ntroduction of opinions; and
that if dangerous principles were propagated in this country it must be
by the English themselves, and not by foreigners. But all opposition was
vain. The bill was carried by a great majority, as was also another bill
to prevent the circulation in England of French assignats, bonds, and
promissory notes. A third bill was passed to enable his majesty
to restrain the exportation of naval stores, saltpetre, arms, and
ammunition, after which Mr. Pitt moved an adjournment to the 23rd of
January, which was unanimously accorded.

{GEORGE III. 1792-1793}

EXECUTION OF THE FRENCH KING.

At length Louis fell a prey to the fury of his subjects. In order to
fortify the new-born republic it seemed necessary to the republicans
that all institutions and usages that reminded them of royalty and the
ancient order should be abolished. The convention applied itself to this
work with fanatical zeal, but first of all the Jacobins demanded the
blood of the fallen monarch. Fierce contests arose between them and
the Girondists on this demand, but the Jacobins were sustained by
the Parisian populace, and their opponents were compelled to yield: a
resolution was carried that Louis had forfeited his inviolability, and
that the convention was authorised to judge him. The unfortunate monarch
was brought before the bar of his subjects on the 11th of December, and
he was nobly defended by Tronchet, Malesherbes, and Deseze; but after
having heard their defence, and after a stormy deliberation that lasted
some days, the convention resolved that the yeas and nays should be
taken upon the following questions: First, Is Louis Capet guilty of
conspiracy against the liberty or safety of the state? Second; Shall the
judgment to be pronounced upon him be submitted to the sanction of the
people in the primary assemblies? Third: What punishment ought to be
inflicted upon Louis? The first of these questions was decided in the
affirmative; the second was negatived; and as to the third question,
five votes over half demanded death unconditionally. And such a small
majority was deemed sufficient for pronouncing the sentence of
death. The monarch was executed on the 21st of January, 1793, under
circumstances that augmented the horror of the deed, and no nation in
Europe endeavoured to save him from his fate. The King of Spain pleaded
for his life, but the plea of a crowned head was not likely to be heard
by men who had sworn ete