One hundred and twenty-eight Assemblymen were elected in single-seat districts to a one-year term, with the whole Assembly being renewed annually.

The Assembly districts were made up of entire towns, or city wards, forming a contiguous area, all in the same county.

[citation needed] The Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 4, 1853, and adjourned on April 13.

On July 21, near the end of the session, Edwin D. Morgan (W) was elected president pro tempore of the Senate.

Assemblymen Marshall B. Champlain, Arphaxed Loomis, John McBurney, Solomon B. Noble (all four Democrats), Orlando Hastings, Walter L. Sessions and Daniel P. Wood (all three Whigs) appeared as the Managers to prosecute the impeachment.

[1] On August 16, the Impeachment Court met for the trial, which lasted until Mather was acquitted on September 16.