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Judicial Proceeding: decreet against Sir Alexander Hamilton

Decreet against Sir Alexander Hamilton, general of artillery

The estates of parliament, having heard and considered the report of the committee of dispatches in performance of the order of parliament, authorising them to take trial of the behaviour and carriage of Sir Alexander Hamilton, general of artillery, in reference to the late unlawful Engagement according to the precept issued forth against him and charge given thereupon, do find after perusal of the register of the committee of estates that upon 12, 13, 15, 19, 26 and 28 June, 29 July, 3 and 7 August 1648 respectively the said Sir Alexander sat in the committee of estates as a member thereof and concurred in giving order for prosecuting the said Engagement; that upon 12 June aforesaid the said Sir Alexander did take the oath of the committee of estates for a faithful discharge of the commission to them in pursuance of the said Engagement; that upon the said 12 June he concurred in the act of the committee enjoining the subscribing of the bond and that he subscribed the said bond himself; and that upon 28 June aforesaid he concurred in the act for the army under [James Hamilton], earl of Hamilton, their invading of England and taking of Carlisle and in the declaration of the committee of estates to the parliament of England concerning the necessity, grounds and ends of the Engagement; and that upon 7 August aforesaid he gave into the committee of estates an establishment for the train of artillery. By all which (over and above his known affection and action to and for the Engagement and of the notoriety of the carrying on of the general officers who led and accompanied the army into England) it does evidently appear that he has committed such transgressions as makes him fall within the second class mentioned in the act of parliament of 23 January last for purging places of public trust, and therefore the said estates of parliament have deposed and do depose the said Sir Alexander Hamilton from his charge as general of artillery of this kingdom and declare him incapable of any public trust within this kingdom according to the tenor of the said act of classes.