1st Sitting of the Convention.-M'Intyre in scroll of a congratulatory letter to him, that the chair. Letters from several societies were read, which contained apologies for not sending up delegates to this convention, though they heartily approved of the meeting, and prayed for its success. Several of these letters were from societies in England, and expressed their sorrow that the intimation had not reached them in time to send delegates from so great a distance; but assuring the convention of the earnest desire of all there to co-operate with them in the firmest union of sentiment and will. The secretary of the society of the Friends of the People in London informed, that a general meeting could not at that time be called, but that some of its members would attend the convention; and that whatever they did, would certainly be approven by their society. The secretary of the Corresponding Society in London informed, that their society had met and chosen delegates, as had also the Constitutional Society; and that others in England might be expected to do the same. Addresses from societies in different places of Britain and Ireland, and from individuals, were also read, congratulating the convention, and earnestly requesting, in particular, their speedy resolution concerning universal suffrage and annual elections. A book in manuscript, entitled, " A Review of the Constitution and Government of Great Britain," and dedicated by the author to the convention, was presented by the secretary, together with an excellent letter from the author; as also an anonymous letter, covering a guinea note of the Thistle bank. After arranging some internal matters, the convention, with a view to proceed to the business for which they had assembled, called on all those who had motions to propose relative to the same, that they would give them in to the table of the convention in writing. At half past four o'clock, the convention adjourned till six in the evening, and concluded with prayer. 2d Sitting. The convention met, conform to adjournment, and unanimously voted the rev. J. Donaldson to the chair. James Donaldson in the chair.-The meeting was constituted by prayer. The minutes being read, a number of motions were laid on the table in writing. The remaining letters and addresses from societies, &c. were read, and received with much satisfaction. Upon the motion of several members, a deputation was appointed to wait on Mr. Muir immediately, to express the sentiments of the convention, relative to his present sufferings in their common cause; and a committee was moreover appointed to draw up a $ the same might be approven by the convention and transmitted. It was also resolved, that another be drawn up, to be transmitted to the rev. Mr. Palmer. It was furthermore resolved, that six members, if allowed by the magistrates, should dine with Mr. Muir every day, during the sitting of the convention; and the convention furthermore appointed, that a public subscription should be opened, for defraying the expense which these gentlemen are put to, because of their steady adherence to the cause of the whole A committee was then appointed, for the purpose of selecting and publishing such parts of the excellent addresses and communications now and formerly read to the convention, and particularly the printed resolutions of the Nottingham Delegated Society, as were calculated for public benefit It was also resolved, that a [subscription] collection for defraying the expense of the same, and of the meetings, should be made in the convention every evening sitting. The above mentioned committee of instruction, was appointed to meet at 10 o'clock next morning, and to arrange and class the several motions on the table, previous to the sitting of the convention which was appointed to be held at 11 o'clock. But it was agreed that the following motion by Mr. Callender, and recommended by the greater part of the societies should have the priority, in the order of the business before the House. After the discussion of some occasional matters, the meeting was adjourned with prayer. 3d. Sitting of the Convention.-The Rev. Mr. Neil Douglas was called to the chair. N. Douglas in the chair. After prayer, Mr. Scott reported the inner turnkey of the Tolbooth, had strict orders from the city magistrates, that he should not admit more than two persons at one time to visit Mr. Muir, and moved that therefore more than two need not be sent to dine with him. After reading the minutes, it was suggested by a member, that the collections could not be expected to do more than defray necessary expences, and that therefore, a subscription should be opened for defraying the expences motion was approven. of the committee of public instruction. This A number of motions were now read and ordered to be classed with general motions, to which they chiefly referred; and the House agreeably to former resolutions, agreed to go into the consideration of the motion for universal suffrage, and annual delegation to parliament, as motioned by Alex. Callender and others. Mr. Callender, after reading the several mo-, tions and opinions of societies, on the resolution proposed by him, rose and urged at considerable length the adoption of his motion. 401] for Sedition: The time of the sitting being far spent, and the subject of great importance, while some of the members were just then called away on the business of the convention, it was agreed that the further consideration of this motion be deferred till the evening sitting, and that the same be wholly devoted to the discussion of it. A motion for changing the title of the convention was introduced and supported, but objections being offered by several members, the discussion gave place to sundry motions relative to publications, and after some consideration it was resolved, that the whole be referred to a committee to be afterwards appointed for drawing up a public address to the nation. A number of copies of the proceedings of the friends to the liberty of the press in London, were presented by A. Scott, and distributed gratis. After prayer adjourned till 6 o'clock in the evening. 4th Sitting of the Convention.-Niel Douglas in the chair. After prayers the convention proceeded to the further consideration of the motions, &c. on the table relative to the explicit construction to be put on the two original resolutions of the association, namely, "A more equal Representation of the People in the Commons House of Parliament, and a shorter Duration of Parliamentary Delegation;" and it was proposed that although there could, and evidently would be, but one sentiment in the House that the explicit meaning of the first resolution was universal suffrage, and of the second, annual elections, and that nothing short of these two could be adequate in the present universally corrupt state of the nation, for attaining the radical reform sought by all wise men, and that, therefore, the speeches would all be on the same side of the question, yet the vote, upon the motion before the house, should not be put suddenly, but the members should be permitted, and even requested to declare their opinion seriatim upon a point of so great magnitude, and that the vote should thereafter be solemnly put. A very full discussion accordingly ensued, in which, not only the natural right of all to elect their representatives and governors was clearly illustrated, but also the actual possession of this right, and the right of calling to account, and even cashiering their governors was shown to have been possessed by all freemen in Briton, in the original parliaments of the nation which were denominated Folkemotte. The necessity of following up the principle to the fullest extent, was also clearly established, on the principle of expediency, as well as of justice; and it was likewise demonstrated, that the fears of riot and tumult at popular elections, which opposition to the measure held furth as bughbears to VOL. XXIII. deter from making the attempt were unfound- The members having spoken fully on ques- Which being allowed, the question was accordingly stated approve or not, when the roll being called, and every member present having voted, it carried nem. con. Approve. Whereupon all present rose, and joining hands congratulated each other on the resolution of so important a point, and that with such entire unanimity." The secretary thereafter, read a letter which had been just then sent in to him, to inform the convention of a most barbarous outrage committed by William Binny the inner jailor, on two gentlemen who had gone up that evening to call on Mr. Muir, one of the gentlemen who had escaped without much hurt, being present, gave a particular account of the affair, and the convention requested solicitor Moffat to commence immediately a legal investigation of the matter. The business being concluded with prayer, the meeting was adjourned till 10 o'clock next. morning. 5th Sitting of the Convention. The delegates convened according to adjournment, and elected Alexander Callender, esq. to be president. Alex. Callender in the chair. After prayer, the minutes being read and corrected, upon the motion of several members respecting the important and indefati-' gable services of the secretary, the unanimous thanks of the convention were rendered to him, and a proper return made. An address to the public having been resolved by the convention again and again, and never brought forward, it was now moved by several members, that a scroll of it be. presented before the rising of the convention for approbation; but after some conversation, it was agreed that the delegates should collect the sense of their constituents upon those matters on which they should address the public, and within a month from this date. transmit the results to the secretary, and that he should lay the same before the general committee in Edinburgh, that from the whole, the persons employed by them might be able to draw up some complete publication, and that the final revisal of said publication, should rest with this committee. It was now moved, that the convention, 2 D should follow up, and confirm the very important determination of last sitting, by the following resolutions. 1st. That the primary societies shall declare publicly and severally, their approbation of universal suffrage and annual parliaments, with their reasons for the same. 2d. That each society shall immediately enter in their minute book, a new declaration containing the two original resolutions of the association, and the explanation now given to them in the words of the duke of Richmond, and that the members of each already admitted, or that may hereafter be admitted, shall subscribe the same in testimony of his hearty approbation of them, and determination to prosecute them. Both these motions were unanimously adopted. The several motions for addressing and petitioning the King, and those for petitioning the House of Commons only, which were upon the table, were now taken under consideration in slump, as referring only to one or other side of the same question, when after many words, it passed by a great majority, that petitions for reform should be directed to the House of Commons. Concluded with prayer, and adjourned till 6 o'clock. 6th Sitting of the Convention.-Alexander Callender in the chair. It was unanimously agreed, that it be recommended to all the societies of the Friends of the People to follow the example of the convention, by commencing and concluding their meetings with prayers. The convention then agreed to express their unanimous disapprobation of the Slave Trade, and resolved, that the same be marked in their address to the public, with their earnest wish for its immediate and total abolition. Upon a motion to adopt some measures to bring to light and punishment, the perpetrators of oppressive and arbitrary acts, it was recommended to societies, where the facts were well substantiated to minute accounts of the same in a book. | the public expenses, and to be wholly at the disposal of the convention. And the convention enjoined that the first collection on this plan be made, and remitted to the trea surer within one month from the breaking up of the present meetings of the convention. -They further appointed that a public subscription be opened by each society, for receiving the assistance of friends to the cause, who have not an opportunity of countenanc ing it openly. Before adjourning the thanks of the con vention were unanimously rendered to the country delegates for attending this convention so numerously, and for their able assis tance hitherto in the business. Concluded with prayer, and adjourned to 10 o'clock next morning. 7th Sitting of the Convention. 2d Day's Sitting.-Edinburgh, 30. Oct. 1793. The Rev. Mr. Niel Douglas in the chair. The roll being called, and [prayer] a blessing implored in name of the assembly by the prejailor said he had an express order from the sident, Mr. Scott reported, that the inner lord provost and magistrates, not to admit. Resolved that [the president] Mr. Chalmers and Mr. Mealmaker, dine with Mr. Muir this day. 1st, Mr. Ross's Motion was negatived.— Minutes read. 2nd.-[Mr. Skirving] Mr. Gourlay moved, that in addition to the collection made each evening, a subscription paper shall be presented to the company, for the purpose of raising a sum to defray the expenses of publica tions approved of by the society.-Agreed to. 3d.-[Mr. Callender's Motions to Petition for Universal Suffrage.] A motion [from] was made by Mr. Miller, one of the delegates of Glasgow, to draw up an address to the people, which motion was ordered to be classed with Messrs. Bell and Brenner's-Mr. Sands from Perth moved, that we should agree upon the future proceedings of the friends of reform, and to explicitly declare our principles. Mr. W. Hart moved, that it should be recommended to the editors of political pamph. to print part of them on coarse paper, for The motions relative to finance were now taken under consideration, and the convention in consideration of the debt already in- | curred, and of the impossibility of carrying on with due effect, the important business of the association unanimously resolved, that previous to the two ordinary meetings of the convention in the year, each and every society, shall collect from its members the following sums, and transmit the whole faith-cheapness. fully by their delegates, to the next ensuing convention,—namely, from every member, if a master, the sum of one shilling every half year, and from every servant, if in employ- Mr. Gartley from Glasgow moved, that ment 6 pence. These, together with the like[we] the convention should take [our] into sums paid at the entry of members, and all [their] its consideration, the resolutions enpublic donations, to be the fund for defraying tered into by the convention last year, for Mr. M'Arthur moved, that a public prayer should be made by the societies for the LORD'S assistance in the cause of reform. [Mr. Geo. Meliss Perth (through the hands [of Mr. Rt. Sands) moved, that one penny per week should be collected from every member of the societies of the Friends of the People, which was classed with other motions for finance.] Moved by the rev. Mr. Neil Douglas, to publish [their] a disapprobation of the slave rade.-All these [were] motions were ordered to lye on the table. Discussion of Mr. Callender's motion for universal suffrage and annual parliaments was called for.-Mr. Callender having spoke upon it for some time, and [the] read several printed papers [on] to show the necessity of its passing (he was reminded that it was proper to postpone what he had further to say, in order to wait on col. M'Leod, and therefore) the further discussion, was delayed till the evening sitting. No. 3.-Rev. Mr. Donaldson in the chair. Messrs Philips, Chalmers, and Gibson's motions, remitted to the authors to be condensed against next sitting, in conjunction with Mr. Hinshelwood. No. 4.-Mr. Downie's motion being read, Messrs. Geo. Ross, Downie, Sands and seve ral others spoke for the motion-Messrs. Wright, Aitchieson, Paterson, and several others spoke against it.-Mr. Skirving moved for a delay of any change of the title, till the primary societies should be consulted.-Resolved, that the convention shall make no alteration in the title of the general associa tion, but leave it to the particular societies, to assume what name they please. to the cause, while the people proceeded in a constitutional way [but that he had expres[sed his opinion at the same time, that the [people were not asking too much, not ripe at present for universal suffrage and annual [elections, [being] which more than, in his [opinion would be granted, [he] though he himself thought they were justly entitled to [it, and would support them as far as possible, [so far as the people went in a constitutional [[way.]] The Rev. Mr. Douglas in the chair. It was proposed that Mr. Callender's motion should now be resumed, but after some conversation, being now near four, it was agreed to adjourn till six. A present of a considerable number of Eodem die.-Evening Sitting.-The Rev. Mr. The consideration of Mr. Callender's mo tion being resumed, Mr. Skirving read an extract from a pamphlet entitled "An Essay on Parliamentary Representation, and Magistracies of [Royal] Boroughs Royal, after which Mr. Callender delivered a very animated speech upon the motion, shewing a variety of reasons for adopting it.-A delegate from Dalkeith having started a question, whether we have a right by the constitution nual parliaments, or whether we ought to of 1688, to claim universal suffrage, and ango farther back for authority,-Messrs Gourlay, Philips, Buchanan, Clark, Wright, Sands, Newton, Aitchieson and several delegates from the country, delivered their sentiments on this question. The Chairman having left the chair, A. Callender, esq. [in the chair] was called to it. Mr. Douglas then delivered a most judicious and sensible speech, upon the absurdity of representing property instead of men, and thus degrading the dignity of our nature.-Messrs. Philips, John Smith, A. Bell, Donaldson, and several other delegates from Perth, Dalkeith, &c. spoke on the same side; one gentleman observed, that the establishing of universal suffrage, would be only doing justice to the rabble of Scotland, the swine of England, and the wretches of Ireland. No. 5.-Messrs. Bell and Bremner's motions being read, with the condensed state of both, and a similar motion by Mr. G. Miller from Glasgow.-After some argument, and a motion of its being remitted to a committee, Mr. Donaldson proposed to keep closs to the main point, and not to interfere with other grievances.-Messrs. Douglas, Skirving, Cockburn, Philips and several others spoke in favour of the measure.-Messrs Downie and Aitchison objected to the word corporation laws. [Mr. Callender has] after which it was resolved to remit the drawing up of a In the further discussion of this subproper address and declaration of principles,ject, aquestion was started, whether sol&c. to a committee to be appointed to-morrow. diers or sailors should be allowed to vote, Messrs Callander, Douglas and [Moffat] when Mr. Callender gave it as his decided Newton, having returned from col. M'Leod, opinion, that both classes ought to have a reported viva voce, the polite reception they voice in the election of their representatives, had received from him, and the assurances and particularly the latter, who suffer so he had given them of his steady adherence much from impress warrants, which would Mr. Douglas in the chair. have no existence, were universal suffrages established. Mr. Skirving moved, that a collection be made for the expense of publishing tracts upon the subject of reform, when 31. 6s. Od. was collected, which with 5s. received this afternoon, makes 31. 11s. Od. §. The subject of Mr. Callender's motion being resumed, the rev. Mr. Donaldson argued at considerable length, in favour of [the mo[tion] it, and with [much] many historical and scriptural arguments, as well as several humorous [arguments] remarks, supported the -motion. Messrs. Mealmaker and Douglas spoke on the same side, and said it would be agreeable to a great majority of their consti tuents. Mr. Donaldson proposed to pass the resolution of this meeting, on Mr. Callender's motion, in the words of the duke of Rich-mond, of which he presented a copy, which was read by Mr. Skirving. Vickers, Todd, Blair and M' Leay, and Adam The business of the address to the public being moved by Mr. Mealmaker, and a wish expressed by him and several other country delegates, that a scroll of it should be drawn up before they go out of town, it was resolved after arguing [upon] at some length, upon a motion by Mr. Paterson, seconded and amended by Messrs. Wright and Aitchison, that a month from this date should be allowed to the societies in the country to communicate their ideas upon this subject to the secy.to be laid before the Edin. monthly committee at their meeting on the 1st Thursday in December, to whom the final revisal of the address to be drawn up by the committee is [committed] entrusted.-Mr. Skirving read from Dr. Saml. Johnston's History of the Mr. Skirving [having] then moved, that the Magna Charta, a chapter concerning the first vote should be put, which was agreed to, pre-founder of the yearly folkmotte. vious to which however one of the delegates from Dalkeith said his colleagues who were absent, as well as the whole of his constituents, were unanimous for universal suffrage and annual elections. Mr. Alex. Scott proposed to read a few extracts from [resolutions published by his [grace] the plan of parliamentary reform, framed and adopted by the Westminster Association, and introduced into parliament by his grace, which being agreed to, he read them accordingly. After some arguments respecting the state of the vote, it was stated approve or not; Mr. Callender having previously agreed to Mr. Donaldson's amendment: when upon calling the roll and the votes being marked, it carried nem. con. Approve; whereupon all present congratulated each other by a hearty shake of the hand. Mr. Skirving then read a letter from Mr. Muir covering a copy of a letter to the lord provost, setting forth the insolent abuse and outrage committed by the inner jailor, Wm. Binny upon [two members of the convention, [Messrs. Charles Bryce and] two gentlemen who had gone up to visit him upon necessary, and demanding redress from the magistrates. Upon this Mr. Archibald Binny moved that a subscription be immediately set on foot to prosecute the said William Binny. [But aft] This was seconded by several members, but after some argument it was thought proper to delay all proceedings in this affair till to-morrow. Mr. Douglas then closed the business with a prayer suited to the occasion, and adjourned the meeting till to-morrow at 10. Edinburgh, 31st October, 93. Alexr. Callender, esq. in the chair. The rev. Mr. Douglas having invoked the blessing of the Almighty upon our proceedings, the minutes were read and corrected, Messrs. Mr. Skirving made the following [The se[cretary's] motions [being read] viz. i. That the convention shall follow up the unanimous resolution for universal suffrage and annual parliaments, by recommending to their societies to declare publicly and severally their approbation with their reasons: and 2dly that each society be called upon to draw up a new declaration containing the two original resolutions of the association as now explained and according to the explanation given by the duke of Richmond, and to require each member already admitted, or to be admitted to subscribe the same. These motions, after a short conversation, were unanimously agreed to. The different motions to address the king being read, Mr. Mealmaker's was withdrawn, and Mr. Skirving moved, that all these motions be compressed into the simple question, Whether we shall address the king or the House of Commons. Upon this question va rious opinions were delivered, some contending that to petition the king was illegal, as desiring one branch of the legislature to encroach on the privilege of the others. Others that it was strictly legal to petition the king to recommend it, or at least to lay it before the parliament to take such a measure under consideration. Messrs. Wardlaw, Scott, Donaldson, Aitchison, Douglas, Wright, Geo Ross, Bucha nan, Callender, Johnston, Gourlay, [for the] spoke against addressing the king, and Messrs. Skirving, Chalmers, John Laing, and [several] one or two country delegates pled for the |