1572. CONGRESS, Privilege.—
Delegates
to Congress ought to be invested in the place
where they may be sitting with such privileges
and immunities as will cover them from molestation
and disturbance, and leave them in
freedom and tranquillity to apply their whole
time and attention to the objects of their
delegation. * * * Long experience has
led the civilized nations of Europe to
an ascertainment of those principles and
immunities, which may enable the representatives
of an independent nation, exercising
high functions within another, to do the
same unawed and undisturbed, and, therefore,
the privileges and immunities annexed
by the law and usage of nations to such characters
should be allowed to the Congress of
the United States collectively, and to their
members individually, by the laws of the
States in and adjacent to which they may be
sitting and should be secured in their continuance
by sufficient sanctions.—
Resolve on Continental Congress.
Ford ed., iii, 463.
(April. 1784?)
