The Law Under Which Belknap Is To Be Tried

Section 1,781. - Every memberof congress, or any officer or agent of the government, who directly or indirecüy takee, receives, or agrees to receive any money, property, or other valuable consideratron whatever from any person for seouring or aiding to procure any contract or office or place of the governnient, or any department thereof, from any officer of the United States, for any person whatever, or for giving any such contract, office, or place to any person whomsoever, and every person who, directly or indirectly, offers or agrees to give, or gives or bestows, any money, property, other valuables or consideration whatever for procuring, or aiding to procure, any such contract, office, or place, and everj membei of congress who directly or indirectly takes, receives, or agrees to receive any money, property, or other valuable consideration whatever, after his election as such mejnber, for his attention, service, action, vote, or decisión on any question, cause, or proceeding which may be pending, or may by law, or under the constitution, be brought before him in his official capacity or in his place as such member of congress, shaÜ be made guilty of misdemeanor, and shall be imprisoned not more than two years and fined not more than $10,000, and any such contract or agreement may, at the option of the president, be declared absolutely nuil and void, and any member of congress or officer convicted of a violation of this aection shall, moreover, be disqualiñed from holding any office of honor, profít, or trust under the government of the United States.