FIRST TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE. 163 



They elected Edward Tiffin Speaker; John Reilly, clerk; 

 Joshua Rowland, door keeper, and Abraham Gary, Serjeant at 

 arms. 



This was the first legislature, elected by the people, for the 

 old North Western Territor}'-, now embracing the states of Ohio, 

 Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan ; and Wisconsin Territory. 



Being fully organized, both Houses were addressed by Gov- 

 ernor St. Clair, on the 25th day of September 1799, in a speech, 

 in which he brought forward all his peculiar views of govern- 

 ing the territory. After adverting to the several objects 

 which he recommended to their attention, he closed his speech 

 by saying, " A large field of business has been here opened to 

 your view, gentlemen, and it calls for a patient, but I hope not 

 a painful exercise of your faculities, and it may be added to, 

 in the course of the session by occasional messages. (The 

 governor was fond of them.) The providing for, and the regu- 

 lating the lives and morals of the present and of the rising 

 generation, for the repression of vice, and immorality, and for 

 the protection of virtue and innocence, for the security of pro- 

 perty, and the punishment of crimes, is a sublime employment. 

 Every aid in my power will be afforded, and I hope we shall 

 bear in mind, that the character and deportment of the 

 people, and their happiness both here and hereafter, depend 

 very much upon the genius and spirit of their laws." 



Ae. St. Clair. 



His excellency withdrew and the two houses separated. 



On the next day, Jacob Burnet was appointed to prepare a 

 respectful answer to the governor's speech. On the 28th, Mr. 

 Burnet had prepared and introduced his answer to the gov- 

 ernor, and it was instantly agreed to and signed by their 

 speaker. 



Being sent to the House they concurred in it, and it was deliv- 

 ered to St. Clair, who instantly replied to it. Joseph Carpen- 

 ter, was appointed on the 30th day of September, public printer, 

 and he was the first one, ever appointed to that office north- 

 west of the Ohio river. 



On the third day of October, both houses met, and elected 



