The Editor, Sir:

The people of Treasure Beach are indeed descended from Scottish settlers and Afro- Jamaicans. The majority of the Scots came to Jamaica after the Darien Expedition. This was an attempt to colonise Panama by Scotland which failed. A ship with over 500 Scottish settlers fleeing Panama arrived in Jamaica but was denied permission to land at Port Royal and subsequently made its way to south western Jamaica.

The English Maritime Act had crippled the merchant fleet of Scotland as it required all maritime trade to be conducted in English ships. In an attempt to establish colonies of its own and provide for its merchant fleet, Scotland embarked on the 'Darien Expedition' to Panama. This drew the wrath of England which forbade any English capital to be used in this venture and any assistance to be given to the hapless immigrants. The failed attempt to colonise Darien resulted in a Scottish Jamaican colony, instead. The time has now come to capitalise on this shared heritage!

I am, etc.,

IVAN FORRESTER

forresterg@bellsouth.net

Lantana, Florida

Via Go-Jamaica