a Letter to the Governor of Panama asserting that the King of Darien was true Lord of Panama and all the Countrey thereabouts and that they came to assist him History of Buccaneers Vol. 2. part 4. p. 32. And we have mentioned before that Capt. Sharp who was accused of Piracy for that same Expedition and succeeded Sawkins in his Command was acquitted in England because he had that Prince's Commission Having fully prov'd that the Spaniards have no Title in Darien it remains to be prov'd that the SCOTS have as good and just a Title to their Settlement there as any People in the World can have which may easily be demonstrated thus They were authorized by an Act of Parliament and the Kings Letters Patent to plant Colonies in Asia Africa or America upon Places not inhabited or any other Place by Consent of the Natives not possest by any European Prince or State Being provided with this Authority than which there cannot be a Greater or one more duly and honestly limited they equipp'd their Ships and landed on the North side of the Isthmus of Darien in November 1698. where the Spaniards as has been fully prov'd never had any possession and no other European Prince or State pretends any Claim to it Being arriv'd there they fairly obtained the Consent of the Princes and People of the Country and particularly of Captain Andreas who is the chief Man in that Tract And after a solemn Treaty and Alliance deliberatly made and wrote in Spanish because the said Prince understands that Language they peaceably enter upon their new Colony without either Force or Fraud So that they have religiously kept to the Conditions of the Act and Patent which is a plain demonstration hat they have a just and legal Title to their Settlement and a Right to the Protection of the Government against the Attempts of the Spaniards or any other People whatsoever The next Topick to be insisted upon is the Advantage or Disadvantage that may redound to England from this Settlement We shall begin with the Disadvantage which consists in the supposed Damage it may do to the Trade of England and that it may as is pretended occasion a Rupture between them and Spain To this we may easily reply that being a distinct and independent Nation we are not oblig'd to consult their Interest any further than they consult ours and that we have as much Reason to maintain this Colony because of the Advantage it may bring to our selves as they have to oppose it because of the Disadvantages that they fancy may arise from thence to England But withal we deny that it can be any damage to their Trade which from that part of the World consists chiefly in Sugar and Tobacco neither of which are yet to be found in New Caledonia But that which we look upon to be a compleat Answer to the Objection is this That they may be sharers with Us in the settlement if they please and by consequence Partners in the Profits and Trade and lay it under such Regulations as may prevent its endamaging the Commerce of England And whereas it is further objected That by the great Immunities and freedom granted to the SCOTS Company for so many Years we shall be able to undersell the English Company forestal their Markets and lessen his Majesties Customs we answer that this Objection is in a great measure obvâ—…ated since we do not now pretend to set up an East-India Trade but admitting it were true it will be to the general Advanâ—…age of the English Nation since the Buyers are always more than the Sellers It must certainly be better for the Kingdom in general that every one who has occasion for Muslâ—…n or Indian Silks c. should have so many shillings per Yard or peice in their Pockets than that some two or three Merchants should once in an Age get Money enough to make a Daughter or two a Countess or Dutchess Noâ—… can it be denied but it's better for England that Housekeepers in general should save that Money to buy Provisions for their Families which consumes our own Product than that a dozen of Merchants should be enabled by the extravagant prices of those commodities to keep their Coaches Add to this that the English if they please by joining with the SCOTS may have an equal share of all those Immunities and if there should be for some time a lessening of the King's Customs of which there is at present no manner of prospect it will be sufficiently made up in time to come by a large Addition if that Colony prospers so that the King's Bounty in that respect is but like the bestowing of charge to improve barren or waste Ground which will return with treble Interest to him or his Heirs There 's another Objection made against the SCOTS Company that by their Constitution such Ships as belong to them must break Buâ—…k â—…o 〈◊〉 but in Scotland whâ—…ch will diminish thâ—… number of English Ships and Seâ—…men and make Scotland the only Free Port of all these Commodities â—…o which it 's â—…eplyed That tho ouâ—… own Ships are obliged to break Bulk no where but at home they don't lay same Obligation upon others but allowing them a free Trade to Darien they may caâ—…ry their Goods where they please or upon fair Proposals there 's no doubt but the Parliament of Scotland will give â—…he English all possible Liberty as to that matter Then as to the hazaâ—…d of a Rupture with Spain we reply Thaâ—… the Spaniards are in no condition to break with England when they are not able to maintain themselves against the Insuâ—…ts of the French by Sea and Land and the only way to secure them in thâ—… British Interest is to have a powerful Colony in Darien which lying in the very Centre oâ—… their American Dominions and within reach of their Silver and Gold Mines will be an effectual Cuâ—…b upon them and not only prevent their own Hostâ—…lities but their joining at any time with our Enemies or if they do being Masters of their Money we shall speedily cut â—…e sinews of their War In the â—…ext place we uâ—…ge that it will be very much for the Inâ—…rest and Advantage of England to incourage and support us in â—…his Settlement 1. Because by this means the SCOTS will increase their shipping and come in time to have a Naval Force capable of assisting the English in the common Defence of the â—…sland in maintaining the Soveraignty of the Seas and convoying their Merchant Men in time of Waâ—… the necessity of which is obvious enough since they and the Duâ—…ch both have been scarce able to secure their Tâ—…ade maintain their Dominion in the Seas and defend themselves from the Invasions of the French during the last War Nor can the English always promise to themselves the Amity of the Dutch who are their Rivals in Trade and difâ—…er far enough from them both in Tâ—…mper and Interest there 's noâ—…hing
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
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
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
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
from them when they came to demand their share in the Mines which they had discover'd to the Spaniards in their Country on condition of being Partners with them But when they came to demand it the Spaniards treated them Villanously beat and abus'd them upon which they attack'd the Spaniards cut of 20 of their Men and three Priests that belong'd to the Mines The next is Capt. Pousigo He is an Indian Clergy-man and Brother-in-law to Capt. Andreas The Peninsula that we possess lies betwixt his Territory and that of Capt. Andreas who together with his Brother commands from Golden Island to the Riveâ—… Pinas Their Command is greater than that of Pousigo but not so great as that of Diego These Princes are very useful to us because of their Neighbourhood and Consaâ—…guinity to one another Capt. Ambrosio commands from the River Pinas to the Samballoâ—…s He is a man of about 60 years of age but strong and vigorous well limb'd and of a stern Countenance he is a mortal Enemy to the Spaniards with whom he hath had a long War he is esteemed the bravest of all the Indian Captains His Son in law Don Pedro having been taken by the Spaniards and kept by them as a Slave at Panama he can never forget noâ—… forgive it them This young man is a great Friend to the French who they are made to believe design to come and settle among them Ambrosio and his Son in Law prest us much to come and settle in their Dominions and join with them to make war on the Spaniards We gave them fair Words and promis'd to come and view their Coasts which we accordingly did and in our Way thither four Leagues Westward of our Settlement we found an excellent Harbour capable of 10000 Sail but it cannot be defended without many Forts Here the Privateers used to come and careen Capt. Ambroâ—…io's House lyes about a Lâ—…ague from the Water side on the bank of a River having 12 lesser houses about it When we drew near it he advanced 50 paces to meet us being attended by 20 men in white loose Frocks with Fringes round tâ—…e bottom and arm'd with Lances He saluted us kindly and gave us a Calabash of Liquor almost like Lambs-wool made of Indian Corn and Potatoes His house is 90 foot long 35 broad and 30 in height curiously thatch'd with Palmetto Royal and over that Cotton leaves the floor is of firm Earth like Tarras very smooth and clean the sides are compos'd of large Canes as thick as a Man's Leg. In this House live Ambrosio and his Son in Law Don Pedro with both their Families consisting of about 40 Persons We saw Ambrosio's Grandmother there who is 120 years old and yet was very active in getting things ready for our Entertainment she has 6 Generations deseended from her now in the House with her the People live here to 150 and 160 years of age but those that converse much with Europeans and drink strong Drink don't live so long From the Samballoes to the River of Conception the Countrey is commanded by one Corbet who is altogether in the French interest he having contracted a Friendship with â—…heir Privateers seven years ago and done them many good Offices They promised to reward him â—…f he would go to Petit Guavus and in his way thither he was taken by an English Privateer carried to Jamaica whence the Governor of Petit Guavus got him releas'd He was with Pointi at the taking of Cartagena and has a Commission from the French to be General of all the French and Indian Forces on that Coast and to take sink and destroy Spaniards or any other Enemies Yet the French themselves and the sensible part of the Indians don't put any Confidence in him and Ambrosio who is the bravest of all those Indian Captains keeps him in aw and within bounds Next to Corbet there 's another of their Captains call'd Nicola who is said to be a wise brave and good natur'd Prince insomuch that the Indians had a mind to have sâ—…t him up instead of Ambrosio who is of a rugged military temper But Ambrosio's Authority and Power is so great that they did not find it practicable Nicola is a mortal Enemy to the Spaniards and can never entertain a good thought of them since the Governor of Porto Bello rob'd him of a curious Fusee that had been presented him by some of the Buccaneers and being out of Order he sent it thither to be mended upon which the Governor taking a liking to it kept it to himself and sent Nicola another sorry piece instead of it Since we came hither there have been an English a Dutch and a French Ship in our Bay The English Shâ—…p was Capt. Long in the Rupert Prize he had been in the Gulf of Uraba but he himself and his Men own'd that they had not then been ashore there He hath some way or other disoblig'd the Captains Ambrosio and Diego Tho we treated him with all possible Civility yet we are since inform'd that he hath been a days Journy into the Gulf and endeavour'd to incense the Indians against us telling them that we were Privateers and that the King of England would not protect us He left some Men in the Bay who have since kill'd some Spaniâ—…rds and came to us for Arms and Ammunition but we told them we could not grant them any and that they had done what they could not justify We gave them however what was necessary for fitting up a Boat and as a reward they 〈◊〉 away the Carpenter and Mate of one of our Ships call'd the Unicorn The Dutch Ship that came hither was afraid of the Spanish Barlavento Fleet and put in here for protection that Fleet having made prize of another Dutch Ship of 32 Guns and of two English Sloops for Trading on those Coasts The French Ship that put in here was that which was order'd to carry back the Church-plate c. to Carthagena did afterwards bulge on a Rock and was cast away in our Harbour We sav'd all their lives and Capt. Pennicook our Commodore endanger'd his own Life to save that of the French Captain He inform'd us that the French had 4 Men of War of 50 Guns each who thinking we had a design on the River Mississipi were gone to the Gulf of Mexico in quest of us The French have been very industrious in cultivating their Interest both with the Natives and Spaniards in this part of America and doubt not of having a good share in those Countries after the King of Spain's Death They have got a great Interest with Captain Ambrosio by means of his Son-in Law Don Pedro whom they Carress extremly and design'd to have carried him to Petit Guavus and from thence into France to aquaint the French King with the favourable Sentiments the Indians have enâ—…ertain'd of the French and of their design to surrender themselves into his Majesty This has been projected by the French a long time but the King of Spains indispositioâ—… and their pretences to that Crown made them refer it and it s no doubt but our Settlement will quicken those Resolutions Captain Andreas Capt Pedro his Brother Capt. Diego and Capt. Pouâ—…igo our Neighbours have no manner of Correspondence with the French The Letter hath acquainted us that there are several Gold Mines within two Miles of our Settlement which he hath promised to shew us and he hath actually let us see several Samples oâ—… fine Gold This being the Substance of several Journals that were sent from our Colony in Daâ—…ien upon their first Settlement there we hope its sufficient of it self to satisfie our Neighbours in England of the Justice of our Cause of the equity of our Proceedings of the true Reason why the French are so much our Enemies in this matter of the greatness of the providence that has put us in Possession of that post and that it is Englands Interest to join with and protect us by which the Designs of the French against Europe in general and Grèat BritainÌ„ in particular may be Defeated and the English West-Indies Trade secur'd But since by the Proclamations before mentioned which treat us as Rebels and Pirats in America for what we have done according to Act of Parliament in Scotland our Ships may be in danger of being attack'd by other Nâ—…tions as Pirates and our Colony discountenanc'd and oppos'd on that account by the Natives there 's no reason that our Neighbours should think strange iâ—… we complain of that unkind usage and endeavour to lay before them what may Probably be the Consequences of such Proceedings without being Construed either to threaten or to wish that any â—…uch thing should happen It being evident that by offering to admit the English as joint sharers in our Trade we entertain no Sentiments but what are Friendly towards that Nation being satisfied that all those who wish well to the Protestant Religion and true Liberty are Enemies to any thing that may occasion a breach of the Union and good understanding betwixt us Yet it must be own'd that we have but too great reason to complain of the Hardships we suffer by the Union of the Crowns which it is in the power of England to remedy by complying with the gracious Proposals of uniting the Nations repeated in Paâ—…liament by his Majesty who-like a true Father of his Country has expos'd himself to the greatest of dangers to procure the Welfare and Peace of his Subjects by which he has made an absolute Conqueâ—…t of the Hearts of all good men who are unanimous to join in the like Prayer for him that the Israelites of old put up for their Kings viz. That he may live for ever FINIS * 〈◊〉 New Voyagâ—… and description oâ—… the 〈◊〉 of America p. 11. 6â—… 149 150 151.