The Speaker observed, that two-thirds of what both had said, was nothing to the question. Pitt replied, that he was surprised at being coupled with Mr. Fox, who had spoken five times, he but once--yet Fox had not been suppressed. “Could I,” said he, “sit silent under the accusation of misinforming the King?” The Speaker vindicated himself, talked of his unbiassed impartiality and integrity; and the Bill passed, Cornwall dividing the House with 22 more against 153; and it was sent to the Lords. FOOTNOTES: [76] Indeed they could not with much consistence condemn him of neglect, after they had previously and unanimously voted the following resolution, which was their 25th: “The Court are of opinion, that while the Ramillies (the Admiral’s own ship) was firing in going down, the Trident and ships immediately ahead of the Ramillies proved an impediment to the Ramillies continuing to go down.” It was proved, too, beyond contradiction, that he could not foresee that the French fleet would not stay for him, as they remained with their sails aback to the mast; and that he must have been up with them in ten or fifteen minutes, if the impediment had not happened from the Trident and Princess Louisa. [77] I do not mean to say that none of the Judges on the Court-Martial had really been convinced that by the severity of the law they could not acquit the Admiral, though they thought him guilty of only a momentary error of judgment. [78] I say, _powerful man_, not _man in power_, for Lord Hardwicke, Lord Anson, the Duke of Newcastle, &c., were not then in place--but them Geary must have meant, for he could not fear disobliging Mr. Pitt and Lord Temple by speaking out, when it was his silence that prejudiced them. It was plain Geary thought, what happened so soon afterwards, that the command of the Admiralty would still be in Lord Anson. [79] [Lord Hardwicke. Lord Anson had married his daughter. It must, however, be admitted, that our author’s language in this passage is as obscure as his reasoning is unfair and inconclusive.--E.] [80] Mr. Pitt, loud enough to be heard by half the House, cried out, “I wish you joy of him.” CHAPTER XI. Debate in the House of Lords on the Court-Martial Bill--Lord Mansfield--Proposal to examine the Members of the Court-Martial--Their Examination--Bill debated and dropped in the House of Lords--Result of the Proceedings in Parliament--Intended Petition for Mercy from the City not proceeded with--Execution of Admiral Byng--Reflections on his behaviour--Rochester Election--Death of Archbishop Herring--Abolition of the Office of Wine-Licences--Intrigues to dismiss Mr. Pitt, and form a new Ministry--The Duke of Cumberland goes to Hanover to command the Army.