70 STATE OF THE TIMES. 
miralty. The explanations are very satis- 
factory, having the air of truth throughout. 
But he knew the unfavourable construction 
that might be put on doubtful acts ; and he 
was aware that he had been neutral on an 
occasion of trial and danger. 
Besides this, as a thoughtful person, he 
could not but be alive to the danger of his 
position, from the peculiar features of the 
offence of which he had been convicted. 
The year 1792 is memorable for the active 
exertions of revolutionists, and disaffected 
men in this country, on the one hand, and 
for the associations of zealous friends of the 
British constitution on the other. It was 
the avowed object of the latter to counteract 
all seditious proceedings, and to bring to 
punishment persons concerned in them. The 
authority of the lawful magistrate, and the 
claims of the established government, were 
to be respected and sup'ported. The example 
of France, while it excited some eager spirits * 
in the British empire to a love of change 
and insurrection, animated others to more 
energetic efforts for the maintenance of order. 
In the city of Paris, shortly before the exe- 
