Special Collections
Book of the Month, June 2007
In May 1707, an Act of Union provided for the incorporation of Scotland into England. Scotland accepted the English monarchy, the Scottish Parliament ceased to exist (and Scotland’s representation in the new Parliament was not proportional), and with the Union came the biggest free trade area in Europe.
In the pamphlet war surrounding the Union, Daniel Defoe was an ardent and prolific protagonist for Union. He visited Scotland in October, 1706 as a spy for Robert Harley, Secretary of State, to neutralise Scottish opposition, counter objections, and argue the advantages of Union, in speech and writing. While there he learned a great deal about Scottish history, economics, social life and religious attitudes. Defoe also wrote pamphlets aimed at the English, urge Union. The pamphlet featured here is one such. In it he argues that Union with Scotland is good for English security, to prevent Scotland from throwing in her lot with France; demonstrates that union between England and Wales is a precedent which had no adverse effects; reminds the English of the damage which the Scots might inflict on them as enemies (for example, by ravaging the northern counties); argues trade benefits; believes that the Church will not suffer (a fear on both sides), and concludes by hoping: “That our Nation in general, will not be backward in a Concern, that is so very necessary for its Happiness”.
This is one of 13 pamphlets by Defoe published in 1707 concerning the issue held at Senate House in the Durning-Lawrence Library and the Goldsmiths’ Library of Economic Literature (and he wrote more in the surrounding years); others include such titles as Caledonia: a Poem in Honour of Scotland, the fifth part of his Essay at Removing National Prejudices against a Union and The Quakers Sermon on the Union.
[The portrait of Defoe is from Robinson Crusoe (London: Dent, 1895]
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