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Factually incorrect: Scotland constitutionally was unable to raise public monies for such a scheme as Darien. Hence Scotland, unlike England, had NO public debt. So, in order to raise the funds, those behind Darien set up a PRIVATE fundraising share issue which was massively...
...popular among Scots nobility (& hence Scotland's ruling class). Think 'Lloyds Names'. Just as happened in the 80's when LLoyds hit the rails many, many 'millionaires' went bust & went crying for reparation to Westminster. That avenue was not open in Scotland at the time as...
...there was simply no constitutional mechanism for Gov.to pay the private debts of landed gentry. Therefore the debt was NOT 1/5th of 'Scots Wealth', it was 1/5th of PRIVATE wealth. Scotland & it's Royal Buroughs were in fact very, very profitable in trade & tax
for the Scots exchequeur at that time. So, what did the ruling class do in the face of their total personal ruin? They accepted the offer of a total refund on their losses (& further promises of key positions in any future Union with England) IF they voted to sell their country
away into this 'Union'. The UK's foundations are, without any doubt or argument, based in bribery&corruption, pure and simple. Hence the infamy of the 'parcel of Rogues'. Just to be safe tho, England also massed an English army at the border &passed various damaging anti Scottish
trade & imigration laws just to add pressure to force the political hand further of those honourable noble MPs that refused to sell their own country. Similar actions from England & Spain were instrumental in the failure of Darien in the first place. Understanding all of this...
goes further to help explain why there was such widespread riots & popular unreast against the act of Union at the time & its parcel of Rogues for selling their own country's hard won independence to a foreign power just to stave off personal bankrupcy.
Thanks for the opportunity to discuss this bit of horendous Scottish history as I think it really helps understand the venal nature of governance Scots have suffered under ever since. It's why Independence has never been off Scotland's political agenda & why Indy is coming yet...
