British Online Archives

This collection contains the financial and administrative records of the Company of Scotland Trading to Africa and the Indies (also known as the Darien Company). The documents cover the period from the company’s formation in 1694 as a rival to the East India Company to its dissolution due to debts incurred in pursuit of the ill-fated Darien scheme. The latter is widely regarded as being the chief factor which gave rise to the 1707 Act of Union.

These papers are an invaluable resource for those who wish to understand the sweeping political and economic changes which led to the creation of the British state, and the central role played by colonialism and the slave trade.

Note: This collection is accompanied by an online guide.

You are hereby ordered not to suffer, as far as you are able, the said company's ship The African Merchant under your command to be insulted, during your voyage, by the ships of warr of any nation

The Court of Directors of the Company of Scotland Trading to Africa and the Indies, Darien Papers 2 (1699-1703); img 2

Key Documents

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Insights

The 'Accounts and registers of subscribers…' reveal who invested in Scotland's unsuccessful slave trade. Meanwhile the 'Financial records of the Company's Glasgow Directors' show how the company made a loss.

Finances are the main focus of these records and the 'Accounts of ships' captains' are financial accounts for each ship rather than descriptions of their voyages.

The other financial accounts that form this collection cover fitting ships out, lists of goods shipped, items for the ship's store and ship building costs.

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