imputed the act and patent in favour of the Scottish company, which
was supposed to have been thrown in as a bone of contention between the
two kingdoms. The subject was first started in the house of lords,
who invited the commons to a conference; a committee was appointed
to examine into the particulars of the act for erecting the Scottish
company; and the two houses presented a joint address against it, as a
scheme that would prejudice all the subjects concerned in the wealth and
trade of the English nation. They represented, that in consequence of
the exemption from taxes and other advantages granted to the Scottish
company, that kingdom would become a free port for all East and West
India commodities; that the Scots would be enabled to supply all
Europe at a cheaper rate than the English could afford to sell their
merchandise for, therefore England would lose the benefit of its
foreign trade; besides, they observed that the Scots would smuggle their
commodities into England, to the great detriment of his majesty and
his customs. To this remonstrance the king replied that he had been ill
served in Scotland; but that he hoped some remedies would be found to
prevent the inconveniencies of which they were apprehensive. In all
probability he had been imposed upon by the ministry of that kingdom;
for in a little time he discarded the marquis of Tweedale, and dismissed
both the Scottish secretaries of state, in lieu of whom he appointed
lord Murray, son to the marquis of Athol. Notwithstanding the king's
answer, the committee proceeded on the inquiry, and, in consequence
of their report confirming a petition from the East India company, the
house resolved that the directors of the Scottish company were guilty
of a high crime and misdemeanor in administering and taking an oath _de
fideli_ in this kingdom, and that they should be impeached for the same.
Meanwhile, Roderick Mackenzie, from whom they had received their
chief information, began to retract his evidence, and was ordered into
custody; but he made his escape and could not be retaken, although the
king at their request issued a proclamation for that purpose. The Scots
were extremely incensed against the king when they understood he had
disowned their company, from which they had promised themselves such
wealth and advantage. The settlement of Darien was already planned and
afterwards put in execution, though it miscarried in the sequel, and had
like to have produced