The House then resolving itself into a committee, the Duke proposed to state his amendment, unless their Lordships would consult the judges. The Chancellor said, it would be improper to ask the judges who are of the Royal Family, but not whether the Queen was naturalized. The judges could only interpret laws passed. Lord Halifax pretending to plead against delay, laboured to prevent the Duke from stating any question that might declare the Princess of the Royal Family; but Richmond, with inimitable firmness and address, maintained his ground, and moved to insert the words _Her Royal Highness the Princess Dowager and others descended from the late King, now resident in England_; though Lord Halifax had tried to substitute a distinction between a Royal Family of _consanguinity_, and a Royal Family of affinity. After a long squabble the Duke’s motion was rejected, and the ministerial party having allowed that the judges might be consulted on the Queen’s naturalization, Lord Folkestone moved to put the question to them on the morrow. Lord Mansfield, from fear of being pressed to give the answer he had given to the King, or to change it, or from some apprehension equally unworthy of his situation, absented himself. The Chancellor appeared there, as has been seen, and contradicted himself. On the 3rd the Judges, by the mouth of the Lord Chief Justice Pratt, declared that the Queen was naturalized by her marriage, and capable of being Regent; but how great was the astonishment of mankind at what followed! Lord Halifax, hastening impetuously into the House, went up to the Duke of Richmond, and asked if his Grace was satisfied? The Duke replied, “By no means: you have rejected my motion and left my doubt in full force.” “Then, my Lord,” said Lord Halifax, “if you will move it again, I will satisfy you”--and standing up in his place, he delivered an intimation (not a message) that it would be agreeable to his Majesty to have the bill recommitted; which being complied with, Lord Halifax, on the same mysterious authority, proposed to insert the motion of the Duke of Richmond, rejected the day before, specifying the several persons of the Royal Family, _only omitting the Princess Dowager_.[108] This wonderful proposal took place instantaneously; and, it being early in the day, several Lords and others, whose curiosity was carrying them to see the conclusion of so interesting a scene, met the Ministers returning from the House with exultation at their success; and could scarce believe, and less comprehend, the meaning of so daring and improbable an enterprize.