18
had subscribed the order amidst a heap of other papers, without knowing its purport. It is however, well known, that he sanctioned the massacre expressly at the instance of the Earl of Breadalbane, who had represented Macdonald of Glencoe as an incorrigible rebel, and a ruffian inured to bloodshed and rapine, who would never be obedient to the laws of his country, nor live peaceably under any sovereign. This malicious representation of Breadalbane together with his concealment from the king of Macdonald’s submission to government, by taking the oath of allegiance, forms indeed the best excuse for William, who would not, it is to be presumed, have sacrificed these unhappy people, had he known that they had discontinued their predatory opposition to his government and retired peaceably to their homes. As to his ordering an inquiry to be set on foot, and dismissing the master of Stair from the employment of secretary, when a violent outcry was afterwards raised on the occasion, it was nothing but a feint to rid himself of the odium of this transaction; for those who had "made his authority subservient to his revenge," were never severely punished, as they undoubtedly deserved to be, had they acted independant of his authority. The truth is, the Earl of Breadalbane had vowed to take this bloody revenge on Macdonald, who had plundered his lands during the course of hostilities, and would not indemnify him afterwards for that loss. The soldiers who performed that infamous
