The Man Who Saw the Future : William Paterson's Vision of Free Trade

Inspired by the Dutch traders in the Caribbean and the exploits of buccaneers and pirates, the young Scottish merchant William Paterson envisaged a new era of world commerce - free trade on the open seas unencumbered by the monopoly trading that, in his view, restricted progress.

A bold vision that created powerful enemies for Paterson amongst those who desperately wanted to cling on to the status quo.

But he firmly believed in his ideas and during his travels at the end of the 17th century he found what he was looking for.

Something that would turn his dream into reality. The "keys to the universe" he called it - the possession and control of the narrow Isthmus of Panama and the establishment of a trading port at Darien.

In Paterson's mind, these keys opened the door to a better and more peaceful world.

Noble and forward-thinking sentiments today. But at the tail-end of the 17th century, when he embarked on his incredible scheme, they were nothing short of visionary. "The Man Who Saw the Future" charts the story of Paterson's ambitions and the development of his business ideas.