uary of this year were tried by a
special commission. The colonel himself was found guilty, and executed,
as were also six of his associates; the rest were either acquitted by
the jury, or were pardoned on their recommendation.

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS.

Parliament reassembled on the 23rd of February, but no debate of
importance occurred until the 8th of March. On that day a message from
the king to both houses represented the preparations made in the French
and Dutch ports as grounds for defensive arrangements. The message
stated that discussions of great importance were carrying on between his
majesty and the French government, the result of which was uncertain.
His majesty said that he relied with confidence on parliament to enable
him to take such measures as circumstances might require, for supporting
the honour of his crown, and the essential interests of his people. Lord
Hobart moved the responsive address in the lords, and it was carried
_nem. con_.; but in the commons, many members wished for further
information before the ministerial recommendations received attention.
Fox, in particular, wished to know the precise reasons for putting
the country into a warlike attitude; he still thought peace might
be preserved. But in the commons, likewise, the address was voted
unanimously; and, in compliance with the ministerial demands, on the
11th of March, 10,000 seamen were added to the existing number. A motion
to that effect was agreed to without a division.

ACT TO RELIEVE CATHOLICS, ETC.

Before the Easter recess, an act was passed to relieve Roman Catholics
from certain penalties and disabilities, on subscribing the declaration
and oaths contained in the act of the 31st of George III. A bill was
also introduced into the upper house by Lord Ellenborough, which
made the maliciously maiming, wounding, and disfiguring of any of his
majesty's subjects, a capital felony; attempts also to discharge loaded
fire-arms, with intent to kill or wound, were made subject to the
penalty of death. The attention of both houses was also occupied by
a clergy residence bill, the coroner's bill, debates on the Paneras
workhouse, &c. After the Easter holidays, a bill was unanimously carried
which was intended to put down the rioting which had occurred among
the electors of Nottingham, by allowing the magistrates of the county a
concurrent jurisdiction in the town of Nottingham with the magistrates
residing in that town