high treason; and in the midst of his speech falling into some
confusion, was for a while silent; but, recovering himself,
observed, "how reasonable it was to allow counsel to men called as
criminals before a court of justice, when it appeared how much the
presence of that assembly could disconcert one of their own body."

After this he rose fast into honours and employments, being made one
of the Commissioners of the Treasury, and called to the Privy
Council. In 1694 he became Chancellor of the Exchequer; and the
next year engaged in the great attempt of the recoinage, which was
in two years happily completed. In 1696 he projected the GENERAL
FUND and raised the credit of the Exchequer; and after inquiry
concerning a grant of Irish Crown lands, it was determined by a vote
of the Commons that Charles Montague, Esq., HAD DESERVED HIS
MAJESTY'S FAVOUR. In 1698, being advanced to the first Commission
of the Treasury, he was appointed one of the regency in the King's
absence: the next year he was made Auditor of the Exchequer, and
the year after created Baron Halifax. He was, however, impeached by
the Commons; but the Articles were dismissed by the Lords.

At the accession of Queen Anne he was dismissed from the Council;
and in the first Parliament of her reign was again attacked by the
Commons, and again escaped by the protection of the Lords. In 1704
he wrote an answer to Bromley's speech against occasional
conformity. He headed the inquiry into the danger of the Church.
In 1706 he proposed and negotiated the Union with Scotland; and when
the Elector of Hanover received the Garter, after the Act had passed
for securing the Protestant Succession, he was appointed to carry
the ensigns of the Order to the Electoral Court. He sat as one of
the judges of Sacheverell, but voted for a mild sentence. Being now