THE Original Papers AND LETTERS, Relating to the Scots COMPANY, Trading to Africa and the Indies: From the Memorial given in against their taking Subscriptions at Hamburgh, by Sir Paul Ricaut, His Majesty's Resident there, to Their last Address sent up to His Majesty in December, 1699. Faithfully extracted from the Companies-Books. Printed Anno 1700. The Original PAPERS and LETTERS, etc. THere having been a great deal printed and said of late concerning the Company of Scotland, trading to Africa and the Indies, and their Colony of Darien. In order to obviate all Misrepresentations that may happen on either side in the Heat of Debate, it is thought sit to publish the following Originals without any Reflection, which will set that Matter in a true Light, give the Public full Information as to the Principal Matters of Fact, and cannot justly be taken ill by any Person or Party whatever. A MEMORIAL Given in to the Senate of the City of Hamburg, in French. Faithfully translated into English. To their Magnificences the Burgo-Masters, and to the Gentlemen Counsellors of this City of Hamburg. WE the Under-Subscribers, Ministers of His Majesty the King of Great Britain have, upon the arrival of Commissioners from an Indian Company in Scotland, represented at two several times to Your Magnificences and Lordships, from the King our Master, That His Majesty understanding that the said Commissioners endeavoured to open to themselves a Commerce and Trade in these Parts, by making some Convention or Treaty with this City, had commanded us most expressly to notify to Your Magnificences and Lordships, That if you enter into such Conventions with private Men, his Subjects, who have neither Credential Letters, nor are any otherwise authorised by His Majesty, That His Majesty would regard such Proceed as an Affront to his Royal Authority, and that he would not fail to resent it. Your Magnificences and Lordships had the Goodness to Answer us thereto by Your Deputy, That you would no way enter into Commerce with the afore mentioned Commissioners, nor encourage them in any Sort. Notwithstanding whereof we the Subscribers do see with Displeasure, That without any regard to the Remonstrances made by us in the Name of His Majesty, the Inhabitants of this City forbear not to make Conventions and Treaties with the said Commissioners, who dare even erect a Public Office to receive Subscribers, as appears by the annexed Print. And it is not very credible, That Strangers could so openly enterprise Matters of such Importance, without being supported by this Government. Wherefore we make our just Complaints thereof to Your Magnificences and Lordships, beseeching You, in the Name of the King our Master, to remedy in time, that which is begun, and to do it so effectually as to prevent any Consequences it may have, capable to disturb the Friendship and good Correspondence which we would cultivate between England and the City of Hamburg. We wait Your Magnificences and Lordships Answer in Writing to be transmitted to His Majesty our Master, and we are, Your Magnificences and Lordships most Humble Servants, Paul Rycaut, Resident for His Majesty the King of Great Britain, in the City of Hamburg. Cressett, His Britannic Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary, at the Courts of Lunnenburgh, and Plenipotentiary at the Treaty of Pinenberg. Done at Hamburg, April 7. 1697. To the King's Most Excellent Majesty. The Humble Address of the Council-General of the Company of Scotland, Trading to Africa and the Indies. May it please Your Majesty, WHereas, by the XXXII. Act of the Fourth Session, and by the VIII. Act of the Fifth Session of Your Majesty's Currant Parliament, as well as by Your Majesty's Patent under the Great Seal of this Kingdom, This Company is established with such Ample Privileges as were thought most proper for encouraging both Natives and Foreigners to join in the Carrying on, Supporting and Advancement of our Trade: The most Considerable of the Nobility, Gentry, Merchants, and whole Body of the Royal Borroughs, have (upon the Inducement and Public Faith of Your Majesty's said Acts of Parliament and Letters Patent) contributed as Adventurers in raising a far more Considerable Joint-Stock, than any was ever before raised in this Kingdom, for any Public Undertaking or Project of Trade what soever, which makes it now of so much the more Universal a Concern to the Nation. And for the better enabling us to accomplish the Ends of Your Majesty's said Acts of Parliament and Letters Patents, we have, in pursuance thereunto, appointed certain Deputies of our own Number to transact and negotiate our necessary Affairs beyond Sea; And at the same time to treat with such Foreigners of any Nation, in amity with Your Majesty, as may be inclinable to join with us for the Purposes aforesaid. In the Prosecution of which Commission to our said Deputies (vested with full Power and Authority, according to Law) we are a little surprised to find, to the great Hindrance and Obstruction of our Affairs, that Your Majesty's Envoy to the Courts of Lunenburg, and Resident at Hamburg, have under Pretence of special Warrant from Your Majesty, given in a Joint-subscribed Memorial to the Senate of Humburg, expressly invading the Privileges granted to our Company by Your Majesty's said Acts of Parliament and Letters Patent, as by the herewith transmitted Copy may appear. By the which Memorial we sustain great and manifest Prejudices, since both the Senate and Inhabitants of the said City of Hamburg, are thereby (contrary to the Law of Nations) expressly threatened with Your Majesty's high Displeasure, if they, or either of them, should countenance or join with us in any Treaty of Trade or Commerce whatsoever; which deprives us of the Assistance which we had reason to expect from several Inhabitants of that City. For Redress whereof, we do in all Duty and Humility apply to Your Majesty, not only for the Protection and Maintenance of our Privileges and Freedom of Trade, but also for Reparation of Damages, conform to Your Majesty's said Acts of Parliament and Letters Patent: And do further beg Leave humbly to represent to Your Majesty, that tho' by the said Act of Parliament and Letters Patent, we conceive ourselves legally and sufficiently authorized to treat even with any Sovereign Potentate or Estate in Unity with Your Majesty, for the Support and Advancement of our Trade, yet we by our said Deputies have only treated with particular and private Merchants of the said City of Hamburg, without ever making any the least Proposal to the Senate thereof. And this we humbly conceive to be the natural Right and Privilege of all Merchants whatsoever, even tho' we had wanted the Sanction of so solemn Laws. And without some speedy Redress be had therein, not only this Company, but also all other individual Merchants of this Kingdom, must from henceforward conclude, that all our Rights and Freedom of Trade are, and may be, further, by our Neighbours, violently wrested out of our Hands. We therefore, to prevent the further evil Consequences of the said Memorial to our Company in particular, do make our most humble and earnest Request to Your Majesty, That You would be graciously pleased to grant us such a Declaration, as in Your Royal Wisdom You shall think fit to render the Senate and Inhabitants of the said City of Hamburg, and all others that are or may be concerned, secure from the Treatning and other Suggestions contained in the said Memorial, as well as to render us secure under Your Majesty's Protection in the full prosecution of our Trade, and free enjoyment of our Lawful Rights, Privileges and Immunities, contained in Your Majesty's said Acts of Parliament and Letters Patent abovementioned. Signed at Edinburgh, the 28th Day of June 1697, in Name, Presence, and by Order of the said Council General, by, May it please Your Majesty, Your Majesty's most Faithful, most Dutiful, most Humble, and most Obedient Subject and Servant, Sic subscribitur, Yester. P. His Majesty's Answer to the said Address. By the Right Honourable John Earl of Tullibardin, etc. and Sir James Ogilvie, Knight, Secretaries of State. My Lords and Gentlemen, WE are impowered by the King to signify unto you, That as soon as His Majesty shall return to England, he will take into Consideration what you have presented unto him: And that in the mean time His Majesty will give Orders to the Envoy at the Courts of Lunenburg, and his Resident at Hamburg, not to make use of His Majesty's Name or Authority, for obstructing your Company in the Prosecution of your Trade with the Inhabitants of that City. Signed at Edinburgh, the Second Day of August, 1697. Sic subscribitur, Tullibardine. Ja. Ogilvie. To the Council-General of the Company of Scotland, Trading to Africa and the Indies. THE Company's Letter TO THE Right Honourable the Earl of Tullibardin, Secretary of State. Edinburgh, Sept. 28. 1697. May it please your Lordship, IT is not unknown to Your Lordship in what Humour the Council General of our Company and most Part of the Nation were in, with Relation to the Memorial given in to the Senate of Hamburg, against our Company by the English Ministers there, upon which ensued the Councils-general late Address, transmitted to His Majesty by your Lordship. And your Lordship very well knows, that at your Request and Desire, only upon Premises of using your best Endeavours to procure a speedy and satisfactory Answer from his Majesty, the said Council-General was prevailed upon to suspend representing that Matter further to the Government till the second Day of August last passed. On which Day your Lordship did signify his Majesty's Answer to the said Address. Upon Receipt whereof the said Council General did resolve to supersede any further Proceeding therein, till His Majesty's arrival in England, as not in the least doubting but His Majesty would have in the mean time, pursuant to his Answer, given Orders to His Resident at Hamburg, with Relation to the Subject Matter of the said Memorial: But we are extremely surprised to find by Letters of the 31st ultimo, from our Company's Agent in that City, that he had, according to our Order, been to wait on the English Resident there, and with all the Respect due to his Character, intimated to him the Contents of the said Address and Answer. Upon which the Resident declared, That he was ready and willing to obey His Master's Orders, but that as yet, he had got none in that Matter. We cannot imagine what should be the Occasion of this new Disappointment, since we cannot suffer ourselves to believe, but that His Majesty has, according to his Letter to your Lordship, given Orders as aforesaid, which makes us admire the more where the Neglect of that Matter doth now stand: Yet we must needs say, We are in some Measure afraid to acquaint the said Council-General with it, lest they be more uneasy thereupon, than we would wish, till first we have your Lordship's Answer: For which Cause we, the several undersubscribing Directors of the said Company (who are now in Town) have thought fit, in as quiet a Manner as possible, to give your Lordship an Account thereof, to the end you may in your Wisdom and Prudence, advise His Majesty with Relation thereunto; and doubt not but your Lordship will take such Care herein, as may prevent our Calling another Council-General, with Relation to the Premises, which we are bound un avoidably to do, if we have not your Lordship's timely Answer. We are, May it please Your Lordship, Your Lordship's most Obedient, Humble Servants, Sic Subscribitur, Ad. Cockburn, Fran. Montgomery, Archb. Mure, Geo. Clark, Robert Blackwood, James Balfour, William Paterson. To the Right Honourable the Earl of Tullibardin, Principal Secretary of State for the Kingdom of Scotland. Memorandum. The Duplicate hereof was likewise sent at the same time to the Right Honourrable Sir James Ogilvie, Knight, etc. To the King's Most Excellent Majesty. The Humble Address of the Council-General of the Company of Scotland, Trading to Africa and the Indies. May it please Your Majesty, BY a former Address of the 28th of June last, we have humbly represented to Your Majesty, how that Your Majesty's Envoy to the Courts of Lunenburg, and Resident at Hamburgh, did under Pretence of Special Warrant from Your Majesty, give in a Memorial to the Senate of the said City of Humburgh, contrary to the Law of Nations, and expressly invading the Privileges contained in the Acts of Parliament and Letters Patent, by which our Company is established: Copies of which Address and Memorial we have, for Your Majesty's better Information, hereto annexed. In answer to which, Your MAJESTY was then graciously pleased to signify by Your Royal Letter, That upon Your MAJESTY's arrival in England, You would take the Contents of our said Address into Consideration. And that in the mean time, You would give Orders to Your said Ministers not to make use of your Majesty's Name or Authority for obstructing our Company in the Prosecution of our Trade, with the InhaDitants of the said City of Humburg. In the full Assurance of which we rested secure, and took our Measures accordingly, till to our further Surprise and great Disappointment, we find, by repeated Advices from Hamburg, That Your Majesty's said Resident continues still Contumacious, and is so far from giving due Obedience to Your Majesty's said Order, that upon Application made to him for that Effect, with all the Respect due to his Character, he pretended that he had never as yet got any such Order on our Behalf, which we thought fit in all Duty and Humility, to lay before Your Majesty, renewing withal our most humble and earnest Request, That Your Majesty would be now graciously pleased to take the Contents of This, and our said former Address, into Consideration, and in your Royal Wisdom order some speedy and effectual Redress of our Grievances therein mentioned, and a just Reparation of the manifest Damages, which our Company has already sustained, by reason of the said Memorial. And grant us a Declaration under Your Royal Hand, to render the Senate and Inhabitants of the said City of Hamburg, and all others with whom we have occasion to enter in Commerce, secure from the Threaten and other false Suggestions, mentioned in the said Memorial, as well as to render us secure under Your Majesty's Protection in the free Enjoyment of our Lawful Rights and Privileges contained in Your Majesty's Acts of Parliament and Letters Patent above mentioned. Signed at Edinburgh, the 22d Day of Decemb. 1697, in Name, Presence, and by Order of the said Council General, by, May it please Your Majesty, Your Majesty's most Faithful, most Dutiful, most Humble, and most Obedient Subject and Servant, Sic subscribitur, Fran. Scott. Pr. To the Right Hovourable the Lord High Chancellor, and remanent Lords of His Majesty's most Honourable Privy-Council. The humble Representation of the Council-General of the Company of Scotland, Trading to Africa and the Indies. May it please your Lordships, 'TIs not unknown to your Lordships, how that in several successive Sessions of this current Parliament, His Majesty's Instructions to His respective High Commissioners, and their several Speeches pursuant thereunto, have been full of repeated Assurances of His Majesty's good Inclinations for encouraging the Trade and Manufactures of this Nation. And whereas accordingly, by the 32d Act of the 4th Session, and the 8th Act of the 5th Session of the said Parliament, together with His Majesty's Letters Patent under the great Seal of this Kingdom, our Company is established with such ample Privileges and Immunities as were thought most proper for encouraging both Natives and Foreigners to join in the carrying on, supporting and advancement of our Trade. We have in pursuance and upon public Faith thereof, not only contributed at home a far more considerable Joint-Stock than ever was raised before in this Nation, for any public Undertaking or Project of Trade whatsoever; but have also had all the promising Hopes and Prospect of Foreign Aid that our Hearts could wish, till, to our great surprise, the English Ministers at Hamburgh have, under pretence of Special Warrant from His Majesty, put a stop thereto, by giving in a Memorial to the Senate of that City, threatening both Senate and Inhabitants with the King's utmost Displeasure, if they should countenance or join with us in any Treaty of Trade and Commerce: As by the annexed Copy thereof may appear. Upon due Consideration whereof, we have, in all Duty and Humility, addressed His Majesty in June last for redress thereof. In answer to which Address His Majesty was then graciously pleased to signify by His Royal Letter, That upon His return into England, He would take into Consideration the Contents of our said Address. And that in the mean time He would give Orders to His said Ministers at Hamburgh, not to make use of His Royal Name or Authority for obstructing the Trade of our Company with the Inhabitants of that City. In the full assurance of which we rested secure, and took our Measures accordingly, till, to our further Surprise and unspeakable Prejudice, we found by repeated Advices from Hamburgh, that the said Resident continues still Contumacious, and is so far from due Obedience to His Majesty's said Order, that upon Application made to him by our Agent in that City, with all the Respect due to his Character, he declared, That as yet he had got no such Order on our behalf: Which, by a further Address we are now to lay before His Majesty. But whereas we humbly concelve your Lordships to be more immediately under His Majejesty the Guardians of the Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom, we think it our Duty to represent to Your Lordships the Consequences of the said Memorial, both with relation to our Company in particular, and the Privileges, Interest, Honour, Dignity and Reputation of the Nation in general. Your Lordship's very well know of what Concern the Success of this Company is to the whole Kingdom, and that scarce any particular Society or Corporation within the same can justly boast of so unanimous a Suffrage or Sanction, as the Acts of Parliament, by which this Company is established: So that if effectual means be not taken for putting an early stop to such an open and violent Infringement of, and Encroachment upon the Privileges of so solemn a Constitution, 'tis hard to guests how far it may in after Ages, be made use of as a Precedent for invading and overturning, even the very Fundamental Rights, Natural Liberties and indisputable Independency of this Kingdom; which, by the now open and frequent Practices of our unkind Neighbours, seem to be too shrewdly pointed at. And should this Company (wherein the most considerable of the Nobility, Gentry, Merchants, and whole Body of the Royal Boroughs are concerned) be so unhappy (which God forbidden) as to have its Designs rendered unsuccessful, through the unaccountable evil Treatments of our said Neighbours; most certain it is, that no Consideration whatever, can thereafter induce this Nation to join in any such other Public, tho' never so advantageous Undertaking, as not doubting but to meet with the like or greater Discouragements from those who give such frequent and manifest Indications of their Designs, to wrest our Right and Freedom of Trade out of our Hands. For which cause we humbly offer the Premises to your Lordship's Consideration, not doubting but you will (in your profound Wisdom and Prudence) take such effectual Measures for redress thereof at present, and to prevent the like Encroachments for the future, as may be capable to remove those Apprehensions and Jealousies which the bare-faced and avowed Methods of the English do now suggest, not only to our Company in particular, but even to the whole Body of this Nation in general. Signed at Edinburgh, the 22d Day of December 1697, in Name, Presence, and by Order of the said Council-General, by, May it please Your Lordships, Your Lordship's most Obedient, and most humble Servant, Sic Subscribitur, Fran. Scott, Pr. The Answer by the two Secretaries of State, to the Precedent of the Company. Kensington, Jan. 17. 1697/ 8. SIR, WE presented this Day to the King, the Address of the African Company: We could not have Opportunity to do it sooner, His Majesty being so much taken up at this time. The King said, That he had already given Orders to his Resident at Hamburg in that Matter, conform to his Letter he wrote from Flanders in July last, which was Communicated to the Company. We are, SIR, Your Humble Servants, Sic subscribitur, Tullibardin, Ja. Ogilvie. To Sir FRANCIS SCOTT, of Thirlestane. To his Grace His Majesty's High Commissioner, and the Right Honourable the States of Parliament. The Humble Petition of the Council-General of the Company of Scotland, Trading to Africa and the Indies, Shows, THat whereas the Wisdom of the King, and this present Parliament, has thought fit by two several solemn Acts and Letters Patent under the Great Seal of this Kingdom, to establish our Company with such Powers, Privileges and Immunities, as were thought needful, to encourage any such new Undertaking in this Nation, particularly to raise a Joint-Stock in such manner as we should think fit. And for that end to enfranchise such Foreigners as would become Partners with us, and to enter into Treaties of Commerce with any in Amity with His Majesty for that effect, etc. Those of our Number who were then entrusted with the Management thereof, did think it most Natural to make the first Offer of sharing our said Privileges, with our Country men, and other Neighbours in England, as living under the same Monarchy. And they not only readily embraced the Offer, but in nine Days time subscribed 300000/. Sterling, as the one half of the Capital Stock then proposed, and actually paid in the first fourth Part thereof, part in Specie, part in Bank-Notes, and the rest in Notes payable upon demand. That both Houses of the Parliament of England, taking umbrage at those Proceed, did not only jointly Address His Majesty, for frustraring the Ends of the said Act; but the House of Commons did also appoint a Committee to examine, What Methods were taken, for obtaining the said Act of Parliament here, for establishing our Company, who were the Subscribers thereto, and who were the Promoters and Advisers thereof, with Power to send for Persons, Papers and Records; pursuant to which, the said Committee gave Orders to summon not only the English Subscribers, but even some Persons then residing in Scotland, as by the said Address, Votes of the House of Commons, and Copy of the said Summons, may appear; by all which, together with some other Measures then taken. Our Friends in England were, to our great Loss, Disappointment, and Retardment, forced to relinquish, etc. That notwithsranding of that Discouragement, not only most of the Nobility, Gentry, Merchants, and the whole Body of the Royal Boroughs, have upon the Inducement, and Public Faith of the said Acts of Parliament and Letters Patent, contributed as Adventurers, in raising a far more Considerable Joint-Stock, than any was ever before raised in this Kingdom for any Public Undertaking or Project of Trade whatsoever (which makes it now of so much the more universal a Concern to the Nation) but we have also had all the promising Hopes of Foreign Aid that our Hearts could wish, especially at Hamburgh, where the Merchants of that City entered into Contract with our deputies, to join at least 200000/. Sterling with us, till, to our great Surprise and Loss, the English Ministers there, did, under Pretence of Special Warrant from His Majesty, put a Stop thereto, by giving in a Memorial to the Senate of that City, not only disowning the Authority of the said Acts of Parliament and Letters Patents, but also threatening both Senate and Inhabitants, with the King's outmost Displeasure, if they should countenance or join with us in any Treaty of Trade or Commerce, as by the annexed Copies thereof, in French and English may appear; which Memorial, We humbly pray, may for the better Information of your Grace, and Right Honourable Estates, be also read in Parliament. That after the said Memorial was by the Senate transmitted to the Commercij or Body of Merchants of that City, they to assert their own Freedom, did advise and prevail upon our deputies and Agents, who were there for the time, to open Books in the said Merchant's Hall, where for some Days they signed considerableSumms pursuant to their said Contract, though under Condition to be void, if we should not procure some Declaration from the King, that might render them secure from the Threaten and other Insinuations contained in the said Memorial: And to our great Disappointment, thus the Case stands in suspense, between them and us to this Day. That as the reasonable (nay, and unquestionable) Prospect which we had of a powerful Assistance from Hamburg, and several other Places (if not obstructed as aforesaid) induced us to propose a far greater Equipage at first than otherwise we would have done; so the rendering of those Measures abortive, has not only weakened our Stock, lessened our Credit, retarded our first Expedition, and dishheartned many of our Partners at Home, but even also shackled our Resolutions and Power from prosecuting at present several other Branches of Foreign and Domestic Trades and Improvements, which we had in view, if we had not met with such Obstructions and Discouragements from time to time. That though our Company is more immediately and sensibly touched in many Respects by such Proceed than any other; yet we humbly conceiving also, that the Honour and Independency of the Nation, as well as the Authority and Credit of the Parliament is struck at through our sides, we could not as Countrymen; and in Duty to that collective Power, which gave our Company first a Being; but inform his Grace, His Majesty's High Commissioner, and the Right Honourable the Estates of Parliament of the Premises, to the end that the great Council of the Nation, now assembled (whom God Almighty direct) may do therein as they in their profound Wisdom and Discretion shall think fit. That as to what thereof concerns our Company in particular, we shall humbly. beg leave to suggest further, that our Ships being now at Sea, on their intended Voyage, the former Treatment which our Company met with in England and elsewhere, may give us too just Grounds to suspect, that if either through multiplicity of Public Affairs, or otherwise howsoever: Your Grace and Right Honourable Estates of Parliament, should neglect the taking present Notice of such Usage the Enemies of our Company, would be thereby encouraged, either directly or indirectly to pursue their former Designs of ruining (if possible) all our Measures. May it therefore please your Grace, and the Right Honourable the Estates of Parliament, to take the Premises into your most serious Consideration, to vindicate our Company's Reputation Abroad, by supporting the Credit of the said Acts of Parliament and Letters Patent, by which the same is established, and wherein the Honour of the Nation is so much concerned, to take effectual Measures (as the said Act provides) for repairing, the great Loss and Damages, which we have already sustained, through the unawarrantable Treatment above mentioned, as well as for, preventing the like for the future; and withal to continue us the Privileges and Exemptions mentioned in the said Acts of Parliament and Letters Patent for some longer time, in Consideration of the time already elapsed without Execution, and our Stock lying dead without Improvement, by Reason of the Obstructions aforesaid. Signed at Edinburgh, the 22d Day of July, 1698. in Name and Presence of the said Council-General, by, Sic subscribitur, Basil Hamilton, J. P. C. G. An Address to his Majesty by the Parliament thereupon. WE your Majesty's most loyal and faithful Subjects, The Noblemen, Barons, and Burgesses convened in Parliament, humbly represent to your Majesty, That having considered a Representation made to us by the Council-General of the Company Trading to Africa and the Indies: making mention of several Obstructions they have met with in the Prosecution of their Trade. particularly by a Memorial presented to the Senate of Hamburgh, by your Majesty's Residents in that City, tending to lessen the Credit of the Rights and Privileges granted to the said Company, by an Act of this present Parliament. We therefore in all humble Duty lay before your Majesty, the whole Nation's Concern in this Matter, and we do most earnestly entreat, and most assuredly expect, That your Majesty will in your Royal Wisdom take such Measures as may effectually vindicate the undoubted Rights and Privileges of the said Company, and suppor the Credit and Interest thereof. And as we are in Duty bound to return your Majesty most hearty Thanks, for the gracious Assurances your Majesty has been pleased to give us of all due Encouragement for promoting the Trade of this Kingdom: So we are thereby encouraged at present, humbly to recommend to more special Marks of your Royal Favour, the Concerns of the said Company, as that Branch of our Trade, in which we, and the Nation we represent have a more peculiar Interest. Subscribed at Edinburgh, the 5th of August 1698. in Name, Presence, and by Warrant of the Estates of Parliament. Sic-Subscribitur, Seafield, I.P.D.P. To the King's most Excellent Majesty. The humble Petition of the Court of Directors of the Company of Scotland, trading to Africa and the Indies. Shows, THAT whereas the Estates of Parliament have by their Address of the 5th of August instant, been pleased to recommend the Concerns of the said Company to some Marks of your Royal Favour for supporting the Credit and Interest thereof, which has already suffered in a great measure, by reason of the several Obstructions which they have met with in the prosecution of their Trade; particularly by a Memorial given in to the Senate of Hamburgh, by your Majesty's Ministers there. We are thereby encouraged in all humility to lay before your Majesty, That as the said Memorial was given in to the Senate of Humburgh, in a most solemn and public manner: So your Petioners humbly conceive that the Effects thereof cannot be taken away, but by some Intimation made to the said Senate that they may enter into Commerce with your Petitioners, as freely and securely in all respects as they might have done before the giving in of the said Memorial. That in consideration of the Damages sustained by the Company as aforesaid, Your Majesty would be pleased for their Encouragement at present as a gracious Mark of your Royal Favour to bestow upon them the two smallest of the Frigates now lying useless in Brunti-land Harbour. That in regard of the time already lost by reason of the Obstructions aforesaid, Your Majesty would be graciously pleased to continue the Privileges granted by Act of Parliament to the said Company, of being Custom-free, for such longer time as your Majesty shall in your Royal Wisdom think sit. In respect of all which, may it please your Majesty to take the whole Premises into your Royal Consideration, and give such Orders and Directions with relation thereunto, as to your Majesty in your Royal Wisdom shall seem meet and expedient. Signed at Edinburgh the 16th day of August 1698. in Name, Presence, and by Warrant of the said Court of Directors, by, May it please your Majesty, Your Majesty's most loyal, most dutiful, most humble, and, most obedient Subject and Servant, Sic-Subscribiur, Geo. Clark, I. P. C. D. Letters from Mr. Stevenson the Companies Agent at Hamburgh, to the Company. Hamburgh the 4th of October. Much honoured Lords and Gentlemen; I Wrote to you on the 26th passed, advising you of my going post to Hamburgh, in pursuance of your Orders, where I arrived the 2d Instant. And the Day following I waited upon the English Resident, and in the Company's Name desired to know if he had yet received his Master's Pleasure, ordering him no more to oppose the Transactions of the Indian and African Company of Scotland in this City; which I pressing hard, answered by his Character and Honour, he never received any Orders from his Master that mentions the said Company, since his giving in the Memorial against them: So I have no further to add but that I am, My Lords and Gentlemen, Your most most faithful Servant to power, Sic-Subscribitur, Alexander Stevenson. This was under Cover which containeth what followeth. Much honoured Lords and Gentlemen; BY this within-closed, you have a full Answer as to what may be expected here for ever. Since my parture from this, I am informed that the English here did constantly assert that the Company would never be redressed, and the Delay of the same, after all your means has made an Impression upon the Minds of People, that it will never be at least such as they might trust to. Hamburgh the 18th of October. Much honoured Lords and Gentlemen; I Wrote to you of the 4 th' current, wherein I advised you of Sir Paul Rycaut English Resident at Hamburgh's Answer given me anent your Affairs, to which refers Mr. Cresset Envoy at the Courts of Lunenburgh, being returned from waiting upon his Majesty there; I thought it my Duty to wait upon him, and demanded in your Names to know if his Majesty had signified his Royal Pleasure, anent removing off the stop put to the Company's Affairs in this City through the Memorial given in to the Senate against them: To which Answer he received no such Orders and was of the Judgement, If the Memorial were yet to be given in it would be done. I shall not enlarge what farther passed, but assure you he seems to insinuate that his private Orders from the Government of England, was to act quite contrary to your Expectations. This is all from, To the Right Honourable the Court of Directors, etc. My Lords and Gentlemen; Your obedient Servant, Sic-Subscribitur Alex. Stevenson. This was under Cover, which contained what followeth. Much honoured Lords and Gentlemen, BY the within-closed you have an account what relates to your Affairs with respect to have the Merchants in this City concerned: I cannot offer to speak to the Commercij about the same, but those Merchants here that are Signers in the Books of Subscriptions, are as cordial as ever were the Stop removed, they doubt not things here would take the desired effect. Letter from the Precedent of the Committee of the Company, to the Lord Seafield Secretary of State, upon receipt of Mr. Stevenson's Letters. Edinburgh, Novemb. 29. 1698. My Lord, THis is by order of the Council-General of the Indian and African Company of Scotland, to cover the enclosed Copies of two Letters lately received from our Company's Agent at Hamburgh. Upon reading whereof yesterday at a meeting of the said Council-General, they were not a little surprised at the Contents thereof, considering the many repeated Assurances given them formerly by Letters, word of Mouth, and even in Parliament, that the King had already given Orders to his Ministers at Hamburgh, with relation to the Memorial given in to the Senate of that City against our Company. But after some reasoning thereupon, and considering how far your Lordship's frank Undertaking, when last in Scotland, as well as the Station you are in, doth engage your best Endeavours to procure the Company Justice, and vindicate the Kingdom's Rights in this matter. They have ordered us, the Court of Directors, to transmit the said Copies to your Lordship, and expect your Lordship's Answer to this our late Petition to his Majesty. before they remonstrate any further with relation thereunto. This is in presence, and by Warrant of the said Court of Directors, from, My Lord, Your Lordship's most humble Servant, Sic Subscribitur, John Shaw, P. To the Right Honourable the Viscount of Seafield Secretary of State for the Kingdom of Scotland. The Secretary's Answer. Whitehall, Decemb. 13. 1698. SIR, I Received a Letter from you as Precedent of a Committee of the East-India Company, which relates to Accounts they have had from their Correspondent at Hamburgh, with the Copies of two Letters they have received: I shall take the first convenient Opportunity I can have to represent this Matter to the King. But I cannot as yet expect to have it, for his Majesty is very much employed in the Affairs of his Parliament here. This is all the Answer I can give at present, and which you may signify to those concerned. I am, SIR, Your most faithful and humble Servant, Sic Subscribitur, SEAFIELD. To Sir John Shaw of Greenock, etc. A Letter from the Precedent of the Court of Directors, in answer to the Secretary. Edinburgh, Jan. 13. 1699. My Lord, SIR John Shaw of Greenock, having some time ago signified to the Court of Directors of our Company, the Contents of a Letter which he received from your Lordship, bearing date at Whitehall the 13th of December last, intimating that your Lordship would take the first convenient opportunity of representing to his Majesty the Company's Petition, with relation to the Parliament's Address; as also the Contents of the Company's Letter to your Lordship, bearing date the 24th of November last. But in respect we have not all this time heard any further from your Lordship concerning that Matter, this is by order of the said Court of Directors to put your Lordship in mind of the Premises, not doubting but you have had before this time a convenient opportunity to represent the same to his Majesty; and in expectation of your Lordship's speedy and satisfactory Answer, I remain, My Lord, Your Lordship's most humble Servant, Sic Subscribitur, Archibald Mure. To the Right Honourable the Viscount of Seafield Secretary of State. The Secretary's Answer. Whitehall, Febr. 7. 1699. SIR, I Have presented to his Majesty the Petition of the African Company; and I am commanded by him to let you know, That there being accounts that the Ships belonging to the Company are arrived upon the Coast of America; And the particular Design not being communicated to his Majesty, he therefore does delay to give any Answer until he receive certain Information of their Settlement. This you may signify to the Council or Directors of the Company, as being by his Majesty's Command: I am, To Sir Archibald Mure of Thornton, etc. SIR, Your most humble Servant, Sic subscribitur, Seafield. A Letter from the Company to his Majesty, giving an Account of their Colony's arrival at Darien: May it please Your Majesty; WE your Majesty's most loyal and dutiful Subjects, the Council General of the Company of Scotland trading to Africa and the Indies, having, by express, received an Account from the Council of our Company's Colony in America, that they arrived safe at their intended Port within a League of Golden Island on the Coast of Darien; and after having treated on board of our Ships with the Natives, who were always owned to be the only Proprietors of that part of the Coast, our Men did, at the request, and with the consent of the said Natives, land on the 4th of November last, and take possession of an uninhabited Place, never before possessed by any European whatsoever; and that, in pursuance of the said Treaty, the chief Men and Leaders of the said Natives have joined with, and taken Commission from the said Council. We thought it our Duty at our very first Meeting to give your Majesty an account thereof; and likewise that by Letters from our said Council bearing date at New Edinburgh in Caledonia (being the Name given to our present Settlement) the 28th day of December last, we are positively informed that the French have a Design upon all that Coast, or at least to make a Settlement somewhere thereabouts. And we humbly conceive, that the firm Settlement of our Colony in those Parts, may be the means of preventing, or at least, lessening the evil Consequences that may arise to your Majesty's Kingdoms and Dominions every where, by the Settlement of any powerful foreign Neighbour in, upon, or near any part of that Coast. And we are always bound thankfully to acknowledge your Majesty's Goodness for granting us these Privileges mentioned in the Acts of Parliament, and your Majesty's Letters Patent, by which our said Company is established: So we do now in all humility confidently expect your Majesty's Royal Favour and Protection, as having in all the Steps of our Conduct through the whole Course of this Affair, strictly observed the Conditions required by the said Acts of Parliament and Letters Patent: And referring this together with the Contents of our last Petition to your Majesty's Royal Consideration, to give such Directions therein as to your Royal Wisdom shall seem meet and expedient. This is in Name, Presence, and by Warrant of the said Council-General: Signed by, May it please Your Majesty, Your Majesty's most faithful, most dutiful, most humble, and most obedient Subject and Servant, Sic-Subscribitur, Tweeddale. Edinburgh the 31st day of March, 1699. The Company's Letter to the Lord Carmichael Secretary of State. My Lord; THIS being the first Opportunity that we have had to address your Lordship, since your Advancement to that eminent Station and Place of Trust wherein you are: We must account it a Happiness that upon Receipt of the late welcome News from our Colony's Company in America, we can transmit an Account thereof to his Majesty by the hands of one so much devoted to the Honour and Interest of our Country and Company, as your Lordship has upon all Occasions shown yourself; and who being often Witness to our Company's Proceed from time to time, can give a juster Account thereof than any other that has no Interest in our Stock, nor has ever been amongst us. Enclosed you have our Council-General's sealed Letter to his Majesty, which we doubt not your Lordship will carefully deliver, together with an exact Copy thereof for your Lordship's better Information, to which we refer, but shall for your further Information enlarge a little upon the several Heads therein mentioned. As to our place of Settlement it is so far from having ever been possessed by any European whatsoever, that by all the Accounts that we could ever yet get, not only at this time from the Council of our Colony, but even by such Letters as we have seen and heard of from Curacao, and other American Islands, no European did before our Settlement so much as once set a foot upon that Plot of Ground wherein our Colony is now fixed: And though the same was altogether uninhabited, when our People came there, the chief Men and Leaders of the said Natives of that part of the Coast nearest adjoining to Golden Island, Eastward and Westward, have not only treated with the Council of our Colony before Landing, but have also in pursuance of that Treaty in a most kind and friendly manner admitted our said Colony into such Places of their Neighbourhood as are not yet possessed, and taken Commissions from the said Council in a very solemn manner, and joined with our People; and that in consideration of our Colony's admitting them and their Followers to participate of the Liberties and Privileges granted to our Company by his Majesty of Great Britain, OUR SOVEREIGN LORD, with Advice and Consent of his Parliament of Scotland, entreating to be protected accordingly: We repeat these Words, as being the express Words of the first Commission which the said Council granted. As to the French Designs of settling thereabouts, it is a Point not to be doubted of: For in order thereunto they have already been tampering with several of the Natives, some of whom they endeavoured to have carried into France; and we have very good reason to believe that a further Progress had been made in that matter before now, were it not the daily Expectaions which that Court had of the King of Spain's Death, which we humbly conceive is a Matter worthy of his Majesty's Consideration, and of no small Concern to the Interest of his whole Dominions, though this Nation and our Company may seem to be more immediately interested at present. Your Lordship sees we have in the enclosed Letter to the King, made mention of our last Petition, and hope your Lordship will take a convenient Opportunity to back the same: For as your Lordship knows, we have already suffered considerably by encroaching upon our Privileges, so we ought to be very careful, as much as in us lies, not to admit of any dangerous Precedents. And really we must say, We were very much surprised the other day, when we understood by Letters from the Council of our Colony, that Capt. Long Commander of the Rupert Prize, who carries his Majesty's Commission for finding out and fishing of Wrecks, should, under the colour of that Commission, wherever he went, traduce our Undertaking and Colony to all sorts of People upon that Coast, whether Natives or others, declaring that our said Colony was no other than a pack of Rogues, Vagabonds, Robbers, and broken Officers, without any Commission, and that the King would not own them: nay further, he himself came into our Harbour, wherehe was very courteously and respecfully treated by all our People there; in recompense of which he very ingratefully made it his study all the while to seduce our Men, and did carry off one of our chief carpenters, which is a very considerable Loss in that part of the World, and in the Infancy of our Settlement, considering how necessary a Man he was, and the Difficulty of supplying his place so quickly as they may have occasion for him. This kind of Usage is really so provoking, that we cannot suppose but that the King may be graciously pleased to interpose his Royal Authority for preventing the like usage in time to come, if his Majesty were duly informed thereof. So in the confidence of his Majesty's gracious Countenance and Protection, and your Lordship's hearty endeavours to procure the same; this is by Order of the Council-General, and in Name, Presence, and by Warrant of the Court of Directors of our Company, Signed by, My Lord, Your lordship's most obedient and most humble Servant, Sic-Subscribitur, J. Haldane, P. To the Right Honourable the Lord Carmichael Secretary of State, etc. Memorandum, There was another Letter to the same purpose, written to the Viscount of Seafield, with an enclosed Copy of the said Letter to the King. The Colonies Address. To the King's most Excellent Majesty. Most Gracious Sovereign; WE your Loyal and obedient Subjects, the Council of your Colony of Caledonia, being here settled pursuant to the Powers and Immunities proceeding from your Royal Favour and Goodness; where, upon our arrival, the Natives on all hands, in compliance with former Agreements, received and entertained us with all possible demonstrations of joy and satisfaction, there being no possession, nor so much as pretended possession, for any Prince or State in Europe upon this whole Coast, extending itself considerably more than one hundred Leagues together. We found the Indians on all sides in open War with the Spaniards, their nearest Neighbours: against whom they besought our Assistance which we could by no means comply with, by reason of the present Peace and good Understanding between your Majesty and the King of Spain. Yet notwithstanding this our just and peaceable deportment and inclination, and our certifying the same by Letters to the two neighbouring Governors of Panama and Carthagena; We have, to our no small surprise, received certain Information, that several great and warlike Designs and Preparations are on foot, and carrying on by the Spaniards against this Colony; and that contrary to all Justice and Humanity, as well as the Treaties of Peace between your Majesty and the Catholic King, they now unjustly detain, and refuse to deliver up the Persons and Goods, that were saved of a Ship belonging to this Colony, called the Dolphin; which by misfortune of springing a Leak, was not long since obliged to run ashore and suffer Shipwreck near the City of Carthagena. All which have been no small inducement for us to have improved the frequent Opportunities we have had of taking Measures greatly disadvantageous to the Crown of Spain: Yet in order to avoid, as much as possible, any thing that might look like a public Breach, until the same were laid before your Majesty, and your Royal Pleasure known therein: We have hitherto proceeded no further, than of granting of Letters of Reprisals for the People and Effects unjustly detained from us. Great Sir, The Indies, as well as Europe, do at this time implore your Protection, and as the effectual opening the Door of Commerce to the trading World, and of more easy access to, and correspondence with the ends of the Earth, hath been hitherto hidden and reserved by the Divine Hand, for one of the singular Glories of your Majesty's Reign. So it's with no small fatisfaction to be any way concerned in so hopeful an Accession to the Dominions and Greatness of your Majesty, and Wealth of your People; That we presume to lay ourselves, our Case, and this valuable Opportunity at your Royal Feet, most humbly beseeching, that as it had its beginning, so it may continue to have its Being and Support from the happy Influences of your peculiar Bounty and Grace. So with our earnest Prayers to Almighty God for the long and happy preservation of your Royal Person, and continuance of your Glorious Reign, and most humble tender of our Lives and Fortunes to your Majesty's Service and Disposition. We beg leave to subscribe ourselves, Most Gracious Sovereign, Your Majesty's most Loyal, most Dutiful, and most Obedient Subjects and Servants, Sic subscribitur, Daniel Mackay, Robert Pennecook. William Paterson, Colin Campboll, Samuel Vetch, Charles Forbes, Thomas Drummond. This Address was delivered to the Secretaries of State about the middle of September, together with a Memorial concerning the French Ship commanded by Capt. Duvivier Thomas, which was Shipwrecked near Caledonia Harbour on the 24th of December 1698. By the Honourable Sir William Beston Kt. His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief, in, and over this his Island of Jamaica, and other the Territories depending thereon in America, and Vice-Admiral of the same. A PROCLAMATION. WHereas I have received Commands from his Majesty, by the Right Honourable James Vernon Esq one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, signifying to me, that his Majesty is wacquainted with the Intentions and Designs of the Scots fettling at Darien: And that it is contrary to the Peace entered into with his Majesty's Allies; and therefore has commanded me, that no Assistance be given them. These are therefore in his Majesty's Name, and by Command, strictly to command his Majesty's Subjects whatsoever, that they do not presume, on any prtence whatsoever, to hold any Correspondence with the said Scots, nor nor to give them any assistance of Arms, Ammunition, Provisions, or any other Necessaries whatsoever, either by themselves or any other for them; or by any of their Vessels, or of the English Nation, as they will answer the Contenpt of his Majesty's Command to the contrary, at their utmost peril. Given under my Hand and Seal of Arms this 8th day of April 1699. and in the 11th Year of our Sovereign Lord William the Third, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland King, and of Jamaica Lord, Defender of the Faith, etc. WILLIAM BEESTON. Barbadoss. By his ECCELLENCY, A PROCLAMATION. WHereas his Majesty has been pleased to signify his Pleasure to me by Mr. Secretary Vernon, that he hath been advertised, that several Ships of Force, fitted out of Scotland, were arrived at the Island of St. Thomas, with an Intention (as they declared) to settle themselves in some part of America: Their Design being unknown to his Majesty, and lest the same should derogate from the Treaties his Majesty hath entered into with the Crown of Spain, or be otherwise prejudicial to any of his Majesty's Colonies in the West-Indies. These are therefore in his Majesty's Name, by, and with the Advice and Consent of the Council, strictly to command all his Majesty's Subjects, inhabiting within this Island, that they forbear holding any Correspondence with, or giving any Assistance to any of said Persons: And that no Provisions, Arms, or other Necessaries whatsoever be carried to them, as they shall answer the same at their peril. Given under my Hand this 13th of April 1699, and in the Eleventh Year of his Majesty's Reign. R. GREY. By his Excellency Richard Earl of Bellomont, Captain General and Governor in chief of his Majesty's Province of New-York, and Territories depending thereon in America, and Vice-Admiral of the same, A PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS his most excellent Majesty hath received Advice, That several Ships of Force fitted out of Scotland, were designed to settle themselves in some parts of America; and lest the same should derogate from the Treaties his Majesty hath entered into with the Crown of Spain, or be otherwise prejudicial to any of his Majesty's Colonics in America, his Majesty has been pleased to signisy his Royal Pleasure to me, That I should strictly forbid all his Majesty's Subjects, or others, inhabiting within the Districts of my Government, that they forbear holding any Correspondence with, or giving any Assistance to any of the said Persons, while they are engaged in the aforesaid Enterprise; and that no Provisions, Arms, Ammunition, or other necessaries whatsoever, be carried from hence to them, nor be permitted to be carried, either in their own Vessels, or any other Ship or Vessel for their Use. In pursuance of his Majesty's said Royal Will and Pleasure, I have thought fit, by and with the Advice of his Majesty's Council of this Province, to publish and declare his Majesty's Pleasure, and by these Presents do strictly charge and command all and every of his Majesty's Subjects, and others within this Province and Territories depending thereon in America, That they for bear holding any Correspondence with, or giving any assistance to such Person or Persons, who have been sitted out of Scotland in manner aforesaid, and are said to have settled in a certain place, which they have called Caledonia, That no Provision, Arms, Ammunition, or other necessaries whatsoever, be carried either in their own Vessels, or in any other Ship or Vessel for their use, from this Province, or any part thereof. And his Majesty's Collector and Receiver General, and all other Officers of Majesty's Customhouse, are hereby required to take notice hereof accordingly. And I do further strictly charge, command, and forbidden (by and with the Consent of his Majesty's Council, as aforesaid (all his Majesty's said Subjects, and others within this Province, That they neither by themselves, nor by any other Persons authorized by them, contrary to his Majesty's Royal Pleasure as aforesaid, hold any Correspondence, or give any Assistance, or enter into any Traffic or Commerce with such Persons as are said to be settled in Caledonia aforesaid. And if any Person of Persons within this Province, by themselves, their Factors, or Agents, shall contrary to, and against the true intent and meaning of this his Majesty's Royal Will and Pleasure singnisied unto me, as aforesaid, hold any Correspondence, or give any Assistance, or enter into any Traffic or Commerce, in manner aforesaid, than all such Person or Persons so acting, as aforesaid, shall incur such Pains, Penalties, and Forfeitures, as by Law in such Cases are provided. And all his Majesty's Subjects, and others within this Province, are hereby required to take due notice hereof, and to observe his Majesty's said Royal Will and Pleassure in all and every of the Premises as they will answer the contrary at their peril. Given at Fort William Henry in New-York, the 15th day of May, 1699. and in the eleventh year of his Majesty's Regin. Bellomont. By Order, B. Cousin. Cl. Concilii. God save the King. Printed by W. Bradford Printer to the King's most Excellent Majesty in New-York. 1699. By his Excellency Richard Earl of Bellomont, Captain General, and Governor in chief of his Majesty's Provinces of the Massachusetts-Bay, New-York, etc. in America, and of the Territories thereon depending, and Vice-Admiral of the same, A PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS his most Excellent Majesty having received Advice, that several Ships of Force fitted out in Scotland, were arrived at the Island of St. Thomas, with an Intention (as they declared) to settle themselves in some parts of America: Lest the same should derogate from the Treaties his Majesty has entered into with the Crown of Spain, or be otherwise prejudicial to any of his Majesty's Colonies in the West-Indies, his Majesty has been pleased to signify his Royal Pleasure to me, That I should strictly forbid all his Majesty's Subjects, or others inhabiting within the Districts of my Government, holding any Correspondence with, or giving any Assistance to any of the said Persons, while they are engaged in the foresaid Enterprise; and that no Provision, Arms, Ammunition, or other Necessaries whatsoever, be carried to them from thence, nor be carried either in their own Vessels, or any other Ships or Vessels for their use. In observance therefore of his Majesty's said Royal Will and Pleasure, I have thought fit, by and with the Advice of his Majesty's Council of this Province, to charge and command, and do hereby charge and command all and every of his Majesty's Subjects, and others within this Province and Territories thereon depending, that they forbear holding any Correspondence with, or giving any Assistance to any Person or Persons, who have been fitted out of Scotland in manner aforesaid, and are said to have settled in a certain place in the West-Indies, by 'em called Caledonia, or to enter into any Trafsick or Commerce with them, or any of them. And that no Provisions, Arms, Ammunition, or other necessaries whatsoever be transported or carried unto them from this Province, or any part thereof, either in their own Vessels, or any other Ship or Vessel for their Use. Of which all his Majesty's Subjects, and others within this Province, are hereby required to take due notice, and conform themselves accordingly, as they will answer their acting hereunto, under the utmost Pains, Penalties, and Forfeitures, as are by Law in such cases provided. And the Officers of his Majesty's Customs, and all other his Majesty's Officers, are hereby also required to take effectual care that his Majesty's said Royal Will and Pleasure in all and every of the Premises be duly observed and kept, as they will answer the contrary at their Peril. Given at the Council Chamber in Boston, the third day of June 1699. in the eleventh year of his Majesty's Reign. By Order of his Excellency and Council, I. Addington Secretary BELLONONT. God save the King. Boston, Printed by Bartholomew Green, and John Allen, Printers to his Excellency the Governor and Council. Edinburgh, Reprinted exactly according to the Originals, Anno 1699. A second Proclamation published in Barbadoes against the Scots Company and Colony. Barbadoss. By his EXCELLENCY. WHEREAS his Majesty has been pleased to signify his Pleasure to me by Mr. Secretary Vernon, That he hath been advised, that several Ships of Force are arrived at the Island of Cairat near Darien from Scotland, with an intention to settle themselves, their Design being unknown to his Majesty; and lest the same should derogate from the Treaties his Majesty hath entered into with the Crown of Spain, or be otherwise prejudicial to any of his Majesty's Colonies in the West-Indies. These are therefore in his Majesty's Name, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Council, strictly to command all his Majesty's Subjects inhabiting within this Island, that they forbear holding any Correspondence with, or giving any Assistance to the said Persons; and that no Provision, Arms, Ammunition, or other Necessaries whatsoever, be carried to them, as they shall answer the same at their peril. Given under my hand the 5th day of September, 1699. and in the eleventh year of his Majesty's Reign. R. Grace. Reprinted at Edinburgh exactly according to the Originals. 1699. The Council-General of the Indian and African Company's Petition to his Majesty, May it please Your Majesty, WE your Majesty's most dutiful Subjects, The Council General of the Company of Scotland, Trading to Africa and the Indies, do in all humble duty beg leave to lay before your Majesty the present Condition of your our Affairs. Your Majesty from an earnest desire of the flourishing of your Ancient Kingdom, having been graciously pleased by the 32d Act of the 4th Session, and by the 8th Act of the 5th Session of this current Parliament, and your Majesty's Letters Patent under the Great Seal of this Kingdom following thereupon, to authorise the settling of Plantations and Colonies in Asia, Africa, or America by the Natives of this Kingdom; and such others as should join with them; as in the said Acts of Parliament and Letters Patent is more part cularly expressed We and our Constituents, Your Majesty's most Loyal Subjects did, upon the faith and encouragement of the said Acts, and Letters Patent, enter into a Society, erect a Company of Trade, and with great Charge, and after many Difficulties settled a Plantation on the Northside of the Isthmus of Darien, a place precisely in the terms of the said Acts of Parliament and Letters Patent. And being sensible, That as our Company had its Birth from your Majesties most Gracious Favour, so it could not subsist but by your Royal Protection; We did therefore in all humble manner petition your Majesty's High Commissioner and the Estates of Parliament assembled the 19th of July 1698. Upon which the Estates of Parliament did with great unanimity Address Your Majesty, That you would in your Royal Wisdom be pleased to take such Measures as might effectually vindicate the undoubted Rights and Privileges of the said Company, and support the Credit and Interest thereof. That Session of Parliament ending before any Return could be had from your Majesty, Reports have been spread by the Enemies of our Settlement, as if our Company had not your Majesty's Protection: And as an evidence thereof; That Proclamations have been issued out in your Majesty's Name by your Governors in all the American Plantations, not only to deprive our said Company and Colony of the friendly Assistance, that might reasonably have been expected from our Neighbour Nation, but also strictly forbidding all your Majesty's Subjects or others within these Plantations to enter into any Traffic or Commerce with the said Colony; and that no Provisions, Arms, Ammunition, or other Necessaries whatsoever should be transported, or carried to them either in their own Vessels or any other Ship or Vessel for their use, and that under the utmost Pains, Penalties and Forfeitures mentioned in the said Proclamations. Which Proceed we have but too much reason to believe have been of fatal consequence to our Company and Colony, and consequently to the Interest of all your Majesty's good Subjects in this Kingdom. And we being fully persuaded, that nothing could be so conducible for the support of our said Company and Colony in our present Circumstances, as some special Testimonies and Evidences of your Royal Protection. We do therefore in all humility and earnestness beg of your Majesty's fartherly Care of our said Company in particular, and of the Nation in general, That your Majesty would be graciously pleased to take off the force and effect of these Proclamations which have been so prejudicial to us, and to signify your Royal Pleasure to the Governors of these your Plantations, that we may be supplied in the common and ordinary way of Commerce. As also, That your Majesty may allow your Parliament to meet at the day appointed in November next, or as soon as possibly can be, that your Majesty may have the Advice and Assistance of the Great Council of this Nation in such a weighty and general Concern, which we hope God will bless with an happy issue to his Glory, the Honour of your Majesty, the Credit of your Parliament, the Interest of the Nation, and the Good of our Company and Colony. Signed at Edinburgh the 19th day of October 1699. in Name, Presence, and by Order of the said Council General by, May it please your Majesty, Your Majesty's most Faithful, most Dutiful, most Humble, and most Obedient Subject and Servant, Sic Subscribitur, Belhaven, I. P. C. G. To which his Majesty was pleased to give the following Answer, WILLIAM R. RIght Trusty and Wellbeloved, We greet you well: Your Petition has been presented to us by our Secretaries, and we do very much regret the Loss which that our ancient Kingdom and the Company has lately sustained: We will upon all Occasions protect and encourage the Trade of the Nation: And we will also take care, that the Subjects of our Kingdom shall have the same freedom of Trade and Commerce with our English Plantations as ever they had formerly. Our current Parliament is adjourned to the 5th day of March next, and we will order that the Parliament shall meet when we judge that the Good of the Nation does require it. And so we bid you hearty farewel. Given at our Court at Kensington the 2d day of November 1699. and of our Reign the 11th Year. By his Majesty's Command, Sic Subscribitur, Seafield. To our Right Trusty and wellbeloved, The Council General of the Company of our Ancient Kingdom of Scotland Trading to Africa and the Indies. To the Right Honourable the Lord High Chancellor, and remanent Lords of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council. The humble Address of the Conncil-General of the Company of Scotland Trading to Africa and the Indies. May it please your Lordships; WE think it needless to trouble your Lordships with a repetition of the many Steps, Difficulties and Discouragements that we met with all along both abroad and at home, since the beginning of this Undertaking, the most considerable of them being already particularly known to your Lordships. But maugre all those Difficulties, we have with a great deal of Trouble and vast Expenses settled a Plantation in one of the most valuable and impregnable Places in all America, situated on the North-side of the Isthmus of Darien, called by us Caledonia. As no Nation in Europe ever begun any such Settlement with so considerable a Strength of Men, Ships, and other Necessaries, as we did: so no instance can be given of any Settlement ever heretofore made, that had so hopeful an Aspect in so short a time as our Plantation aforesaid. But to our and the Nation's inestimable Loss, we have very surprising Advices of our People's having deserted the said Settlement by reason of Proclamations issued forth in all his Majesty's Plantations of America, strictly forbidding all his Majesty's Subjects to hold any manner of Correspondence with our said Colony, and that no manner of Provisions, Arms, Ammunition, or other necessaries whatsoever, should be transported or carried to them, either in their own Vessels, or any other Ship or Vessel for their use; and that under the utmost Pains, Penalties, and Forfeitures mentioned in the said Proclamations. The certain Nature whereof could not but have put them in a desperate Condition, especially none of our Advices having come to their hands, though we wrote to them at several times, by the several ways of Jamaica, Barbadoes, Antegoa, New-England, etc. And sent them likewise an illimited Credit for buying of Provisions, till our own Ships and Recruits should come up to them. We have taken such further measures, as seemed most reasonable to us upon this unexpected Emergency, but have too good ground to fear, that not only what we have already done, but even all that we are able to do, must prove ineffectual, if the King and his Parliament of this Kingdom, do not give some encouraging Mark of their Favour and Protection, to our said Company and Colony: Wherefore we have in all humble Duty petitioned his Majesty that he would be graciously pleased to take off the Force of the said Proclamations, and allow his said Parliament to meet at the day appointed in November next, or as soon as possibly may be, to give their Advice and Assistance in such a weighty and general Concern. Your Lordship's very well know the great Losses, both of Men and Treasure, that we have already suffered by the unaccountable Proceed of the Enemies of our Company and Colony: Nor can 'gainst us, unless his Majesty and the Great Council of the Nation fall upon proper and effectual Measures for supporting so valuable an Undertaking. May it therefore please your Lordships to take the whole Premises into your most serious consideration, and do us all the good Offices with his Majesty, that in your profound Wisdoms you shall think most expedient for supporting our Company and Colony's Interest, and give him an account of our present hard Circumstances, and how much the Honour and Interest of Nation stands concerned. Signed at Edinburgh the 20th day of October 1699, in Name, Presence, and by Order of the said Council-General. By, > May it please your Lordships, Your Lordship's most humble Servant, Sic subscribitur, Basil Hamilton, J. P. C. G. FINIS.