CHAPTER X.

1757. Baker’s Contract 304

Parliamentary Inquiries limited to Minorca 305

Byng’s Sentence produces various impressions 306

The Sentence of the Court-Martial referred to the Judges 307

Conduct of the Judges on the Case referred to them 308

Conduct of Fox 309

The Admiralty sign the Sentence 311

The Sentence notified to the House of Commons 312

Mr. Pitt demands Money for Hanover 313

Lord G. Sackville declares for Pitt 314

Motives of Lord G. Sackville 315

Approaching Execution of Byng 317

House of Commons 318

Sir Francis Dashwood animadverts on Byng’s Sentence _ib._

Debate on Byng’s Sentence _ib._

Some applications to the King for mercy 326

Members of Court-Martial desirous to be absolved from their Oaths 327

Author urges Keppel to apply to House of Commons _ib._

Author promotes an application to House of Commons 328

Sir Francis Dashwood applies for Mr. Keppel _ib._

Keppel’s application to House of Commons _ib._

Debate on Keppel’s application 329

Keppel’s application considered in Cabinet 331

The King’s Message on respiting Byng 332

Breach of Privilege in the King’s Message 332

Debate on the King’s Message _ib._

Bill to release Court-Martial from Oath 335

Sensations excited by proceedings in House of Commons 341

Holmes and Geary disavow Keppel 342

Further debate on Court-Martial Bill 344

Court-Martial Bill passes House of Commons 350