CONVENTION

In Political language, this name has been applied to a emblies of national representatives meeting on extraordinary occasions without being convoked by the legal authority. Two parliaments have been so called in English history. The first, that which met in April. 1660, and restored Charles II. to the throne— the Lords a embling by their own authority; and the Commons,by virtue of writs i ued in the name of the keepers of the liberties of England, by the authority of parliament. The second, that which met in 1688, each house by its own authority, and on the summons of the Prince of Orange; which declared King James II. to have abdicated the crown, and transferred it to William and Mary. In French History, the name Convention is applied to that a embly which met after the legislative a embly had pronounced the suspension of the royal functions, in September, 1788, and proclaimed the republic, at its first sitting. This body di olved itself on the establishment of the Directory, in October, 1796. The Scottish a embly which met on the flight of James II. was entitled the Convention of Estates In the United Slates, meetings of the people of separate states, by specially chosen representatives, to review and a in rod the state constitutions, have been termed Convent ons. Convention, Military. A treaty between military commanders concerning terms for a temporary ce ation of hostilities; generally between a victor and a defeated general, for the evacuation of a district or position by IBS latter. Such, at least, were the two most celebrated conventions of modern times: that of Closter-Seven (1757), between the Dukes of Cumber land and Richelieu; ilia! of Cintra(1808), between Junot and the English generals. [s. 294]