the place where such suspension had happened should, within one month
after the passing of this act, proceed as if there had been no such
suspension; and summon a meeting for the same purpose once in every
succeeding month until a sufficient number of officers, qualified and
willing to serve, should be found, or until the expiration of the
act for the better ordering the militia forces. The establishment of a
regular militia in South Britain could not fail to make an impression
upon the patriots of Scotland. They were convinced, from reason and
experience, that nothing could more tend to the peace and security
of their country than such an establishment in North Britain, the
inhabitants of which had been peculiarly exposed to insurrections, which
a well-regulated militia might have prevented or stifled in the birth;
and their coast had been lately alarmed by a threatened invasion, which
nothing but the want of such an establishment had rendered formidable to
the natives. They thought themselves entitled to the same security which
the legislature had provided for their fellow-subjects in South Britain,
and could not help being uneasy at the prospect of seeing themselves
left unarmed, and exposed to injuries both foreign and domestic, while
the sword was put in the hands of their southern neighbours. Some of
the members who represented North Britain in parliament, moved by
these considerations, as well as by the earnest injunctions of their
constituents, resolved to make a vigorous effort, in order to obtain
the establishment of a regular militia in Scotland. In the beginning of
March it was moved, and resolved, that the house would, on the twelfth
day of the month, resolve itself into a committee, to consider the
laws in being which relate to the militia in that part of Great
Britain, called Scotland. The result of that inquiry was, that these laws
were ineffectual. Then a motion was made for leave to bring-in a bill
for the better ordering of the militia forces in North Britain, and,
though it met with great opposition, was carried by a large majority.
The principal Scottish members of the house were appointed, in
conjunction with others, to prepare the bill, which was soon printed,
and reinforced by petitions presented by the gentlemen, justices of the
peace, and commissioners of the supply for the shire of Ayr; and by the
freeholders of the shires of Edinburgh, Stirling, Perth, and Forfar.
They expressed their approbat