§ Mr. Wilber- 1320 force, accompanied by Mr. Stuart Wortley, now entered the House. The former was loudly called for; but Mr. S. Wortley took his place at the bar, attended by Mr. Bankes and sir T. Acland, and announced that the deputation nominated to wait upon her majesty had that day delivered to the Queen the Resolution of that House, as authorized by their vote, to which her majesty was pleased to give the following Answer:—
§ "I am bound to receive with gratitude every attempt on the part of the House of Commons to interpose its high mediation for the purpose of healing those unhappy differences in the royal family, which no person has so much reason to deplore as myself; and with perfect truth I can declare, that an entire reconcilement of those differences, effected by the authority of parliament on principles consistent with the honour and dignity of all the parties, is still the object dearest to my heart.
§ "I cannot refrain from expressing my deep sense of the affectionate language of these resolutions. It shows the House of Commons to be the faithful representative of that generous people, to whom I owe a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. I am sensible too that I expose myself to the risk of displeasing those who may soon be the judges of my conduct. But I trust to their candour, and their sense of honour, confident that they will enter into the feelings which alone influence my determination.
§ "It would ill become me to question the power of parliament, or the mode in which it may at any time be exercised. But however strongly I may feel the necessity of submitting to its authority, the question whether I will make myself a party to any measure proposed, must be decided by my own feelings and conscience, and by them alone.
§ "As a subject of the state, I shall bow with deference, and, if possible, without a murmur, to every act of the sovereign authority. But as an accused and injured queen, I owe it to the king, to myself, and to all my fellow-subjects, not to consent to the sacrifice of any essential privilege, or withdraw my appeal to those principles of public justice, which are alike the safeguard of the highest and the humblest individual."