Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-06-04
THE SUMNER AssAULr-MR. BROOKS LErrEI
House. or RrrREsESrArlyrs. j

ate proceedings of yesterday
House. oF REPRESENTATIVES, June ? 1856.
Sir-l have seen in the public journals OF this morning
the report Of the Senate Committee whom referred
resolution Of the Senate directing inquiry into All a.
sault made by NE the 22d inst from Mas.
sachusetts. IL IS with uneigned regret fluid in their
report that what had intended only redress for per
sona wrong has been construed into or must necessariy
be held breach Of the privilege OF the Senate Whilst
making iull and explicit disclaimer of any such design
or purpose, ask leave 10 say that, for the OCCASION
considering myself only gentleman in society and un
der no ofciA restraint member OF the House Rep
resentatves did not advert to consider there was
any alternative restraint imposed upon by that
the oficnce came from member Of the Senate. / had
read att"nyey and carefully speech delivered on the
9th and 10th ult by Senator Of Massachusetts, and
found therein language which regarded unjusy re-
aectng not only the history and character south
Carolina but also upon friend and relative To such
language thought had just right 10 take exception
under the circumstances Senator from South Caro-
Ina who effected by these remarks being absent from
the Senate and the city had believe that the
Senator from Massachusetts, did acknowledge tina,
personal responsibility tor wrongs in personal department
which would have saved the painful necessity Of the
collision which s"ught aud in my Judgement therefore
had no alternative but TO act as did.
That the assault was made the Senate Chamber was
caused only by the fact that after careful search else
where, the previous well the day. the often
der could not be found outside Of the walls Of the
Chamber aud the Senate had adjourned for than an
hour previous a. the assault
submit the foregoing statement from high respect for
the Senate Of the United States and ask that 1t be-
received Il disclaimer Of any design purpose 20
inifactits privileges, offend it, dignity
cheetiuly aid, should the facts reported 10y the
Committee Of the Senate be nevertheless necessarily
dcred as breach OF privilege, a conclusion Of law
my earnest desire % atone for t. lar may be by
this uuhcstitng aud unqualified apology and that you
will obige me by communicating this 10 the Senate as
/ IL pre~iung officer
have the honor to remain SIR with great respect your
servant L. s BaooEs
/ Hon. Jcssc p Bright Prest Of the Senate
The majority report Of the select committee Of the
House, TO inquire into the assault concludes ~ olows
That this House Is Of opinion that it not only has III,
power 10 punish Preston Brooks Tor breach Of privi
. eye, but Tor act Of disordetly behavior.
And whereas u further appears that Henry A. Edmund
son and Lawrence N. kictt, time previous h,
said assault informed hnt il tie purpose of ~,
sid Brooks 10 commit violence the person Of sai,
sumner, for words passcd by him iu debate q Senate
10 the Senate aud took 10 discourage or pre-
vent The same bur Oh the contrary. anticipating the
mission Of the Violence, present more nc
casons TO sitnc-s the friends Of the assmlani
therefore
Reso'sei That Preston $ Brooks be md hc il forth
with expelled "n hi- House representative from th
State u South CauIifa
R'soir,d That uns House hereby declares IL. di.ap
probation 81 sad act Oi Henry A. KdmundsOn and Law
renee VI. kritin relation a. -aid assault
NJ. Cobb oi Gco,ga drcseuted a nin,ity report bot
reports were id on the table and ordered ~ be printed
The minority report argues that no breach Of privilege
under The Constitution, had been committed and tb,
the House has no power 70 go beyond the Constitution
e. deciding Chat breach ofptiycgc had b. committed
4, The majority report is signed 10y Messrs Campbell ,
Ohio, Pennington and spinner.
FaON PoRru CAngLLo-Capt Breyoot Of shin Bro,
tes Nhich arrived at New York suudn ,r.nnon st.t,