George III's carriage was attacked during the opening of Parliament on 29 October 1795 and the following month the government brought before Parliament the Treasonable and Seditious Practices and the Seditious Meetings Acts ('the Gagging Acts'). Godwin responded with Considerations , protesting at the restriction of civil liberties, but also at the incendiary mass meetings convened by reformers, including his friend John Thelwall, a criticism which precipitated a falling out with his fellow reformer.