ANNALS OF SCOTLAND. 81 



which had been raifed by the Englifh and Dutch 

 India companies to this promifing enterprize. The 

 king endeavoured to foften the refentment of the 

 Scots, by refuming, with afliduity, the long medi- 

 tated project of uniting the two kingdoms in one 

 common intereft, which dcfirable work was com- 

 pleted in 1707. 



The commercial benefits which had been expected in 

 virtue of the union, were, however, fcarcely perceived 

 in Scotland, till the late reign, when a fpirit of improve- 

 ment, induftry, and commerce, began to pervade the 

 centre of the kingdom. While the encouragement 

 given to the linen manufacture gave new life to the 

 decayed ports of the eailern fhores, and roufed them 

 into action, the American commerce, and the bounties 

 en the fifheries, animated thofe of the weft. 



The citizens of Glafgow, availing themfelves of 

 their fituation, fitted out in 1718, the firft vefiel of 

 Glafgow property that eroded the Atlantic. Their 

 trade advanced by flow degrees till 1750; and from 

 that period to 1775, it may be faid to have flourifhed. 

 In 1776, America prohibited all intercourfe with 

 Great Britain. In 1782, Ireland was admitted to 

 participate in the American and Weft India com- 

 merce ; and in 1783, the American trade was laid 

 open to all the world. Thus vanifhed, after a fhort 

 pofTeflion, all the exclufive commercial privileges re- 

 lative to that country ; for which, the Scots had anni- 

 hilated their parliament, their African and India com- 

 pany; and fubjected themfelves to excifes, taxes, 

 duties, and commercial reftrictions, unknown before 

 the year 1707. 



Commercial Eftaklijbmfnts* 



All the commercial privileges which the Scots en- 

 joyed abroad have been revoked, as before men- 

 tioned, excepting at Campvere in Holland, which is 

 ftill the refidence of a conful, or confervator, ap- 

 pointed by the royal boroughs of Scotland ; and even 

 tliefe privileges have of late been held on a preca- 

 F rious 



