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
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
us in other respects as if we were Aliens and sometimes confiscate Ships by reckoning Scots Mariners as such So that the English have not only depriv'd us of our Government and the warm influences of our Court the want oâ—… which is a considerable addition to the Natural coldness of our Climate but they likewise oppress us on all occasions and do 〈◊〉 endeavour to prevent our Application to Trade We know there 's a Party in that Nation who think we sustain'd no great loss by the removal of our Princes but we would wish them to consider what a murmuring they themselves make when the King goes annually to the Netherlands tho the safety of Europe requires it because of the damp it puts upon Trade and the Money it carries out of the Kingdom Let them consider then what our Nation hath suffered in that respect now for almost 100 years besides the lessening our Esteem in the eyes of the World so that our Honour and Substance are both swallow'd up by the Kingdom of England and yet they will neither admit us to the privileges of â—…ellow-Subjects with themselves nor suffer us to take such measures as may enable us to stand on our own bottom Certainly this is not the way to establish the Peace noâ—… to increase the Wealth of the Island We know that it was a Maxime in some of the late Reigns That it would never be well till all that part of Scotland on this side Forth were reduc'd to a hunting Field but we were in hopes the bitterness of those days had been past yet it seems that Party have still so far the ascendant amongst our Neighbours as to procure a publick Opposition to all our Endeavours for raising our Nation by Trade It will upon due Examination be found as bad policy as it is Christianity to urge as some of our Neighbours do that it is the Interest of England to keep the Scots low because they are an independent and free Nation and were our ancient Enemies and therefore may be dangerous Neighbours if they grow rich and potent Nothing but Rancor and inveterate Malice can suggest such sour thoughts as these It were fit that sort of Men should be purg'd of their Choler The Scots to obviate all dangers from that hâ—…ad have tho they be much the ancienter Nation condescended so far as several times to propose an Union which the Gentlemen of that Kidney have hitherto prevented and therefore we would wish them to look back into their Histories â—…nd upon casting up their Accounts make a true Estimate of whatever they gain'd by a War with Scotland They will find that their Ancestors as well as the Romans have been sensible as Tacitus expresses it Quos sibi Viros Caledonia seposuerit and that as it was true what ou Histoâ—…ian says of the unjust and treacherous War made upon us by Edwaâ—…d I. that Scotorâ—… nomen pene delevit it was also true what he says on the other hand that Angliam vehementer concussit So that those Gentlemen take the direct way by opposing and oppressing us to â—…un into those dangers they would avoid for they may assure themselves that if the English Opposition to our American Settlement should once break out into Hostilities the Scots will find some Allies antient or new that will be glad of the opportunity to join with them Oâ—… if which is most probable tho highly ungrateful and impolitick the English should so far neglect the Scots as to suffer them to be ovâ—…power'd by the French they may be sure that the Scots when put to their last shift can always make an honourable Capitulation with Franâ—…e It 's not to be doubted but that Crown would be very willing to renew their antient Alliance with us and besides allowing us a share at least in the Trade of Darien would on coâ—…dition of giving them the possession of New Caledonia restore us likewise to all our ancient Privileges in France They would think it a very good purchase if they could secure themselves of that Colony by doing so granting us what security we could reasonably desire for the uninterrupted Enjoyment of the Protestant Religion and a Freedom of Trade to all places of the World where it did not actually interfere with their own Settlements and Colonies So that if this should be the Case we leave it to our Nâ—…ighbours to judge what would become of their East and West India Trade and Plantations and whether they would be able to stand out against France and US now that they have no footing on the Continent â—…nce formerly when they had so many Provinces of that Kingdom in their possession and could not do it and at last lost every foot of their French Dominions Whereas had they been in Union with us they might certainly have retain'd them and by consequence have prevented the great Calamities that Europe hath since groan'd under by the prodigious Increase of the French Monarchy This we think sufficient to convince those angry Gâ—…ntlemen in our neighbouring Nation that are so very much disgusted with our American Settlement that it is the Interest of England to join with us and support it and that it may be of dangerous Consequence to them either to oppose or neglect us Whereas by joining cordially in this Matter they may unite us inseparably to themselves for ever inrich their own Nation secure and advance the Protestant Interest keep the Ballance of Europe in their Hands and prevent the returns of its danger their own Expence of Blood and Treasure to save its being threatned with Slavery any more either by the House of Bourbon or Austria Therefore we cannot believe after all but our wise and Politick Neighbours will at last see it their Interest to protect and incourage us in this matter that we may mutually strengthen and support one another against the French who are loudest in their Clamours against our Settlement because if incourag'd and improv'd it will defeat all their ambitious and Antichristian Designs And thereby we shall also be in a condition to assist the English Plan ations in the West Indies who as we find by the proceedings of the Earl of Bellomont and the Assemblies of New England and New York are suâ—…iciently sensible of their danger from the incroaching temper of the French which increases every day and it is evident that their new Design'd Colony in Mississipi River looks with a dangerous Aspect upon all the English Plantations in America and may be 〈◊〉 justly esteemed an Incroachment upon Spain as being in the Bay of Mexico than our Plantation in D rien Which argues the treacherous Humor of that Nation to make such an Ouâ—…cry against the Scots who have envaded no Mans Property when they themselves are so notoriously guilâ—…y of it and therefore it would seem to be the Interest of England rather to strengthen themselves by our Friendship and to look after the French than to provoke us to look
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.
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