■WILLIAM THE THIRD.

37

put himself at the head of a movement which it was impossiblefor him to resist. A Commission authorising Tweedale and-several other privy councillors to examine fully into the matterabout which the public mind was so strongly excited was signedby the King at Kensington, was sent down to Edinburgh, andwas there sealed with the Great Seal of the realm. This wasaccomplished just in time.* The Parliament had scarcely en-tered on business when a member rose to move for an inquiryinto the circumstances of the slaughter of Glencoe. Tweedalewas able to inform the Estates that His Majesty’s goodness hadprevented their desires, that a Commission of Precognitionhad, a few hours before, passed in all the forms, and that thelords and gentlemen named in that instrument would hold theirfirst meeting before night.** The Parliament unanimously votedthanks to the King for this instance of his paternal care: butsome of those who joined in the vote of thanks expressed avery natural apprehension that the second investigation mightend as unsatisfactorily as the first investigation had ended.The honour of the country, they said, w'as at stake; and theCommissioners were bound to proceed with such diligence thatthe result of the inquest might be known before the end of thesession. Tweedale gave assurances which, for a time, silencedthe murmurers.*** But, when three weeks had passed away,many members became mutinous and suspicious. On the four-teenth of June it was moved that the Commissioners should beordered to report. The motion was not carried: but it wasrenewed day after day. In three successive sittings Tweedalewas able to restrain the eagerness of the assembly. But, whenhe at length announced that the report had been completed,and added that it would not be laid before the Estates till it

ciup.

XXI.

1(195.

* Tho Commission will be found in the Minutes of the Parliament.

** Act. Pari. Scot., May 21. 1695; London Gazette, May 30.

*** Act. Pari. Scot., May 23. 1695.