CHAPTER IV.

DARIEN SCHEME.

First Highlanders in America--Disastrous Speculation--Ruinous Legislation--Massacre of Glencoe--Darien Scheme Projected--William Paterson--Fabulous Dreams--Company Chartered--Scotland Excited Subscriptions--List of Subscribers--Spanish Sovereignty over Darien--English Jealousy and Opposition--Dutch East India Company--King William's Duplicity--English and Dutch Subscriptions Withdrawn--Great Preparations--Purchase of Ships--Sailing of First Expedition--Settlement of St. Andrews--Great Sufferings--St. Andrews Abandoned--The Caledonia and Unicorn Arrive at New York--Recriminations--The St. Andrews--The Dolphin--King Refuses Supplies--Relief Sent--Spaniards Aggressive--Second Expedition--Highlanders--Disappointed Expectations--Discordant Clergy--How News was Received in Scotland--Give Vent to Rage--King William's Indifference--Campbell of Fonab--Escape--Capitulation of Darien Colony--Ships Destroyed--Final End of Settlers 75