A Defence of the Scots Settlement at Darien with an Answer to the Spanish Memorial Against it. And Arguments to Prove That it is the Interest of England to Joyn with the Scots, and Protect it. To Which is Added, A Description of the Country...
Edinburgh, Scotland: No Publisher Stated, 1699. First Edition. Soft Cover. Good. Item #26778
(4) + 57 + (1) blank pages. Title page location noted as "Edenburgh" (Edinburgh) and the OCLC record notes for this version of the book that the Dedication to the King is "signed: Philo Caledon, i.e. Andrew Fletcher. (c. 1653-1716)" The final 17 pages describe physical aspects of the Colony that had settled at the isthmus of Darien, sponsored by the Company of Scotland. "...Delight at locating the intended site of New Caledonia proved short-lived. Within two years of the colony's establishment, and despite the dispatch of a second fleet of similar size in 1699, the company's ambitions had been extinguished. In the face of disease, climate, obstruction from England, aggression from Spain, and chronic mismanagement, New Caledonia was abandoned for the last time in April 1700...Scots from all parts of the country and from many walks of life were overtaken by what some historians have since described as an investment mania. Inevitably the tragic events of 1698-1700, and their aftermath, have further coloured accounts of the venture. This said, to investors and participants alike the company and the Darien venture presented remarkable opportunities-simultaneously offering the potential for lucrative returns and the chance to support what quickly became a national cause." (from Douglas Hamilton in the ODNB; his very thorough treatment of the Darien scheme, the various investors and colonists) Previous owner name & address of George R. Brush, M.D. on the (blank) reverse of the title page; he served in the U.S. Navy as a Surgeon & Medical Inspector, from 1861-1894 (his death); he was often on-station in the Pacific and various ports in South America in his naval duties. Approx. 3 3/4" x 6" size; the text block sewn-in to a later plain stiff paper cover, having a brief printed description pasted-on. Covers dusty; title page & following leaf edge-soiled, a little edge-chipped; one other leaf within with the bottom outside corner chipped away, no loss to text; in good condition.
Price: $950.00