The vote which pronounced Russell's conduct to have been deserving of all praise was communicated to the Lords; and the papers which they had sent down were very unceremoniously returned.
[352] The Lords, much offended, demanded a free conference.

It was granted; and the managers of the two Houses met in the Painted Chamber.
Rochester, in the name of his brethren, expressed a wish to be informed of the grounds on which the Admiral had been declared faultless.

To this appeal the gentlemen who stood on the other side of the table answered only that they had not been authorised to give any explanation, but that they would report to those who had sent them what had been said.

[353] By this time the Commons were thoroughly tired of the inquiry into the conduct of the war.

The members had got rid of much of the ill humour which they had brought up with them from their country seats by the simple process of talking it away.