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The Darien Scheme: Debunking the Myth of Scotland's Ill-Fated American Colonization Attempt

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The Darien Scheme: Debunking the Myth of Scotland's Ill-Fated American Colonization Attempt Wright State University CORE Scholar Browse all Theses and Dissertations Theses and Dissertations 2016 The Darien Scheme: Debunking the Myth of Scotland's Ill-Fated American Colonization Attempt Kimberly Michelle Miller Wright State University Follow this and additional works at: https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/etd_all Part of the History Commons Repository Citation Miller, Kimberly Michelle, "The Darien Scheme: Debunking the Myth of Scotland's Ill-Fated American Colonization Attempt" (2016). Browse all Theses and Dissertations. 1473. https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/etd_all/1473 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at CORE Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Browse all Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of CORE Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE DARIEN SCHEME DEBUNKING THE MYTH OF SCOTLAND’S ILL-FATED AMERICAN COLONIZATION ATTEMPT A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Arts By Kimberly Michelle Miller B.A., Miami University, 2006 M.Ed, Xavier University, 2012 2016 Wright State University APPROVAL SHEET ABSTRACT Miller, Kimberly Michelle. M.A. Department of History, Wright State University, 2016. The Darien Scheme: Debunking the Myth of Scotland’s Ill-Fated American Colonization Attempt. In this analysis, a critical eye will counter many previously held claims of Scottish ineptitude and ill-preparation for the nationally important, Darien Scheme, colonial venture. In the hopes of establishing a trading post on the Isthmus of Panama, and eventually a colony, the Scots set out to change their economic and political fortunes. Through a series of events and sabotage, the mission failed miserably. Much of the historiography blames this on the Scots’ inability to plan and execute a mission of this scale. To counter previous scholarship, the subsequent investigation counters those claims and argues that the Scots used foresight and had a large potential for success, if it were not for the bad luck and English interference. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I: Historiography of the Darien Scheme .................................................................................. 1 Scotland’s Historical and Cultural Backgrounds .......................................................................... 3 The Formation and Preparation of the Company of Scotland ................................................... 10 Settling the Darien Colony ......................................................................................................... 16 Historiography on the Scottish Failure ...................................................................................... 21 Part II: Refuting the Historiography .............................................................................................. 27 The Backing of a Nation ............................................................................................................. 29 William Paterson ........................................................................................................................ 35 Countering Previous Claims of Scottish Ineptitude ................................................................... 40 Adequate Provisions .................................................................................................................. 49 Land Selection ............................................................................................................................ 54 Refuting Additional Claims of a Doomed Mission ..................................................................... 60 Justifiable Land Claims ............................................................................................................... 64 Unforeseen Scenarios ................................................................................................................ 69 Sabotage on Multiple Fronts ...................................................................................................... 73 Concluding Thoughts ................................................................................................................. 81 Appendix ........................................................................................................................................ 83 Map of the Colony ..................................................................................................................... 83 The Colonial Seal and Flag.......................................................................................................... 84 Poems of the Endeavor .............................................................................................................. 85 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................... 87 iv Part I: Historiography of the Darien Scheme Situated on the northern outskirts of one of history’s most successful empires sits the rugged nation of Scotland. It has evolved from a once loose collection of clans to an official nation, although one forever seen as inferior to its more powerful neighbor, England. Scotland is typically generalized as a nation of whisky and kilts, rather than a global influence. Expansionist England consistently overshadowed and suppressed the Scottish while domestic struggles within led to a perpetual conflict when attempting to reach even terms with the other European countries. Often looming over Scotland is the perception, or misconception, of ineptitude and backwardness. This thesis will focus on one of the most epic of Scottish failures, that of the ill- fated Darien Scheme of the late seventeenth century.1 In this storied attempt to broaden trade, Scottish nationalists, merchants, politicians, and the vast majority of ordinary citizens set their aspirations on a well-known, but little understood, area on the Isthmus of Panama in Central America. Their ambition was to establish a colony with trading potential throughout the Caribbean and Americas that would act as an entrepôt for further trade and exploration in Asia. The dream was large but the failure even larger when Darien was abandoned in 1700. The question of success is not debated. Most scholars condemn the Scots involved in the scheme for their unpreparedness in taking on such a 1 The term Darien Scheme stems from the location of the proposed colony near the Darien jungle of Panama. Throughout historiography, and in this piece, the scheme’s name may also be shortened to the commonly used, “Darien.” 1 daunting project. However, I intend to argue that, in fact, the Scots were well-prepared and diligent in their efforts to execute such a plan. Sources from those involved in the scheme and even bystanders provide a substantial amount of support to contradict the claims made by so many historians. Without question, mistakes were made and numerous errors are present when looking through the annals of history; this is accepted. The area in question lies solely in the unjust accusations of Scottish incompetency. Those involved did not botch the task that their entire nation relied so much upon. “We have had many misfortunes both at home and abroad, and there are many causes as 2 signed for the miscarriage of our Colony.” 2 The Darien Papers: Being a Selection of Original Letters and Official Documents Relating to the Establishment of a Colony at Darien by the Company of Scotland Sailing to Africa and the Indies, 1695- 1700: Unknown Author, “To Major John Lindsay,” Feb. 10, 1700, 273. 2 Scotland’s Historical and Cultural Background The bitter rivalry between Scotland and England stemmed from an early polarizing cultural and religious conflict. Since the twelfth century, Scotland had formed its own legal system, local and national government, education system, national church, and even its own unique way of speaking English.3 Scots’ way of life did not assimilate into the more powerful English culture and was a source of contention for many years. Scottish tensions with the English remained heightened for centuries. The fear of English domination was ever-present and displayed itself consistently in anti-English rhetoric and borderline paranoia.4 Edward I’s attempted conquest in the mid-thirteenth century provoked resistance and more than 300 years of war. Scottish nationalism remained strong; one soldier declared amidst the Edwardian campaign, “As long as a hundred of us remain alive we will never be subjected to the English King; because it is not for riches, or honors or glory that we fight, but for liberty alone, which no worthy man loses save with his life.” 5 The nature of one powerful nation seeking to control an inferior one meant that England sought to strengthen its position over the Scots by implementing restrictive laws when possible and applying economic and political pressure. The English would find ways to limit trade opportunities and political maneuverings that would have benefitted the Scots. As a means to control, the English suppressed the freedoms of the Scottish people in various ways to ensure their own 3 H. J. Hanham, Scottish Nationalism (Harvard University Press, 1969), 15. 4 Hanham, 64. 5 Gordon Donaldson, The Scots Overseas (London: Hale, 1966), 17. 3 supremacy. The climate surrounding the Darien Scheme was no different. The sources from the time give proof of English resistance through their numerous attempts to
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