Darien

[dbb9]

In 1695 the Scots parliament formed a company called "The Company of Scotland Trading to Africa and the Indies".

It raised a large amount of capital in Scotland and bought ships. It was only after the monopolistic English East India Company and the English government made it impossible for the Scots company to trade as intended that it was forced to look at other possibilities. Then the Darien Scheme was proposed.

The scheme can be criticised for poor planning but we should remember that it had not been the purpose of the company.

It might not have had much chance of success but the English government made sure it failed! They issued orders banning their colonies from trading with the Scots and threatened to send their navy against anyone who gave them any assistance. Then for good measure King William accepted a claim from Spain that Darien belonged to them.

[skywalker]

I dont think it matters much,but Columbia also claimed Darien as a provence.They did so till American led Independance for Panama in 1904. At eny respect the Quaba Headhunters actualy ran the place.

[skywalker]

Slantie
I recently read a book called the History of Scotland , by Peter & Anne Sommerset-Frye. In the book they deal a bit on the Darien subject and the (ha-ha)"help"given by England,or non-help.England "was" to give $200,000.00 sterling and Scotland and equal amount.England had problems with Spain,and let the Scotsman in Darien die. At least a second or relief group found only ghost on the spot where the origional project Scots set up their homes.

[daibhidh]

Originally posted by SaraMarie
To Neil Caple and ANDYJ:
Thanks for your insight, it has been really helpful. I was wondering, though, why did they go there, knowing the Spaniards were right there in Cartagena? What also surprises me is how so many people gave up just about everything they had, for something so tenuous. How did they (the Diretors) pull this off? I read about Darien in a book written by Douglas Galbraith, which is a novel, based on the colonization of Darien. I'm sure most of it is based on facts, and things have been omitted or added to make it more "interesting." Are there any other sources you can think of where I can learn more about this expedition? Oh, yes, before I forget, when I first started this thread I wrote "late 1700s," I meant to write "late 1600s." It seems so unbelievable that everyone would turn their backs on Scotland, I just can't imagine something like that. And the King, what point is it in being a King if you don't help your subjects, which will only help you in the end?
I have to tell you, I have great admiration for the people of Scotland, their determination and perseverance to never give up.

The Scots founded their colony at that particular point in Panama because it is the best site for trading between the Atlantic and Pacific. Who wouldn't want to control Panama?

I think so many people put money into this, firstly because initial soundings were that it would be a thriving prospect in the long run, and also about 1 in 6 people in Scotland were beggars at that point so some quick cash was desperately needed.

And about the King, you must remember that since 1603, the King of Scots had also been King of England and very quickly became Anglo-centric. James VI only made it back once to Scotland in 22 years as King of England too. Charles I only came up twice and Charles II was only too happy to strip the Scottish Parliament of many of the powers it had gained in the Covenanting Wars, after the Restoration in 1660. Scotland was not as rich, nor so lavish as London and the monarchy spurned us for the auld enemy.