The atrocity of the conspiracy roused universal horror and indignation, and invested the person of the Chief Consul with a new species of interest.

The assassins were tried fairly, and executed, glorying in their crime: and, in the momentary exaltation of all men's minds, an edict of the senate, condemning to perpetual exile 130 of the most notorious leaders of the _Terrorists_, was received with applause.

But Napoleon himself despised utterly the relics of that odious party; and the arbitrary decree in question was never put into execution.
The Chief Consul, nevertheless, was not slow to avail himself of the state of the public mind, in a manner more consistent with his prudence and farsightedness.

It was at this moment that the erection of a new tribunal, called _the Special Commission_, consisting of eight judges, without jury, and without revision or appeal, was proposed to the legislative bodies.

To their honour the proposal was carried by very narrow majorities; for after that judicature was established, the Chief Consul had, in effect, the means of disposing of all who were suspected of political offences, according to his own pleasure.