Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-07-27
AN OLD PORT TARASCON.
Memories of the Darien Colonization Scheme
of 200 Years Ago.

| AL duClcHt -DoA cl silcct-
iron, thlckly studded with rivets, lying
neglected in a vault Of the Bank of Scot
land at Edinburgh-that is the only
tangible relic of one of the most notable
colonization schemes of early days in
America. 1t was the treasure chest of
the Darien Company, a corporation
whose name once filled Il great place in
the world, but is now dead and almost
forgotten. A writer in the Scottish Re-
view recalls it's history, which is I'M
known to the present generation, but
which might well rank by the side of
the story of Port Tarascon itself.
The enterprise originated in the mind
of one Paterson soon after the union of
| the English and Scottish crowns at
time when Scotland was IS yet deriv-
ing small advantage there from Ac-
cording to law, no goods could be ex
ported to or imported from Asia, Africa
and America except in English or Irish
| bottoms, while of the crews of the YES
sells three-fourths must be English.
Only English built ships were allowed to
conduct the coasting trade, no product
of ''the plantations" could be imported
into Scotland direct, and all land traffic
between Scotland and England had to
pass through either Carlisle or Berwick,
|
revolution of 1858 the nation began to
have a hankcring after unrestricted COM
mercc and a desire for a share of the
good things of the Indies. A nervous
restlcssness took hold of the people,
who were in such a mood that Pater-
sons proposal found eager listeners
and enthusiastic supporters 1t was
really an old idea of his, and was doubt
less suggested by what he had seen Of
the Spaniards and their traffic in tropi-
| cal America.
The original idea was a capital of 49,
600 900, OF which one-half should be fur
nished by England and one-half by
Scotland, but when England dropped off
Scotland was unable to make up the
whole of the deficit. An appeal was
made to Hamburg for support, and sub
scriptons were promised there to the
extent of $780, 900, but the English
capitalists got political influence to bear
and the Hamburgers never took up the
stock All that Scotland could do was to
add another $500, 600 to the original al
lotment, and this with difficulty, for the
last subscription of $4,000 to complete
the s. 900, 900 was a "bogus' one. The
name of an Edinburgh citizen was put
down on a guarantee from the company
ii proof that the devices of company
promoters were even then not UNI
known. The court Of directors lost no
time in beginning business, their first
proceeding being to purchase
two houses for offices and
stores in Mills Square, Edln-
huroh, at a cost of s. $50. Then they
proceeded to organize staff, to lay
down office regulations and to arrange
salaries. An eight-hour day was practi-
callv provided, viz, from till II in the
forenoon and from till in the after
noon but the cash had to be balanced
every night before the office was closed,
But, although the directors were SO ea-
ger to begin business, it is important to
note that nothing in the original charter
referred to Darien. the Cstenslble OBJ
icct of the enterprise being to trade
with Africa and the Indies. 1t was, IN
deed, not until two wears after the cap
ital had been subscribed that the first
expedition sailed. 1t is not easy now
to account for this long delay, but that
the public enthusiasm endured through
it all is certainly remarkable.
The first vessel purchased was the
Caledonia, the next the lnstauration.
Both were lying at Hamburg, and were
brought over to Lcith under convoy.
The Scots Privy Council granted them
letters of marque; and toward the end
of July, 1893, the first expedition left
Leith with some 200 colonists and sea
men They had very vague idea OF
where they were going, but they were
filled with the highest hopes and fired
with the greatest enthusiasm. vi the
! 200 men who formed the first eNpedi-
ton large number were Highlanders,
and some were soldiers who had been
DISCHARGED at the Peace of Ryswlck.
Darien was reached on November /,
1898, and the settlers proceeded to for
i IL l., NV l3nIlnu fltfV
cannon and erected what they called
Fort st. Andrew On the other side OF
the harbor there was n mountain mile
high, on which they placed
watch-house, which, in the raritied
air within the tropics, gave them
AN immense range of perspective to pre-
vent all surprise. To this place 1t was
observed that the Highlanders often re-
paired to enjoy the cool air, and to tax
of their friends whom they had lett be-
hind. They issued q proclamation de-
rlarinr freedom of trade and of re-
licion. they sent friendly messages to
the Spanish governors, and they en-
tered into negotiations with the natives
for the purchase of land. council
was appointed by the company Tor the
government of the colony, and "tunda-,
| mental constitutions" for Its perpetual
rule were ordained. The news OF their
settlement in the lsthmus OF barren ar
rived at Edinburgh on March -, 1893,
and was celebrated with the most eX-
travagant rejoicings. Thanks were pup
hcy offered up to COD IN All the
churches of the city.
The first expedition arrived out safe
H. as has been said, discriminating at
Acta, where they obtained the. site for
a town, to be called New, Edinburgh,
after building the fort already men
toned. They were we'll received by
the natives, and as they arrived i'll the
cool season they were tolerably Wen
pleased for Il time. But by ana pv the
hot weather came on, ana Win th II
nrnv;s;ons ran short, no relief reached
them, and they died otfrapidly. Final,
semi-staryation, the shattered remnant
af.ha ono abandoned the settlement.