`` your majesty , '' laurence said , speaking to the ground , `` i must beg to be excused from speaking on behalf of his majesty 's government , for which i have insufficient authority ; but i have not the least hesitation in most heartily repudiating the scurrilous accusation which lord bayan has made against my country which , if true , would be injurious not merely to her honor but to her sense , and which should defy all rational consideration .