Here follow some proposals, tending to establish a little decency in their proceedings for the future; but the account from whence this extract is taken proceeds to remark, that this invitation to peace was no sooner finished, than a new scene of disturbance took place, to the great loss of their time, and the scandal of all good citizens.  One should imagine, that if ever the Convention could think it necessary to assume an appearance of dignity, or at least of seriousness and order, it would be in giving their judgement relative to the King.  Yet, in determining how a series of questions should be discussed, on the arrangement of which his fate seems much to have depended, the solemnity of the occasion appears to have had no weight.  It was proposed to begin by that of the appeal to the people.  This was so violently combated, that the Convention would hear neither party, and were a long time without debating at all.  Petion mounted the tribune, and attempted to restore order; but the noise was too great for him to be heard.  He at length, however, obtained silence enough to make a motion.  Again the murmurs recommenced.  Rabaud de St. Etienne made another attempt, but was equally unsuccessful.  Those that were of an opposite opinion refused to hear him, and both parties rose up and rushed together to the middle of the Hall.  The most dreadful tumult took place, and the President, with great difficulty, procured a calm.  Again the storm began, and a member told them, that if they voted in the affirmative, those on the left side (Robespierre, &c.) would not wait the result, but have the King assassinated.  “Yes!  Yes! (resounded from all parts) the Scelerats of Paris will murder him!” —­Another violent disorder ensuing, it was thought no decree could be passed, and, at length, amidst this scene of riot and confusion, the order of questions was arranged, and in such a manner as to decide the fate of the King.—­It was determined, that the question of his guilt should precede that of the appeal to the people.  Had the order of the questions been changed, the King might have been saved, for many would have voted for the appeal in the first instance who did not dare do it when they found the majority resolved to pronounce him guilty.

It is very remarkable, that, on the same day on which the friends of liberty and equality of Manchester signalized themselves by a most patriotic compliment to the Convention, beginning with "Francais, vous etes libres," ["Frenchmen, you are free.”] they were, at that very moment, employed in discussing a petition from numbers of Parisians who had been thrown into prison without knowing either their crime or their accusers, and were still detained under the same arbitrary circumstances.—­The law of the constitution is, that every person arrested shall be interrogated within twenty-four hours; but as these imprisonments were the work of the republican Ministers, the Convention seemed to think it indelicate to interpose,