The 5th Mississippi Legislature met in Columbia, Mississippi in two sessions: first from November 5, 1821, to November 24, 1821, and then a special session from June 3, 1822, to June 30, 1822.

[1][2] In the first session, Lieutenant Governor James Patton served ex officio as President of the Senate.

[1] For the 1822 session, new lieutenant governor David Dickson replaced Patton.

[2] Cowles Mead was unanimously elected Speaker of the House.

[3][4] At the start of the second session, William Yerby was elected Speaker on the first day (June 3, 1822) due to Mead's absence, but resigned the following day after Mead arrived in Columbia.