Alexandria Gazette

The Accused Members of Congress:
The House of Representatives, on Friday proceeded with the consideration of the report of the Investigating Committee in the case of Hon. William A. Gilbert, a member from the State of New York. Mr. Gilbert entered upon his defence, protested against the proceedings of the committee, and demanded an open trial before the House.— This being denied, he thereupon resigned his seat as a member.

The following is the paper which was read to the House, on this occasion:

"A committee of this House having, without any sufficient warrant or authority from the House, assumed to sit in secret trial upon my conduct and character as a Representative ; having, without notice to me, proceeded to take testimony for the purpose of convicting me of corrupt practices; having given me no notice that such witnesses were under examination until such examination was completed to the full extent deemed necessary to affix a stigma to my name; and having presented to this House a report, accompanied by resolutions, wantonly charging me with offences as a member of the House having at the same time presented a garbled mass of ex parte statements upon which said report professes to be founded, and from which material parts of the statements actually made in secret have been suppressed by the request of the witness and by order of said committee; and I having placed on the Journal of the House my denial of the charges thus made against me, and having claimed of this House an open and a public trial upon the issue thus made, and the House having, by a majority vote, refused me such trial—the rights of the people whom I represent, and my own rights and privileges as a member of this House, having been thus outraged, violated, and trampled upon: in view of these facts I have considered it my duty to my constituents and myself that I should resign my commission.

"I have notified the Executive of the State of New York of this resignation, and from this moment my seat in this House is vacant.

W. A. GILBERT.
"House of Representatives, February 27, 1857."

Mr. Orr, in consequence of this, moved that the report of the committee be laid on the table, which was agreed to by a vote of 135 to 68.

The House next took up the report of the committee on the case of the Hon. Orasmus B. Matteson. The resolutions of the committee being read, Mr. Morgan, of New York, presented a letter from his colleague (who was sick at his room) protesting against the course of the committee and the House and giving notice that he had transmitted his resignation of his seat to the Governor of his State.

A motion was then made by Mr. Ritchie to lay the resolutions on the table, but this was negatived by a vote of 95 to 102. After some further proceedings the House again refused to lay the resolutions on the table. The two resolutions of the committee implicating Mr. Matteson in charge of inciting persons to use money to influence the legislation of Congress and in declaring that members had associated themselves in a pledge not to vote for measures unless paid therefor, were passed.— The resolution proposing his expulsion was then laid on the table.

The House next considered the report of the committee in regard to the Hon. William W. Welch, of Connecticut. Mr. Stanton, of Ohio, urged the danger of proceeding in the manner proposed, and briefly reviewed the testimony. Mr. Smith, of Virginia, moved a substitute for the resolutions of the committee, declaring that there was no sufficient ground for the charge against Mr. Welch, and that no further proceedings be had. The substitute was supported by Mr. Seward, of Georgia, Mr. Smith, of Virginia Mr. Dean, of Connecticut, Mr. Harris, of Maryland, and Mr. Smith, of Alabama, and opposed by Mr. Walker, of Alabama. Mr. Davis, of Maryland, made the closing argument in support of the course of the committee. The question was then taken, and the substitute of Mr. Smith was adopted by a vote 119 to 43. The House adjourned at half-past nine o'clock.