Artist: Frederic Steiger
Portrait Hung: 1951

Election (16 January 1843) and Approbation (17 January 1843) of the Speaker (Journal)

“The Members then retired, and shortly after returned to the General Assembly Room—Robert Roberts Wakeham Esq., Clerk of the late General Assembly, attending in the House—and the Members being seated, Mr. O'Brien (addressing himself to the Clerk) moved, seconded by Mr. Nugent, the Hon. William Carson do take the chair of this House as Speaker— whereupon The Hon. William Thomas in like manner moved, seconded by Mr. Ridley, That the Hon. James Crowdy do take the chair of this House as Speaker.

The question was then put by the Clerk, that the Hon. William Carson do take the chair of this House as Speaker; and the House dividing thereon, there appeared for the motion, nine; against it, twelve:

For the motion— The Hon Mr. Tobin, Mr. Kent, Mr. Nugent, Mr. Morris, Mr. Hanrahan, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Prendergast, Mr. Dillon, The Hon. Mr. Carson.

Against the motion— The Hon. Attorney General, The Hon. Mr. Dunscomb, The Hon. Mr. Thomas, The Hon. Mr. Row, The Hon. Mr. Noad, The Hon. Mr. Bennett, Mr. Robinson, Mr Carter, Mr. Barnes, Mr. Glen, Mr. Ridley, Mr. Munn.

So it passed in the negative.

The question was then put by the Clerk, that the Hon. James Crowdy do take the Chair of this House as Speaker; and the House dividing thereon, there J. Crowdy appeared for the motion, twelve; against it, nine, as follows :

For the motion— The Hon. Attorney General, The Hon. Mr. Dunscomb, The Hon Mr. Thomas, The Hon. Mr. Row, The Hon. Mr. Noad, The Hon. Mr. Bennett, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Carter, Mr. Barnes, Mr. Glen, Mr. Ridley, Mr. Munn.

Against the motion— The Hon. Mr. Tobin, the Hon. Mr. Kent, Mr. Nugent, Mr. Morris, Mr. Hanrahan, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Prendergast, Mr. Dillon, The Hon. Mr. Carson.

So it passed in the affirmative, and resolved accordingly—whereupon The Hon. Mr. Crowdy was conducted to, and placed in the Chair by the Hon. Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Ridley, when he addressed the House as follows:
Honorable Gentlemen, and Gentlemen,— I should indeed be insensible did I not feel highly gratified at the honor you have conferred on me, and the only alloy to that gratification arises from the apprehension I entertain, as to my ability worthily to discharge the duties of the high office to which you have elected me. I am however cheered by the assurance that I shall, on all occasions, receive the cordial support and assistance of every Member of this House, and with such support and assistance, I humbly hope I may be enabled so to fulfil my duties as to justify the confidence reposed in me and that I shall be found on all occasions, anxious to protect the privileges of this House.”

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3^rd General Assembly, 1^st Session (16 and 17 January 1843).