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One of the few substantial contemporary accounts of the last English impeachment trial, conducted in the House of Lords. The accused was Henry Dundas Lord Melville (1742-1811), who has been described as the foremost Scotsman of the eighteenth century. He was accused of diverting large sums of money during his term as Treasurer of the Navy. It is interesting to note that Dundas could have avoided these proceedings, had he submitted to criminal charges, but chose to face impeachment, expecting that his chances were better before his fellow Lords. History proved him right.