Chapter I: Preface

An attempt is here made to present a field that has not been preoccupied. The student of American history has noticed allusions to certain Scotch Highland settlements prior to the Revolution, without any attempt at either an account or origin of the same. In a measure the publication of certain state papers and colonial records, as well as an occasional memoir by an historical society have revived what had been overlooked. These settlements form a very important and interesting place in the early history of our country. While they may not have occupied a very prominent or pronounced position, yet their exertions in subduing the wilderness, their activity in the Revolution, and the wide influence exercised by the descendants of these hardy pioneers, should, long since, have brought their history and achievements into notice.

The settlement in North Carolina, embracing a wide extent of territory, and the people numbered by the thousands, should, ere this, have found a competent exponent. But it exists more as a tradition than an actual colony. The Highlanders in Georgia more than acted their part against Spanish encroachments, yet survived all the vicissitudes of their exposed position. The stay of the Highlanders on the Mohawk was very brief, yet their flight into Canada and final settlement at Glengarry forms a very strange episode in the history of New York. The heartless treatment of the colony of Lachlan Campbell by the governor of the province of New York, and their long delayed recompense stands without a parallel, and is so strange and fanciful, that long since it should have excited the poet or novelist. The settlements in Nova Scotia and Prince Edwards Island, although scarcely commenced at the breaking out of the Revolution, are more important in later events than those chronicled in this volume.

The chapters on the Highlands, the Scotch-Irish, and the Darien scheme, have sufficient connection to warrant their insertion.

It is a noticeable fact that notwithstanding the valuable services rendered by the Highland regiments in the French and Indian war, but little account has been taken by writers, except in Scotland, although General David Stewart of Garth, as early as 1822, clearly paved the way. Unfortunately, his works, as well as those who have followed him, are comparatively unknown on this side the Atlantic.

I was led to the searching out of this phase of our history, not only by the occasional allusions, but specially from reading works devoted to other nationalities engaged in the Revolution. Their achievements were fully set forth and their praises sung. Why should not the oppressed Gael, who sought the forests of the New World, struggled in the wilderness, and battled against foes, also be placed in his true light? If properly known, the artist would have a subject for his pencil, the poet a picture for his praises, and the novelist a strong background for his romance.

Cleveland, O., October, 1898.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

THE HIGHLANDERS OF SCOTLAND.

Division of Scotland--People of the Highlands--Language--Clanship--Chiefs Customs--Special Characteristics--Fiery-Cross--Slogan--Mode of Battle Forays--Feasts--Position of Woman--Marriage--Religious Toleration Superstitions--Poets--Pipers--Cave of Coire-nan-Uriskin--The Harp--Gaelic Music--Costume--Scotland's Wars--War with Romans--Battle of Largs--Bannockburn--Flodden--Pinkie--Wars of Montrose--Bonnie Dundee--Earl of Mar--Prince Charles Stuart--Atrocities in the Wake of Culloden--Uncertainty of Travellers' Observations--Kidnapping Emigration 17

CHAPTER II.

THE SCOTCH-IRISH IN AMERICA.

Origin of the name of Scotland--Scoto-Irish--Ulster--Clandonald--Protestant Colonies in Ireland--Corruption of Names--Percentage of in Revolution--Characteristics--Persecuted--Emigration from Ulster--First Scotch-Irish Clergyman in America--Struggle for Religious Liberty Settlement at Worcester--History of the Potato--Pelham--Warren and Blandford--Colerain--Londonderry--Settlements in Maine--New York--New Jersey--Pennsylvania--The Revolution--Maryland--Virginia--Patrick Henry--Daniel Morgan--George Rogers Clark--North Carolina--Battle of King's Mountain--South Carolina--Georgia--East Tennessee--Kentucky Canada--Industrial Arts--Distinctive Characteristics 40

CHAPTER III.

CAUSES THAT LED TO EMIGRATION.

Results of Clanship--Opposed to Emigration--Emigration to Ulster Expatriation of 7000--Changed Condition of Highlanders--Lands Rented Dissatisfaction--Luxurious Landlords--Action of Chiefs in Skye--Deplorable State of Affairs--Sheep-Farming--Improvements--Buchanan's Description--Famine--Class of Emigrants--America--Hardships and Disappointments 60

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