The personal union of Scotland and England had created no special difficulties while both countries were under the rule of an absolute monarch.  The policy of both was alike, because it was guided by one supreme ruler.  But the accession of a constitutional king, with a parliamentary title, at once created many problems difficult of solution, and made a more complete union absolutely necessary.  The Union of 1707 was thus the natural consequence of the Revolution of 1689, although, at the time of the Revolution, scrupulous care was taken, alike by the new king and by his English Parliament, to recognize the existence of Scotland as a separate kingdom.  The Scottish Parliament, which regarded itself as the ruler of the country, found itself hampered and restricted by William’s action.  It was allowed no voice on questions of foreign policy, and its conduct of home affairs met with not infrequent interference, which roused the indignation of Scottish politicians, and especially of the section which followed Fletcher of Saltoun.  Several causes combined to add to the unpopularity which William had acquired through the occasional friction with the Parliament.  Scotland had ceased to have any interest in the war, and its prolongation constituted a standing grievance, of which the partisans of the Stuarts were not slow to avail themselves.

There were two events, in particular, which roused widespread resentment in Scotland.  These were the Massacre of Glencoe, and the failure of the scheme for colonizing the Isthmus of Darien.  The story of Glencoe has been often told.  The 31st December, 1691, had been appointed as the latest day on which the government would receive the submission of the Highland chiefs.  MacDonald of Glencoe delayed till the last moment, and then proceeded to Fort-William, where a fortress had just been erected, to take the oath in the presence of its commander, who had no power to receive it.  From Fort-William he had to go to Inverary, to take the oath before the sheriff of Argyll, and he did so on the 6th January, 1692.  The six days’ delay placed him and his clan in the power of men who were unlikely to show any mercy to the name of MacDonald.  Acting under instructions from King William, the nature of which has been matter of dispute, Campbell of Glenlyon, acting with the knowledge of Breadalbane and Sir John Dalrymple of Stair, the Secretary of State, and as their tool, entered the pass of Glencoe on the 1st February, 1692.  The MacDonalds, trusting in the assurances which had been given by the Government, seem to have suspected no evil from this armed visit of their traditional enemies, the Campbells, and received them with hospitality.  While they were living peaceably, all possible retreat was being cut off from the unfortunate MacDonalds by the closing of the passes, and on the 13th effect was given to the dastardly scheme.  It failed, however, to achieve its full object—­the extirpation of the clan.  Many escaped to the