to his Ancestors but if he dâ—…d not think it worth his while they might perhaps be inclin'd to make choâ—…e of another Soveraign or to that effect as recordâ—…d in the Conâ—…uation of Sâ—…r Richard Baker's History Another 〈◊〉 we had by that Union of the Crown was this That that unfortunate Prince being inspir'd with an Aversion to the Constitution of our Country by his Education in the Court of England he made an unnatural War upon us to bring us to a Conformity with England in Church-Matters We shall not here offer to debate which of the Churches was best constâ—…uted or most agreeable to the Scripture-Pattern It suffices for our Argument that we were injur'd in having a Forreign Model offered to be obtruded upon us which was â—…he Consâ—…quence of the Union of the Crowns and of having our King eâ—…ucated in another Nâ—…tion but that was not all another mischievous effect of the Union was this that whatever K. Charles had deserv'd at our hands â—…et out of natural Afâ—…ection Conscience and Honour we were oblig'd to do what we could to prevent his illegal Trial and Death and to defend his Sons Title which threw us into Convulsions at home occasion'd us the loss of several Armies and exposâ—…d our Nation afterwards to Ruine and Devaâ—…tation by our implacable Enemy the Usurper which together with the Ungrateful Retributions made us by the Government after the Restoration were enough to have wearied any Nation under Heavâ—…n but our selves of the Union of the Crowns Yet such was our Zâ—…al for the Protestant Intrest the Welfare of the Islâ—…nd and the Liberty of Europe that tho we had a 〈◊〉 opporâ—…ity of providing otherwise for our 〈◊〉 and the Advancement of ouâ—… Trade and of forming our selves into a Common wealth or or bringing England to our own terms yet we frankly and generously concurr'd with them to settlâ—… our Gâ—…vernment on the same Persons and in the same manner as they did theirs and all the Reward we had from them is that an Union of the Nations tho twice propos'd by his Majesty in Parliament hath been 〈◊〉 rejected our King questioned by Parliament of England â—…or an Act of his Parliament in Scotland which is a manifest Impeachment of our Soveraignty a Compliance with which excluded Baliol and his Heirs for ever from our Crown and to this they have added an opposition to our receiving foreign Subscriptions at Hamburgh and elsewhere refus'd us a Supply of Corn for our Money to relieve us in our Distress and discourag'd our Settlement aâ—… Darien by forbidding their Subjects to Trade with us there If these continued Slights and Injuries be not enough to make us weary of the Union of the Crowns let any Man judge To discover a little of the unreasonableness of this sort of Treatment we dare appeal to the calm thoughts of such of our Neighbours in England as prefer the Interest of the Publick to private Animosities and foolish ill-grounded Piques either as to Church or State whether at the time of the Revolution and before we declar'd our selves they would not have been willing to have assur'd themselves of our Friendship at the rare of uniting with us as one Nation Had we but demurr'd upon forâ—…eiting the late K. James or made but a Proffer of renewing our antient League with France and joining with that Crown to keep that Prince upon rhe Throne of Great-Britain they know we might have made what Terms we pleas'd with the late King Louis XIV on that condition and might have been restor'd to all the Honours and Privileges that our Ancestors enjoy'd in France which were almost equal to those of the Nâ—…tives and yet that gallant Nation thought it no disparagement to them however we be despis'd and uâ—…dervalued now by a certain Party in England Had we but seem'd to have made such Overtures the English must needs have foreseen that the natural Consequences of such a design iâ—… it had taken effect must have been these viz the late King's Adherents in England would certainly have join'd us and our Nation would have afforded them a safe retreat in case of any Disaster till they could have concerted Matters to the best advantage the late King would not have yielded himself such an easy Conquest nor disbanded his Army in such a manner as he did Ireland had certainly never revolted since every one knows that the Revolution was begun and in a great measure perfected there by the Scots of the North so that England must have become the Theatre of War been lyable to an Invasion â—…rom France on all occasions would only have strengthned her Fetters by struggling with them and expos'd all the Patriots of her Religion and Liberty to Butchery and Destruction These must certainly have been the Consequences os our adhering to the late King and the English would have thought they had had a very good Bargain if they could have bought us off in that Case with uniting both the Kingdoms into one and granting us a joint Trade to their own Plantations whereas now they will not allow us to settle a Forreign Colony of our own and treat us as Forreigners in theirs To shew that this is not a mere Conjecture that has no other ground but a Vision of the Brain they may be pleased to consider the honourable Privileges granted US by their Ancestors and some of the greatest Princes that ever swayed their Scepter viz King Edward and William the Conqueror who by the Consent of the States in Parliament assembled enacted That the Scots should be accounted Denizâ—…ns of England and enjoy the same privileges with themselves because of their frequent Intermarriages with the English and that they did ever stand stoutly as one Man with them for the common Utility of the Crown and Kingdom against the Danes and Norwegians fought it most valiantly and unanimously against the common Enemy and bore the burden of most fierce Wars in the Kingdom This they will sind in a Book call'd Archaionomia translated from the Saxon by William Lambard and printed at London by Joâ—…n Day in 1568. It must be granted that the Reasons of such a grateful Retribution are redoubled now Intermarriages betwixt the two Nations are more frequent than ever the Union of the Kingdoms under one Crown for almost 100 years the generous Concurrence of the Scots in the last Revolution their loss of so many gallant Officers and brave Soldiers in the common Cause during the late War and the preservation of Ireland which hath been twice owing to ouâ—… Countreymen might reasonably entitle us to the same Priviledges now that our Ancestors were formerly allow'd by K. Edward and William the Conqueror We need not insist on another sort of Obligatiâ—…n that we have put upon England twice within this 60 years viz the delivering them from their Oppressions in the time of K. Charles I. the Anarchy of the Rump and several Models of Armies and Juntos by encouraging
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
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
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
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
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
together with â—…heir 〈◊〉 horrid 〈◊〉 câ—…eated an aversion in â—…hose poor Infidâ—…ls foâ—… Heaven it self according to the known Story of Hathwey an â—…ndian Prince ibid. p. 21. whâ—… being fast'ned to a Sâ—…ake by the Spaniards in oâ—…der to be burnt â—…or no other Crime but 〈◊〉 to defend himself and his â—…ubjects against their 〈◊〉 ask't a Friaâ—… that was discoursing to him of Heaven promising him Eternal Happinesâ—… there if he would believe and threatning him with Hell if he did not whether Heaven was opened to the Spaniards answer'd that it was to such of tâ—…em as were good replied immediatly that hâ—… would not go thither foâ—… fear of meeting such Cruel and wicked Company as they were but would much â—…ather chuse to go to Hell where he might be Deliver'd from the troublesome sight oâ—… such kind of People So that their forfeiture of all Right or Title to Darien by the Pope's Gâ—…ant if it were of any validity is plainly demonstrated Their next Plea is that Darien is bounded or inclosed by their Dominions Viz. by Portobello and Carthagena with â—…heir Territories on the Noâ—…th and Panama and Sancta Maria on the South To this it is Answered that Darien is bounded only by â—…he Sea on both sides without so much as a Spanish Fort or Garrison from Nombre de Dios to the Gulf of Darien on the North Sea or â—…rom the River of Chepo to the River of Congâ—… on the South Sea The Territories of the Spaniards confining on bo th end of the Isthmus are not unlimited but are restricted on both sides by the Dariens who as has been already said were never subject to Spain Nor is it any new thing in the World for independent Soveraignty s to ly inclos'd within the Dominions of other Princes to instance in no more than Orange and Avignon in Europe Ceuta Metilla c. possessed by the Spaniards themselves in Africk which lye in the very bosome of Morocco and yet the Spaniards don't think their Title to them e're a whit the worse The Dutch and Portugueze have both of them Settlements on the Coast of Brasil to which the Spaniards pretend a Right The French have settlements in Hispaniola and Guiana notwithstanding the Neighbour-hood of the Spaniards The English and French have both of 'em Plantations in Newfoundland The Dutch in time of Peace settled in Long Island in the middle of the English Plantations yet no War ensued upon it The English Plantations themselves of Bahama Islands tho the Spanish Fleet passed betwixt them and Florida And the English have several times settled at Port-Royal in Campechy Bay to cut Loggwood c. and remov'd and settled as they found Convenient K. Charles II in time of Peace granted a Patent to Mr. Cox to settle a Colonie in the Bay of Mexico which was never Question'd by the Spaniards And the French have now since the Conclusion of the last Peace planted a Colony on the River Mississipi in that same Bay against which we hear of no Complaints from Madrid So that the Plea of the Spaniards from this Topick is perfectly overturn'd by Common Practice the Law of Nations and their own Concessions in parallel Cases The next Plea of the Spaniards is from the Treaties betwixt them and the Crown of Great Britain of which they alledge the Settlement of the Scots at Darien to be a Breach But that there 's no Ground for this Allegation will appear to those that peruse the said Treaties viz. That of May 23 1667. and that of July 1670 wherein there 's not the least Mention of Excluding either Party from enlarging their Dominions in Ameriea upon Wastes or by consent of the Natives in such places as have never yet been possest by Spain or Great Britain So that all that can be infeâ—…'d from those Treaties is that they were a mutuâ—…l security for the peaceable possession of what each Crown enjoy'd in that Countrey and no more which is sufficiently confirm'd by the Patent granted to Dr. Cox and the settling and removing of the English in Campechy Bay c. without Controul as before mention'd Having thus made it evident that the Spaniards have no manner of Title or Right to Darien it is Natural in the next place to shew that they themselves are guilty of the Breach of Treaty by proceeding in this Affair as they have done By the third Article of the Treaty between the Crowns of Great Britain and Spain concluded at Madrid May 23. 1667. it is provided That if any Injury shall be done by either of the said Kings or by the People or Subjects of either of them to the People or Subjects of the other against the Articles of that Alliance or against common Right there shall not therefore be given Letters of Reprisal Marque or Countermarque by any of the Confederates until such time as Justice is follow'd in the ordinary Course of Law Yet the Spaniards without any such Procedure or offering in the least to prove their Title to Darien present a virulent and huffiâ—…g Memorial at the very first charging the King with want of Friendship and a Breach of Alliance and threatning to take such measures as they shall think meet when their sickly Monarchy has not yet had time to breath since rescu'd from the common danger wherein Europe was involv'd by the Arms of that very Prince whom they treat so ungratefully But this is not all for contrary to the express Words of that same Treaty they attack the Scots by Sea and Land who had done them no Injury but acquainted them that they came peaceably without any hostile design against them or any other People And were so generous as to reject the Motion of Capt. Andreas one of the Darien Princes and their Ally when he offered to make them Masters of Panama if they would but join him with 500 of their Men. The Spaniards have also contrary to the 10th and 11th Articles of the Treaty concluded at Madrid July 18 1670 concerning America detain'd the Scots and English Prisoners who were forc'd ashoar at Carthagena by Shipwrack tho all such practices be expresly provided against by the said Articles and they have also violated the 14th Article of that Treaty which forbids Reprisals except in case of denying or unreasonably delaying Justice From all which it is evident that the King of Great Britain has just reason to demand Satisfaction of the Spaniards sor attacking his Subjects contrary to Treaty and that the SCOTS being thus injuriously treated may very lawfully not only make Reprisals upon the Spaniards for themselves but join with the King of Darien in taking Sancta Maria Panama or any other place helonging to the Spaniards in that Countrey of which the Dariens are Natural Lords and the Spaniards Tyrannical Usurpers as is pleaded by the King of Darien himself and therefore he invited the English Buccaneers to assist him to retake it and by this Capt. Sawkins justified his proceedings in
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
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
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.