See State Trials, vol.i p.77.But this was a better reason for declining the conference altogether, than for breaking it off, on frivolous pretences, the very moment the chief accusation was unexpectedly opened against her.

Though she could not expect Elizabeth's final decision in her favor, it was of importance to give a satisfactory answer, if she had any, to the accusation of the Scotch commissioners.
That answer could have been dispersed for the satisfaction of the public, of foreign nations, and of posterity.

And surely after the accusation and proofs were in Queen Elizabeth's hands, it could do no harm to give in the answers.

Mary's information, that the queen never intended to come to a decision, could be no obstacle to her justification.15.The very disappearance of these letters is a presumption of their authenticity.

That event can be accounted for no way but from the care of King James's friends, who were desirous to destroy every proof of his mother's crimes.