It was natural that an assassination attended by so many circumstances of aggravation should move the indignation of the members of the Convention.

Yet they should have considered the gravity of the conjuncture and the importance of their own mission.

They unfortunately, in the heat of passion, directed the magistrates of Edinburgh to strike the prisoner in the boots, and named a Committee to superintend the operation.

But for this unhappy event, it is probable that the law of Scotland concerning torture would have been immediately assimilated to the law of England, [307] Having settled the Claim of Right, the Convention proceeded to revise the Coronation oath.

When this had been done, three members were appointed to carry the Instrument of Government to London.