mr. Clagget, Mr. Langdon, and Colonel Bartlett, be a Committee to make a draft for an Answer to his Excellency’s Speech, and lay the same before the House as soon as may be.

Saturday, May 6, 1775, A. M.

Met according to adjournment.

The Speaker communicated to the House a Letter directed to him and signed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of New-York, requesting the same to be laid before this House, together with a List of Grievances and Resolutions of that House in consequence thereof, and also a Petition to the King, a Memorial to the House of Lords, and a Representation and Remonstrance to the Commons of Great Britain; all which were read, and are on file.

Mr. Baker, Mr. Langdon, and Doctor Gidding being appointed a Committee yesterday to wait on his Excellency and desire he would be pleased to favour the House with a copy of his Speech to both Houses, was omitted to be entered then, as also that Mr. Warner brought a copy of his Excellency’s Speech and delivered it to the Speaker, as follows:

Gentlemen of the Council, and of the Assembly :

As I cannot doubt but you will exercise your usual diligence in despatching the ordinary business of the Legislature, it Becomes unnecessary for me particularly to urge your attention to that subject. You may be assured that I will give all the facility in my power to every measure that may be found conducive to the publick good; for as it heretofore hath been, so shall it constantly remain the invariable object of my warmest wishes and ambition, to promote the happiness and prosperity of His Majesty’s Government and subjects of New-Hampshire.

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly :

It is incumbent on me at this time to recommend to you to grant the necessary supply for the support of His Majesty’s Government for the current year; but I doubt not you will cheerfully make proper provision for that purpose. The Treasurer’s accounts for the year past, I shall order to be prepared for your inspection.

We cannot but view with inexpressible concern the alarming pitch to which the unfortunate dispute between Great Britain and her Colonies is daily advancing. A matter of such a momentous nature, which fills every humane mind with the deepest anxiety and affliction, and wherein this Province is unhappily involved, cannot, I presume, fail of engaging your most serious attention. It is therefore my duty, at such a critical and important moment, to call, in the most earnest and most solemn manner, upon you, gentlemen, who are the only constitutional and legal Representatives of the people, to direct your counsels to such measures as may tend to secure their peace and safety.

On the wisdom, candour, and moderation of your deliberations it will greatly depend to avert the calamities that must naturally attend a continuance of this unhappy contest; and I trust your conduct will be guided by such principles as shall effectually lead to a restoration of the publick tranquillity and a perfect re-establishment of an affectionate reconciliation with our Mother Country, upon a solid, equitable, and permanent foundation.

Gentlemen of the Council, and of the Assembly :

Connected as we are with our Parent State by the strongest ties of kindred, religion, duty, and interest, it is highly incumbent upon us, in this time of general disquietude, to manifest our loyalty and attachment to the best of Sovereigns, and our firm and unshaken regard for the British Empire; and I have full confidence that those great considerations will influence every part of your conduct. You may entirely rely on my most ardent zeal to co-operate with you in whatever constitutional means may be found necessary to accomplish that most essential object to the well-being of this Province—a restoration of our harmony with Great Britain,

J.WENTWOBTH.

The Honourable Theodore Atkinson came from the Board and delivered the following written Message from his Excellency:

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly :

The Speaker, Mr. Gidding, and Mr. Langdon, three of your Members, came to me last evening as a Committee from the House, desiring a short adjournment. I am always disposed to show every indulgent regard in my power to the wishes of the House; but when I consider what uneasiness prevails at present among your constituents, of which I dare say you are not insensible, and that they, must look to your counsels for relief from their fears and jealousies, I think it my duty to recommend to you to consider the matter, and if you should be of opinion that you will better consult the interests of your constituents by continuing to sit, I doubt not but your own private concerns will readily give way to the publick welfare.

J. WENTWORTH.