an classification, single treasons, and which double
treasons. On this occasion the Parliament supposed him to have
been guilty only of a single treason, and sent him to the Castle of
Edinburgh. The government, on full consideration, gave credit to his
assertion that he had been guilty of a double treason, and let him out
again. [599]

The Report of the Commission was taken into immediate consideration
by the Estates. They resolved, without one dissentient voice, that the
order signed by William did not authorise the slaughter of Glencoe. They
next resolved, but, it should seem, not unanimously, that the slaughter
was a murder. [600] They proceeded to pass several votes, the sense of
which was finally summed up in an address to the King. How that part of
the address which related to the Master of Stair should be framed was a
question about which there was much debate. Several of his letters were
called for and read; and several amendments were put to the vote. It
should seem that the Jacobites and the extreme Presbyterians were, with
but too good cause, on the side of severity. The majority, under the
skilful management of the Lord High Commissioner, acquiesced in words
which made it impossible for the guilty minister to retain his office,
but which did not impute to him such criminality as would have affected
his life or his estate. They censured him, but censured him in terms far
too soft. They blamed his immoderate zeal against the unfortunate clan,
and his warm directions about performing the execution by surprise. His
excess in his letters they pronounced to have been the original cause
of the massacre; but, instead of demanding that he should be brought to
trial as a murderer, they declared that, in consideration of his absence
and of his great place, they left it to the royal wisdom to deal with
him in such a manner as might vindicate the honour of the government.

The indulgence which was shown to the principal offender was not
extended to his subordinates. Hamilton, who had fled and had been vainly
cited by proclamation at the City Cross to appear before the Estates,
was pronounced not to be clear of the blood of the Glencoe men.
Glenlyon, Captain Drummond, Lieutenant Lindsey, Ensign Lundie, and
Serjeant Barbour, were still more distinctly designated as murderers;
and the King was requested to command the Lord Advocate to prosecute
them.

The Parliament of Scotland was undoubtedly, on this occasion, severe in