ith Bothwell in that
enormity.[***]

When this charge was so unexpectedly given in, and copies of it
were transmitted to the bishop of Ross, Lord Herreis, and the other
commissioners of Mary, they absolutely refused to return an answer;
and they grounded their silence on very extraordinary reasons: they had
orders, they said, from their mistress, if any thing were advanced that
might touch her honor, not to make any defence, as she was a sovereign
princess, and could not be subject to any tribunal; and they required
that she should previously be admitted to Elizabeth's presence, to whom,
and to whom alone, she was determined to justify her innocence.[****]

* Goodall, vol. ii. p. 199.

** Anderson, vol. iv. part ii. p. 115, et seq. Goodall, vol.
ii. p. 206.

*** Anderson, vol. iv. part ii. p. 122. Goodall, vol. ii. p.
208.

**** Anderson, vol. iv. part ii. p. 125, et seq. Goodall,
vol. ii. p. 184, 211, 217.

They forgot that the conferences were at first begun, and were still
continued, with no other view than to clear her from the accusations of
her enemies; that Elizabeth had ever pretended to enter into them only
as her friend, by her own consent and approbation, not as assuming any
jurisdiction over her; that this princess had from the beginning refused
to admit her to her presence, till she should vindicate herself from the
crimes imputed to her; that she had therefore discovered no new signs of
partiality by her perseverance in that resolution; and that though she
had granted an audience to the earl of Murray and his colleagues, she
had previously conferred the same honor on Mary's commissioners;[*] and
her conduct was so far entirely equal to both parties.[**] [11]

As the commissioners of the queen of Scots refused to give in any answer
to Murray's charge, the necessary consequence seemed to be, that there
could be no further proceedings in the conference. But though this
silence might be interpreted as a presumption against her, it did not
fully answer the purpose of those English ministers who were enemies to
that princess. They still desired to have in their hands the proofs of
her guilt; and in order to draw them with decency from the regent, a
judicious artifice was employed by Elizabeth. Murray was called before
the English commissioners, and reproved by them, in the queen's name,
for the atrocious imputations which he had the temerity to throw upon
his sovereign