Colonel John Fitzwilliam, who had never opened before in Parliament, came with much importance and a list of questions to examine Mr. Keppel; but they were so absurd and indecent, that at every one the House expressed their disgust by a groan--such were, “Had he not voted Mr. Byng to be shot because he thought he deserved it? Did he not think so still? Would his conscience be easier after he had spoken?”--It is sufficient to say of this man, that his character was hateful. In the Army he was odious as a spy and creature of the Duke. That very morning he had passed two hours with Mr. Keppel, labouring to divert him from his purpose. Stanley severely censured Fitzwilliam, observing that he had put many questions to Keppel, which he was under oath not to discover, and from which this Bill was calculated to absolve him: and he took notice sensibly, (of what seemed to have been totally overlooked,) that _any man who is to die, has at least a right to know for what he is to die_. Fox urged, that the words of the Royal Message were, “because their discovery may show the sentence to be improper.” From Mr. Keppel’s present silence, he inferred that there was nothing material to be discovered. He moved to call Norris and Moore, to hear if what they had to say would affect the sentence. But Sir Francis Dashwood objected, that this was the very question which the House was passing the Bill in order to have answered. Mr. Keppel (who Mr. Fox might have suspected had had other solicitations than from the _relations_ of the Admiral) rose, and said, he would explain himself as fully as he could:--when he signed, he thought he did right--he would go further--no, he had better not--had uneasiness, or would never have signed the letter of intercession--the explanation of the Article has increased his inquietude--he had rather it should be thought poor weakness than a desire of giving trouble. He concluded with these words: “_I do think my desire of being at liberty does imply something great, and what his Majesty should know._” The House was struck:--Fox said, “I am satisfied. Afterwards I shall propose means to prevent such Bills for the future.”