Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

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cclxiv WILLIAM, FIUST MAKQUIS OF ANNA^DALK, 1G72-1721.
acts would King William consent. On the 2J of July 1GS9 a bill for church
governmcut was introduced by the Earl of Auuaudale. It proposed to abolish
prelacy, and recommended presbytery as the most agreeable to the people of
the nation. Hamilton, as coinmissionci', raised objections, and certain members
of the club inferred that the king did not intend to allow the presbyterian
church government to be established. Au act was, however, passed, abolishing
prelacy, to whicli their Majesties signified their assent.^ The parliament was
adjourned to 2d August ICS'J, and did not meet again till the following year.
"WHieu Major-General j\lacl:ay was arranging his forces to meet the
Highland host of Dundee at XilliccrauL-ie, ]\Iackay summoned the Earl of
Annandale aud Lord Itoss to attend him at the head of their respective
troops. But these active senators, thinking they were of more conseC|Uence
iu the parliament house than on the battlefield, applied first to the council
and then to the parliament, to have the general's order countermanded.
This gave rise to new debate, whether the kiug could call away any man
from parliament. Hamilton, as commissioner, decided that officers must
obey orders. But Lords Annandale and Uoss offered to lay down their com-
missions rather than obey the orders of Mackay, who did not accept
theii' commissions, and gave them furloughs. In the parliament con-
stituted iu the circumstances consequent on a change of sovereigns, many
difficult questions were constantly cropping up, and required great skill to
them through without explosions. "Whether Annandale and Boss did
best for the covntry to remain in parliament, instead of attending the com-
mander-in-chicl with their respective troops, may be a matter of opinion.
But the fate of the day would probably not have been affected by their
presence or absence. Mackay had the troops of Annandale aud Boss under
his command at Killiecrankie, and their inexperienced captains woiild not
probably have aflected the general result. The battle of Killiecrankie was
claimed as a victory for King James; but it was dearly bought by the death
' 22d July 1GS9, Acts of the rarlinmcnts of Scotlaml, vol. i.\. p. 104.