Henry Dundas, first Viscount Melville (1742–1811), the first Lord of the Admiralty, was accused of failing to follow regulations concerning the management of finances in the navy, in particular for having failed to keep the Bank of England disbursements allocated to him but not yet spent. The report of the inquiry found that he had not acted appropriately in managing the finances, although it stopped short of claiming that he had profited personally. A motion of censure was introduced in the House, and after an all-night debate the Speaker had the casting vote. He rejected an inquiry, leading to a motion of censure being carried and Melville resigning. Proceedings for impeachment followed, but he was found innocent of all charges on 12 June 1806.

See DNB and The Times, 9 April 1805.