A message from the lords communicated to the house the answer of lord Melville, to a further Article of Impeachment, being the 10th, exhibited against him by the commons of the united kingdom. On the motion of Mr. Whitbread, this answer was ordered to be read. The answer stated, "that the noble lord protested against being bound by the law of parliament when called upon to answer to the charge, under circumstances for which there was no precedent; but that, nevertheless, conscious of his innocence, and confident in the justice of his cause, he makes this answer, saving his right of taking, exceptions, and also saving all the rights and privileges that belong to a peer of parliament. He declares for his answer, that he is in no wise guilty of the crimes and misdemeanours, in manner and form as charged against him by the commons of the united kingdom, and this he affirms himself ready to prove, at such time and place, as to that hon. house 527 seem meet: he therefore prays to be discharged and acquitted of those crimes and misdemeanours so falsely urged against him." This answer was, on the motion of Mr. Whitbread, referred to the Committee of Impeachment, to consider thereof, and to report their opinion thereon to the house what was most proper to be done in order to further proceedings.
§ Mr. Whitbreadthen withdrew to the bar, and brought up the report of the Committee on the answer of lord Melville in the form of a replication, averring that lord Melville was guilty of the crimes and misdemeanours charged upon him by that house, on behalf of themselves and of all the commons of the united kingdom, which they were ready to prove. The replication was agreed to, ordered to be engrossed, and then to be carried by Mr. Whitbread to the lords, as the replication of the commons: Mr. Whitbread then gave notice, that at a proper time he should move, that the house do attend the trial as a committee of the whole house.