§ Mr. T. M. Keith was brought to the Bar in custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms. He was reprimanded by the Speaker in the following terms:
§ "Thomas Moore Keith, this House has resolved that you aided and abetted in procuring and continuing the absence of John Pilgrim, to prevent his giving evidence upon the petition relating to the Ipswich election, and that you used a charge of embezzlement as a means of inducing Pilgrim to remain in concealment for the same purpose; and that you have thereby been guilty of a breach of the privileges of this House. In the petition which you have presented to this House you have stated that you were carried in custody to your native city, where your business is carried on, to give evidence upon the charge that was preferred against Pilgrim, and that no other person has suffered so severe a punishment. That any person in your situation of life should have felt the punishment to be severe, is natural, because you must have been aware that it was calculated to affect your pecuniary interests and your estimation among your fellow citizens. But you ought to have recollected that your offence has been marked by this peculiar aggravation, that you used the charge of embezzlement, which you preferred against Pilgrim, as a means of inducing him to remain in concealment, in order that he might avoid giving evidence 501 before a Committee of this House. Nothing therefore could be more fit and proper, nothing more calculated to make an impression upon your fellow citizens than to see you brought down in custody to give evidence upon that very charge which you had so very unjustifiably perverted, by using it as a means to induce Pilgrim to add to his imputed crime, that of wilful disobedience to the orders of this House. Your punishment may have been severe, but it has been most appropriate and most fully merited. You have expressed your contrition. This House is disposed to consider your contrition as sincere, and therefore, I have now to acquaint you that you are discharged on payment of your fees."