Darien

[SaraMarie]

I'm very interested in the ill-fated settlement of Darien, on the northern coast of Panama in the late 1700's. Can anyone tell me more about it? Actually, I'm reading a book about it, but it's confusing me even more. Bye-bye

[ANDY-J]

SaraMarie,
The Darien expedition was Scotland's attempt to create an empire.The concept was visionary.The creation of a colony on the Isthmus of Panama where ships from the East Indies could unload their cargo which could then be taken across the narrow isthmus.This would then be loaded on other vessels for shipment to Europe.Shipping would no longer have to make the hazardous and time consuming journey around Cape Horn and Scotland would effectively have monopolised world trade.The expedition was not however well planned as Panama was covered with malarial swamps and the natives were hostile to Europeans.The expedition was massively over subscribed by public funds and it is estimated that a third of the nations entire capital was invested in Darien.The expedition became a fiasco largely because of English and Spanish interference and when a second expedition arrived from Scotland they found only corpses and empty houses.The Scottish economy was fundamentally weakened by the Darien episode and when the English offered to reimburse Scottish nobles in return for their agreement to the act of union many jumped at the chance and thus union with England,which would in any case have occured at some point was hastened by the failure of the expedition.

Darien was the brain child of William Patterson who saw it as a way of cornering the market in trade with the Far East. Patterson was one of the few survivors of the whole enterprise and when he returned to Scotland, exhausted and wracked with malaria, he walked from Glasgow to Edinburgh to report to Parliament. In later years, this same William Patterson founded a small financial institution called the Bank of England.

Darien was ill-conceived and poorly planned, but was effectively doomed by implacable English opposition. Colonists who went to English West Indies islands for medical help were refused assistance and left to die. William of Orange was king of Scots as well as king of England, yet he issued orders that anyone trading with or assisting his own colony at Darien would be treated as hostile and would be liable to attack by England. That's just the sort of leadership Scotland needed!

[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.

[skywalker]

Slantie ;
You must remember that we scot's are a fercely independant people , proud of family and misstrusting of others,we also like to fight with the brittish and others. So an independant venture was attractive,and head hunters did na fash we barbarian celts an picts. Did ya see the ruins of old Panama which Henry Morgan burned trying to find the Golden Alter of Panama. Dont Miss Cero Campana and Isla de flores(taboga). I was in Panama in the Army.

Tain Geil
And "ALBA GU BRAGH".

[SaraMarie]

I have not been to Panama, yet, although I'm not too far away. I'm in Guatemala, don't know if you've ever heard of the place. Yes, I do see the point of jumping into this venture (Darien), anything to get away from dominance from others. When were you in Panama? Bye

[skywalker]

Slantie;
Hi Sara Marie, I was in panama twice (1970-to-1975)(1983-to-1985). I took THE Plane Called "Capital Run" and saw much of RIO/LIMA/BOGATA,ECT. I liked the country but not the government. I much prefer Scotland.