Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-06-07
Mr.. Brooks Letter.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
NJ 100 1OS

Sir IL have seen ia the public Journals
This morning the report of the committee
OF the Senate to whom was referred les.
o!ution Of the Senate directing an inquiry
into an assault made by me on the 22d
instant GU Senator from Massachusetts,
It's with nnteigned reere: find in the
report that what had intended only as
redress OF Personal wrong had been con-
strued into or must necessarily be held as
breach OF privilege OF the Senate.
Whilst making full and explicit dis.
clalmer OF any such design or purpose,
ask leave to say that for the occasion, con-
sideiing myself only as gentleman in
society, and under no official restrain. as a
member Of the House of Representatives
did not advert to or consider there was
any alternative restraint imposed upon Int
BY reason that the offence came from
member Of the Senate.
| had read attensively and carefully the
speech delivered in the Senate on the 18Th
aud Goth Instant by the Senator from Mas
sachusetts, and found therein Language
which regarded DIS unjustly rejecting moi
only upon the history and character o.
South Carolina, but also upon friend and
relative. To such language thought ]
had a right TO take exception under the
circumstances, the Senator from South
Carolina, WHO was affected by these re-
marks, being absent lom the Senate and
the city.
had reason to believe that the Senator
| from Massachusetts did not acknowledge
tina: personal responsibility for wrongs IN
personal department which would have
saved me the painful necessity of the co!-
lision which sought, and in my judgment,
therefore, / had no alternative but to act
as did.
That the assault was made in the Senate
| chamber was caused only by the fact that,
| after careful search elsewhere on the
previous as well as on the same day, the
! offender could not be found outside the
walls Of the Senate chamber, and the Sen
ate had adjourned for more than an hour
previous TO the assault.
| submit the foregoing Statement. from
the high respect have for the Senate Of
the United States and ask that 1t may be
received as full disclaimer Of any design
or purpose 10 intiact its privileges or to
offend lis dignity. l cheeriuly add, that
should the facts, as reported by the COM
mi,tee Of the Senate, be nevertheless nee
rs sariIy considered as conclusion of law.
my earnest desire is to atone for il, as far
as may be, by this unheiitating unqualified
apology.
Asking that you will abige me by com.
mute aling this 10 the Senate as its pIes.d-
Inr l.
sir, with great respect, your obed,ent ser.
want, P. s. BROOKS
Hon. j. ID. BRIGHT, Prest. OF the Sem
ale.
REPORT OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE
The majority Of the select committee OF
the House, TO inquire into the assault, con-
cludes as follows:
That this House is of opinion that it not
only has the power TO punish Preston S.
Brooks fos breach of privilege, but for
an act of disorderly behavior.
And whereas /. further appears that Hen.
ry A. Edmun6son and l.. Nj. keitl, some
time previous 10 the said assault, knew
that it was the porpose Of the said Brooks
10 commit yiolance on the person of said
Sumner, for words passed by him in de-
bale as Senator in the Senate, and took
no measures to discourage or prevent the
same. but OH The contrary, anticipating the
commission of the violence, were present
on one or more occasions TO witness the
same AS lliends OF the assailan: therefore
Resolved. That Preston S. Brooks be
aud he is forthwith expelled from this
House as representative from the State o.
South Carolina.
Resolved, That this House hereby de-
clares IFS disapprobation OF SAID act of Hem
~ A. Edmundson ard Lawrence Nj. Kei,t.
in relation to said assault.
Mr.. Cobb, Of Georgia, presented mi.
notify report; both reports were laid on
the table, and ordered 10 be printed. The
minority report argues thar no breach Of
privilege, under the Constitution. had
been committed, and that the House has
no power to go beyond the Constitution,
in deciding that breach of privilege had
been committed.
The majority report is signed by Messrs
Campbell, of Ohio. Pennington and Spin
ntr.