AN Congratulatory POEM, ON The safe Arrival of the Scots AFRICAN and INDIAN Fleet in CALEDONIA, and their kind Reception by the Natives, with an Amicable advice to all concerned.  

SCOTLAND Rejoice, and praise the King of Kings,  
Who this your project to good success brings  
Commands the Winds and Seas to favour you more  
Than any e'er attemp't that place before,  
From British Ports and makes you Friends of those  
Whom all Men Judged, would have been your foes,  
Broke off Divisions then, in Unity,  
Amongst yourselves, and in Fraternity,  
Together live, to all the Earth 'tis known  
The Thirstle Buds after the Rose is blown;  
Let Courage and Conduct, you strengthen so,  
As may enable you 'gainst any Foe,  
Your Ancestors by Courage got Renown,  
And by their Valour Run their Enemies down,  
No Nation e'er could Conquer SCOTLAND, by  
The force of Arms, if not that Treachery,  
Too much prevailed with those who bear Command,  
Which to the sad Experience of this Land,  
Is Ah! Alas too true therefore take Head,  
The Proverb is, that burned Bairns fire do Dread,  
Let no pretensions fring affinity,  
To one another, But see that ye agree,  
With Courage to defend you from all Foes.  
That they who dare molest you, may find blows:  
The Thirstle pricks the fingers with it Close.   

I wish that Heavens may still favour this Trade,  
Under the Indian Pole, and Treasure had  
Worthy the pains and Travel you are at,  
T'enrich this Land was long Depauperat,  
That SCOTLAND may yet Flourish and in Peace,  
Preserved be from all seek to deface,  
Its Fame, so that its Honest industry,  
May Persevere to all Posterity,  
That all the Neighbouring Nations yet may own,  
SCOTLAND deserves still Honour and Renown,  
And those who do this Traffic Propogat,  
May have their Names, in Ages Memorat,  
That whilst the Sun and Moon endure they may  
Be prosperous, I Heartily do pray,  
Though some may chance by casual Death to fall  
Yet let not that discourage great nor small;  
For since they Sailed, double the Number have  
Even here at Home, doubtless gone to the Grave.  
More Honourable, a Funeral cannot be  
Ther. Brave Adventurers have tho in the Sea,  
They be entombed till she yield up her Dead,  
No Man of Courage will such dangers Dread,  
To wish my Country well, 's all I can do,  
Since I am poor of purse and Person too.   
R. A.