that their house would be constituted a high court to try the queen. In the house of commons several opposition members expressed themselves with great vehemence, but briefly, and without result.

The proceedings of both houses on the 7th were looked to with the deepest interest. Lord Liverpool having moved a ceremonial address, which contained no pledge or opinion, proposed that the papers on the table should be submitted to a secret committee of fifteen peers, to be appointed by ballot. It was presumed hitherto that the course to be pursued against the queen was an impeachment for treasonable conspiracy. Lord Liverpool announced that such a course could not be adopted. The queen's alleged partner in guilt, Bergami, an alien, was not amenable as a traitor to the crown of England: to constitute conspiracy there must be at least two criminals; and the queen, therefore, could not be accused of having conspired. The proceeding by impeachment was understood to have been already adopted in the cabinet, when this new and obvious light fortunately crossed the mind of the chancellor. The address was agreed to without opposition, and the secret committee appointed by ballot on the following day. Lords Erskine and Lansdowne were appointed, but withdrew their names.

In the house of commons there was much more excitement. When the time came for the minister's proposing the consideration of the king's message, he was anticipated by Mr. Brougham, who presented a message from the queen. It set forth in substance that she had returned to England for the purpose maintaining her innocence and rights; protested

of

commons.

against a secret tribunal appointed by her accusers; complained of her various wrongs from foreign governments influenced by that of England, and from English ambassadors and other diplomatic agents; and finally appealed to the justice of the house of The reading of this communication by Mr. Brougham was followed by animated cheers from the opposition. Lord Castlereagh immediately rose. He declared that the ministers were neither persecutors nor prosecutors; that the king's communication was most gracious; that the secret committee was but a preliminary to ascertain whether there was any case to proceed on; and that the conduct of "an illustrious personage" [he studiously withheld the name of queen,] should not be judged without an open enquiry and examination of witnesses. Mr. Brougham argued with great earnestness against a secret committee, which, though not final, must, he contended, deeply affect the fame and honour of the queen. The most material observation which fell from him was, that, though solicitous for a private, amicable, and honourable adjustment, he had counselled the queen to reject the proposition of lord Hutchinson at St. Omer's. Mr. Canning replied to Mr. Brougham, and vindicated the propositions made to the queen with the eloquence of strong personal feeling. The condition of assuming some other title than that of queen implied, he said, no abdication of substantial rights, or admission of unworthiness; and as to her residing abroad, he had himself, in 1814, when honoured with her confidence, advised her, in the utter hopelessness of a reconciliation, to reside abroad with

·

her family, or in any other society which she might select; and there was no society in Europe of which she would not be "the grace, life, and ornament." "The honourable gentleman," said Mr. Canning, "called upon the government to come forward frankly, and at once, as her majesty's accusers. I for one," continued he, "will never, so help me God, place myself in the situation of her accuser."

Mr. Canning concluded with declaring that he should take no further share in the deliberations on the subject. He did interfere once more in the same tone of respect and kindness towards the queen; but, when the cabinet finally resolved to proceed against her, he resigned his office.

After the discussion had proceeded for some time with much animation, Mr. Wilberforce interfered, with a motion to adjourn the question to the next day but one, in the hope that during this interval a disgusting investigation, which would taint the public morals, and degrade the two parties interested, might be prevented by some amicable arrangement. His motion was agreed to, and the matter for the present ended.

The whole of the first, and nearly the whole of the second day, passed without any overture on either side. The king, with the obstinacy of weak character, would not be the first to propose a compromise; and the queen, on her side, was reluctant to make the first offer, lest she should appear to distrust her cause. Yielding, however, to the advice of her friends, she made an overture to lord Liverpool, through Mr. Brougham." The substance of her communication was, that,

deferring to the expressed opinion of the house of commons, she was ready to consider any arrangement consistent with her dignity and honour. Lord Liverpool, in reply, referred her to the memorandum placed in the hands of Mr. Brougham. The queen rejoined, that this memorandum, which lord Hutchinson's proposition had superseded, was now submitted to her for the first time; and added, that the recognition of her rank and privileges as queen must be the basis of any arrangement which would be made. Lord Liverpool, in answer, expressed his surprise that his memorandum had not been sooner communicated to her; and declared that any proposition on the king's part must have for its basis the queen's residence abroad. The queen next declared that, "her dignity and honour being secured, she was willing to leave every thing to the decision of any person or persons of high station and character, whom both parties may concur in naming, and who should have authority to prescribe the particulars as to residence, patronage, and income, subject of course to the approbation of parliament." Lord Liverpool accepted this proposal, but with the reservation that any arrangement should be subject to the king's pleasure; and took occasion to make the startling assertion that the memorandum delivered to Mr. Brougham at his setting out for St. Omer's contained the only proposition to the queen which the king had authorised. Was lord Hutchinson, then, an unaccredited volunteer? Were those memoranda on separate scraps of paper, to which he referred as containing his instructions, no authority? What was that letter of lord Liverpool hirnself, which lord Hutchinson

cited in his propositions to the queen, but a letter of instructions?

The consideration of the king's message was further adjourned pending this negotiation. The duke of Wellington and lord Castlereagh were appointed on behalf of the king, Mr. Brougham and Mr. Denman on the part of the queen, to consider an arrangement of the matters in dispute. They met for the first time on the 15th of June, at the house of lord Castlereagh, in St. James's Square. The protocol of the first conference, at its very opening, set forth that "the queen must not be understood to admit, nor the king to retract, any thing;" and having established this insuperable barrier, the negotiators, with amazing simplicity, continued to beat their breasts against it, through five mortal conferences, and as many days, without the remotest chance of coming together. It was contended in limine on behalf of the queen, and refused on behalf of the king, that her name should be restored to the liturgy; and upon this point both parties were immoveable.

The failure of the attempt to arbitrate was announced to the house of commons on the 19th of June. Mr. Wilberforce gave notice of a motion on the subject for the following day; and, when his time for making it came, requested and obtained further delay. Several members pressed him in vain to state the nature of his proposition, even in general terms. The utmost that could be obtained from him was an offer to communicate his secret privately to one member. He selected lord Archibald Hamilton for the depository of his mysterious