same
month, the treaty between his Britannic majesty and the king of Prussia
was signed, importing, that, for the defence of their common country,
Germany, and in order to preserve her peace and tranquillity, which it
was feared was in danger of being disturbed, on account of the disputes
in America, the two kings, for that end only, entered into a convention
of neutrality, by which they reciprocally bound themselves not to suffer
foreign troops of any nation whatsoever to enter into Germany, or pass
through it during the troubles aforesaid, and the consequences that
might result from them; but to oppose the same with their utmost might,
in order to secure Germany from the calamities of war, maintain
her fundamental laws and constitutions, and preserve her peace
uninterrupted. Thus, the late treaty with Russia was virtually
renounced. Their majesties, moreover, seized this favourable opportunity
to adjust the differences that had subsisted between them, in relation
to the remainder of the Silesia loan due to the subjects of his
Britannic majesty, and the indemnification claimed by the subjects of
his Prussian majesty for their losses by sea during the late war; so
that the attachment laid on the said debt was agreed to be taken off, as
soon as the ratification of this treaty should be exchanged.

NEW MILITIA-BILL.

On the twenty-first of January the house took into consideration the
laws then in being relating to the militia of this kingdom; and, finding
them insufficient, ordered a new bill to be prepared, and brought in,
for the better regulating of the militia forces in the several counties
of England. A bill was accordingly prepared to that effect, and
presented to the house on the twelfth of March, by the hon. Charles
Townshend, esq., who, to his honour, was one of the chief promoters of
it. After receiving many amendments in the house of commons, it was on
the tenth of May passed, and sent to the lords; but several objections
being made to it by some of the peers, and it seemed to them that some
further amendments were still necessary, which they thought they could
not in that session spare time to consider so maturely as the importance
of the subject required, a negative of fifty-nine against twenty-three
was put upon the motion for passing the bill; though every one must
have been sensible, not only of the propriety, but even of the absolute
necessity of such a law, which was ardently desired by the whol