The tribunal before which the appeal must come was the House of Peers.

On such an occasion the court could not be certain of the support even of the most courtly nobles.

There was little doubt that the sentence would be annulled, and that, by grasping at too much, the government would lose all.

James was therefore disposed to a compromise.

Devonshire was informed that, if he would give a bond for the whole fine, and thus preclude himself from the advantage which he might derive from a writ of error, he should be set at liberty.