THE DARIEN SCHEME.
The first body of Highlanders to arrive in the New World was as much
military as civil. Their lines were cast in evil waters, and disaster
awaited them. They formed a very essential part of a colony that engaged
in what has been termed the Darien Scheme, which originated in 1695, and
so mismanaged as to involve thousands in ruin, many of whom had enjoyed
comparative opulence. Although this project did not materially affect
the Highlands of Scotland, yet as Highland money entered the enterprise,
and as quite a body of Highlanders perished in the attempted
colonization of the isthmus of Panama, more than a passing notice is
here demanded.
Scottish people have ever been noted for their caution, frugality, and
prudence, and not prone to engage in any speculation unless based on the
soundest business principles. Although thus characterized, yet this
people engaged in the most disastrous speculation on record; established
by act of the Scottish parliament, and begun by unprecedented
excitement. The leading cause which impelled the people headlong into
this catastrophe was the ruination of the foreign trade of Scotland by
the English Navigation Act of 1660, which provided that all trade with
the English colonies should be conducted in English ships alone. Any
scheme plausibly presented was likely to catch those anxious to regain
their commercial interests, as well as those who would be actuated to
increase their own interests. The Massacre of Glencoe had no little
share in the matter. This massacre, which occurred February 13, 1692, is
the foulest blot in the annals of crime. It was deliberately planned by
Sir John Dalrymple and others, ordered by king William, and executed by
Captain Robert Campbell of Glenlyon, in the most treacherous, brutal,
atrocious, and bloodthirsty manner imaginable, and perpetrated without
the shadow of a reasonable excuse--infancy and old age, male and female
alike perished. The bare recital of it is awful; and the barbarity of
the American savage pales before it. In every quarter, even at court,
the account of the massacre was received with horror and indignation.
The odium of the nation rose to a great pitch, and demanded that an
inquiry be made into this atrocious affair. The appointment of a
commission was not wrung from the unwilling king until April 29, 1695.
The commission, as a whole, acted with great fairness, although they put
the best possible construction on the king's order, and threw the whole
blame on Secretary Dalrymple. The king was too intimately connected with
the crime to make an example of any one, although through public
sentiment he was forced to dismiss Secretary Dalrymple. Not one of those
actually engaged in the perpetration of the crime were dismissed from
the army, or punished for the butchery, otherwise than by the general
hatred of the age in which they lived, and the universal execration of
posterity. The tide of feeling set in against king William, and before
it had time to ebb the Darien Scheme was projected. The friends of
William seized the opportunity to persuade him that some freedom and
facilities of trade should be granted the Scotch, and that would divert
public attention from the Glencoe massacre. Secretary Dalrymple also was
not slow to give it the support of his eloquence and interest, in hopes
to regain thereby a part of his lost popularity.
The originator of the Darien Scheme was William Paterson, founder of the
Bank of England, a man of comprehensive views and great sagacity, born
in Scotland, a missionary in the Indies, and a buccaneer among the West
India islands. During his roving course of life he had visited the
isthmus of Panama--then called Darien--and brought away only pleasant
recollections of that narrow strip of land that unites North and South
America. On his return to Europe his first plan was the national
establishment of the Bank of England. For a brief period he was admitted
as a director in that institution, but it befell to Paterson that others
possessed of wealth and influence, interposed and took advantage of his
ideas, and then excluded him from the concern. Paterson next turned his
thoughts to the plan of settling a colony in America, and handling the
trade of the Indies and the South Seas. The trade of Europe with the
remote parts of Asia had been carried on by rounding the Cape of Good
Hope. Paterson believed that the shorter, cheaper, and more expeditious
route was by the isthmus of Panama, and, as he believed, that section of
the country had not been occupied by any of the nations of Europe; and
as it was specially adapted for his enterprise it should be colonized.
He averred that the havens were capacious and secure; the sea swarmed
with turtle; the country so mountainous, that though within nine degrees
of the equator, the climate was temperate; and yet roads could be easily
constructed along which a string of mules, or a wheeled carriage might
in the course of a single day pass from sea to sea. Fruits and a
profusion of valuable herbs grew spontaneously, on account of the rich
black soil, which had a depth of seven feet; and the exuberant fertility
of the soil had not tainted the purity of the atmosphere. As a place of
residence alone, the isthmus was a paradise; and a colony there could
not fail to prosper even if its wealth depended entirely on agriculture.
This, however, would be only a secondary matter, for within a few years
the entire trade between India and Europe would be drawn to that spot.
The merchant was no longer to expose his goods to the capricious gales
of the Antarctic Seas, for the easier, safer, cheaper route must be
navigated, which was shortly destined to double the amount of trade.
Whoever possessed that door which opened both to the Atlantic and
Pacific, as the shortest and least expensive route would give law to
both hemispheres, and by peaceful arts would establish an empire as
splendid as that of Cyrus or Alexander. If Scotland would occupy Darien
she would become the one great free port, the one great warehouse for
the wealth that the soil of Darien would produce, and the greater wealth
which would be poured through Darien, India, China, Siam, Ceylon, and
the Moluccas; besides taking her place in the front rank among nations.
On all the vast riches that would be poured into Scotland a toll should
be paid which would add to her capital; and a fabulous prosperity would
be shared by every Scotchman from the peer to the cadie. Along the
desolate shores of the Forth Clyde villas and pleasure grounds would
spring up; and Edinburgh would vie with London and Paris. These glowing
prospects at first were only partially disclosed to the public, and the
name of Darien was unpronounced save only to a few of Paterson's most
confidential friends. A mystery pervaded the enterprise, and only enough
was given out to excite boundless hopes and desires. He succeeded
admirably in working up a sentiment and desire on the part of the people
to become stockholders in the organization. The hour for action had
arrived; so on June 26, 1695, the Scottish parliament granted a statute
from the Crown, for creating a corporate body or stock company, by name
of the Company of Scotland trading to Africa and the Indies, with power
to plant colonies and build forts in places not possessed by other
European nations, the consent of the inhabitants of the places they
settled being obtained. The amount of capital was not fixed by charter,
but it was stipulated that at least one-half the stock must be held by
Scotchmen resident in Scotland, and that no stock originally so held
should ever be transferred to any but Scotchmen resident in Scotland. An
entire monopoly of the trade with Asia, Africa, and America was granted
for a term of thirty-one years, and all goods imported by the company
during twenty-one years, should be admitted duty free, except sugar and
tobacco, unless grown on the company's plantations. Every member and
servant of the company were privileged against arrest and imprisonment,
and if placed in durance, the company was authorized to invoke both the
civil and military power. The Great Seal was affixed to the Act; the
books were opened; the shares were fixed at £100 sterling each; and
every man from the Pentland Firth to the Galway Firth who could command
the amount was impatient to put down his name. The whole kingdom
apparently had gone mad. The number of shareholders were about fourteen
hundred. The books were opened February 26, 1696, and the very first
subscriber was Anne, dutchess of Hamilton. On that day there was
subscribed £50,400. By the end of March the greater part of the amount
had been subscribed. On March 5th, a separate book was opened in Glasgow
and on it was entered £56,325. The books were closed August 3rd of the
same year, and on the last day of subscriptions there was entered
£14,125, reaching the total of £400,000, the amount apportioned to
Scotland. The cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, in their corporate
capacity, each took £3,000 and Perth £2,000. Of the subscriptions there
were eight of £3,000 each; eight of £2,000 each; two of £1,500, and one
each of £1,200 and £1,125; ninety-seven of £1,000 each; but the great
majority consisted of £100 or £200 each. The whole amount actually paid
up was £220,000. This may not seem to be a large amount for such a
country as Scotland, but as already noted, the country had been ruined
by the English Act of 1660. There were five or six shires which did not
altogether contain as many guineas and crowns as were tossed about every
day by the shovels of a single goldsmith in Lombard street. Even the
nobles had but very little money, for a large part of their rents was
taken in kind; and the pecuniary remuneration of the clergy was such as
to move the pity of the most needy, of the present; yet some of these
had invested their all in hopes that their children might be benefited
when the golden harvest should come. Deputies in England received
subscriptions to the amount of £300,000; and the Dutch and Hamburgers
subscribed £200,000.
Those Highland chiefs who had been considered as turbulent, and are so
conspicuous in the history of the day have no place in this record of a
species of enterprise quite distinct from theirs. The houses of Argyle,
Athol, and Montrose appear in the list, as families who, besides their
Highland chiefships, had other stakes and interests in the country; but
almost the only person with a Highland patronymic was John MacPharlane
of that ilk, a retired scholar who followed antiquarian pursuits in the
libraries beneath the Parliament House. The Keltic prefix of "Mac" is
most frequently attached to merchants in Inverness, who subscribed their
hundred.
It is probable that a list of Highlanders who subscribed stock may be of
interest in this connection. Only such names as are purely Highland are
here subjoined with amounts given, and also in the order as they appear
on the books:
26 February, 1696:
John Drummond of Newtoun £600
Adam Gordon of Dalphollie 500
Master James Campbell, brother-german to the Earle
of Argyle 500
John McPharlane of that ilk 200
Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonstown 400
Sir Colin Campbell of Ardkinlass 500
Mr. Gilbert Campbell, son to Colin Campbell of Soutar
houses 400
27 February, 1696:
John Robertson, merchant in Edinburgh 300
Matthew St. Clair, Doctor of Medicine 500
Daniel Mackay, Writer in Edinburgh 200
Mr. Francis Grant of Cullen, Advocate 100
Duncan Forbes of Culloden 200
Arthur Forbes, younger of Echt 200
George Southerland, merchant in Edinburgh 200
Kenneth McKenzie of Cromartie 500
Major John Forbes 200
28 February, 1696:
William Robertsone of Gladney 1,000
Mungo Graeme of Gorthie 500
Duncan Campbell of Monzie 500
James Mackenzie, son to the Viscount of Tarbat 1,000
2 March, 1696:
Jerome Robertson, periwig maker, burgess of Edinburgh 100
3 March 1696:
David Robertsone, Vintner in Edinburgh 200
William Drummond, brother to Thomas Drummond of
Logie Almond 500
4 March, 1696:
Sir Humphrey Colquhoun of Luss 400
5 March, 1696:
James Robertson, tylor in Canonget 100
Sir Thomas Murray of Glendoick 1,000
6 March, 1696:
Alexander Murray, son to John Murray of Touchadam,
and deputed by him 300
7 March 1696:
John Gordon, Captain in Lord Stranraer's Regiment 100
Samuell McLelland, merchant in Edinburgh 500
11 March 1696:
Aeneas McLeod, Town-Clerk of Edinburgh, in name and
behalfe of George Viscount of Tarbat, and as having
commission from him £1000
17 March, 1696:
John Menzies, Advocate 200
William Menzies, merchant in Edinburgh 1000
19 March, 1696:
James Drummond, Writer in Edinburgh, deputed by Mr.
John Graham of Aberuthven 100
Gilbert Campbell, merchant in Edinburgh, son to Colline
Campbell of Soutar Houses 200
Gilbert Campbell, merchant in Edinburgh, son to Colline
Campbell of Soutar Houses 100
Daniel McKay, Writer in Edinburgh, deputed by Captain
Hugh McKay, younger of Borley 300
Patrick Campbell, Writer in Edinburgh, deputed by Captain
Leonard Robertsone of Straloch 100
20 March, 1696:
Alexander Murray, son to George Murray of Touchadam,
deputed by him 200
Sir Colin Campbell of Aberuchill, one of the Senators of
the Colledge of Justice 500
Andrew Robertson, chyrurgeon in Edinburgh, deputed
by George Robertstone, younger, merchant in Glasgow 100
Andrew Robertson, chyrurgeon in Edinburgh 100
James Gregorie, student 100
George Earle of Southerland 1000
21 March, 1696:
John McFarlane, Writer to the Signet 200
23 March, 1696:
John Forbes, brother-german to Samuell Forbes of Fovrain,
deputed by the said Samuell Forbes 1000
John Forbes, brother-german to Samuell Forbes of Fovrain 500
James Gregory, Professor of Mathematiques in the Colledge
of Edinburgh 200
24 March 1696:
Patrick Murray of Livingstoun 600
Ronald Campbell, Writer to his Majesty's Signet, as having
deputation from Alexander Gordoun, son to
Alexander Gordoun, minister at Inverary 100
William Graham, merchant in Edinburgh 200
David Drummond, Advocate, deputed by Thomas Graeme
of Balgowan 600
David Drummond, Advocate, deputed by John Drummond
of Culqupalzie £600
25 March, 1696:
John Murray of Deuchar 800
Sir Robert Sinclair of Stevenstoun 400
John Sinclair of Stevenstoun 400
26 March, 1696:
Helen Drummond, spouse to Colonel James Ferguson as
commissionate by him 200
James Murray of Sundhope 100
John Drummond of Newtoun 400
John Drummond of Newtoun, for John Stewart of Dalguis,
conform to deputation 100
March 27:
Alexander Johnstoune of Elshieshells 400
John Forbes, brother-german to Samuell Forbes of Fovrain,
conform to one deputation by Captain James
Stewart, in Sir John Hill's regiment. Governor of
Fort William 100
Thomas Forbes of Watertoun 200
William Ross, merchant in Edinburgh 100
Rachell Johnstoun, relict of Mr. Robert Baylie of Jerviswood 200
March 28:
John Fraser, servitor to Alexander Innes, merchant 100
Mr. John Murray, Senior Advocate 100
John Stewart, Writer in Clerk Gibsone's chamber 100
Mr. Gilbert Campbell, merchant in Edinburgh, son to Colline
Campbell of Soutar Houses 200
Mr. Gilbert Campbell, merchant in Edinburgh, son to Colline
Campbell of Soutar Houses, (more) 100
James Gordon, Senior, merchant in Aberdeen 250
Thomas Gordon, skipper in Leith 100
Adam Gordon of Dulpholly 500
Colin Campbell of Lochlan 200
Thomas Graeme of Balgowane, by virtue of a deputation
from David Graeme of Kilor 200
Patrick Coutts, merchant in Edinburgh, being deputed by
Alexander Robertsone, merchant in Dundie 200
David Drummond, of Cultimalindie 600
John Drummond, brother of David Drummond of Cultimalindie 200
30 March, 1696:
James Marquess of Montrose 1000
John Murray, doctor of medicine, for Mr. James Murray,
Chirurgeon in Perth, conform to a deputation £200
William Stewart, doctor of medicine at Perth 100
Patrick Campbell, Writer in Edinburgh, being depute by
Helen Steuart, relict of Doctor Murray 100
James Drummond, one of the Clerks to the Bills, being
deputed by James Meinzies of Shian 100
Robert Stewart, Junior, Advocate 300
Master Donald Robertsone, minister of the Gospel 100
Duncan Campbell of Monzie, by deputation from John
Drummond of Culquhalzie 100
John Marquesse of Athole 500
John Haldane of Gleneagles, deputed by James Murray
at Orchart Milne 100
Thomas Johnstone, merchant in Edinburgh 100
William Meinzies, merchant in Edinburgh 1000
Alexander Forbes of Tolquhon 500
Robert Murray, merchant in Edinburgh 200
Walter Murray, merchant in Edinburgh 100
Master Arthur Forbes, son of the Laird of Cragivar 100
Robert Fraser, Advocate 100
Barbara Fraser, relict of George Stirling, Chirurgeon
apothecary in Edinburgh 200
Alexander Johnston, merchant in Edinburgh 100
Sir Robert Sinclair of Stevenstoun, for Charles Sinclair,
Advocate, his son 100
The said Thomas Scott, deputed by Patrick Ogilvie of Balfour 400
The said Thomas Scott, deputed by Thomas Robertson,
merchant there (i.e. Dundee) 125
The said Thomas Scott, deputed by David Drummond,
merchant in Dundee 100
Mrs. Anne Stewart, daughter to the deceased John Stewart
of Kettlestoun 100
31 March, 1696:
Sir Archibald Murray of Blackbarrony 500
William Stewart, clerk to his Majesty's Customs at Leith 100
Christian Grierson, daughter to the deceast John Grierson 100
Jesper Johnstoune of Waristoun 500
Alexander Forbes, goldsmith in Edinburgh 200
Master John Campbell, Writer to the Signet 200
Thomas Campbell, flesher in Edinburgh 200
Archibald Earle of Argyll 1500
James Campbell, brother-german to the Earle of Argyll 200
William Johnston, postmaster of Hadingtoun £100
Sir James Murray of Philiphaugh 500
Andrew Murray, brother to Sundhope 100
William McLean, master of the Revelles 100
John Cameron, son to the deceast Donald Cameron, merchant
in Edinburgh 100
David Forbes, Advocate 200
Captain John Forbes of Forbestoune 200
Afternoon:
Sir Alexander Monro of Bearcrofts 200
James Gregorie, student of medicine 100
Mungo Campbell of Burnbank 400
John Murray, junior, merchant in Edinburgh 400
Robert Murray, burges in Edinburgh 150
Dougall Campbell of Sadell 100
Ronald Campbell, Writer to his Majesty's Signet 200
Alexander Finlayson, Writer in Edinburgh 100
John Steuart, Writer in Edinburgh 100
William Robertson, one of the sub-clerks of the Session 100
Lady Neil Campbell 200
Mary Murray, Lady Enterkin, elder 200
Sir George Campbell of Cesnock 1000
7 April:
Thomas Robertson of Lochbank 400
Robert Fraser, Advocate, for Hugh Robertson, Provost of
Inverness, conform to deputation 100
Robert Fraser, Advocate, for James McLean, baillie of
Invernes, conform to deputation 100
Robert Fraser. Advocate, for John McIntosh, baillie of Invernes,
conform to deputation 100
Robert Fraser, Advocate, for Alexander McLeane, merchant
of Invernes, conform to deputation 150
Robert Fraser, Advocate, for Robert Rose, late baillie of
Invernes, conform to deputation 140
Robert Fraser, Advocate, for Alexander Stewart, skipper
at Invernes, conform to deputation 150
Robert Fraser, Advocate, for William Robertson of Inshes, 100
9 April, 1696:
James Drummond, one of the Clerks of the Bills, for Robert
Menzies, in Aberfadie, conform to deputation 100
John Drummond of Newtoun, depute by John Menzies of
Camock, Advocate 200
Archibald Sinclair, Advocate 100
Patrick Campbell, Writer in Edinburgh £100
John Murray, doctor of medicine, for William Murray of
Arbony, by virtue of his deputation 200
Colen Campbell of Bogholt 100
William Gordone, Writer in Edinburgh 100
14 Apryle:
The said Thomas Halliday, Conform to deputation from
William Ogilvie in Todshawhill 100
16 Aprill:
Patrick Murray, lawful son to Patrick Murray of Killor 100
Walter Murray, servitor to George Clerk, junior, merchant
in Edinburgh, deputed by Robert Murray of
Levelands 150
John Campbell, Writer to the Signet, for Alexander Campbell,
younger of Calder, conform to deputation 500
Captain James Drummond of Comrie 200
April 21:
James Cuming, merchant in Edinburgh 100
James Campbell of Kinpout 100
James Drummond, Under-Clerk to the Bills, depute by
Archibald Meinzies of Myln of Kiltney 100
Robert Blackwood, deputed by John Gordon of Collistoun,
doctor of medicine 100
Robert Blackwood, merchant in Edinburgh, deputed by
Charles Ogilvy, merchant and late baillie of Montrose 200
James Ramsay, writer in Edinburg, commission at by Duncan
Campbell of Duneaves 100
Captain Patrick Murray, of Lord Murray's regiment of foot 100
May 5, 1696.
John Haldane of Gleneagles, conform to deputation from
Thomas Grahame in Auchterarder 100
John Drummond of Newtoun, depute by David Graeme of
Jordanstoun 100
Samuel McLellan, merchant in Dundee, conform to deputation
from William Stewart of Castle Stewart 100
May 14, 1696.
Andrew Robertsone, chirurgeon in Edinburgh, conform
to deputation by George Robertsone, Writer in Dunblane 100
May 21, 1696.
John Drummond of Newtoun, for Lodovick Drummond,
chamberland to my Lord Drummond 100
May 26, 1696.
Thomas Drummond of Logie Almond £500
June 2, 1696.
Robert Fraser, Advocate, by virtue of a deputation from
Robert Cuming of Relugas, merchant of Inverness 100
Robert Fraser, Advocate, in name of William Duff of
Dyple, merchant of Inverness 100
Robert Fraser, Advocate, in name of Alexander Duffe of
Drumuire, merchant of Inverness 100
June 4, 1696.
John Haldane of Gleneagles, depute by John Graham, son
to John Graham, clerk to the chancellary 100
Adam Drummond of Meginch 200
18.
Agnes Campbell, relict of Andrew Anderson, his Majesty's
printer 100
July 10.
John Drummond of Newtoun, for Dame Margaret Graham,
Lady Kinloch 200
John Drummond of Newtoun 200
James Menzies of Schian 100
Mungo Graeme of Garthie 200
21.
Sir Alexander Cumyng of Culter 200
31.
Mr. George Murray, doctor of physick 200
Patrick Campbell, brother to Monzie 100
August 1.
James Lord Drummond 1000
Friday, 6 March, 1696.
John Drummond of Newtoune 1125
Saturday, 7 March, 1696.
John Graham, younger of 1000
Daniel Campbell, merchant in Glasgow 1000
George Robinsoune, belt-maker in Glasgow 100
John Robinsoune, hammerman in Glasgow 100
John Robertson, junior, merchant in Glasgow 500
Munday, 9 March, 1696.
Mattheu Cuming, junior, merchant in Glasgow 1000
William Buchanan, merchant in Glasgow 100
Marion Davidson, relict of Mr. John Glen, Minister of the
Gospel 100
James Johnstoun, merchant in Glasgow 200
Thomas Johnstoun, merchant in Glasgow 200
George Johnston, merchant in Glasgow £200
John Buchanan, merchant in Glasgow 100
John Grahame, younger of Dougaldstoun 1,000
Tuesday, 10 March, 1696.
Neill McVicar, tanner in Glasgow 100
George Buchanan, Maltman in Glasgow 100
Saturday, 21 March, 1696.
Archibald Cambell, merchant in Glasgow 100
Tuesday, 24 March, 1696.
John Robertsone, younger, merchant in Glasgow, for Robert
Robertsone, second lawfull sone to Umqll James
Robertsone, merchant in Glasgow 100
Tuesday, March 31, 1696.
Mungo Campbell of Nether Place 100
Hugh Campbell, merchant, son to deceast Sir Hugh Campbell
of Cesnock 100
Matthew Campbell of Waterhaugh 100
Thursday, Agr the 2d of Aprille.
Mungo Campbell, merchant in Ayr 100
David Fergursone, merchant in Ayr 100
Wednesday the 15th day, 1696.
Captain Charles Forbes, of Sir John Hill's regiment 200
Captain James Menzies, of Sir John Hill's regiment 100
Captain Francis Ferquhar, of Sir John Hill's regiment 100
Thursday, 16 Aprile, 1696.
Captain Charles Forbes, of Sir John Hill's regiment 200
Fryday, 17 Aprile.
Lieutenant Charles Ross, of Sir John Hill's regiment 100[13]
It is more than probable that some names should not be inserted above,
as the name Graeme, for it may belong to the clan Graham of the
Highlands, or else to the debateable land, near Carlisle, which is more
likely. We know that where they had made themselves adverse to both
sides, they were forced to emigrate in large numbers. Some of them
settled near Bangor, in the county of Down, Ireland. How large a per
cent, of the subscribers who lived in the lowlands, and born out of the
Highlands, would be impossible to determine. Then names of parties, born
in the Highlands and of Gaelic blood have undoubtedly been omitted owing
to change of name. By the change in spelling of the name, it would
indicate that some had left Ulster where their forefathers had settled,
and taken up their residence in Scotland. It will also be noticed that
the clans bordering the Grampians were most affected by the excitement
while others seemingly did not even feel the breeze.
The Darien Scheme at best was but suppositious, for no experiment had
been tried in order to forecast a realization of what was expected.
There was, it is true, a glitter about it, but there were materials
within the reach of all from which correct data might have been
obtained. It seems incredible that men of sound judgment should have
risked everything, when they only had a vague or general idea of
Paterson's plans. It was also a notorious fact that Spain claimed
sovereignty over the Isthmus of Panama, and, even if she had not, it was
unlikely that she would tolerate such a colony, as was proposed, in the
very heart of her transatlantic dominions. Spain owned the Isthmus both
by the right of discovery and possession; and the very country which
Paterson had described in such radiant colors had been found by the
Castilian settlers to be a land of misery and of death; and on account
of the poisonous air they had been compelled to remove to the
neighboring haven of Panama. All these facts, besides others, might
easily have been ascertained by members of the Company.
As has already been intimated, the Scots alone were not drawn into this
vortex of wild excitement, and are no more to be held responsible for
the delusion than some of other nationalities. The English people were
seized with the dread of Scottish prosperity resulting from the
enterprise, and England's jealousy of trade at once interfered to crush
an adventure which seemed so promising. The English East India Company
instigated a cry, echoed by the city of London, and taken up by the
nation, which induced their parliament, when it met for the first time,
after the elections of 1695, to give its unequivocal condemnation to the
scheme. One peer declared, "If these Scots are to have their way I shall
go and settle in Scotland, and not stay here to be made a beggar." The
two Houses of Parliament went up together to Kensington and represented
to the king the injustice of requiring England to exert her power in
support of an enterprise which, if successful, must be fatal to her
commerce and to her finances. William replied in plain terms that he had
been illy-treated in Scotland, but that he would try to find a remedy
for the evil which had been brought to his attention. At once he
dismissed Lord High Commissioner Tweeddale and Secretary Johnston; but
the Act which had been passed under their management still continued to
be law in Scotland.
The Darien Company might have surmounted the opposition of the English
parliament and the East India Company, had not the Dutch East India
Company--a body remarkable for its monopolizing character--also joined
in the outcry against the Scottish enterprise; incited thereto by the
king through Sir Paul Rycaut, the British resident at Hamburg, directing
him to transmit to the senate of that commercial city a remonstrance on
the part of king William, accusing them of having encouraged the
commissioners of the Darien Company; requesting them to desist from
doing so; intimating that the plan had not the king's support; and a
refusal to withdraw their countenance from the scheme would threaten an
interruption to his friendship with the good city of Hamburg. The result
of this interference was the almost total withdrawal of the Dutch and
English subscriptions, which was accelerated by the threatened
impeachment, by the English parliament, of such persons who had
subscribed to the Company; and, furthermore, were compelled to renounce
their connection with the Company, besides misusing some native-born
Scotchmen who had offended the House by subscribing their own money to a
company formed in their own country, and according to their own laws.
The managers of the scheme, supported by the general public of Scotland,
entered a strong protest against the king's hostile interference of his
Hamburg envoy. In his answer the king evaded what he was resolved not to
grant, and yet could not in equity refuse. By the double dealing of the
monarch the Company lost the active support of the subscribers in
Hamburg and Holland.
In spite of the desertion of her English and foreign subscribers the
Scots, encouraged in their stubborn resolution, and flattered by hopes
that captivated their imaginations, decided to enter the project alone.
A stately house in Milne Square, then the most modern and fashionable
part of Edinburgh, was purchased and fitted up for an office and
warehouse. It was called the Scottish India House. Money poured faster
than ever into the coffers of the Company. Operations were actively
commenced during the month of May, 1696. Contracts were rapidly let and
orders filled--smith and cutlery work at Falkirk; woollen stockings at
Aberdeen; gloves and other leather goods at Perth; various metallic
works, hats, shoes, tobacco-pipes, serges, linen cloth, bobwigs and
periwigs, at Edinburgh; and for home-spun and home-woven woollen checks
or tartan, to various parts of the Highlands.
[Illustration: SCOTTISH INDIA HOUSE]
As the means for building ships in Scotland did not then exist, recourse
was had to the dockyards of Amsterdam and Hamburg. At an expense of
£50,000 a few inferior ships were purchased, and fitted out as ships of
war; for their constitution authorized them to make war both by land and
sea. The vessels were finally fitted out at Leith, consisting of the
Caledonia, the St. Andrew, the Unicorn, and the Dolphin, each armed with
fifty guns and two tenders, the Endeavor and Pink, afterwards sunk at
Darien; and among the commodities stored away were axes, iron wedges,
knives, smiths', carpenters' and coopers' tools, barrels, guns, pistols,
combs, shoes, hats, paper, tobacco-pipes, and, as was supposed,
provisions enough to last eight months. The value of the cargo of the
St. Andrew was estimated at £4,006. The crew and colonists consisted of
twelve hundred picked men, the greater part of whom were veterans who
had served in king William's wars, and the remainder of Highlanders and
others who had opposed the revolution, and three hundred gentlemen of
family, desirous of trying their fortunes.
It was on July 26, 1698, that the vessels weighed anchor and put out to
sea. A wild insanity seized the entire population of Edinburgh as they
came to witness the embarkation. Guards were kept busy holding back the
eager crowd who pressed forward, and, stretching out their arms to their
departing countrymen, clamored to be taken on board. Stowaways, when
ordered on shore, madly clung to rope and mast, pleading in vain to be
allowed to serve without pay on board the ships. Women sobbed and gasped
for breath; men stood uncovered, and with downcast head and choked
utterance invoked the blessing of the Beneficent Being. The banner of
St. Andrew was hoisted at the admiral's mast; and as a light wind caught
the sails, the roar of the vast multitude was heard far down the waters
of the frith.
The actual destination of the fleet was still a profound secret, save to
a few. The supreme direction of the expedition was entrusted to a
council of seven, to whom was entrusted all power, both civil and
military. The voyage was long and the adventurers suffered much; the
rations proved to be scanty, and of poor quality; and the fleet, after
passing the Orkneys and Ireland, touched at Madeira, where those who had
fine clothes were glad to exchange them for provisions and wines. Having
crossed the Atlantic, they first landed on an uninhabited islet lying
between Porto Rico and St. Thomas, which they took possession of in the
name of their country, and hoisted the white cross of St. Andrew. Being
warned off for trespassing on the territory of the king of Denmark, and
having procured the services of an old buccaneer, under whose pilotage
they departed, on November 1st they anchored close to the Isthmus of
Panama, having lost fifteen of their number during the voyage. On the
4th they landed at Acla; founded there a settlement to which they gave
the name of New St. Andrews; marked out the site for another town and
called it New Edinburgh. The weather was genial and climate pleasant at
the time of their arrival; the vegetation was luxuriant and promising;
the natives were kind; and everything presaged a bright future for the
fortune-seekers. They cut a canal through the neck of land that divided
one side of the harbor from the ocean, and there constructed a fort,
whereon they mounted fifty cannon. On a mountain, at the opposite side
of the harbor, they built a watchhouse, where the extensive view
prevented all danger of a surprise. Lands were purchased from the
Indians, and messages of friendship were sent to the governors of the
several Spanish provinces. As the amount of funds appropriated for the
sustenance of the colony had been largely embezzled by those having the
matter in charge, the people were soon out of provisions. Fishing and
the chase were now the only sources, and as these were precarious, the
colonists were soon on the verge of starvation. As the summer drew near
the atmosphere became stifling, and the exhalations from the steaming
soil, added to other causes, wrought death among the settlers. The
mortality rose gradually to ten a day. Both the clergymen who
accompanied the expedition were dead; one of them, Rev. Thomas James,
died at sea before the colonists landed, and soon after the arrival Rev.
Adam Scot succumbed. Paterson buried his wife in that soil, which, as he
had assured his too credulous countrymen, exhaled health and vigor. Men
passed to the hospital, and from thence to the grave, and the survivors
were only kept alive through the friendly offices of the Indians.
Affairs continued daily to grow worse. The Spaniards on the isthmus
looked with complacency on the distress of the Scotchmen. No relief, and
no tidings coming from Scotland, the survivors on June 22, 1699, less
than eight months after their arrival, resolved to abandon the
settlement. They re-embarked in three vessels, a weak and hopeless
company, to sail whithersoever Providence might direct. Paterson, the
first to embark at Leith, was the last to re-embark at Darien. He begged
hard to be left behind with twenty or more companions to keep up a show
of possession, and to await the next arrival from Scotland. His
importunities were disregarded, and, utterly helpless, he was carried on
board the St. Andrew, and soon after the vessels stood out to sea. The
voyage was horrible. It might be compared to the horrors of a slave
ship.
The ocean kept secret the sufferings on board these pestilential ships
until August 8th, when the Caledonia, commanded by Captain Robert
Drummond, drifted into Sandy Hook, New York, having lost one hundred and
three men since leaving Darien, and twelve more within four days after
arrival, leaving but sixty-five men on board fit for handling ropes. The
three ships, on leaving Darien, had three hundred each, including
officers, crew and colonists. On August 13th, the Unicorn, commanded by
Captain John Anderson, came into New York in a distressed condition,
having lost her foremast, fore topmast, and mizzen mast. She lost one
hundred and fifty men on the way. It appears that Captain Robert
Pennicuik of the St. Andrew knew of the helpless condition of the
Unicorn, and accorded no assistance.[14] As might be expected, passion
was engendered amidst this scene of misery. The squalid survivors, in
the depths of their misery, raged fiercely against one another. Charges
of incapacity, cruelty, brutal insolence, were hurled backward and
forward. The rigid Presbyterians attributed the calamities to the
wickedness of Jacobites, Prelatists, Sabbath-breakers and Atheists, as
they denominated some of their fellow-sufferers. The accused parties, on
the other hand, complained bitterly of the impertinence of meddling
fanatics and hypocrites. Paterson was cruelly reviled, and was unable to
defend himself. He sunk into a stupor, and became temporarily insane.
The arrival of the two ships in New York awakened different emotions.
There certainly was no danger of these miserable people doing any harm,
and yet their appearance awakened apprehension, on account of orders
received from the king. After the proclamations which had been issued
against these miserable fugitives, it became a question of difficulty,
since the governor of New York was absent in Boston, whether it was
safe to provide the dying men with harborage and necessary food. Natural
feelings overcame the difficulty; the more selfish and timid would have
stood aloof and let fate take its course: there being a sufficient
number of them to make the more generous feel that their efforts to save
life were not made without risks. Even putting the most favorable
construction on the act of the earl of Bellomont, governor of Rhode
Island, who was appealed to for advice, by the lieutenant governor of
New York, the colonists were provoked by the actions of those in
authority. Bellomont, in his report to the Lords of Trade, under date of
October 20, 1699, states that the sufferers drew up a memorial to the
lieutenant governor for permission to buy provisions; would not act
until Bellomont gave his instructions; latter thinks the colonists
became insolent after being refreshed; and "your Lordships will see that
I have been cautious enough in my orders to the lieutenant governor of
New York, not to suffer the Scotch to buy more provisions, than would
serve to carry them home to Scotland."[15] On October 12th the Caledonia
set sail from Sandy Hook, made the west coast of Ireland, November 11th,
and on the 20th of same month anchored in the Sound of Islay, Scotland.
The story of the Unicorn is soon told. "John Anderson, a Scotch
Presbyterian, who commanded a ship to Darien in the Scottish expedition
thither and on his return in at Amboy, N. Jersey, & let his ship rot &
plundered her & with ye plunder bought land."[16]
The St. Andrew parted company with the Caledonia the second day after
leaving the settlement, and two nights later saw the Unicorn almost
wholly dismasted, and on the following day was pursued by the Baslavento
fleet. They put into Jamaica, but were denied assistance, in obedience
to king William's orders; and a British admiral, Bembo, refused to give
them some men to assist in bringing the ship to the isle of Port Royal.
During the voyage to Port Royal, they lost the commander, Captain
Pennicuik, most of the officers and one hundred and thirty of the men,
before landing, on August 9, 1699.[17]
The Dolphin, Captain Robert Pincarton, commander, used as a supply and
trading ship, of fourteen guns, on February 5, 1699, struck a rock and
ran ashore at Carthagena, the crew seized by the Spaniards, and in irons
were put in dungeons as pirates. The Spaniards congratulated themselves
on having captured a few of "the ruffians" who had been the terror and
curse of their settlements for a century. They were formally condemned
to death, but British interference succeeded in preventing the sentence
on the crew from being executed.
On the week following the departure of the expedition from Leith, the
Scottish parliament met and unanimously adopted an address to the king,
asking his support and countenance to the Darien colony. Notwithstanding
this memorial the British monarch ordered the governors of Jamaica,
Barbadoes and New York to refuse all supplies to the settlers. Up to
this time the king had partly concealed his policy. No time was lost by
the East India Companies in bringing every measure to bear in order to
ruin the colony. To such length did rancor go that the Scotch commanders
who should presume to enter English ports, even for repairs after a
storm, were threatened with arrest. In obedience to the king's orders
the governors issued proclamations, which they attempted strictly to
enforce; and every species of relief, not only that which countrymen can
claim of their fellow-subjects, and Christians of their
fellow-Christians, and such as the veriest criminal has a right to
demand, was denied the colonists of Darien. On May 12, 1699, there
sailed from Leith the Olive Branch, Captain William Johnson, commander,
and the Hopeful, under Captain Alexander Stark, with ample stores of
provisions, and three hundred recruits, but did not arrive at Darien
until eight weeks after the departure of the colonists. Finding that the
settlement had been abandoned, and leaving six of their number, who
preferred to remain, but were afterwards brought away, the Hopeful
sailed for Jamaica, where she was seized and condemned as a prize. "The
Olive Branch was unfortunately blown up at Caledonia" (Darien).[18]
The Spaniards had not only become aggressive by seizing the Dolphin and
incarcerating the officers and crew, but their government made no
remonstrance against the invasion of its territory until May 3, 1699,
when a memorial was presented to William by the Spanish ambassador
stating that his sovereign looked on the proceedings as a rupture of the
alliance between the two countries, and as a hostile invasion, and would
take such measures as he thought best against the intruders. It is
possible that at this time Spain would not have taken any action
whatever, if William had pursued a different course; and seeing that the
colonists had been abandoned and disowned by their own king, as if they
had been vagabonds or outlaws, the Spaniards, in a manner, felt
themselves invited to precipitate a crisis, which they accomplished.
In the meantime the directors of the Darien Company were actively
organizing another expedition and hastily sent out four more
vessels--the Rising Sun, Captain James Gibson; the Hope, Captain James
Miller; the Hope of Barrowstouness, Captain Richard Daling; and the Duke
of Hamilton, Captain Walter Duncan; with thirteen hundred "good men well
appointed," besides materials of war. This fleet left Greenock August
18, 1699, but having been delayed by contrary winds, did not leave the
Bay of Rothsay, Isle of Bute, until Sunday, September 24th. On Thursday,
November 30, the fleet reached its destination, after considerable
suffering and some deaths on board. These vessels contained engineers,
fire-workers, bombardiers, battery guns of twenty-four pounds, mortars
and bombs. The number of men mentioned included over three hundred
Highlanders, chiefly from the estate of Captain Alexander Campbell of
Fonab, most of whom had served under him, in Flanders, in Lorn's
regiment. During the voyage the Hope was cast away. Captain Miller
loaded the long boat very deep with provisions, goods and arms, and
proceeded towards Havana. He arrived safely at Darien.
A large proportion of the second expedition belonged to the military,
and were organized. Among the Highland officers are noticed the
following names: Captains Colin Campbell, Thomas McIntosh, James
Urquhart, Alexander Stewart, ---- Ferquhar, and ---- Grant; Lieutenants
Charles Stewart, Samuel Johnston, John Campbell and Walter Graham;
Ensigns Hugh Campbell and Robert Colquhon, and Sergeant Campbell.
The members of this expedition were greatly disappointed on their
arrival. They fully expected to find a secure fortification, a
flourishing town, cultivated fields, and a warm reception. Instead they
found a wilderness; the castle in ruins; the huts burned, and grass
growing over the ruins. Their hearts sank within them; for this fleet
had not been fitted out to found a colony, but to recruit and protect
one already in a flourishing condition. They were worse provided with
the necessaries of life than their predecessors had been. They made
feeble attempts to restore the ruins. They constructed a fort on the old
grounds; and within the ramparts built a hamlet consisting of about
eighty-five cabins, generally of twelve feet by ten. The work went
slowly on, without hope or encouragement. Despondency and discontent
pervaded all ranks. The provisions became scanty, and unfair dealing
resorted to. There were plots and factions formed, and one malcontent
hanged. Nor was the ecclesiastical part happily arranged. The provision
made by the General Assembly was as defective as the provision for the
temporal wants had been made by the directors of the company. Of the
four divines, one of them, Alexander Dalgleish, died at sea, on board of
Captain Duncan's vessel. They were all of the established church of
Scotland, who had the strongest sympathy with the Cameronians. They were
at war with almost all the colonists. The antagonisms between priest and
people were extravagant and fatal. They described their flocks as the
most profligate of mankind, and declared it was most impossible to
constitute a presbytery, for it was impossible to find persons fit to be
ruling elders of a Christian church. This part of the trouble can easily
be accounted for. One-third of the people were Highlanders, who did not
understand a word of English, and not one of the pastors knew a word of
Gaelic; and only through interpreters could they converse with this
large body of men. It is also more than probable that many of these men,
trained to war, had more or less of a tendency to fling off every
corrective band. Both Rev. John Borland and Rev. Alexander Shiels,
author of the "Hynd let Loose," were stern fanatics who would tolerate
nothing diverging a shade from their own code of principles. They
treated the people as persons under their spiritual authority, and
required of them fastings, humiliations, and long attendance on sermons
and exhortations. Such pastors were treated with contempt and ignominy
by men scarcely inclined to bear ecclesiastical authority, even in its
lightest form. They mistook their mission, which was to give Christian
counsel, and to lead gently and with dignity from error into rectitude.
Instead of this they fell upon the flock like irritated schoolmasters
who find their pupils in mutiny. They became angry and dominative; and
the more they thus exhibited themselves, the more scorn and contumely
they encountered. Meanwhile two trading sloops arrived in the harbor
with a small stock of provisions; but the supply was inadequate; so five
hundred of the party were ordered to embark for Scotland.
The news of the abandonment of the settlement by the first expedition
was first rumored in London during the middle of September, 1699.
Letters giving such accounts had been received from Jamaica. The report
reached Edinburgh on the 19th, but was received with scornful
incredulity. It was declared to be an impudent lie devised by some
Englishmen who could not endure the sight of Scotland waxing great and
opulent. On October 4th the whole truth was known, for letters had been
received from New York announcing that a few miserable men, the remains
of the colony, had arrived in the Hudson. Grief, dismay, and rage seized
the nation. The directors in their rage called the colonists
white-livered deserters. Accurate accounts brought the realization of
the truth that hundreds of families, once in comparative opulence, were
now reduced almost to beggary, and the flower of the nation had either
succumbed to hardships, or else were languishing in prisons in the
Spanish settlements, or else starving in English colonies. The
bitterness of disappointment was succeeded by an implacable hostility to
the king, who was denounced in pamphlets of the most violent and
inflammatory character, calling him a hypocrite, and a deceiver of those
who had shed their best blood in his cause, and the author of the
misfortunes of Scotland. Indemnification, redress, and revenge were
demanded by every mouth, and each hand was ready to vouch for the claim.
Never had just such a feeling existed in Scotland. It became a useless
possession to the king, for he could not wring one penny from that
kingdom for the public service, and, what was more important to him, he
could not induce one recruit for his continental wars. William continued
to remain indifferent to all complaints of hardships and petitions of
redress, unless when he showed himself irritated by the importunity of
the suppliants, and hurt at being obliged to evade what it was
impossible for him, with the least semblance of justice to refuse. The
feeling against William long continued in Scotland. As late as November
5, 1788, when it was proposed that a monument should be erected in
Edinburgh to his memory, there appeared in one of the papers an
anonymous communication ironically applauding the undertaking, and
proposing as two subjects of the entablature, for the base of the
projected column, the massacre of Glencoe and the distresses of the
Scottish colonists in Darien. On the appearance of this article the
project was very properly and righteously abandoned. The result of the
Darien Scheme and the cold-blooded policy of William made the Scottish
nation ripe for rebellion. Had there been even one member of the exiled
house of Stuart equal to the occasion, that family could then have
returned to Scotland amid the joys and acclamations of the nation.
Amidst the disasters of the first expedition the directors of the
company were not unmindful of the fate of those who had sailed in the
last fleet. These people must be promptly succored. The company hired
the ship Margaret, commanded by Captain Leonard Robertson, which sailed
from Dundee, March 9, 1700; but what was of greater importance was the
commission given to Captain Alexander Campbell of Fonab, under date of
October 10, 1699, making him a councillor of the company and investing
him with "the chief and supreme command, both by sea and by land, of all
ships, men, forts, settlements, lands, possessions, and others
whatsoever belonging to the said company in any part or parts of
America,"[19] with instructions to lose no time in taking passage for
Jamaica, or the Leeward Islands and there secure a vessel, with three or
four months' provisions for the colony. Arriving at the Barbadoes, he
then purchased a vessel with a cargo of provisions, and on January 24,
1700, sailed for Darien, which he reached February 5th, and just in time
to be of active service; for intelligence had reached the colony that
fifteen hundred Spaniards lay encamped on the Rio Santa Maria, waiting
the arrival of an armament of eleven ships, with troops on board,
destined to attack Ft. St. Andrew. Captain Campbell of Fonab, who had
gained for himself great reputation in Flanders as an approved warrior,
resolved to anticipate the enemy, and at once mustering two hundred of
his veteran troops, accompanied by sixty Indians, marched over the
mountains, and fell on the Spanish camp by night, and dispersed them
with great slaughter, with a loss to the colony of nine killed and
fourteen wounded, among the latter being their gallant commander. The
Spaniards could not withstand the tumultuous rush of the Highlanders,
and in precipitate flight left a large number of their dead upon the
field. The little band, among the spoils, brought back the Spanish
commander's decoration of the "Golden Fleece." When they recrossed the
mountains it was to find their poor countrymen blockaded by five Spanish
men-of-war. Campbell, and others, believing that no inequalities
justified submission to such an enemy, determined on resistance, but
soon discovered that resistance was in vain, when they could only depend
on diseased, starving and broken-hearted men. As the Spaniards would not
include Captain Campbell in the terms of capitulation, he managed, with
several companions, dexterously to escape in a small vessel, sailed for
New York, and from thence to Scotland. The defence of the colony under
Fonab's genius had been heroic. When ammunition had given out, their
pewter dishes were fashioned into cannon balls. On March 18, 1700, the
colonists capitulated on honorable terms. It was a received popular
opinion in Scotland that none of those who were concerned in the
surrender ever returned to their native country. So weak were the
survivors, and so few in numbers, that they were unable to weigh the
anchor of their largest ship until the Spaniards came to their
assistance. What became of them? Their melancholy tale is soon told.
The Earl of Bellomont, writing to the Lords of the Admiralty, under
date, New York, October 15, 1700, says:[20]
"Some Scotchmen are newly come hither from Carolina that belonged to
the ship Rising Sun (the biggest ship they set out for their
Caledonia expedition) who tell me that on the third of last month a
hurricane happened on that coast, as that ship lay at anchor, within
less than three leagues of Charles Town in Carolina with another
Scotch ship called the Duke of Hamilton, and three or four others;
that the ships were all shattered in pieces and all the people lost,
and not a man saved. The Rising Sun had 112 men on board. The Scotch
men that are come hither say that 15 of 'em went on shore before the
storm to buy fresh provisions at Charles Town by which means they
were saved. Two other of their ships they suppose were lost in the
Gulph of Florida in the same storm. They came all from Jamaica and
were bound hither to take in provisions on their way to Scotland. The
Rising Sun had 60 guns mounted and could have carryed many more, as
they tell me."
The colonists found a watery grave. No friendly hand nor sympathizing
tear soothed their dying moments; no clergyman eulogized their heroism,
self-sacrifice and virtues; no orator has pronounced a panegyric; no
poet has embalmed their memory in song, and no novelist has taken their
record for a fanciful story. Since their mission was a failure their
memory is doomed to rest without marble monument or graven image. To the
merciful and the just they will be honored as heroes and pioneers.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 13: The Darien Papers, pp. 371-417.]
[Footnote 14: "Darien Papers," pp 195, 275.]
[Footnote 15: "Documentary and Colonial History of New York," Vol. IV,
p. 591.]
[Footnote 16: _Ibid_, Vol. V, p. 335.]
[Footnote 17: "Darien Papers," p. 150.]
[Footnote 18: "Darien Papers," p. 160.]
[Footnote 19: "Darien Papers," p. 176.]
[Footnote 20: "Documents Relating to Colonial History of New York," Vol.
IV, p. 711.]