Panama.- [Ferguson (Robert)] A Just and Modest Vindication of the Scots Design, For the having Established a Colony at Darien, first edition, foxed and browned, contemporary panelled calf, rebacked preserving much of original spine, corners worn, [Wing F742; Kress 2116; Goldsmiths' 3583; Sabin 32340], 8vo, [?Edinburgh], 1699.

⁂ The 'Darien Scheme' was a short-lived attempt by the Scottish Africa and India Company to establish a trading colony at Panama which elicited broad support from the Scottish people. The work is a reply to British critics and a fully developed statement of theory and practice regarding the trade with South America and the West Indies. The scheme failed because of the incompetence of its promoters, Spanish threats and the opposition of the British West Indies merchants as well as that of the Government itself, which would have had to defend the settlement.