s had in vain attempted to subdue; that therefore they had an
original and incontrovertible right to dispose of their own lands, part
of which the company had purchased for a valuable consideration. But
there was another cause more powerful than the remonstrances of the
Spanish court to which this colony fell a sacrifice; and that was the
jealousy of the English traders and planters. Darien was said to be a
country abounding with gold, which would in a little time enrich the
adventurers. The Scots were known to be an enterprising and pertinacious
people; and their harbour near Golden Island was already declared a free
port. The English apprehended that their planters would be allured into
this new colony by the double prospect of finding gold and plundering
the Spaniards; that the buccaneers in particular would choose it
as their chief residence; that the plantations of England would be
deserted; that Darien would become another Algiers; and that the
settlement would produce a rupture with Spain, in consequence of which
the English effects in that kingdom would be confiscated. The Dutch
too are said to have been jealous of a company which in time might have
proved their competitors in the illicit commerce to the Spanish main;
and to have hardened the king's heart against the new settlers, whom
he abandoned to their fate, notwithstanding the repeated petitions
and remonstrances of their constituents. Famine compelled the first
adventurers to quit the coast: a second recruit of men and provisions
was sent thither from Scotland; but one of their ships, laden with
provisions, being burnt by accident, they likewise deserted the place.
Another reinforcement arrived, and being better provided than the two
former, might have maintained their footing; but they were soon divided
into factions that rendered all their schemes abortive. The Spaniards
advanced against them; when finding themselves incapable of withstanding
the enemy, they solicited a capitulation, by virtue of which they were
permitted to retire. Thus vanished all the golden dreams of the Scottish
nation, which had engaged in this design with incredible eagerness, and
even embarked a greater sum of money than ever they had advanced
upon any other occasion. They were now not only disappointed in their
expectations of wealth and affluence, but a great number of families
were absolutely ruined by the miscarriage of the design, which they
imputed solely to the conduct of k