Darien Scheme

Attempt in 1698 to found on n. side of the Isthmus of Darien a Scottish colony that should be an entrepôt for the commerce of the two oceans. The enterprise promised well, but failed because of the sickly climate, lack of supplies, refusal of other British colonies to co-operate, and opposition of the Spaniards. An interoceanic canal was included in the plans of Wm. Patters on, the projector.