regular troops to fight the battles of Germany. Yet how zealous
soever the legislature might be in promoting this institution, and
notwithstanding the success with which many patriots exerted their
endeavours through different parts of the kingdom, in raising and
disciplining the militia, it was found not only difficult, but almost
impracticable, to execute the intention of the parliament in some
particular counties, where the gentlemen were indolent and enervated,
or in those places where they looked upon their commander with contempt.
Even Middlesex itself, where the king resides, was one of the last
counties in which the militia could be arrayed. In allusion to this
backwardness, the preamble or first clause in one of the present acts
imported, that certain counties, ridings, and places in England had made
some progress in establishing the militia, without completing the same,
and that, in certain other counties, little progress had been made
therein, his majesty's lieutenants and the deputy-lieutenants, and
all others within such counties or districts, were therefore strictly
required speedily and diligently to put these acts in execution. The
truth is, some of these unwarlike commanders failed through ignorance
and inactivity; others gave, or offered commissions to such people
as threw a ridicule and contempt upon the whole establishment, and
consequently hindered many gentlemen of worth, spirit, and capacity,
from engaging in the service. The mutiny-bill, and that for the
regulation of the marine-forces while on shore, passed through the usual
forms, as annual measures, without any dispute or alteration. [485]
_[See note 3 S, at the end of this Vol.]_

ACT FOR THE RELIEF OF DEBTORS REVIVED.

A committee having been appointed to inquire what laws were expired,
or near expiring, and to report their opinion to the house touching
the revival or continuation of these laws, they agreed to several
resolutions; in consequence of which the following bills were brought
in, and enacted into laws; namely, an act for regulating the lastage and
ballastage of the river Thames; an act for continuing the law relating
to the punishment of persons going armed or disguised; an act
for continuing several laws near expiring; an act concerning the
admeasurement of coals; an act for the relief of debtors, with respect
to the imprisonment of their persons. This last was almost totally
metamorphosed by alterations, amendments, and