y
proposition on the part of the king must have for its basis the queen's
residence abroad. To this her majesty rejoined, that she was willing to
leave her cause in the hands of any person or persons of high station
and character, whom both parties might select; their decision being
subject to the approbation of parliament. This proposal was accepted.
On the part of the king the Duke of Wellington and Lord Castlereagh were
appointed, while Messrs. Brougham and Denman were appointed on behalf
of the queen. Meanwhile parliament, to give time for their negociations,
was further adjourned. The referees met on the 15th of June; but it was
all to no purpose. The protocol set forth that "the queen must not be
understood to admit nor the king to retract any position," with which
insuperable barrier before them the negociations finished as they had
commenced: it was contended _in limine_, on her majesty's behalf, that
her name should be inserted in the liturgy, and as this was refused by
the king, the conference was broken up. This failure in negociations was
reported on the 19th; but on the following day Mr. Wilberforce asked and
obtained further delay, in order that he might make a proposition, which
he conceived might set the matter at rest. This proposition was made on
the 22nd, and it consisted of two resolutions; one regretting the recent
failure of negociation, and the other soliciting her majesty to gratify
the house by conceding a few points, for the sake of an amicable
arrangement. Lord Archibald Hamilton moved as an amendment that the
queen's name should be inserted in the liturgy, which was ably supported
by Sir Francis Burdett, who delivered a speech, censuring ministers,
which produced a great sensation in the house. In reply, Mr. Canning
stated, that, however much provoked by the honourable baronet's speech,
he should abstain from entering the lists with him till a future day;
which determination produced a sarcastic retort from Mr. Tierney,
who observed, that, "as the better part of valour was discretion, he
commended Mr. Canning's prudence, in postponing his defence of ministers
till the effect of Sir Francis's speech was done away: the fact proved
that it was unanswerable." Mr. Wilberforce's motion, however, was
carried by three hundred and ninety-one against one hundred and
thirty-four. A deputation waited on the queen with the message of the
commons; but she peremptorily rejected their advice, and its members