A quorum of the whole number of members being present, the House proceeded to the election of a Speaker; when, on counting the ballots, the tellers reported that Mr. Sedgwick had 42 votes; Mr. Macon, 27; Mr. Dent, 13; Mr. Rutledge, 2; Mr. Sumter, 1.
That the whole number of votes was 85, and the rules of the House requiring a majority of the members present to constitute a choice, neither of the above gentlemen were elected.
The House then proceeded to a second trial; when Mr. Sedgwick had 44 votes; Mr. Macon, 38; Mr. Dent, 3; Mr. Rutledge, 1.
Whereupon Mr. Sedgwick was declared duly elected, and conducted to the chair accordingly.
Mr. Sedgwick, upon taking the chair, addressed the House in the following words:
"Gentlemen: Although I am conscious of a deficiency of the talents which are desirable to discharge with usefulness and dignity the important duties of the high station to which I am raised, by the generous regard of the enlightened and virtuous representatives of my country, yet, reposing myself on the energy of their candid support, I will not shrink from the attempt.
"Accept, I pray you, gentlemen, my grateful acknowledgment of the honor you are pleased to confer; and, with it, an assurance, that no consideration shall seduce me to deviate, in the least degree, from a direct line of impartial integrity."
A message was received from the Senate, informing the House that, a sufficient number of members appearing to form a quorum, they had proceeded to the choice of a President pro tempore, when Hon. Samuel Livermore was elected.
The House proceeded to the choice of a Clerk; when it appeared Jonathan W. Condy had 47 votes, John Beckley, 39.