The 126 signatories to the January 9, 1701, petition from Fife represent a broad coalition of the region’s gentry, united in their outrage over Scotland’s economic woes, the Darien Scheme’s collapse, and perceived English oppression. Their names—Arnott, Balfour, Anstruther, and others—reflect Fife’s influential families, making the petition a significant expression of pre-Union resistance. The document underscores the desperation and defiance of a Scotland on the brink, with the signatories’ call for sovereignty and economic reform highlighting their refusal to accept subjugation.

This is a transcript of the letter. Remember this was 6 years before the mis- called union.

To his Grace his majesties High Commissioner (James Douglas, 2nd Duke of Queensberry) and the right honourable Earls and representatives of parliament, we submit this humble address and petition of the people of Fife. That now after so long and expensive wars, attended with unheard scarcity and many other calamities, instead of enjoying the blessings of a happy peace, incentives for trade and manufacturing, providing employment for the poor and easing the burdens of state support. Take carful note of te content of the letter which was written 6 years before the Union!!! What a hellish place to live in Scotland must have been. The English screwed Scots Lords, gentry and ither well off folk but not the Scots of Fife and other places in the country into submission for nearly a decade.

(Referring in Europe involving England against its neighbours. No peace and widespread food shortages. Manufacturing and trade almost non-existant). What they were not aware of was that James Douglas had already sold out Scotland. He was a Unionist and traitor to his core.

We still find not only great discouragements to trade, increased numbers of poor and a lack of money sufficient to pay a standing army. But above all what we are deeply aware of is the violation of the sovereignty, freedom, and independence of Scotland which our predecessors so nobly defended with their blood.

And the encroachments by English and Spanish forces upon which seem to us to be the cause of the great losses which the African and Indian companies have sustained in their Caledonian colony settled in Darien. Losses contrary to their human rights and the law of nations, and which we perceive to be of national concern affecting the hearts of every true-hearted Scot.

May it, therefore, please your grace and right honourable Earls and peers of the Scottish parliament to give serious consideration to asserting the Kingdom’s freedom, sovereignty, and independence. Strengthen and support the people in Darien in their right to their settlement in Caledonia, make good their losses, assist them in their efforts so much that they are able to succeed for the honour and wealth of Scotland.

Introduce measures designed to provide a better future for the poor, encouraging Scottish manufacturers to invest in Scotland restraining the practice of transferring money to England. Reduce the size of the occupying army bringing forward ways, other than force, of ensuring the security of peace and support of the government and the future and liberty of the Kingdom.

(Scots were forced to meet the cost of maintaining an English standing army in Scotland? whilst the Darien colony was being decimated through illness and injury and starved to submission or death by English and Spanish blockaders. Fully supported the English monarch). Darien was not the foolhardy adventure portayed by the English who had long coveted Scotland. It was a dishonest characterisation of events spread by the English to disguise their participation in the destruction of Scotland’s desire to widen trade opportunities). First reference to an occupying army and hinting at the use of force in Scotland against Scots, in 1700.

The letter was signed by the people of Fife (names available for the interested fifers. Let me know in the comments

GROK concurs:

https://twitter.com/i/grok/share/tGsDPZQEBSC9Fzl2ivh7SIkPh