The Darien Misadventure
Late in the 17
th century Scotland tried to establish a colony
in Darien, on the Isthmus of Panama in Central America.
The attempt ended in failure, with the loss of 2,000
Scottish lives and a substantial amount of money.
Ramifications of the Darien disaster spread far and wide. A
desire to alleviate tensions between England and Scotland
caused by the scheme was a major factor in the Union of
1707.
Below (
PA2/36 f.28) is the first page of the Act
of the Scottish Parliament setting up the Company of
Scotland Trading to Africa and the Indies, 26 June 1695.
Following a general act of 1693 for the 'incouraging of
fforaign trade', in 1695 the Scottish Parliament set up
this new company now commonly referred to as the Darien
Company.
The act gave the Company very wide powers: the right to
establish and defend colonies, a monopoly on trade between
Scotland and Asia, Africa and America for 31 years; and
freedom from customs duty for 21 years.
Although some 'merchants in London' are among the
original shareholders listed at the foot of the page
reproduced here, English merchants were generally fearful
of the Scots' trading ambitions and opposed the
Company.
Documents held at the NAS that relate to Darien will
feature in a BBC2 documentary 'Darien: Disaster in
Paradise' Scheduled to be broadcast on the July 10.
Transcription
Act for a Company Trading to Africa and the Indies -
Our Soveraign Lord Taking into his Consideration, That
by an act past in this Parliament, intitled Act for
incourageing of fforraign Trade; His Ma'ty for the
improvement thereof Did with advice and Consent of the
Estates of Parliament, Statute and Declare, That Merchants,
more or fewer may Contract and enter into such Societies
and Companies for carrying on of Trade, as to any subject
of goods or Merchandise, to whatsomever Kingdoms,
Countries, or parts of the World, not being at warr with
his Ma'ty, where trade is in use to be, or may be followed,
and particularly, beside the Kingdoms and Countreys of
Europe, to the East and West Indies, the Streights, and to
trade in the Mediterranian, or upon the Coast of Africa, or
in the Northern parts consistent allwayes with the Lawes of
this Kingdom: His Majesty with Consent forsaid Did allow
and approve, giving and granting to them and each of them,
all Powers, rights & priviledges as to their persons;
Rules and orders, that by the Lawes are given to Companys
allowed to be erected for Manufactories; And his Majesty
for their greater encouragement, Did promise to give to
these Companys, and each of them his Letters patent under
the great Seal, Confirming to them the whole forsaids
Powers and privileges, With what other encouragement his
Majesty Should judge needful, As the forsaid Act of
Parliament at more Lenth bears And his Majesty
Understanding That Several persons as wel Foreigners as
Natives of this Kingdom, are willing to engage them selves
with great Soumes of money, in an American, African, and
Indian Trade to be exercised in and from this Kingdom; if
enabled and encouraged thereunto, by the Concessions powers
and priviledges, needful and usual in such cases. Therefore
and in pursuance of the foresaid Act of Parliament, His
Majesty with Advice and Consent of the saids Estates of
Parliament Doth hereby Make and Constitut John Lord
Belhaven, Adam Cockburn of Ormiestoun, Lord Justice Clerk,
Mr Francis Montgomery of Giffen, Sir John Maxwell of
Pollock, Sir Robert Chesly present Provost of Edinburgh,
John Swintoun of that ilk, George Clark late Baillie of
Edinburgh, Mr Robert Blakewood and James Balfour, Merchants
in Edinburgh, and John Corss Merchant in Glasgow, William
Paterson Esquire, James Fowlis, David Nairn Esquires,
Thomas Deans Esquire, James Chesly, John Smith, Thomas
Coutes, Hugh Frazer, Joseph Cohaine, Daves Ovedo, and
Walter Stuart Merchants in London, with such others as
Shall Joyn with them within the space of twelve Moneths
after the first day of August next,…
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