out â—…or other Allies by their Opposition and Neglect We shall conclude this matter with one or two more Arguments to prove That it is thâ—… Interest of England to join with us in this Affair by which also it will appear that there is nothing advanc'd in these Shâ—…ets out of any ill Design against the English Nation or to perswade to a disuâ—…iting of the Crowns but on the 〈◊〉 that a stricter Union is absolutely necessâ—…rry â—…hat both Nations may have but one Interest which will render us less lyable to Convulsions and intestine Commotions at home and put us out of danger of being atrack'd by Enemies â—…rom abroad The first Argument is this That by Encouâ—…ging ouâ—… Settlement at Darien English Ships that have occasion to pass by those Coasts will there be certain of a placâ—… of Retreat in case of attack either by Enemy or Tempest without danger of being Confiscated by the Spaniards and having their Men condemn'd to be perpetual Slaves in their Mines 2. Iâ—… we be encouâ—…aged in ouâ—… American Colony it will Contribute much to heighten the Consumption of the English Product since what we have not of our own or wherein we are wanting either as to quality or quantity we shall supplâ—… ouâ—… selves â—…or the use of our Plantation in England which may be of great benefit to the Northern Counties especially whence we may conveniently furnish our selves with B â—…eves â—…or Victualling our Ships ouâ—… own Cattle being for the most part too small for â—…hat use besides many other things that we shall have occasion â—…o export to England for the use of the Plantation and to maintain a Commerce with the Naâ—…ives 3. By joining with us in this Colony and securing a Post on the South-Sea which the Princes of Darien will no doubt very readily agâ—…ee to they may shorten their Voyages to the East-Indies and by that means be able to Outdo all their Rivals in that Trade But if they will be so far wanting to themselves as to suffer those advantages to fall into the hands of others who are Enemies to our Religion and common Country They cannot blame the Scots who have made them such fair Offers And if ouâ—… Nation should miscarry in the Attempt they themselves cannot expect to stand long but must be buried in the common Ruines and fall unpitied 4. If after all the English should continue obstinate in their Opposition to us as their late Proclamations in America and other Passages would seem to imply they have a mind to the World cannot blame the Scots to provide for themselves by such other Alliances as they shall think meet since the English are so unkind and have been constantly growing upon us especially since the Restoration of King Charles II. to which we did so much contribute that without our Concurrence it could never have been effected This will appear to be incontâ—…overtibly true iâ—… we consider that in the time of K. â—…ames I. we were uâ—…der no Restrictions as to matters of Trade more than they except as to the Exportation of Wool and a few other things of English Product and so we continu'd till the Restoration when King Charles II. and the English did very ungratefuâ—…ly lay suâ—…h Precâ—…usions and Restrictions upon us contrary to the Laws relating to the Postnati by the 12th of Car 2. for the incouraging and increasing Shipping and Navigation and the 15 Car 2. for the encouraging of Trade by which we are put in the same Circumstances â—…s to Trasfick with France and Holland and in a worse Câ—…ndition than Ireland that is a Conquest which is so much the more unreasonable since we are always invol'd and ingag'd in the Wars betwixt England and other Countries And those with whom they have most frequent Wars being Holland and France the only two Nations with whom the Scots have almost any Commerce our Trade must of necessity sink during such Waâ—…s whereas England hath still a great Trade to other parts of the World and by this means we are forc'd to be sharers in their Troubles tho they will not allow us to partake of their Profits nor suffer us to take any measures to procure such as we may call our own It is plain from the Instance of Darien and the Proclamations in the English American Colonies against their Subjects Entertaining any Commerce with our Settlement there that by the Union of the Crowns upon the present footing we are in a worse Condition than ever For when any thing happens wherein the Interest of England seems to be contrary to Ours it is certainly carried against us and we are left without Remedy So that in this respect we are in a worse Condition than any Forreigners with relation to England â—…or if a Foreign People discover any thing that may be of advantage to them they are at Liberty to pursue it by themselves or to take in the Assistance of others And if they find themselves aggriev'd by England they have their Respective Governments to make application to for Redress But we are the most unhappy People in the World For if Endlâ—…nd should oppose us we have no King to appeal to but one that is eâ—…ther an Alien and Enemy to us as being King oâ—… a greatâ—…r People who are such or if he be inclinable to protect and do us Justice as King of Scots he is a Prisoner in England and cannot do it If they Question him in the Parliament of England for any thing relating to his Government of Scotland as in the case of our late Act for an East India and African Trade his Interest as King of England obliges him to submit himself as King of Scotland By which means our Crown which we desended so gallantly for so many Ages and which the English could never make subject to theirs by force is now intirely subjected by a false step of our own in suffering our King to take their Crown upon him without making better Terms for our selves So that instead of having a King to fight our Battels we hâ—…ve made a Surrender of our Prince to the Enemy who arm him againâ—…t us and which is worst of all we have satisfied our own Proverb as to our selves That Scots men are wise behind hand For tho we sufficiently smaâ—…ed for it in the four last Reigns yet we had not so much foresight or Care of our selves as to prevent the Consequences of it in this Reign when it was in our power to have done it Then if we make Application to our antient Allies or any other foreign Power for our Assistance when we groan under Oppâ—…ession then we are treated as Rebels Thus our whole Nation was proclaim'd such for but offering to make Application to the King of France as our ancient Friend and Ally when a certain Party in England had arm'd our natural Sovereign K. Charles I. against us And that which is still worse tho our Crown from the time of the Uniâ—…n has
been for the most part on the head of an Alien or Enemy yet it has iufluence enougâ—… to divide us amongst our selves against the Interest of the Nation as in the Reign of K. Charles II. those that comply'd with the Court of England were brib'd with all the chief places in our Administration whilst those who were Patriots to their Country as for Honour sake to instance in the late Great Duke of Hamilton and our present Lord high Chancellor were exposed to all manner of Dangers and Vexations This we think sufficient to convince our Neighbours that we have no Reason to be fond of having the Union of the Crowns continu'd except the Interest of the Nations be more closely united then ever they have been hitherto And to let them see that it is their Interest as well as ours it should be so we shall only desire them to consider how fatal it may be to them if by any Emergency we should be forc'd to break off the Union of the Crowns and enter again into a F â—…ench Alliance It â—… in vain for them to object that in such a case we should betray oâ—…r Religion for we see the persecuted Hungaâ—…ans were protected in that â—…y the Tuâ—…ks tho sworn Enemies to it nor is it less impossible but there may be a Change as to that matter in France L. XIV is not immortal aâ—…d even Julian the Apostate himself found it his Interest for some time to protect the Orthodox Christians whom he mortally â—…ated But supposing as indeed there 's no great likelyhood of it that no such Allyance as this should ever happen yet howevâ—…r if these two Nations be not more closly united it may be of ill Consequencc to England if any of their Kings at any time should be so far disgusted with their Proceedings as to leave them and betake themselves to Us. What a Field of Blood and Slaughter must England have become had we carried off K. Charles I. when he came to our Army or if we had join a him against the Parliament of England What great Efforts did a Party of our Nation make to inthrone King Charles II when England was against him and how did our Concurrence afterwards with General Monk effect it How soon did our espousing the D. of York ' s Interest turn the Tables upon those that opposed him in England And if our Nation had likewise espoused his Cause before the Revolution the Viscount of Dundee gave a sufficient Proof what we could have done for him There 's a strong Party in England at present against allowing the King a standing Force for fear as they pretend of losing their Liberties but all their Opposition in that respect would signifie little if in case of a Rupture ouâ—… Nation should take part with the Court and bring in 22000 Men. with 6 Weeks Provisions and Pay as we are obliged to do by Act of Parliament for his Assistance This makes it evident that it is not the Interest of England to slight an Union with US so much as they have done soâ—… so long as we remain divided any King that is so minded may make use of us to inslave one another and any envious Neighbour whose Interest it is to keep this Island low will be sure to blow the Coals If they 'd but turn the Tables and make our Case their own they would quickly be satisfied of the truth of what we advance Supposing that the Government of Scotland should traverse the Actings of the Government of England in relation to their Trade c. as they have done ours and supposing that a Parliament of Scotland when the King were there should question him for the Navigation Act and that for the Encouragement of Trade in England by King Charles the Second Which lays Us under such hard Circumstances and Restrictions the English would certainly very much resent it and speedily tell us we meddled with what did not belong to us Then why should they deny us the like Liberty in reâ—…erence to their 〈◊〉 against us seeing we are a free Nation as well they They cannot think that Scotland will look upon the English Proclamations in the West Indies against having any Commerce with our Colony at Darien to be the Act and Dâ—…ed of a King of Scotland sincâ—… it is not only contrary to his own Act oâ—… Paâ—…liament there and his Patent under the Great Seâ—…l of that Kingdom but contraâ—…y to the Interest of that Nation but being the Act of a person who is really King of Scots we can look upon it to be no other than the esfect of a â—…orce put upon him by a Nation which in this matter thinks it their Interest he should do so Now suppose which GOD forbid our Colony should be starv'd by virtue of these Proclamations or that our Ships going and coming from Darien should by reason thereoâ—… be attack'd and treated as Pirates by the English French Dutch or any other Nation who may take the opportunity to do it and say ouâ—… King has dâ—…clared against us to whom should we make application sor redress in this matter The King of England he is our Enemy and eâ—…itted these Proclamations the King of Scots is detain'd in England and not Master of himselâ—… but is forc'd to act thus contraty to the Interest of his own antient Crown and Kingdom as a former K. William John Baliol and James I. were 〈◊〉 ' d to do when in the power of the English â—…n such a 〈◊〉 if our inâ—…ant Colony should by this means bed stroyâ—…d ouâ—… 〈◊〉 must needs think that we should look â—…or a Compensâ—…tion 〈◊〉 resume the Government into our own hands and strengthen our selves by new Alliances which perhaps might be litâ—…le â—…o their advantage This is not suggested as a thing that is ever likely to be practis'd or to which the Kingdom of Scotland is any way inclin'd Our whole Conduct since the Union is a continu'd evidence of the uprightness of Our Intentions towards England and the Offers we did make and do still continue to make of admitting 'em as Partners and Sharers in our Settlement are enough to stop the mouth of Calumny it self But if in return for our kindness we meet with Neglect and Contempt have our Soveraignty trampled under foot our Settlement in America by an Act of Parliament in Scotland reflected upon as unjust by Proclamations from England the World cannot blame us to complain of the Violence done to our Independency and Honour which is not to be salv'd by any politick Considerations whatever that our Neighbours pretend for this Treatment Nor can any thing less than joining with us and protecting that Settlement against all opposition in case of Attacks by the French or others sufficiently atone for what is already done or heal the Wound those Proclamations have giv'n to the common Interest and Honour of the Island WE Come in the next place to give a Description of the Isthmus of
Proclamations against having any Commerce or Trade with the Scots at Darien Tho they be settled there according to the Terms of his own Patent and an Act of Parliament in Scotland We are not insensible that the present Juncture of Affairs obliges the Kingdom of England to carry fair with Spain and may admit that in part as an Apology for some of that Opposition we have met wiâ—…h from them but the questioning our Act of Parliament at first and their hindering our Subscriptions at Hamburgh afterward before ever they knew what our design was make that excuse of little weight but allowing it all the Force they would have it to bear it may be worth their while to consider whether it be more their Interest to incourage the Spaniards in an unjust Opposition to our American Settlement or to support the Scots in maintaining their Right It is certain that the Spaniards are in no condition to break with England or if they should it 's in the power of the English to reduce them speedily to reason whereas if the Scots should miscarry in their Undertaking by the Discouragements from England before-mentioned which exposes our Ships to be taken and treated a Pirates by any Nation that pleases the infallible consequence of it will be that the Ruin and utter impov'rishment of Scotland which must necessarily follow such a miscarriage will immediatly affect England both in her Trade and Strength The City of London and the Northern Road will soon feel the Effects of it when the Money spent by our Gentry and Merchants continually for Cloaths Provisions and Goods ceases to circulate there England must unavoidably become an easier Prey to any forreign Enemy since it will not be only the loss of a Tribe but of an entire Sister-Nation Or supposing that Scotland should be able to bear up under the loss it will lay the Foundation of an irreconcilable Feud and perhaps issue in a War betwixt the two Nations which did never yet terminate at long run to the advantage of England and is as unlikely to do so now as ever For in such a case they would find us unanimous as one Man against them whereas we are sure that all those who wish well to the Protestant Interest and their present Constitution would never join in any such War against us and therefore those who are Enemies to the Peace of the Nations being aware of this labour to Effect their design by another Method and endeavour as much as they can to dash the Government against one another But they are mistaken in the People of Scotland we are so sensible of our obligations to K. William and know so well what is due to our Deliverer that it surpasses all their Art to create in us the least ill thought of him it is not in the temper of our Nation The World knows that however frequent and successful we have been in reducing our bad Kings to reason yet there never was any People under the Sun more Loyal and affectionate to good Princes than we have been and is when we have been forc'â—… to oppose our Monarchs private Persons have sometimes carried â—…eir Râ—…tments too high yet the publick Justice of the Nation was alwâ—…e govern'd with Temper We could multiply instances to prove this but need go no higher than the three last Kings who tho aâ—… oâ—… them Enemies to our Constitution as appear'd by their Principles and Practices yet it 's very well known what we both did and suffer'd for them and particularly for K Câ—…arles I. tho the Malice of a Faction in our Neighbouring Nation six'd a â—…ous Reproach upon us as if wâ—… had sold â—…im 〈◊〉 which Refâ—…ection we are sufficiently vindicated by the Lord Hollis's Memoirs before-mentioned wherein that excâ—…llent Pâ—…rson makes it Evident that tho our War against that Prince was just yet we had all possible respect for his Person made the 〈◊〉 Conditions â—…e could for his Safeâ—…y and Honour and to avoid greater Mischâ—…fs and the playing of our Enemies Came to the 〈◊〉 of our sâ—…lves and his Majesty we were 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 him in England Memoirs p. 68. Then since we carried it so to a Prince that had been no 〈◊〉 kind to us it will be impossible to create a Breach 〈◊〉 â—…s anâ—… a Prince to whom under God we owe all that we 〈◊〉 as Meâ—… and 〈◊〉 But at the same time our Neighbours wâ—…o 〈◊〉 â—…o driâ—…e 〈◊〉 Nâ—…il as far as it will go would do well to 〈◊〉 â—…hat â—…e never bâ—…liev d that Doctrine in Scotland that it is 〈◊〉 to resist a King or 〈◊〉 that has a Commission under him upon any pretence whatsoever we 〈◊〉 that Doctrine in Scythia 〈◊〉 whâ—…ce sâ—…me Aâ—…ors derive our Origin and think it oâ—…ly fit to be â—…nt back to Turkey from whence it came We know very well how to distinguish betwixt a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the abuse of it And our Ancestors rightly understood how to obey the lawful Commands of their Princes when Masters of themselves and how to govern by their Authority and in their Name when â—…ey were not tho they did not think themselves obliged to oâ—…ey their personal Commands when the Fortune oâ—… War or other Accidents had put them into the hands of our Enemies Thus we refused Obedience to K. James I. when detain'd prisonet in England contrary to the Law of Nations and carried over into France to command his Subjects there not to bear Arms against the English Army where he was in person We told him we knew how to Extinguish betwixt the Commands of a King and those of a Captive And that most of the Kings of Scots have been such in Relation to us since the Union we could heartily wish were not too demonstrable To return to the point of what may probably be the Consequences if the English should proceed to any surther degree of of Opposition Or if the Scots should misearry in the Design It 's reasonable to believe that the English will be so wise as to forbear Hostilities tho we are very well satisfied there is a Party in that Nation who bear ours no Good-will but they being such as are either disaffected to the present Constitution or acted by a sordid principle of private Interest it 's to be hop'd they will never be able so far to leaven the sound part of the English Nation as to occasion a Rupture betwixt them and us Yet we must needs say that we look upon their way of treating us to be a very unaccountable thing and that it was no small surprise to us to find that an English Parliament should look on our taking Subscriptions in England in order to admit them Joint-Sharers with our selves in the benefit of the Act to encourage our Trade to be no less than a high Misdemeanour We have reason likewiwe to complain of their constant practice of pressing our Sea-men in time of War as if they were their own Subjects and that they should treat
to cement them but the Life of our pâ—…esent Soveraign Whereas the SCOTS being united with the English under the same Government and inhabiting the same Island must of 〈◊〉 have the same interest as to Trade and to defend the Counâ—…y against all Forraign Invad ers as they constantly did in foâ—…mer times against Romans Danes Saxons and Normans 〈◊〉 thâ—…ir living then under a separat Prince and their frequent Wars with England Noâ—… is that brave Resistance which a few of them made to the Dutch at Chattam to be forgotten which did in a great measure repair the Honour of England and make amends â—…or the Ignominy and disgrace which that Attempt put upon the English Nation 2. As Scotland increases in shipping they will increase in Wealth and by consequence be able to bear a greater share of the Burden of any Foreign War which will save Men and Money to England and lighten their Taxes 3. The Success of the SCOâ—…S in their Americâ—…n Colony wâ—…ll be an additional strength to the English 〈◊〉 in the West-Indies as well as an Advancement of their Trade by consuming their product and giving them theirs in Exchange 4. The success of the Scots at Darien will be oâ—… great advantage to England for the more Monâ—…y the Scots acquire by their Trade the more they will spend in England which being the Seat of the Government must frequently be visited by their Nobility and Gentry who generally furnish theâ—…seves in England with their best Apparel Household 〈◊〉 Coaches and Horses c. besides the Money that the young Noblemen and Gentlemen spend in their passage through that Nation when they go come from their Travels These things occasion their laying out vast Summs of Money annually in the City of Lonâ—…n â—…hich being the Seat of the Government will as certainly draw Money from Scotland as the Sun draws Vapours after it 5. The success of the Scots in their Forreign Plaâ—…tation will not only ease England of a great number of their Pâ—…dlars so frequently 〈◊〉 of in 〈◊〉 by Country Corporations and 〈◊〉 but it will occasion the return home and prevent the going oâ—…t of vâ—…st numbers of their Youth who follow the 〈◊〉 sort of 〈◊〉 or betake themselves to the Sword in Denmark 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mâ—…ovy Germany Holland and 〈◊〉 By whâ—…ch meâ—…ns the Government of Great Britâ—…in may fuâ—…nish tâ—…ir Fâ—…ts and Armies at a much Cheaper and easier Rate than foâ—…merly and wâ—…th as good Mariners and Souldiers as any in the Worlâ—… 6. The Eâ—…glish by joining with the Scots and supporting their Colony at Dâ—…rien may have their Plate brought home in their own Bottoms and from their own Mines with which we are assured that Country abounds without being obliged to touch at Cadiz or any 〈◊〉 Port being lyable to the Vexatious Induâ—…os of Forreign Princes or in such hazard of being Intercepted as they many times were duâ—…ing the late War 7. The English may by joining with the Scots render themselves more Capable than ever of keeping the Ballance of Europe in their Hâ—…nds a Trust which Nature and Providence seems to have assign'd them since their Situation and Naval Force not only makâ—…s it propper for them but they have had an opportunity put into their hanâ—…s in lâ—…ttle above the Revolution of â—…ne Century of twice breakiâ—…g the Chaines of Europe when threatned with Slavery first by the Spaniards and then by the French This is so much the more evident that by being possess'd of Darien they will be able either to prevent the uniting the Spaniâ—…h and French Monarchies or if not so to render that Union so much the less dangerous when it will be in their power to sâ—…ize their 〈◊〉 aâ—… Dominions in the Indies without which that bulky Monaâ—…chy must fall by his own weight This is likewise of so mâ—…ch the greater importance that it may very probably ether 〈◊〉 a Religious War â—…owards which the Papists discover so muâ—…h 〈◊〉 or at least bring it to a 〈◊〉 Conclusion For we have as good Reason to look upon the Spanish Mines in the West-Indies to be Antichrist's Pouch by which he maintaines his War against the Church as the old Taborites had to call the Silver Mines in Bohemia by that Name It is ceâ—…tainly the surest Method of destroying Antichrist to seize his Purse for if he once be depriv'd of Judas's Bag he will quickly drop St. Peter's Keyâ—… It 's by the Charms of her Gold that the Babylonish Whore hath made the whole World to wonder after her and the Kings of the Earth to be Drunk with the Cup of her Fornication 8. By this means the English may be better able to prevent the ruin of their Trade in the Mediterranean and West-Indies if the French should possess themselves of the Kingdim of Spain and they will likewise be the better able to prevent their possessing themselves of the Netherlands which if once they should do and get Ports there capable of holding a Fleet they would also ruin thier Eâ—…stland Trade and put a period to the Liberties of Great Britain 9. It will effectually unite the Scots to England by an inseparable Tie if the English join us in this Undertaking Their Ancestors would have gladly purchased this Union at a much dearer rate but were alâ—…ise out bid by France and the want of which Union made the English not only an easie prey to their successive Conquerors but lost them all the large Provinces that they enjoy'd beyond sea which were their natural Barriers gave them a free Access to the Continent and made the English Name so glorious in the days of their Ancestors 10. It will be of general advantâ—…ge to the Protestaâ—…t Interest and contribute to the advancement of pure Christianity without any of the Romish sophistications which certainly ought to weigh much with all true Protestants and so much the more that the Pope and the Conclave of Rome have espoused the Quarrel of the Spaniards in this Affair as a Cause of Religion Doubtless the poor Americans will be more iâ—… clinable to embrace Christianity when they find the difference of the Morals and Doctrine betwixt Protestants and Papists and see â—…t the former treat tbem with Humanity and seek their Welfare both in Body and Soul whereas the Spaniards have render'd 〈◊〉 and the Religion â—…hey profess odious by the inhuman Cruelties and brutish Lusts wbich they have exercised upâ—…n so many Millions of the Natives This is so far from being a Calumny that an unexceptionable Author of their own Don Bâ—…tholomew de las casas Bishop of Chiapa fâ—…rmerly mentioned who was an Eye witness of their Cruelties gives an account that they had in his time destroyed above 40 Millions of the poor Indians tho they receiv'd them with the greatest kindness imaginable were ready to do 'em all the Friendly Offices that one man could desire of anoâ—…her and testified their great Inclination to have embrac'd the Christian Religion But the Spaniards
aim'd at the destruction and not at the Conversion of the Inâ—…ians and are avowedly charged with it by the said Bishop who in many places of his Book declâ—…res that â—…fter they had sent for the Chiefs of the Countries to meet them in an amicable manner which the poor â—…armless Creatures did without suspicion of any â—…d these merciless 〈◊〉 murdered them wholesale on purpose to make themselves terribâ—…e to them This was a Practice so inconsistent with Humanity that all the People of the World ought to have reâ—…ente â—… it as having mâ—…h more reason to declare the Spaniaâ—…ds to be Enemies to Mankind than ever the Roman Senate had to declare Nero to be such But this sort of Treatment compar'd with what they made others to suffer may well be call'd Mercy for tho it was dâ—…ath the Indians were hereby quickly deliver'd from their Misery whereas they put mulâ—…itude of others to liâ—…ing deaths that they might â—…eel themselves die graduâ—…lly and yet this is not so intolâ—…ble neithâ—… as to the condiâ—…ion of those poor people thaâ—… had the misfortune to survive that Cruelty for the whole time of thâ—… Lives under that miserable Servitude iâ—… but Death prolonged or making his attacks upon 'em by intolerable Labor and continual hunger the most insupportable oâ—… all plagues these poor Creatures that â—…oil in the Mines and are imploy'd in Pearl fishing c. having no more Sustenance allowed them and that 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 soâ—…t thâ—…n is just enough to keep the Soul and Body together in order to prolong their Misery Then let any Mâ—…n who has buâ—… the least remains of Humaniâ—…y left him judge whether the Scoâ—…s could be criminal if â—…hey should have actuâ—…lly lâ—…nded upon a Spanish Settlâ—…ment â—…nd have seiz'd the same â—…n oâ—…der to deliâ—… their Brethren the Sons of Adam fâ—…om such hellish Seâ—…vitude â—…nd Oppression â—…s the above meâ—…tion'd Bâ—…shop describes and iâ—… any man thaâ—… has any Bowels of Compassioâ—… within him can sâ—…y thâ—…y could what shadow of Reason is there to bâ—…ame tâ—…e Scots foâ—…â—…recting a Colony where the Spaniards neveâ—… had any footing The neâ—…t thing to be consider'd is whether the Scots without the assistance of England may probably maintain their footing â—…here which thâ—…re's no doubt may very well be dâ—…termin'd in the affiâ—…mative 1. Becausâ—… the whole Kingdom of Scotland being morâ—… zealous for it and 〈◊〉 in it than they have been in any other 〈◊〉 for fourty or fifty yeâ—…rs past it is not to be doubted but tâ—…ey will use their utmost Efforts to support themselves in it by their own strength or if that will not do by making Alliances with other Natiâ—…ns that are able to assist â—…hem with a Naval force 2. If they meâ—…t with no other Opposition but what the Spaniards are ablâ—… to make tâ—… them it will be â—…asie for the Nâ—…bility and Gentâ—…y and Royâ—…l Burroughs of Scotland to raise Money upoâ—… their Lands c. to increase their Stock for the American Trâ—…de and buy Ships of foâ—…ce to protect it Nay without that it 's but giving Commisâ—…ion to the Buccaneers â—…o become an Over-match for the Spaniards 3. Supposing the Frencâ—… should offer to join with the Spaniards aâ—…d assist them to drive the Scots from Darâ—…n a some â—…ay they have already proffered we are noâ—… to imagine that the Spanià rds will accept their Proffâ—…rs in this case when they 〈◊〉 â—…ed them as to â—…he dâ—…ving the Mâ—…rs from before Ceuta The Reâ—…sons are obvious They declin'd the accepting their Proffâ—…rs as to Ceuta because they would not thereby give the French an opportunity of possessing themselves of any of their Towns in Africa as it is but too common for Forreign Auxiliarys to do in such cases Then ceâ—…tainly they have much greater Reason to refuse their Proffers as to Darien America being of infinitly moâ—… 〈◊〉 to them than some African Towns and if once the French should get â—…ooting there it would be in vain for the Spanish Gâ—…andees any further to dispute tâ—…e succession of France to tâ—…eir Crown for they woâ—…ld immediatly seize upon their Mines anâ—… Treasures in the WestIndâ—…es without which the Spanish Monarchy is not able to support it self Oâ—… supposing that the King of Spain should live for many years and by consequenâ—…e keep the French out of possession yeâ—… having once got footing at Darien which they will certainly do iâ—… the Scots be expell'd by their assistance the Spaniards will quickly be convinc'd to their cost that they arâ—… more dâ—…ngerous 〈◊〉 thâ—…n thâ—… Scots not only because of their gâ—…ater power to do them moâ—…e mischief but because oâ—… their 〈◊〉 Temper which all Europe is sensible of and being of the samâ—… Râ—…ligion with the Spaniards and haviâ—…g of late years set up for the Champions of Popery they will by the Influence of the Clâ—…rgy bring all the Spanish settlements in America to a depenâ—…ence upon them and a love for them as the great Protectors of the Catholick Faith which will at once destroy the Interest of Spain in America This will appear to be no vain speculation to â—…hose â—…hat consider the Tempeâ—… of the Popish Clergy and the Inâ—…olence of the Spanish Inquisitors who so daâ—…ingly reflected upon the late Allyance of Spain with Pâ—…otestant Princes and States tho absolutly necessaâ—…y to preserve that Nation srom being swallowed up by France Whereas the Scots being zealous Protestants and for that very Reason hateful to the Popish Clergy and Lâ—…ity they are under a moral Impossibility of having so much Influence to withdraw the American settlements from the Obedience of Spain and beâ—…es being under an Obligation by the Principles of their Religion and their fundamental Constitution not to invade the Property of an other the Spaniards have no Cause to tear any thing from them provided they forbear Hostilities on their part but on the contrary may find them true and faithful Allies and useful to assist them in the defence of their Countrey if attack'd by the French as in the late War it being the interest of the Scots as well as of the Spaniards to prevent the accession of the Crown of Spain to that of France These things together with the known Endeavours of the French to proâ—…uce an Interest amongst the Natives of that Country and especially with Don Pedro and Corbet in order to a Settlement make it evident enough that it is the Interest of Spain the Scots should rather have it than the French who have already been tampering with the Spaniards as well as with the Indians and doubt not to have a large share of America when ever the King of Spain dies But admitting that the Spaniards should so far mistake their Interest as to accept of the Proffers of the French to expell the Scots it is not impossible for the latter to find other Allies than the English to assist them with a naval Force to maintain their Possession The Dutch are known to
be a People that seldom or never mistake their Interest They are sensible how useful the Alliance of Scotland may be to them both in regard of their Liberty to fish in our Seas without controul and of being a Curb upon England in case the old Roman Maxim of delenda est Carthago should come any more to be applied by the English to that Republick as in the Reign of K. Charles II. They are likewise sensible of the Advantage it would be to their trade to be partners with the Scots at Darien and how effectual it may be to disable the Freâ—…ch to pâ—…sue theiâ—… Clâ—…im to Spâ—…in â—…nd by 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 tâ—…e old Title of thâ—…t â—…own upon their own Seven as well as to swallow up thâ—… other tâ—…n Provinces Thâ—…se things together wâ—…â—… lonâ—… conâ—…inu'd Amity and Trade beâ—…xt Scotlâ—…nd and Holland and their Union in Religion and Ecclesiastical Disciplinâ—… are sufficient to evince that thâ—… Dutch would become ouâ—… 〈◊〉 in America with little 〈◊〉 Thâ—…t they â—…re able to asâ—… us in that Case with a 〈◊〉 Force sufficiâ—… is beâ—…ond contradiction and that they would soon be convinc'd it is thâ—… 〈◊〉 to do it to prevent that moâ—…strous Iâ—…crease of the Frenâ—… Mâ—…chy is obvious enough from the part they acted in the lâ—… Wâ—… But admitting thâ—…t none of those 〈◊〉 should preâ—…il with the Dutch aâ—…d that they should likewisâ—… abandon us it is not impoâ—…ble for us to obtain aâ—… Alliance aâ—…d Naval Force 〈◊〉 tâ—…e Northerâ—… Croâ—…ns It 's well enâ—…gh kâ—… tâ—…at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 abound â—…ith Meâ—… and Shippiâ—…g and that they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aâ—… their hearts to mâ—…ke an Exchange of 〈◊〉 for the Gold 〈◊〉 Silver of America which they might eaâ—…ily carry from Toâ—… to Toâ—… 〈◊〉 from Market to Market 〈◊〉 the trouble of a Wâ—…l-barrâ—… as they are now obliged to do â—…ith their â—…per Frâ—… all â—…ich it is evident 〈◊〉 that it is not impâ—…ble â—…or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 maintain themselves iâ—… Darien wiâ—…out the Aâ—…ance of England The next thing to be discours'd of is what the 〈◊〉 may probably be if the Eâ—…glish should oppose us in this Settlement We could hâ—…ily wish theâ—…â—…d â—…ever been any ground for this suggestion and that the Opposition we have met with from England had been lesâ—… National â—…han that which we hâ—…d from both their Housâ—…s of Parliament afâ—… the pâ—…ssing an Act for an African Company c. in ouâ—…s aâ—… it 〈◊〉 to be wish d 〈◊〉 so many of the English had not given us such proofs of an alienated mind and 〈◊〉 to our Welfare as they hâ—…ve donâ—… sincâ—… by their Resident at Hamborough and theiâ—… late Proclamations in their West India Plantations and we could have wish'd above all that his Majesty of England had not in the least concuâ—…'d or given his Countenance to that Opposition for as King of Scots it is â—…ain he could not do it he ha h confirm d what we have done by the Touch of his Scepter which no private Order or 〈◊〉 can revoke And we could wish that his English Counsellors who put â—…m upon those things would remember that Strafford and Laud lost their â—…eads â—…or giving K Charles the First that fatal Advice in oppressing and opposing the Scots We diâ—… verily think that the suffering of our Crown to be uniâ—…ed with that of England in the person of K James their first and our Sixth our seasonable coming to the rescue of â—…heir expiâ—…ing Libeâ—…es in the Reign of K. Charles I. our being so instrumental to rescue them from Anarchy and Confusion by the Restoration oâ—… K. Charles II. and above all our Generous and Frank Concurrence with them in the late happy Revoluâ—…ion and Advancement of K. William III. We did verily think that all these things deserv'd a better Treatment and to evince that they did we shall begg leave to â—…nsist a little upon the first and last The English have no cause to think that we were ignorant of the Reason why their Politick Henry VII Chose rather to match his Eldest Daughter with the King of Scots than with the King of France because he foresaw that if the King of Scots should by that means come to the Crown of England he would remove the Seat of his Government thither which would add to the Grandeur and Riches of England Whereas if the King of France did by that means fall Heir to the English Crown he would certaâ—…nly draw the Câ—…t of England to Paris â—…his the Scots were so 〈◊〉 from being ignorant of that many of the Nobility and Genâ—…ry did express their dislâ—…ke of the Union of the Crowns as well knowing that it would reduce our Kingdom into a Subjection and Dependance upon England and drain us of what Substance we had and theresore some of them express'd themselves on that occasion that Scotland was never Conquer'd till then Yet such was our Zeal for the common Wellfare of the Island the Interest of the Protestant Religion and of Europe in general which were then almost in as much danger by Spain as they have been since by France that we quietly and freely parted with our King and suffer'd him to accept the English Crown rather than the Nation should be involv'd in War and Confusion and the Protestant Religion indanger'd by another Successor as it must necessarily have been had the Infanta of Spain whose Title was then promoted by the Popish Interest Succeeded And all the reward we had for this Condescension and Kindness was a contemptuous and disdainful refusal on the part of England of an Union of the Nâ—…tions when proposed tho the same would visibly have tended to the Benefit of the whole Island the general advantage oâ—… Europe and the security and increase of the Protestant Interest And our King was so little thankful on his part that tho he promis'd solemnly in the Great Church of Edinburgh before his departure that he would visit his Antient Kingdom once in three years he never saw it after but once and that not till 14 years after And by the influence of that same Faction in England who are still our Enemies he made Innovations both in Church and State contrary to the Laws of the Land and his own solemn Oath which laid the foundation of all those Disasters that ended in the faâ—…al Exit of his Son and the subversion of the Government of both Nations These were the first Advantages we had by the Union of the Crowns His Son King Charles I had scarce ascended the Throne when we had new Proofs of the Disadvantages we labour'd under by that Union For he by the Advice of some Enemies to our Nation did in an Imperious and Arbitrary manner send for our Crown tho the only Monument almost left us of our Independency and Freedom but was generously answer'd by him that had it in keeping That if he would come and be Crown'd in Scotland he should have all the Honour done him that ever was
General Monk ' s Undertaking for it cannot be denied that we had the Ballance of Europe in our hands at the time of the last Revolution and that we turned the Scale to the advantage of England in particular and of Europe in general which must be allowed to be as great a Service as that which was so thankfully rewarded by Edward and William the Conquero whence it is evident that those Englishmen who at present oppose our Settlement in America don't inherit the gratitude of their Ancestors when they not only will not allow us to trade in Conjunction with them but withstand our doing any thing that may advance a Trade by our selves If they object that what we did in all those cases was no more thâ—…n our duty and what we ow'd to our own preservation as well as to theirs it is easie to reply that admitting it to be so yet by the Laws of GOD and Men People are encouraged to perform their Duties by Rewards and their Ancestors were so sensible of this that tho they knew we were equally coneern'd to defend the Island against foreign Invaders as well as they yet they thought themselves obliged in Policy as well as Gratitude to reward us which they not only did by that Honorary Premium of allowing us to be Denisons of England as abovementioned but sometimes gave to us and at other times confirm'd to us the three Northern Counties of Northumberland Westmorland and Cumberland to be held in Fee of the Crown of England It is likewise very well known with how much honour the Parliament of England treated us when they courted onr Assistance against K. Charles I. and what large Promises that Prince made us if we would have but stood Neuter which tho we had reason to think many of those that opposed him had no great kindness neither for our Civil nor Ecclesiastical Constitution yet the sence that we had of the common danger that our Religion and Liberties were in at that time made us proof against all those Tentations so that after all Endeavours for a Reconciliation betwixt the King and Parliament of England proved unsuccessful we sent an Army which cast the Ballance on the side of the latter who before that time were reduced low enough by the Kings Army as is very well known to such as are acquainted with the History of those times and is own'd by my Lord Hollis in his Memoirs lately published But to return to the last Revolution Tho we must own that we owe our Deliverance to his present Majesty and were oblig'd in Conscience and Honour to concurr with him Tet who could have blam'd us to have stood upon Terms before we had fallen in with England Especially considering how ungratefully nay villanously we were treated by Cromwel and his Party after we had sav'd them and the Parliament of England from the Scorpions that the Cavaliers had prepar'd to chastise them with as is own'd by the said Lord Hollis Not could we have been any way Calpable if we had stood upon higher and surer Terms with his Majesty Considering how unthankfully we were abus'd and enslav'd by our late Kings for whom we had acted and suffered so much And tho we must own that no less Present than that of ouâ—… Crown was sufficient to testify our Gratitude for what the Prince of Orange had done for us yet we were under no necessity of gratifying him in that manner since our Deliverance was effected before hand and that he himself in his Declaration expres'd it to be no part of his design to come for the Crown so that our Re ward was as frank and generous as his Service Then as to England we were under no manner of obligation to continue the Union with them We might have insisted upon having our King obliged to reside as much amongst us as amongst them that we should be govern'd without any Consideration or respect to their Interest any further than it fell in with our own We might have insisted upon an Act that we should not be oblig'd to attend his Majesty at any time at the Court of England about our Affairs but that he should either attend upon our Administration in person pro re nata as he does now upon the Affairs of Holland or lay down Methods to have his Pleasure signified to us at Home in such cases as it was requir'd which would save a vast deal of Money annually to the Kingdom of Scotland Then as to the Succession we were under no Necessity of settling it in the same manner as they did in England for since they had made a Breach in the Line they could not handsomely have blam'd us to have made an improvement of it and either to have limited the Reversion after his present Majesty's Death or otherwise as we should have thought best for the Security of our Civil and Religious Liberties or we might have settled it upon the Prince of Orange and his Issue by any other Wife there being cause enough then to conceive that he was never like to have any by his late excellent Princess Had we taken any of these Methods it must be own'd that England would have been considerably weakned and lessen'd in the Esteem of the World by it that we should have thereby had an opportunity of making such Forreign Alliances with France as formerly or with any other Nation as would have made England uneasy and perhaps unsafe on occasion and therefore it must be reckon'd highly impolitick as well as ungrateful in our Neighbours to treat us continually at such a rate as if they had a mind to bring us under Subjection since we have so many open Doors to get out at They must not think that we have so far degenerated from the Courage and Honour of our Ancestors as tamely to submit to become their Vassals when for 2000 years we have maintain'd our Freedom and therefore it is not their Interest to oppress us too much If they consult their Histories they will find that we alwayes broke their Yoke at long-run if at any time we were brought under it by force or Fraud The best way to assure themselves of us is to treat us in a Friendly manner Tho we be not so great and powerful as they it is not impossible for us to find such Allies as may enable us to defend our selves now as well as formerly None of these things are suggested with an ill design to raise Annimosity betwixt the Nations or to perswade to a Separation of the Crowns but meerly to shew those of our Neighbours who use us os unkindly that they are bound in Gratitude Duty and Interest to do otherwise and particularly to support us in our American Settlement and not to lay our King under a necessity by their froward Humours in Parliament or otherwise to discourage us in that Undertaking as they have hitherto done and continue still to do in their American Colonies by their