The public turned the argument round, and, being firmly convinced that the detention was illegal, drew the inference that the monopoly must be illegal too.

The dispute was at the height when the Parliament met.
Petitions on both sides were speedily laid on the table of the Commons; and it was resolved that these petitions should be taken into consideration by a Committee of the whole House.

The first question on which the conflicting parties tried their strength was the choice of a chairman.

The enemies of the Old Company proposed Papillon, once the closest ally and subsequently the keenest opponent of Child, and carried their point by a hundred and thirty-eight votes to a hundred and six.
The Committee proceeded to inquire by what authority the Redbridge had been stopped.

One of her owners, Gilbert Heathcote, a rich merchant and a stanch Whig, appeared at the bar as a witness.