Mr. THAYER. It was not my intention to trouble the House with any remarks, but to have contented myself with the simple duty which I have alread discharged as a member of the committee. but the general course of the debate, and particularlythe remarks which have fallen from some gentlemen who have engaged in this discussion, seem to call for some reply upon the part of gentlemen upon whom was imposed the unpleasant duty of being on this committee. Perhaps, sir, that committee, in view of the criticism of my learned colleague, Pir. Srevens] ought to congratulate themse ves if, when this question is finally decided, everybody does not escape except the committee. They should perhaps congratulate themselves if they escape cen sure; while eve body approximately and remotely concerns in this invasion of the privileges of Congress goes unwhipped of justice. My colleague, with that moderation of langua c with which we know he is accustomed to c aracterize measures which do not seemto uure precisely with his own prejudiced views, to d the House, in so many words, that the proposition made by the committee would be an infraction of the privileges of the House greater than that which was inflicted by the Gentfrom Kentuckyupon the Gentfrom Iowa. Sir, I have great respect for my colleague; I have great respect for many of his opinions; and certainly the very greatest respect for him personally, and I knowI shall never be betrayed by anything which my colleague may say into saying anything which can be construed as disrespectful to him. But, sir, as a member of this committee I am not quite content with the allegation of my colleague. I beg the House to look at “ the monstrous proposition" which is held up here by my colleague for their condemnation. This committee had no osed upon them a most nu pgeasant duty. T icy were instructed by this house to inquire into the circumstances of an assaulteommitted in consequence ofwords used in debate. Now. my colleague, in his cunning and artful plea of the statute of limitations, which he has put in here in behalf of the Gentfrom Iowa, seems to think that there is nothing in the resolution of instructions to the committee but the part upon which he chose to comment in the hearing of this House. Sir, the committee were instructed to inquire into the circumstances of the assault an whether it was made in consequence of words uttered in debate in this House. And because this committee have inquired into that fact, and whether the assault was in consequence of words littered in debate; and because in pursuance of the instructions of this House the committee have reported to this House what action ought to be taken under these circumstances, their report is characterized as a greater infraction of the privileges of this House than the assault of the Gentfrom Kentucky on the member from Iowa.