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THE
BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA
THE
BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA
A TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE MOST REMARKABLE ASSAULTS COMMITTED OF LATE YEARS UPON THE COASTS OF THE WEST INDIES BY THE BUCCANEERS OF JAMAICA AND TORTUGA (BOTH ENGLISH AND FRENCH)
Wherein are contained more especially the Unparalleled Exploits of
Sir Henry Morgan, our English /a?naican Hero, who
sacked Porto Bello, burnt Panama, etc.
BY
JOHN ESOUEMELING
One of the Buccaneers who was presciii at those tragedies
Mow taitbtuUi^ rcn^ere^ into Enolisb. Mitb jfacsimilcs of all tbe ©dijinal JEnoravniujs, etc.
LONDON
SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO
New York: CHARLES SCRIBXER'S SONS 1893
Reprinted from the Edition of 1684, to luhich is added a reprint of the
very scarce Fourth Part, by Basil Ringrose (1685), containini^
the " Da7igerous Voyage and Bold Attempts of CAPTAIN
Bartholomew Sharp ajtd others"
Edited, with an Introduction, by Henry Powell
CONTENTS.
Introduction v
The Translator to thk Reader xxix
CHAPTER PART I.
I. The Author sets forth towards the Western Islands, in the Service of the West India Company of France. They meet with an English frigate,
and arrive at the Island of Tortuga i
II. Description of the Island of Tortuga : of the fruits and plants there grow- ing : how the French settled there, at two several times, and cast out the Spaniards, first masters thereof. The Author of this book was twice sold in the said Island 6
III. Description of the great and famous Island of Hispaniola . . . i6
IV. Of the Fruits, Trees and Animals that are found at Hispaniola . . 21 V. Of all sorts of quadruped Animals and Birds that are found in this island.
As also a relation of the French Buccaneers ..... 34
VI. Of the Origin of the most famous Pirates of the coasts of America. A
notable exploit of Pierre le Grand 53
VII. After what manner the Pirates arm their vessels, and how they regulate
their voyages ........... 58
PART 11. I. Origin of Francis L'OUonais, and beginning of his robberies ... 79 II. L'OUonais equips a fleet to land upon the Spanish islands of America, with
intent to rob, sack and burn whatever he met . . . • .84
III. L'OUonais makes new preparations to take the city of St. James de Leon ;
as also that of Nicaragua, where he miserably perishes . . . loi
IV. Of the Origin and Descent of Captain Henry Morgan— his Exploits and
a continuation of the most remarkable actions of his life . . .120 V. Some account of the Island of Cuba. Captain Morgan attempts to preserve the Isle of St. Catharine as a refuge and nest to Pirates ; but fails of his designs. He arrives at and takes the village of El Puerto del Principe 130 VI. Captain Morgan resolveth to attack and plunder the city of Porto Bello. To this effect he equips a fleet, and with little expense and small forces, takes the said place .......... 140
VII. Captain Morgan taketh the city of Maracaibo, on the coast of New Vene- zuela. Piracies committed in those Seas. Kuin of three Spanish ships, that were set forth to hinder the robberies of the Pirates . . • ' 5°
PART HI. I. Captain Morgan goes to the Isle of Hispaniola to equip a new fleet, with
intent to pillage again upon the coasts .of the West Indies . . .183 II. What happened in the river De la Hacha . . . • . . iSó
III. Captain Morgan leaves the Island of Hispaniola, and goes to that of St.
Catharine, which he takes . . . . . • • • .191
IV. Captain Morgan takes the Castle of Chagre, with four hundred men sent
for this purpose from the Isle of St. Catharine 198
V. Captain Morgan departs from the Castle of Chagre, at the head of one
thousand two hundred men, with design to take the city of Panama . 206 VI. Captain Morgan sends several canoes and boats to the South Sea. He sets fire to the city of Panama. Robberies and cruelties committed there by the Pirates till their return to the Castle of Chagre . . ^2^
VII. Of a voyage made by the Author, along the coasts of Costa Rica, at his return towards Jamaica. What happened most remarkable in the said voyage. Some observations made by him at that time . . • 239 Vlll. The Author departs towards the Cape of Gracias a Dios. Ol the Com- merce which here the Pirates exercise with the Indians. Ilis arrival at the Island De los Pinos ; and finally, iiis return to Jamaica . .249 IX. The Relation of the shipwreck, which Monsieur Bertram Ogeron, Governor of the Isle of Tortuga, sufl"ered near the Isles of GuadanilLis. How both he and his companions fell into the hands of the Spaniards. By what arts he escaped their hands, and preserved his liic. 1 he enterprise which he undertook against Porto Rico, to deliver his people. The unfortunate success of that design ....••• 259
i a
2043390
CONTENTS.
HAGE
X. A relation of what encounters lately happened at the Islands of Cayana and Tobago, between the Count de Estres, Admiral of Fiance, in America, and the Heer Jacob Binkes, Vice-Admiral of the United Provinces, in tlie same parts ........ 267
PART IV, I. Captain Coxon, Sawkins, Sharp and others set forth in a fleet towards the province of Darien, upon the continent of America. Their designs to pillage and plunder in tliose parts. Number of their ships, and strength of their forces by sea and land ...... 275,
II. They march towards the town of Santa Maria with design to take it. The Indian King of Darien meets them by the way. Difficulties of this march, with other occurrences till they arrive at the place . . 279
III. They take the town of Santa Marip. with no loss of men, and but small
booty of what they fought for. Description of the place, country and river adjacent. They resolve to go and plunder for the second time the city of Panama . . ........ 285
IV. The Buccaneers leave the town of Santa Maria, and proceed by sea to
take Panama. Extreme difficulties, with sundry accidents and dangers
of that voyage . .......... 289
V. Shipwreck of \\x. Ringrose, the author of this narrative. He is taken by the Spaniards and miraculously by them preserved. Several other accidents and disasters which befel him after the loss of his companions till he found them again. Description of the Gulf of Vallona . . 293
VI. The Buccaneers prosecute their voyage, till they come within sight of Panama. They take several barks and prisoners by the way. Are descried by the Spaniards before their arrival. They order the Indians to kill the prisoners . ......... 300
VII. They arrive within sight of Panama. Are encountered by three small men-of-war. They fight them with only sixty-eight men, and utterly defeat them, taking two of the said vessels. Description of that bloody fight. They take several ships at the Isle of Perico before Panama . 304 VIII. Description of the state and condition of Panama, and the parts adjacent. What vessels they took while they blocked up the said Port. Captain Coxon with seventy more returns home. Sawkins is chosen in chief . 31 1
IX. Captain Sawkins, ciiief commander of the Buccaneers, is killed before Puebla Nueva. They are repulsed from the said place. Captain Sharp chosen to be their leader. Many more of their company leave them and return home overland ........ 318
X. They depart from the Island of Cayboa to the Island of Gorgona, where they careen their vessels. Description of this Isle. They resolve to go and plunder Arica, leaving their design of Guayaquil . . . 323
XI. The Buccaneers depart from the Isle of Gorgona, with design to plunder Arica. They lose one another by the way. They touch at the Isle of Plate, or Drake's Isle, where they meet again. Description of this Isle. Some memoirs of Sir Francis Drake. An account of this voyage, and the coasts all along. They sail as far in a fortnight, as the Spaniards usually do in three months . . . . . . -331
XII. Captain .Sharp and his company depart from the Isle of Plate, in prosecu- tion of their voyage towards Arica. They take two Spanish vessels by the way, and learn intelligence from the enemy. Eight of their company destroyed at the Isle of Gallo. Tediousness of this voyage, and great hardships they endured. Description of the coast all along,
and their sailings 342
XIII. A continuation of their long and tedious voyage to Arica, with a descrip- tion of the coasts and sailings thereunto. Great hardship they endured for want of water and other provisions. They are descried at Arica, and dare not land there ; the country being all in arms before them. They retire from thence, and go to Puerto de Hilo, close by Arica. Here they land, take the town with little or no loss on their side, refresh themselves with provisions ; but in the end are cheated by the Spaniards,
and forced shamefully to retreat from thence 358
XI\'. The Buccaneers depart from the Port of Hilo, and sail to that of Co- quimbo. They are descried before their arrival. NotwUhstanding they land : are encountered by the Spaniards, and put them to flight. They take, plunder, and fire the City of la Serena. A description
CONTENTS. iii
CHAl'TKi; ('AGE
thereof. A Stratagem of the Spaniards in endeavouring to fire tiieir ship, discovered and prevented. They are deceived again by the Spaniards, and forced to retire from Coquimbo, without any ransom for the City, or considerable pillage. They release several of their chief Prisoners ........... 375
X\'. The Buccaneers depart from Coquimbo for the Isle of Juan Fernandez. An exact account of this voyage. Misery they endure, and great dangers they escape very narrowly there. They mutiny among themselves, and choose Watling to be their chief commander. De- scription of the island. Tliree Spanish men-of-war meet with the buccaneers, at the said island ; but these outbrave them on the one side, and give them the slip on the other ...... 38}^
XVI. The Buccaneers depart from the Isle of Juan Fernandez to that of Iquique. Here they take several prisoners, and learn intelligence of the posture of affairs at Arica. Cruelty committed upon one of the said prisoners, who had rightly informed them. They attempt Arica the second time, and take the town, but are beaten out of it again l)efore they could plunder, with great loss of men, many of them being killed, wounded, and made prisoners. Captain Watling, their chief Commander, is killed in this attack, and Captain Sharp ])resently chosen again, who leads them off, and through mountains
of difficulties, makes a bold retreat to the ship 40J
XVII. A description of the Bay of Arica. They sail hence to the Port of Guasco, where they get provisions. A draft of the said port. They land again at Hilo to revenge the former affronts, and take what they
could find . . . . 4 '4
XVIII. They depart from the Port of Hilo to the Gulf of Nicoya, where they take down their decks and mend the sailing of their ship. Forty- seven of their companions leave them, and go home <jver land. .\ description of the Gulf of Nicoya. They take two barks and some prisoners there. Several other remarks belonging to this voyage . 424 XI.V. They depart from the Gulf of Nicoya to Golfo Dulce, where they careen their vessel. An account of their sailings along the coast. Also a description of Golfo Dulce. The Spaniards force the Indians of Darien to a peace, by a stratagem contrived in the name of the
English • • 434
X.\. They depart from Golfo Dulce, to go and cruise under the Ecjuinoctial. Here they take a rich Spanish vessel with 37,000 Pieces of Eight, besides plate and other goods. They take also a Packet-boat bound from Panama to Lima. An account of their sailings and the coasts along 442 X.\I. They take another Spanish ship richly laden under the Equinoctial. They make several dividends of their booty among themselves. They arrive at the Isle of Plate, where they are in danger of being all massacred by their slaves and prisoners. Their departure thence for the port and bay of Paita, with design to plunder the said place • 44'*^ XXII. They arrive at Paita, where they are disappointed of their expectations, as not daring to land, seeing all the country alarmed before them. They bear away for the Strait of Magellan. Description of the bay and port of Paita, and Colan. An account of their Sailings towards the Strait afore-mentioned . . • • • • • -454
.Win. The Buccaneers arrive at a place incognito, to which they give the name of the Duke of York's Islands. A description of the said islands, and of the gulf, or lagoon, wherein they lie, so far as it was searched. They remain there many days by stress of weather, not without great danger of being lost. An account of some other remarkable things
that happened there 4"S
XXIV. They depart from the English Gulf in cpiest of the Straits of Magellan, which they cannot find. They return home by an unknown way, never navigated before ....••••• 47'^ .\X\'. The Buccaneers continue their navigation, without .seeing any land, tdl they arrive at the Caribbean Islands in the West Indies. They give away their ship to some of their companions that were poor, and disperse for several countries. The author of this Journal arrives in England •*'^'
LIST OF ENGRAVED PLATES,
Sir Henry Morgan to face Title page
Bartholomew Portugues to face page 65
Rock Brasiliano n, 69
Francis Lolonois ,- 79
The Cruelty of Lolonois ,. 104
The Town of Puerto del Principe taken and sacked „ 155
The Spanish Armada destroyed by Captaine Morgan „ 171
Map of the South Sea and Coasts of America
275
INTRODUCTION.
The term Buccaneer, in French Boucanier, is usually applied to certain pirates who during the seventeenth century committed great ravages upon the Spanish settlements in the West Indies, the adjacent main land, and the coast of Chili and Peru, and whose exploits it will be our province to describe in the following pages. Such term was, however, more accurately applied to a body of cattle hunters of all nations, but mainly French, who pursued their avocations in the forests of the Western and North Western districts of the Island of Hispaniola — circumstances to be described hereafter caused these hunters to combine the trade in cattle with that of piracy, and the name, in consequence, lost its first significance of hunter and acquired its modern and better known one of pirate.
Our readers living in the present age of highly or- ganized communications with all parts of the globe, cannot sufficiently realize the magnitude of the task un- dertaken by the first explorers and colonisers of the New Continent, still less the extraordinary rapidity with which the work of exploration and colonisation was carried on by the Spanish and Portuguese, upon means that to us would appear ludicrously inadequate to the enormous extent of the newly discovered territories. Scant justice has been done by posterity to the enthusiastic energy and perseverance of the natives of the Iberian peninsula, who during the first half of the sixteenth century, at least fifty years in advance of any other European nation, estab-
b
vi INTRODUCTION.
lished their rule over the West India Islands, Central and South America, subdued the great and powerful empires of Mexico and Peru, and filled the conquered territories with numerous and flourishing settlements, extending from Florida to the River Plate on the one side, and from California to Chili on the other. Nor does the enormous emigration consequent on the conquests and occupation the less appeal to the imagination, when we come to consider that it took place simultaneously with large discoveries and settlements in the East Indies, and v/ith prolonged warfare upon a very large scale against the principal nations of Europe. Rapid and striking as was the success of the Spanish and Portuguese conquerors and colonists, it has in the long run proved to be ephemeral, and other nations, who entered the field many years later with inferior advantages in soil and climate, have achieved greater and more enduring results, as must be manifest upon a comparison of the United States and Canada with the Central and South American Republics. This failure, apart from religious and racial causes, must be attributed to the commercial policy (conspicuous for its selfishness in an age of extreme selfishness) adopted by the mother country, Spain, in its relations with its colonies. Even at the present day much useful experience may be gained by the colonial ministers of the greatest powers from a study of a fiscal system specially constructed to protect the interests of a few merchants at the expense and in disregard of the expressed wishes of the colonists. Soon after the discovery of America, with a view to settle disputes between Spain and Portugal as to their title to the newly found regions, Pope Alexander the Sixth issued his famous donation by which he gave to Spain the whole of America, except the Brazils, which was assigned to Portugal, and under which the Kings of Spain claimed to exclude not merely foreigners but also their own subjects not Spanish from access to the American continent and islands, and for a time practi-
INTRODUCTION.
cally succeeded in preventing all other nations from trading or even landing in the New World. This exclu- sion could not however be kept up, and we find traders from the Netherlands and England visiting the islands at a very early period, followed by Hawkins, Drake, and others in their capacity of slavers and merchant adven- turers, the French appearing later still. It stands to reason that the foreign traders would not have under- taken voyages so long and hazardous without consider- able encouragement from the colonists, who, dependent otherwise on the fleets annually despatched to Europe, found no doubt their advantage in evading the fiscal regulations of their own government, to obtain not merely European goods at low prices, but also what was to them of paramount importance, a supply of labour m the shape of negro slaves from Africa.
To put down the foreign traders or interlopers the Spanish government employed armed revenue cruisers, or giiarda castas, and were accustomed to instruct their officers to destroy every strange ship they met with, and to take no prisoners ; and in the case of foreign setdements on unoccupied lands, soldiers were sent to destroy the buildings and plantations and massacre the inhabitants. Harsh measures like these produced their natural effect, and in no long time the interlopers learnt to meet force by force, to combine for mutual defence, and to treat every Spaniard as an enemy. Not unnaturally the foreign seamen, traders and colonists drifted into a state of perpetual warfare with the various local governments, and in comparatively a short tmie the marine carrying trade between the various colonies, ex- cepting the annual fleets, which were usually strongly manned and heavily armed, was either annihilated or passed into the hands of the foreign interlopers.
To applications addressed to the various European princes for redress of injuries committed by their subjects in American waters, the usual answer was to the effect
viii INTRODUCTION.
that the King of Spain was at liberty to proceed as he pleased against all persons acting without their com- mission. Elizabeth of England, with greater frankness, replied that the Spaniards themselves were to blame for the depredations complained of, which were brought on \ solely by their own severe and unjust dealing. She did not understand why her subjects should be debarred from traffic in America, nor would she acknowledge titles given by the Bishop of Rome to lands of which Spain was not in actual possession. This unsatisfactory state of affairs (further aggravated by religious differences) lasted from the early visits of Hawkins, Drake, and others, to the end of the Thirty Years' War, during which period the interlopers were continually reinforced, first by the buccaneers proper from Hispaniola, and secondly by corsairs of all nations serving under the Protestant flag, such as the Gucitx de la Mer, or sea beggars, from the revolted Netherlands, PVench Huguenots, etc.
The island of Hispaniola, or Hayti, was described by the original discoverers in glowing terms, as being of great beauty and fertility, and containing a population of at least a million, but twenty years of Spanish govern- ment (so miscalled) reduced the aboriginal inhabitants to less than sixty thousand in number, and the land (beyond the limits of a few small towns and scattered plantations) to a state of primeval forest tenanted only by wild cattle and a few wandering Indian hunters. The foreign traders soon began to appreciate the attractions offered by the seclusion of these districts, and by the facility of vic- tualling and obtaining wood and water. Among other articles of food supplied by the Indians, beef and pork cured by the boucan process obtained a high repute, and many of the sailors finding it to their interest to adopt the hunters' life, a large trade in boitcancd meat soon sprang up. The charm of the wild life attracted to the region increasing numbers of Europeans, who pursued indifferently the trade of hunters and corsairs. Many
/X TR O D UC TIO\. ix
also became planters, and the latter (among whom the French element predominated) spread over the western portion of the island. Eventually this district became en- tirely French, and for a long time was the most flourish- ing colonial possession of the crown of France, its pros- perity lasting until the . Revolution of 1789, when the negro inhabitants, under Toussaint L'Ouverture, revolted, and having massacred or expelled the whites, established a republic ; this gave way to an empire, and again to a republic ; fmally the French and Spanish negroes each established republican governments of their own, which have lasted down to the present day.
A few words will not be here out of place by way of description of the manners and customs of the buccaneers, and of illustration of the simple yet effective means by which they organized victory over a nation which at that period enjoyed the highest military reputation.
The term buccaneer is the English version of the French word boiic aider [i.e., one who cures meat by the boucan process). It is curious that the English pirates should have adopted the term from their French com- rades and made it their own, while the latter simul- taneously took the title of Flibustier, which is the English word "freebooter" pronounced in the French manner. Another and very common appellation by which they were known was Brethren of the Coast, and by these rude warriors of all races, w ho were accustomed to work together irrespective of nationality, this last title was deemed peculiarly appropriate and expressive.
For the pursuit of the wild oxen and swine that pas- tured in the Haytian forests the hunters used to form parties of five or six in number, each member provided with musket, bullet-bag. powder-horn, and knife, and dressed in garments made out of the skin, and stained with the blood of the slain animals ; horses were never used, the tangled nature of the country rendering a ])ur- suit on foot more practicable. The flesh, when obtained.
X INTRODUCTION.
was cut into long strips (sometimes salted, when required for a long voyage). The special feature of the process consisted in laying the meat upon boucans or barbecues {i.e., gratings constructed of green sticks), and exposing it to the smoke of wood, fed with the fat, bones and offal of the carcass, and the trimmings of the hide. By this means a very appetising flavour was imparted to the flesh, which, when cured, was usually of a bright red colour, and kept good for a long time. Pork was gener- ally considered the best of the boucaned meats, except by the savage Caribs of the Lesser Antilles, to whom the barbecued flesh of an enemy was thought to be the food most grateful to a warrior. The charqui or jerked beef, so frequently alluded to in contemporary accounts, was prepared by cutting the meat into strips and drying it in the sun — this process being better suited to a dry climate was chiefly made use of in Peru, Chili, and the River Plate.
Analogous in their habits to the buccaneers of His- paniola were the logwood cutters and cattle hunters in the peninsula of Yucatan or Honduras. Like them they were used to vary the monotony of timber-felling and bullock-driving by an occasional foray upon the Spanish settlements in the immediate neighbourhood. It must, however, in justice to the logwood cutters be admitted that they were not the original aggressors, but for the molestation inflicted upon them by the Spanish forces they would have been content to pursue their avocation in obscurity and peace. The colony of British Honduras was founded by their descendants, who still carry on the trade in logwood and mahogany. It would be unjust to omit allusion to the Mosquito Indians, the attached friends and allies of the buccaneers, who, from their strong affec- tion to the English, their knowledge of pilotage, and their extraordinary dexterity in the arts of the fisherman, particularly in the use of the fish spear, were almost in- dispensable members of every expedition to the South
INTRODUCTION.
Sea. Their chief Cacique usually received a kind of in- vestiture from the governors of Jamaica, and numerous English planters settled among them, mosdy in the neighbourhood of Blewfields. The territory has for some time past been absorbed into the adjacent republic of Honduras.
Previous to embarking upon an expedition it was the universal custom of these freebooters to hold a pre- liminary meeting to determine the object of attack, to raise funds, to elect officers, and generally to discuss all minor details. The next step was to draw up articles of association for signature by the adventurers, binding them to contribute a fixed minimum sum to the common fund, to observe due order and discipline, and to allot the spoil in the manner pointed out in the articles. A certain number of shares, from two to eight according to rank, was assigned to each officer, and one to each adventurer, but before apportioning the plunder among individuals preferential shares were almost invariably set aside as compensation for wounds, and losses of eyes and limbs ; the representatives of the slain were not forgotten, and generally received the share that the adventurer would have taken if he had survived. It was not an uncommon practice for two buccaneers to swear brotherhood, to stand by each other during life, and each to make the other his heir, and these curious partnerships once entered into were observed with a fidelity almost touch- ing. Rewards were also given to the first man who sighted the chase, to the first who boarded an enemy, and for other services of distinction.
Great honesty and integrity usually characterized their dealings with each other, and with the Indians with whom they were frequently brought into contact ; to their prisoners also they behaved with much greater humanity than was usual at the period, and from their considerate treatment of Indians and captives they fre- quently derived much information and advantage m war.
xii IXTRODUCTIOX.
To this rule, however, a few marked exceptions, such as Montbars and L'Ollonais, must be made, and it must also be admitted that towards the end of their career a great change for the worse took place in this respect, the ferocity and -bad faith characteristic of the vulgar pirate becoming painfully conspicuous. The earlier free- booters were content to wage war against Spain only, but their successors evinced no such nice discrimination, and impartially plundered and burnt the ships of all nations whenever a favourable opportunity occurred.
Offensive operations were carried on for the most part in the following manner. In the early days of bucca- neering notice of an intended expedition, naming a ren- dezvous, would be sent to the principal resorts of the pirates, and if the suggested commanders were popular the summons would be freely responded to. The usual place of meeting was the west end of the island of Tortuga, off the northern coast of Hayti, but after the capture of Jamaica in 1654 by Cromwell's forces, the English pirates generally made that island their centre, while the French remained constant to Tortuga, their old place of resort. Nor were the Dutch, French, and English colonies in the West Indies afflicted with many scruples as to the propriety of allowing filibusters to build, fit out, and repair in their ports armed vessels intended to cruise against their Spanish neighbours, with whom their respective mother countries were nominally at peace. The traders and planters of Mar- tinique, Curacoa, St. Kitts, Barbados, and especially Jamaica, greatly encouraged the trade, on account of the large profits made on the purchase of plunder from the pirates and the prodigality with which the successful adventurers scattered their hardly won spoils— to such cause doubtless was owing much of the early prosperity of these colonies. In many cases even the precise and pious New Englanders did not disdain to participate in the gains of the atrocious Blackbeard and his associates,
IX TROD UC TI ox. xiii
who flourished in the first quarter of the eighteenth century.
But to return to the early clays of buccaneering, when the aspirations of the pirates were more modest, and caj)- tains were content to start in business in a very humble way. The mode of procedure was — mutatis mutandis — nearly always the same, irrespective of the numbers en- gaged. A party, varying in number from twenty to fifty men, would meet to discuss ways and means, to sio^n agreements, and to choose officers ; this done, they would put to sea in canoes or small vessels, and cruise on the usual trade routes. If fortunate enough to discover a Spanish vessel, the pirates were not likely to be deterred from the attack by any disparity in force, however great, apparendy trusting by superior seamanship and discipline to place themselves at least on an equality with the enemy. Their first approach was generally made with great judgment, their tiny craft being so steered as to avoid the direct fire of the heavy artillery, while their picked marksmen attempted to strike down the helmsman first, and next the men attending to the sails. This effected, they would get under the stern, or other part of the ship where the guns could not be sufficiendy depressed to reach them, the crew of one ol the boats would proceed to wedge up the rudder, while the others would keep up a fire of musketry directed at the portholes and bulwarks, so accurately aimed as to prevent any of the Spanish crew from showing them- selves.^
When the e:uns had been thus silenced, and the crew
1 It will be within the memory of our readers that during the Crimean War the forts at Bomarsund, in the Baltic, were captured chiefly through their guns being silenced by the sharp shooters of the Allies. At the siege of Sebastopol also, the Russian riflemen so annoyed the advanced batteries of the besiegers by firing into the embrasures, that strong rope screens filling up the whole of the embrasure and closely surroundmg the muzzle of the gun (which would otherwise have been quickly sflenced by the rifle fire), had to be devised, and were employed on both sides during the remainder of the siege.
xiv INTRODUCTIOX.
forced to seek shelter, the assaihmts would board from several quarters at once ; the deck once reached, their personal dexterity in the use of their weapons, and their activity and courage were so marked that they rarely failed to overpower their opponents. A very good example of their mode of fighting may be found in the action off Panama, between the buccaneer flotilla of Captain Saw- kins and the Spanish squadron, described in chapter 7 of the last part of the present work. The prisoners, except officers and others whose means enabled them to pay a ransom, were either put ashore or set adrift in one of the captured craft otherwise useless to the captors, and left to find their way to the land. The prizes, if adapted for the purpose, were often manned and armed for a further cruise. Vessels of large size were seldom used — those employed rarely carried more than four to six small guns, although ships of thirty to forty guns are occasionally mentioned as taking part in the larger expeditions. On or previous to the return to port a general meeting of the adventurers would be held, and the spoil duly divided ; if the voyage happened to be a long one dividends were frequently declared after the capture of each considerable prize. Large amounts, £joo, ^800, or ^1,000, were frequently realized even by the common seamen, only to be rapidly dissipated in gambling and debauchery. Their money spent the buccaneers would either take to the woods or go upon a fresh cruise, as their inclination prompted. A popular and successful captain had only to announce his intention to fit out a squadron to attract any number of followers ; and in the latter part of their career, when all the smaller craft had been driven from the sea, and the Spaniards never dared to put to sea except in large and well armed fleets, the large towns situated even at a considerable distance from the coast became the object of attack, and expeditions comprising thirty or forty ships, conveying from one to two thousand men, were not at all unusual. The varied training of
INTRODUCTION. xv
this mixed body of soldiers, sailors, lumberers, etc., pro- duced in them great skill in the use of arms, and immense strength and agility, together with an extra- ordinary power of enduring hunger, thirst and exposure ; while the rude sense of honour and integrity, and the obedience to discipline which so long distinguished them, enabled them to live together in brotherly harmony, and carry on with nearly uniform success their eternal warfare against the common enemy — the Spaniard. For many years, and indeed up to the very last, they were con- stantly victorious by sea and land, and their organization broke down in the end from internal dissension, arising from the following causes : —
Firstly and chiefly from the fact that Spain, instead of being confronted, as heretofore, by the protestant nations, now found it to her interest to seek alliance against the increasing influence of France under Louis XIV, among the northern powers. Hence the treaty of peace with England in 1670, already alluded to, which, however, had but little effect at the time.
The various quarrels between French, English, and Dutch, were an additional cause of disintegration, the final blow being probably given by the accession of a Bourbon to the throne of Spain in 1700. By this time the greater part of the freebooters had ranged them- selves under the flags of their respective nationalities, had settled down as planters or returned to Europe, while the residuum became ordinary pirates, preying upon the trade of all nations alike.
Secondly, from the decay of the strong spirit of religious antagonism which all the protestant nations (from whom the buccaneer community received at least nine-tenths of their recruits) bore to Spain. Spain was Antichrist, the Bulwark of the Inquisition, the enemy of b>ecdom, in short the embodiment of religious and political tyranny to the descendants of Hollanders oppressed by Alva, of Huguenots who had batded with the League,
xvi INTRODUCTIOX.
and of English to whom the memory of the great struggle with Philip II. was a source of national pride.
This spirit was emphasized in the minds of all protes- tant nations by the great struggle of the Thirty years' war, still in progress in the first part of the century and exemplified in the religious and law-abiding habits, almost universal among the brethren in early days, and in some crews existing almost to the last.^
A third cause of antagonism was the fiscal tyranny already spoken of. Had a more enlightened commercial policy been adopted towards protestant traders and colo- nists, it is not unlikely that the tide of emigration might have been turned from the inhospitable districts of New England and the Canadas to the more genial districts on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, extending from Texas to Florida, It would be here out of place to speculate as to what would have been the position of the United States under such altered circumstances, but their development would probably have been considerably affected.
It now becomes necessary to give a short summary of the principal incidents of the history of the buccaneers, founded chiefly upon the narratives of Esquemeling and RIngrose, but also including circumstances unknown to or omitted by these writers, in order that the reader may have a complete account of the epoch before him.
For the present purpose it will be sufficient to com- mence with the year 1625, by which time the organi- zation or confederacy of the brethren had probably assumed the shape which it maintained until the close, and to take as a starting point the joint setdement of the Island of St. Christopher, or St. Kitts, by the English and French.^
1 Divine service was by the English nearly always celebrated each Sunday at least, and rules prohibiting profane language, gaming, etc., were frequently included in the articles signed by the adventurers.
^ The island of St. Kitts (to make use of its popular designation) was at this time covered by forests, which have since disappeared, and in- habited by Caribs, a race who then extended from the coast of Caraccas
IXTRODUCTIOX. xvii
In consequence of the increasing importance of the trade carried on by the interlopers in the West Indies, England and France agreed to plant each a colony side by side, and the island of St. Kitts being chosen for the purpose, in 1625 the colonists landed and divided the territory between them. The two colonies, in spite ot occasional disputes, were very successful, and the English also took possession of the adjacent Island of Nevis.
In 1629, however, a large fleet from S[)ain, without warning or provocation, attacked and totally dispersed the colonists, and then proceeded on their voyage to the Brazils. The fugitives soon returned, the English for the most part settling in Nevis ; a few of the French re- occupied their old settlements in St. Kitts, but the greater portion of the dispossessed planters in 1630 removed to Tortuga, an island on the north coast of Hispaniola, and not far from the honcan establishments already existing. Here they seem to have enjoyed considerable prosperity, so much so as to induce the Governor-General of the French West Indies, who had been previously stationed in St. Kitts, to transfer in 1634 his seat of government to Tortuga. In 1638 the Spaniards attacked Tortuga, and temporarily expelled the inhabitants, who, however, very shortly recaptured the place, and the French party so improved their position as to be strong enough to ex- pel their English allies in 1641. These latter maintained a precarious existence pardy among the buccaneer settle- ments on the main island, and partly by piracy, until the capture of Jamaica by Penn in 1654, and \'enables (in which the English freebooters took part and greatly distinguished themselves), provided them with a new setdement and base of operations ; the western part of
over the whole of the Lesser Antilles. A few are still to be found in the island of Grenada, but the largest body of representatives of the nation are now dwelling in the island of Dominica; to the inacces- sible mountains and tangled forests of which they owe their preser- vation. They number at present about 300, are steadily dwindling away, and another generation will probably see them everywhere extinct.
xviii INTRODUCTION.
Hispaniola being then wholly abandoned to the French. Tortuga was again captured by the Spaniards in 1654, and remained in their possession for six years, after which it was finally recovered by the French.
During the period between 1625 and 1655 constant maritime warfare had been carried on, and as an almost necessary consequence the commerce of the Spanish colonies with each other and with the mother country dwindled down almost to nothing, and the piratical com- munity, deprived of the plunder of the local mercantile marine was obliged, in sheer necessity, to turn their arms against the large towns on shore. New Segovia, in Hon- duras, being the first victim, in 1654.
Among numerous smaller exploits which it is not here necessary to describe, must be especially noted that of Pierre le Grand (perhaps deservedly so named) who, with a small boat containing twenty-eight men, was skilful and fortunate enough to capture the Spanish Vice Admiral himself, and his galleon ; that of Alexandre, who, with means equally inadequate, also took a large man-of-war; of Montbars, surnamed the Exterminator; of Bartholo- mew Portuguez, Michael le Basque and Roche Brasiliano; of Lewis Scot, who took and pillaged the city of Campeche ; of John Davis, who plundered Nicaragua, and especially of V^an Horn, Granmont and De Graaf, who in 1Ó83 sacked the town of Vera Cruz and carried away an immense booty.
In 1664, Mansveldt, perhaps the ablest of all the pirate chiefs, formed a project of founding an indepen- dent buccaneer settlement with a government and flag of its own,^ at Santa Katalina, or Old Providence (so
^ This is by no means the only instance of an attempt to found a piratical state. The sea rovers who infested the Indian Ocean in the early part of the eighteenth century often possessed large establishments on the coast of Madagascar, and were very successful in conciliating and governing the natives. Several small states, administered directly and indirecdy by pirates, were established on that island, but no attempt at confederation was made, and none lasted beyond the lives of their
INTRODUCTION. xix
named to distinguish it from New Providence in the Bahamas, a place noted as the resort, in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries of pirates and in the nineteenth of blockade runners), but his death and the pronounced opposition of the Governor of Jamaica, deterred his successor Morgan from pursuing the subject further. It may indeed be doubted whether Morgan, although equally eminent as a leader, was possessed of abilities to comprehend, much less to carry out, what to him would have seemed plans of colonisation of a visionary charac- ter which did not appeal to his self interest. To go out of his way to establish a new base of operation was to him a waste of time. Jamaica was a place which fully suited his convenience for purpose of refitting and of disposing of his plunder, and that was all he cared about.^ Under the leadership of Morgan the buccaneers reached the zenith of their reputation. Never had their plundering raids been organized on a larger scale or with more success. Even in Mansvelt's time many of the largest towns only escaped destruction by the payment of heavy blackmail to the freebooters, and the new commander apparently had only to march against the remaining colonies successively in order to extinguish them.
Morgan's first independent enterprise of any imi)or- tance after the death of Mansvelt was the capture and sack of the town of Puerto del Principe, in Cuba; he next surprised and took the city of Porto Bello on the main- land. He then proceeded to attack the unfortunate towns of Maracaibo and Gibraltar, which had been not long before plundered by L'Ollonais. They were
founders. Given, however, a leader capable of uniting the various chiefs under one rule, and a colony equal to Java might have been created with ease.
1 Jamaica was the resort of the English freebooters until their ex- tinction at the end of the century. The pirates of the next generation under Teach and others made the town of New Providence in the Bahamas their principal base of operations.
XX INTRODUCTION.
taken for the second time by Michael le Basque, while Morgan was engaged at Puerto del Principe. This last raid did not however save them from Morgan, who for the third time harried these wretched cities. In order to wring from the inhabitants their last coins he re- mained so long in possession as to enable the Spaniards to send a strongly armed squadron to occupy the mouth of the Lake of Maracaibo, to prevent his retreat. The skilful manner in which he totally destroyed the Spanish ships, and evaded the forts at the entrance, gained him great credit, and was said to have caused the Spanish court to make very strong applications for redress to England. Upon the conclusion of a treaty of peace in 1670,^ between the two nations, which confirmed England in her possessions in the West Indies, but for- bade her subjects to trade to any Spanish port without a license ; a proclamation was issued in pursuance of such arrangement which greatly exasperated the freebooting community and the direct result of which was the assemblage of the largest fleet ever brought together by the buccaneers, amounting to 37 ships of all sizes, manned by more than 2,000 pirates. They met in December, 1670, at Cape Tiburon, and held a council to decide whether their forces should be directed upon Car- thagena. Vera Cruz, or Panama. The last was chosen, as being the richest, and Morgan was elected Admiral ; and the island of Santa Katalina, or Old Providence, was, after a feigned resistance, occupied as a base of operations. A detachment was next despatched against Fort San Lorenzo at the mouth of the Chagre river, which was taken after a most gallant defence by the Spanish garrison. Having securely garrisoned Old Providence and the Chagre forts, the main body, then
1 It may be here noted that the existence of a continual war between Spaniards and EngHsh is virtually admitted in the treaty ; which indeed practically condones the offences of the buccaneers antecedent to the date thereof.
I NT ROD UC HON. xxi
numbering about 1,200 men, marched across the isthmus, and after nine clays of severe hardship, in consequence of the enemy having laid waste the country over which they were obliged to advance, came in sight of Panama. An- other day of severe fighting against a force of 2,500 men, which was defeated and put to flight, gave them possession of the coveted city. A large number of the pirates were strongly disposed to pursue their advantage against Peru, which lay temptingly open and almost defenceless before them. Morgan, however, was able to induce his com- panions to forego any further enterprise in the South Sea, and (after a stay of about three weeks) to evacuate Panama and return across the isthmus. The amount of spoil obtained being very unsatisfactory, he was, with some justice, suspected of embezzling a large part of the booty, and his consequent unpopularity led to his abandoning his comrades and accepting the post ot Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica. He was subsequently knighted and made Governor of the Island, in which capacity he showed considerable energy in suppressing piracy. His secession from the buccaneer community just when there was no other leader of capacity to suc- ceed him was a severe blow to their cause. P>om this time forth the harmony, which up to this time had pre- vailed between the various nations hitherto united against the Spaniards, was much weakened, and an increasing disposition among individuals to identify themselves with the disputes of their several mother countries took its place. From this point the account of the various occur- rences on the Atlantic side of the Isthmus will be carried on to its close, and the narrative of the proceedings of the freebooters in the South Sea reserved for the con- clusion.
About 1673 the P^rench buccaneers took part (as privateers under their national flag in the war between France and Holland) in two unsuccessful expeditions against the Dutch Island of Curacoa ; soon after the
c
INTRODUCTION.
latter of which, Puerto del Principe, in Cuba, and the ever unfortunate towns of Maracaibo and Gibraltar, were again pillaged.
In 1679 the Spaniards almost exterminated the French settlers at Samana, in Hispaniola, and in the same year Porto Bello was again plundered. In 1683, a body of 1,200 French pirates took Vera Cruz by stratagem, and carried off an immense spoil. In 1684 negotiations to induce the French flibustiers, then about 3,000 in number, to settle in Hispaniola were entered into, but met with only moderate success. In 1686, Grammont and De Graaf plundered and burnt Campeche. The former of these two chiefs put to sea on a fresh expedition soon afterwards, but was never again heard of, the latter entered the service of France, and became in his way as useful as Morgan in putting down his former companions. In 1688, the English settlers were driven out of St. Kitts by the French. War, however, broke out between France and Spain. England soon afterwards joined the latter, and the buccaneers ranged themselves under the flags of their respective countries. St. Kitts was retaken in the following year, and the remaining French colonists ex- pelled.
Almost the last enterprise in which the buccaneers, as such, were engaged, was directed against Carthagena by the governor of the French possessions in Hispaniola, about a third of the attacking forces on this occasion being buccaneers. Considerable booty was obtained on the capture of the city, but the freebooters being unable to obtain their portion from the French conmiander, re- turned and put the city to ransom. On their return they were chased by a combined English and Dutch squadron, were obliged to disperse, and lost a considerable propor- tion of their gains.
After the Peace of Ryswick, in 1697, buccaneers be- came practically extinct, the major part of the adventurers either taking service with their respective governments,
h\TRODUCTION. xxiii
returning home, or settling down as planters. The balance, becoming pirates pure and simple, long infested the Gulf of Mexico (the coasts of Virginia, the Carolinas, and the Bahama islands serving them as ports of call), and were not finally put down till early in the 19th century ; the Lafittes of Barataria, near the mouth of the Mississippi, being probably the last in the trade.'
It now only remains to chronicle the events in the South Sea subsequent to the capture of Panama by Morgan. For several years after his retreat no fresh attempts were made to carry the war in that direction until early in 1680, when a party of 330, under Coxon, Sawkins, Sharp, and others, landed in Darien, and under the guidance of Indians marched to the town of Santa Maria, and thence proceeded in canoes upon the river of the same name to the sea. With two small cap- tured vessels and the canoes, they engaged and took a small Spanish squadron, three of which they fitted out and with them blockaded Panama. Disputes however arising, Coxon, with seventy of the men and most of the Indians, returned across the isthmus, while the remainder pursued their voyage to the south. On the death of Captain Sawkins, killed soon afterwards in a skirmish, further disputes arose, another party broke off and returned to the Gulf, leaving Sharp in com- mand, with about 140 men. They took a few prizes, put one or two small towns to ransom, and on Christmas Day, 1680, anchored at Juan Fernandez to refit. In February they attacked Arica, but were repulsed with loss. On their arrival at the isle of La Plata differences again arose, and forty-four more (among whom were William Dampier and Lionel Wafer) quitted the ship and returned north. The ship sailed to the Gulf of Nicoya,
^ Teach (or Blackbeard), England, Low, Roberts, Kidd and Avery were the principal pirate heroes of the iSth century. 'I'lieir depreda- tions were on a very large scale, and extended from the Atlantic coast of America and the Gulf of Mexico to the west coast of Africa, Mada- gascar, and the Indian Ocean.
xxiv IXTRODUCTIOX.
then back to La Plata, during which interval some valu- able prizes were niade,^ and finally round Cape Horn to Antigua, where the crew dispersed. Sharp and others on reaching England were, at the instance of the Spanish ambassador, tried for piracy, but acquitted on the ground that the Spanish ships captured by them had fired first, and that therefore the pirates had acted in self-defence.
In August, 1683, the ship Revenge, of eighteen guns and seventy men, among whom were Dampier, Wafer, Cook, Davis, and several other noted buccaneers, sailed from the Chesapeake. Near Sierra Leone they took a Danish ship of thirty-six guns, into which they shifted their crew, christening her the Bachelor s Delight, and reached in March, 1684, Juan Fernandez, accompanied by another English privateer, the Nicholas, Captain Swan, that fell in with them shortly before their arrival. Having taken a few prizes the ships proceeded in company to the Galapagos and then to the Gulf of Nicoya, where Captain Cook died and Davis was elected in his place. After cruising for some time together with moderate success the two vessels separated, the Nicholas proceeding to England, by way of the East Indies, while the Bachelors Delight sailed to the island of La Plata, where she encountered the Cygnet, Captain Swan, a vessel which (fitted out in London as a trader) had come round Cape Horn and thence up the coast to the Gulf of Nicoya, where she had filled up her crew by a number of buccaneers, who had crossed the isthmus to that point. The two crews at once agreed to keep company, and accordingly sailed to Payta, Guayaquil^ and Panama, taking several prizes during
* One of these prizes, the Fan Rosario, contained no less than 700 pigs or large ingots of silver, which were taken to be tin, and (with one exception only) thrown overboard by the ignorant sailors.
2 Several hundred negroes were taken in vessels at Guayaquil, the greater part of which were set at liberty, against the advice of Uampier, who wished them to be employed in working the gold mines at Darien for the benefit of the adventurers.
INTRODUCTION. xxv
the voyage. After blockading the latter town for some weeks, they were reinforced by Captains Grogniet and L'Escayer, with 200 French and 80 English freebooters from the isthmus, then by Townley, with 180 English from the same quarter, and again by 260 P>enchmen more, which raised their total strength to 9Ó0 men, distributed in ten vessels of various sizes, but (with the exception of the Bachelor s Delight and the Cygnet) carry- ino- no cannon, Davis being elected Admiral. On the 28th May, 1685, the Spanish Treasure Fleet from Lima, numbering six heavily armed vessels, six smaller ones, and two fire ships, hove in sight ; but havin; received information that the buccaneers' fleet was cruising in the neighbourhood, they had found an opportunity of landing the greater part of the specie and other valuables with which they were laden. A distant cannonade took place between the two fleets, but the buccaneers were daunted by the heavy armament of the Spaniards, who, on their side, were too prudent to provoke an action by which they had nothing to gain. The former then withdrew to the Island of Quibo, where they found another body of pirates. Disputes soon arising between English and French, the former, under Davis, went north and plundered Leon and Rio Lexa, in Nicaragua. Here a fresh split took place. Swan and Townley going in search of the French, while Davis went to the Galapagos, and then cruised along the coast of Peru till the end of 1686, taking several vessels and sacking two or three small towns with profitable results. Some of his men, who desired to secure their plunder, now returned to the West Indies- vid Cape Horn, while the remainder who still adhered to Davis remained on the coast till Ai^nl, lóS;. when they encountered first a Si)anish frigate, which they drove ashore and burnt, and shortly afterwards a squadron of very superior force, from which they suc- cessfully escaped after a running fight which lasted for seven days. In May they once more fell in with Town-
xxvi IN TROD UC TION.
ley and the French buccaneers, and with their re-united forces succeeded in capturing Guayaquil. This was practically the last exploit of Davis and his companions in the South Sea, for after a short visit to the Galapagos to refit they followed Knight round the Horn to the West Indies, where they arrived in the spring of 1688,
It may be interesting here to note that Lionel Wafer, from whose journal an account of this voyage is derived, accompanied Davis in the capacity of surgeon ; also that Dampier in Swan's vessel, the Cygnet, occupied the post of pilot or quartermaster, a post analogous to that of navigating lieutenant or staff-commander in a man-of-war of the present day, and Ringrose, the author of the last part of this history, that of supercargo and pilot on the same vessel.
On leaving Rio Lexa the Cygnet, with two tenders and 340 men, cruised along the coast of Mexico and Central America for some time, her crew landing and skirmishing at intervals with the inhabitants, but they were not fortu- nate enough to meet the galleon from Manila, the capture of which had been their principal reason for visiting the coast. This disappointment resulted in the usual quarrel, and Townley accordingly went south to join Grogniet. Swan remained on the coast a short time, but more than sixty of his men being cut off ^ on shore by the Spaniards, the most severe defeat in the South Seas ever experienced by the buccaneers, he thought it better to retire, and the Cygnet therefore proceeded to Mindanao, in the Philip- pines, where a mutiny took place which caused Swan and thirty-six others to be left behind, the rest, among whom was Dampier, pursuing their voyage and visiting Celebes, Timor, and New Holland, or Northern Australia. Dampier and some others left her at the Nicobar Islands, and somehow managed to reach England. The Cygnet meanwhile just succeeded in reaching Madagascar but in
' Among the slain on this occasion was Basil Ringrose, above men- tioned.
INTRODUCTION. xxvii
SO crazy a condition that she sank at her anchors im- mediately after her arrival. Some of the crew settled or took service with the petty chiefs, the remainder return- ing home as opportunity offered/
Grogniet and the 340 French who had parted company with Davis at Quibo in July, 1685, plundered several towns, and then unfortunately revisited Quibo, where they were discovered by a Spanish squadron in January, 1686, which burnt their vessel while the crew were on shore. They were, however, rescued from their difficul- ties by Townley, in whose company they went north- ward to Nicaragua, and sacked Granada. In May, Grogniet and half the French took the opportunity to recross the isthmus. The other adventurers, however, came back to Panama, disembarked, and took the neigh- bouring town of Lavelia, at which place the valuable cargo of the Lima fleet had been landed the previous year to avoid capture by the buccaneer fleet under Davis. With almost incredible carelessness the viceroy, and the merchants to whom this immense mass of treasure had been consigned, had taken no trouble to remove it to a place of safety, and it consequently fell an easy prey to Townley and his companions, who however lost several of their number in conveying it to the ships. In August they were attacked by three Spanish men-of- war, but were able to give a very good account of them by capturing two and burning the third. They lost, how- ever, the gallant Townley, who died of his wounds a short time afterwards.
In January. Grogniet appeared, and the united forces once more plundered Guayaquil, but their leader was so severely wounded that he died soon after the assault.
In May, Davis rejoined them and remained until his retreat from the South Sea, whereupon, under the command of Le Picard, they set sail for New Spain and landed at Amapalla Bay. Here they destroyed
^ See note, p. xviii.
xxviii INTRODUCTION.
their ships and marched across to New Segovia, which they took. This was their last exploit. We only know that they finally reached Cape Gracias a Dios, on the Gulf of Mexico, about February, 1688, and that the last buccaneers of the South Sea gradually dispersed and were heard of no more.
The first three parts of this volume, written in Dutch by John Esquemeling, and originally published in Amsterdam in 1678, under the title of De Amcri- ccEnechc Zee Roovers, became at once very popular, and were quickly translated into the principal European languages. The translators, however, allowed them- selves considerable latitude in incorporating into their respective versions considerable additional matter, chiefly to bring into prominence the special merits of their com- patriots, e.g., the French version embodying many ex- ploits of the French filibusters not referred to by the Dutch author, while the English edition makes Morgan the principal hero of the story. Esquemeling's book gives a very reliable account of the principal exploits of the buccaneers down to their final disappearance, with the notable exception of their adventures in the South Sea, of which he makes no mention. This defect is, however, amply supplied by the journal of Mr. Basil Ringrose, published in London, which is now extremely scarce and difficult to meet with. Ringrose in the capacity of pilot personally took part in Sharp's voyage and was killed in a plundering raid ; his account is ex- tremely curious and accurate. He also added several sketches and outlines of the principal points and islands along the coast, which have been faithfully reproduced. Captains Sharp and Cowley, a buccaneer well known in his time, also published their journals, but they add but litde to what has already been narrated by Ringrose, Dampier, or Wafer.
THE TRANSLATOR TO THE READER.
The present volume, both for its curiosity and ingemtity, J dare reconuuend to the perusal of our English nation, whose glorious actions it -contains. What relates to the curiosity hereof, this piece, both of N^atural and Human History, was no sooner published in the Dutch original than it zvas snatched up for the most curious libraries of Holland ; it zvas translated into Spanish [two impressions thereof being sent into Spain in one year) ; it zvas taken notice of by the learned Academy of Paris ; and finally recommended as zvorthy our esteem by the ingenious author of the JVeekly Memo?'ials for the Ingenious, printed here at London about two years ago. Neither all this undeservedly, seeing it enlarges our acquaintance of Natu7'al History, so much prized and enquired for by the learned of this present age, zuith several observations not easily to be found in other accounts already received from America : and besides, it informs us [zvith huge novelty') of as great and bold attempts in point of military conduct and valour as ever zvere performed by mankind ; zuithout excepting here either Alexander the Great or Julius Ccrsar or the rest of the Nine Worthies of Fame. Of all zvhich actions, as zee cannot but confess ourselves to have been ignorant hitherto {the very name of Buccaneers being as yet knozvn but to fezv of the ingenious, as their liz'cs, lazus and conversation are in a manner unto none), so can they not choose but be admired, out of this ingenious Author, by zvhosoever is curious to learn the various
XXX THE TRANSLATOR TO THE READER.
revolutions of human affairs. But, vio7'e especially by our English Nation, as 7into whom these things more narroii'ly appertain. We having hei'e more than half the Book filled with the unparalleled if not inimitable adven- tu7'es and heroic exploits of our own countrymen and rela- tions, whose jtndaunted and exemplary courage, zühen called ■upon by our King and Country, we ought to emulate.
From IV hence it has proceeded that nothing of this kind was ever as yet published in England, I cannot easily determijie ; except, as some will say, from, some secret ragion di Stato. Let the reason be as it ivill, this is certain, so much the more zve a7'e obliged to this present Author, ivho, though a stranger to our nation, yet with that candour and fidelity has recorded our actions, as to render the 77ietal of our true E7iglish valour to be the 77i07'e believed a7td feaj-ed abroad, tha7i if these thi7igs had been divulged by ourselves at home. F7'07n hence pe7'adventu7'e will other nations lea7'n, that the E7iglish people are of their ge7iius 77i07'e inclinable to act tha7i to W7'ite ; seei7ig as well they as we have lived tuiacquai7ited with these actions of our nation, tuitil such time as a fo7'eign Author to our cou7it7y came to tell them.
Besides the 77ierit of this piece for its ctwiosity, another
point of 710 less esteem is the t7'uth a7id since7'ity tuhe7'e-
with eve7y thing seems to be penned. No g7'eater 07'7ia-
77ient or dig7iity cafi be added to Histo7y, cither htwian or
nattu^al, than truth. All other embellishme7its, if this be
faili7ig, a7'e of little or 710 esteem ; if this be delive7'ed,
a7'e either 7ieedless or supe7fiitous. What co7ice7'ns this
requisite in our Author, his lines eve7y where decla7'e the
faithfulness and since7'ity of his mind. He W7'ites 7iot
by hearsay, but was an eye-zuit7iess, as he S077tewhe7'e tells
you, to all a7id eve7y 07ie of the bold a7id haza7'dous
atte77pts ivhich he relates. And these he delive7's with
such candour of style, such inge7iuity of 7ni7id, such plai7i-
ness of ivords, such conciseness ofpe7'iods, so 7nuch divested
of rhetorical hype7^boles or the least flou7-i sites of eloqimice,
THE TRANSLATOR TO THE READER. xxxi
SO hugely void of passion or national reflections, that he strongly persuades all along to the credit of lohat he says ; yea, raises the mind of the Reader to believe these things far greater than zuhat he has said ; and having read him, leaves only this scruple or concern behind, that you can read him no longer. In a zvord, such are his deserts that some persons peradventm-e zvould not stickle to compare him to the Father of Historians, Philip de Co?nines : at least, thus much may be said, with all truth imaginable, that he 7'esembles that great Author in many of his excel- lent qualities.
I know some persons have objected to the gi'eatness of these prodigious Adventures, intimating that the resist - ance our Buccaneers found in America was eveiywhei-e but small. For the Spaniards, say they, in the West Indies, are become of late years nothiitg less, but rather much more, degenerate than in Europe, the continual peace they have enjoyed in those parts, the defect of military discipline, and Eiiropean soldiers for their commanders, much contributing hc7runto. But more especially and above all other reasons the very luxury of the soil arid riches, the extreme heat of those countries and influence of the stars being such as totally incline their bodies to an infinite effeminacy and coivardice of mind.
Unto these reasons I shall only answer in brief. This histoiy will convince them to be manifestly false. For as to the continual peace here alleged, ive knozv that no peace could ever be established beyond the Line, since the first possession of the West Indies by the Spaniards till the bmming of Panama. At that time, or feiv months before, Sir William Godolphin by his prudent negociation in quality of Ambassador for our most Gracious Monarch concluded at Madrid a peace to be observed even beyond the Li7ie and through the ivhole extent of the Spanish Do77iinions in the West Indies. This ti'ansaction gave the Spa7iia7^ds 7ieiv causes of complaints against our p7'o- ceedi7igs, that no sooner a peace had l)cen established Jor
xxxii THE TRANSLATOR TO THE READER.
those parts of America, but our Forces had taken and burnt both Cha^re, St. Catharine, and Panama. But our Reply zi'as conz'incinq\ That zuhcreas eight or ten months had been allowed by Articles for the publishing of the said Peace through all the Dominions of both Monarchies in America, those hostilities had been committed, not only without order's from his Majesty of England but also within the space of the said eight or ten months of time. Until that time the Spanish inhabitants of America being, as it zuere, in a peipetual zuar zvith Eiwope, certai7i it is, that no Coasts nor Kingdoms in the World have been 7twre frequently infested nor alarmed with the invasions of several nations than theirs. Thus from the very begin- ning of their cojiquests in America, both English, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Szvedes, Danes, Courlanders and all other Nations that navigate the Ocean, have frequented the West Indies, and filled them zvith their robberies and assaults. F^'om these occasions have they been in con- tinual zuatch and zvard, and kept their Militia in constant exercise, as also their Garrisons p7'etty well provided and paid ; as fearing every sail they discovered at sea to be Pirates of one nation or another. But much more especially, since that Curacoa, Tortuga and Jamaica have been inhabited by English, French and Dutch, and bred up that race of huntsmen, than zvhich no other ever zvas more desperate nor more mortal enemies to the Spaniards, called Buccaneers. Now shall zue say that these People, through too long continuation of peace, have utterly abolished the exercises of zvar, having been all along incessantly vexed zvith the tumults and alarms thereof?
In like manner is it false to accuse their defect of militajy discipline for zvant of European Commanders. For zvho knozvs not that all places, both military and civil, through those vast Dominions of the M^est Indies are provided out of Spain? And those of the Militia most commonly given to expert Commanders trained up from their infancy in the Wars oj Eui'ope, either in Africa,
THE TRANSLATOR TO THE READER. xxxiii
Milan, Sicily, Naples or Flanders, fighting against either English, F^-ench, Dutch, Portuguese or Aloors? Yea, their very garrisons, if you search them in those parts, will peradventu7'e be found to be stocked, thi'ee parts to four ivith soldiers both born and bred in the Kingdom of Spain.
From these considerations it may be inferred what little difference ought to be alloived betwixt the Spanish soldiers, inJiabitants of the West Indies, and those of Europe. And hoiv little the soil or climate has influenced or caused their courage to degenerate toivards cowardice or baseness of mind. As if the very same aiguments, deduced from the natui'e of that climate, did not equally militate against the valour of our famous Buccaneers, and represent this to be of as degenerate metal as theirs !
But nothing can. be more clearly evinced than is the valour of the American Spaniards, either soldiers or officers, by the sequel of this history. What 7iien ever fought moi'e desperately than the garj'ison of Chagre ? Their number being 314, and of all these only thirty remaining ; of which number scarce ten lücj'e unzuounded, and among them not one officer found alive ? Were not 600 killed upon the spot at Panama, 500 at Gibraltar, almost as many more at Puerto del Principe, all dying with their arms in their hands and facing bravely the Enemy for the defence of their Country and private concerns ? Did not those of the toiun of San Pedj'o both fortify themselves, lay several ambuscades, and lastly sell their lives as dear as ever any European soldier could do, L'Ollonais being forced to gain step by step his advance unto the tozvji with huge loss both of blood and men ? Many other instances might be produced out of this com- pendious volume of the generous resistance the Spaniards made in several places, though Fortune favoured not their arms.
Next, as to the personal valour of many of their Com- jnandcj-s, zuhat man ever behaved himself more briskly
xxxiv THE TRANSLATOR TO THE READER.
than the Governor of Gibraltar ; than the Governor of Puerto del Principe, both dying for the defence of their toivns ; than Don Alonso del Canipo, and others? Or what examples can easily parallel the desperate couragt of the Governor of Chagre, zvho, though the palisades were filled, the teri'epleins ivere sunk into the ditch, the breaches ivere entered, the houses all burnt about him, the whole castle taken, his men all killed, yet zvould not ad?nit of any quarter, but chose rather to die under his arms, beijtg shot into the brain, than suj^rendcr himself as a prisoner unto the Buccaneers ? What lion ever fought to the last gasp more obstinately than the Governor of Porto Bello, zvho seeing the tozvn entei'cd by surprisal in the night, one chief castle blozun tip into the air, all the other forts and castles taken, his own assaulted several tuays, both religious men and ivojnen placed at the front of the enemy to fix the ladders against thezualls, yet spared not to kill as many of the said religious persons as he could ; and at last, the zvalls being scaled, the castle entered and taken, all his ozvn men overcome by fire and sword, zvho had cast dozvn their arms and begged mercy from the enemy, yet zvould admit of none for his ozvn life ? Yea, zvith his ozvn hands killed several of his soldiers, to force them to stand to their arms though all zvere lost. Yea, though his own wife and daughter begged of him tipon their knees that he zvould save his life by craving quarter, though the enemy desired of him the same thing, yet would hearken to no cries nor persuasions, but they zvej'e forced to kill him, combating zvith his arms in his hands, being not othcrzvise able to take him prisoner as they zvere desirous to do. Shall these men be said to be infiucnced zvith cozvardice, who thus acted to the very last scene of their ozvn tragedies ? Or shall we rather say, that they zvanted not courage, but fortune ? It beijig certainly true that he zvho is killed in a battle may be equally courageous zvith him that kills. And that zvhosoever derogates from the valour of the Spaniards in the West Indies diminishes in like 7nanner
THE TRANSLATOR TO THE READER. xxxv
the courage of the Buccaneers, his own countrymen, luho have seemed to act beyond moi-tal me^i in America.
Now, to say something concerniitg John Esquemelin<r, the first author of this history. I take him to be a Dutch- man, or at least born in Flajiders, notivithstandino- that the Spanish translation represents him to be native of the Kingdom of France ; his printing this history originally in Dutch, which doubtless must be his native tongue, who otherwise was but an illiterate man, together with the very sound of his name, convincing me thereunto. True it is, he set sail from Finance and ivas some years at Tortuga, but neither of these tzvo argumejtts, draivn from the history, are prevalent. For zvere he a Frenchman born, how came he to learn the Dutch language so pei'- fectly as to pirfer it to his own — especially that not being spoken at Tortuga nor Jamaica, where he resided all the ivhile ?
I hope I have made this English translation something- more plain and correct than the Spanish. Some feiv notorious faults either of the printer or of the interpreter I am sm^e I have redressed. But the Spanish translator complaining much of the intricacy of style in the original {as flowing from a person who, as hath been said, was no scholar^ as he ivas pardonable, being in great haste, for not rendering his own version so distinct and elaborate as he could desire ; so must I be excused from the one, that is to say, elegance, if I have cautiously declined the other, I mean confusion.
THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
PART I.
CHAPTER I.
TJie Author sets forth toivards the Western Islands, in the Service of the West India Company of France. They meet with an English frigate, and arrive at the Island of Tortuga.
We set sail from Havre de Grace, in France, in a ship called St. John, the second day of May, in the year 1666. Our vessel was equipped with eight and twenty guns, twenty mariners, and two hundred and twenty passen- gers, including in this number those whom the Company sent as free passengers, as being in their service. Soon after we came to an anchor under the Cape of Barfleur, there to join seven other ships of the same West India Company, which were to come from Dieppe under the convoy of a man-of-war, mounted with seven and thirty guns and two hundred and fifty men. Of these ships two were bound for Senegal, five for the Caribbee Islands, and ours for the Island of Tortuga. In the same place there gathered unto us about twenty sail of other ships that were bound for Newfoundland, with some Dutch vessels that were going for Nantes, Rochelle, and St. Martins ; so that in all we made a fleet of thirty sail. Here we prepared to fight, putting ourselves into a con- venient posture of defence, as having notice that four English frigates, of threescore guns each, lay in wait
VOL. I. • B
2 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
for us about the Isle of Ornay. Our Admiral, the Chevalier Sourdis, having distributed what orders he thought convenient, we set sail from thence with a favour- able gale of wind. Presently after, some mists arising, these totally impeded the English frigates from discover- ing our fleet at sea. We steered our course as near as we could under the coast of France, for fear of the enemy. As we sailed along, we met a vessel of Ostend, who complained to our Admiral that a French privateer had robbed him that very morning. This complaint being heard, we endeavoured to pursue the said pirate ; but our labour was in vain, as not being able to overtake him.
Our fleet, as we went along, caused no small fears and alarms to the inhabitants of the coasts of France, these judging us to be English, and that we sought some con- venient place for landing. To allay their frights, we used to hang out our colours ; but, notwithstanding, they would not trust us. After this we came to an anchor in the Bay of Conquet, in Brittany, near the Isle of Ushant, there to take in water. Having stored ourselves with fresh provisions at this place, we prosecuted our voyage, designing to pass by the Ras of Fonteneau and not expose ourselves to the Sorlingues, fearing the English vessels that were cruising thereabouts to meet us. This river Ras is of a current very strong and rapid, which, rolling over many rocks, disgorges itself into the sea on the coast of France, in the latitude of eight and forty degrees and ten minutes. For which reason this passage is very dangerous, all the rocks as yet being not thor- oughly known.
Here I shall not omit to mention the ceremony which at this passage, and some other places, is used by the mariners, and by them called Baptism, although it may seem either little to our purpose or of no use. The Master's Mate clothed himself with a ridiculous sort of garment that reached to his feet, and on his head he put a suitable cap, which was made very burlesque. In his.
''BAPTISM AT SEA. 3
right hand he placed a naked wooden sword, and in his left a pot full of ink. His face was horribly blacked with soot, and his neck adorned with a collar of many little pieces of wood. Being thus apparelled, he commanded to be called before him every one of them who never had passed that dangerous place before. And then caus- ing them to kneel down in his presence, he made the sign of the Cross upon their foreheads with ink, and gave each one a stroke on the shoulders with his wooden sword Meanwhile the standers-by cast a bucket of water upon every man's head ; and this was the conclusion of the ceremony. But. that being ended, every one of the baptized is obliged to give a bottle of brandy for his offering, placing it near the main-mast, and without speaking a word ; even those who have no such liquor being not excused from this performance. In case the vessel never passed that way before, the Captain is obliged to distribute some wine among the mariners and other people in the ship. But as for other gifts which the newly baptized frequently offer, they are divided among the old seamen, and of them they make a banquet among themselves.
The Hollanders likewise baptize such as never passed that way before. And not only at the passage above- mentioned, but also at the rocks called Berlingues, near the coast of Portugal, in the latitude of thirty-nine de- grees and forty minutes, being a passage very dangerous, especially by night, when through the obscurity thereof the rocks are not distinguishable. But their manner of baptizing is quite distinct from that which we have de- scribed above as performed by the French. He. therefore, that is to be baptized is fastened, and hoisted up three times at the main-yard's end, as if he were a criminal. If he be hoisted the fourth time, in the name of the Prince of Orange or of the Captain of the vessel, his honour is more than ordinary. Thus they are dipped, every one, several times into the main ocean. But he that is the
4 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
first dipped has the honour of being saluted with a gun. Such as are not willing to fall are bound to pay twelve pence for their ransom ; if he be an officer in the ship, two shillings ; and if a passenger, according to his pleasure. In case the ship never passed that way before, the Captain is bound to give a small runlet of wine, which, if he does not perform, the mariners may cut off the stem of the vessel. All the profit which accrues by this ceremony is kept by the Master's Mate, who after reaching their port usually lays it out in wine, which is drunk amongst the ancient seamen. Some say this cere- mony was instituted by the Emperor Charles the Fifth ; howsoever, it is not found amongst his Laws. But here I leave these customs of the sea, and shall return to our voyage.
Having passed the river Ras, we met with very good weather until we came to Cape Finisterre. Here a huge tempest of wind surprised us, and separated our ship from the rest that were in our company. This storm continued for the space of eight days, in which time it would move compassion to see how miserably the passen- gers were tumbled to and fro on all sides of the ship ; insomuch as the mariners in the performance of their duty were compelled to tread upon them everywhere. This uncouthsome weather being spent, we had again the use of very favourable gales until we came to the Tropic of Cancer. This Tropic is nothing but an imaginary circle which astrologers have invented in the heavens, and serves as a period to the progress of the sun towards the North Pole. It is placed in the latitude of three and twenty degrees and thirty minutes, under the line. Here we were baptized the second time, after the same manner as before. The French always perform this ceremony at this Tropic, as also under the Tropic of Capricorn, towards the South. In this part of the world we had very favourable weather, at which we were infinitely gladdened by reason of our great necessity
PASSAGE TO THE ISLAND O E TORTUGA. 5
of water. For at this tinie that element was already so scarce with us that we were stinted to two half-pints per man every day.
Being about the latitude of Barbados, we met an English frigate, or privateer, who first began to give us chase ; but finding himself not to exceed us in strength, presently steered away from us. This flight gave us occasion to pursue the said frigate, as we did, shooting at him several guns of eight pound carriage. But at length he escaped, and we returned to our course. Not long after, we came within sight of the Isle of Martinique. Our endeavours were bent towards the coast of the Isle of St. Peter. But these were frustrated by reason of a storm, which took us hereabouts. Hence we resolved to steer to the Island of Guadaloupe. Yet neither this island could we reach by reason of the said storm, and thus we directed our course to the Isle of Tortuga, which was the very same land to which we were bound. We passed along the coast of the Isle of Porto Rico, which is extremely delicious and agreeable to the view, as being adorned with beautiful trees and woods, even to the tops of the mountains. After this, we discovered the Island Hispaniola (of which I shall give a description in this book), and we coasted about it until we came to the Isle of Tortuga, our desired port. Here we anchored the seventh day of July in the same year, not having lost one man in the whole voyage. We unladed the goods that belonged to the Company of the West Indies, and soon after the ship was sent to Cul de Sac with some passen- gers.
CHAPTER II.
Description of the Island of Tortuga : of the fruits and plants there grozving : Jioiv the French settled there, at tzvo several times, and cast out tJie Spaniards, first masters thereof. The Author of this book zvas tivice sold in the said Island.
The Island of Tortuga is situated on the North side of the famous and great island called Hispaniola, near the Continent thereof and in the latitude of twenty degrees and thirty minutes. Its exact extent is threescore leagues about. The Spaniards, who gave name to this island, called it so from the shape of the land, which in some manner resembles a great sea tortoise, called by them tortuga de mar. The country is very mountainous and full of rocks, yet notwithstanding hugely thick of lofty trees that cease not to grow upon the hardest of those rocks without partaking of a softer soil. Hence it comes that their roots, for the greatest part, are seen all over entangled among the rocks, not unlike the branching of ivy against our walls. That part of this island which stretches towards the North is totally uninhabited. The reason is, first, because it has proved to be very in- commodious and unhealthy, and, secondly, for the rugged- ness of the coast, that gives no access to the shore, unless among rocks almost inaccessible. For this cause it is populated only on the Southern part, which has only one port that may be esteemed indifferently good. Yet this harbour has two several entries, or channels, which afford passage to ships of seventy guns, the port itself being without danger and capable of receiving a great number
THE ISLAND OF TOR TUG A. 7
of vessels. That part which is inhabited is divided into four other parts, of which the first is called the Low-land, or Low-country. This is the chief of them all, because it contains the aforesaid port. The town is called Cayona, and here live the chief and richest planters of the island. The second part is called the Middle Plantation. Its territory, or soil, is hitherto almost new, as being only known to be good for the culture of tobacco. The third is named Ringot. These places are situated towards the Western part of the island. The fourth, and last, is called The Mountain, in which place were made the first plantations that were cultivated upon this island.
As to the wood that grows on the island, we have already said that the trees are exceedingly tall and pleas- ing to the sight ; whence no man will doubt but they may be applied to several uses with great benefit. Such is the Yellow Saunder, which tree by the inhabitants of this country is called Bois de Chandelle, or in English Candle- wood, because it burns like a candle, and serves them with light while they use their fishery in the night. Here also grows Lignum Sanctimi, by others called Giiaiaaim, the virtues of which are very well known. The trees likewise that afford Gunimi Elemi .^xow^ here in great abundance, and in like manner Radix Chinee, or China Root ; yet this is not so good as that which comes from other parts of the Western world. It is very white and soft, and serves for pleasant food to the wild boars when they can find nothing else. This island also is not deficient in Aloes, nor an infinite number of other medicinal herbs, which may please the curiosity of such as are given to their contemplation. Moreover for the building of ships, or any other sort of architecture, here are found, in this spot of Neptune, several sorts of timber very convenient. The fruits, like- wise, which here abundandy grow, are nothing inferior, as to their quantity or quality, to what the adjacent islands produce. I shall name only some of the most
8 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA
ordinary and common. Such are magniot/ potatoes, Acajou apples, yannas,^ bacones, paquayes, carosoles, mamayns,^ ananas and diverse other sorts, which, not to be tedious, I omit to specify. Here grow likewise in huge number those trees called Palmetto, whence is drawn a certain juice which serves the inhabitants instead of wine, and whose leaves cover their houses instead of tiles.
In this island abounds also, with daily increase, the Wild Boar. The Governor has prohibited the hunting of them with dogs, fearing lest, the island being but small, the whole race of those animals in short time should be destroyed. The reason why he thought con- venient to preserve those wild beasts was that in case of any invasion of an external enemy the inhabitants might sustain themselves with their food, especially if they were constrained to retire to the woods and mountains. By this means he judged they were enabled to maintain any sudden assault or long persecution. Yet this sort of game is almost impeded by itself, by reason of the many rocks and precipices, which for the greatest part are covered with little shrubs, ver)^ green and thick, whence the huntsmen have ofttimes precipitated themselves, and left us the sad experience and grief of many memorable dis- asters.
At a certain time of the year huge flocks of Wild Pigeons resort to this Island of Tortuga, at which season the inhabitants feed on them very plentifully, hav- ing more than they can consume, and leaving totally to their repose all other sorts of fowl, both wild and tame, to the intent that in absence of the pigeons these may supply their place. But as nothing in the universe, though never so pleasant, can be found but what has
1 Probably the mango. There is, however, a local term, " manihot," applied to cassava.
^ Probably the yam.
2 The mammee apple.
THE FRENCH IN THE ISLE OF ST. CHRISTOPHER. 9
something of bitterness joined to it, the very symbol of this truth we see in the aforesaid pigeons. For these, the season being past wherein God has appointed them to afford dehcious food to those people, can scarcely be touched with the tongue, they become so extremely lean and bitter even to admiration. The reason of this bitter- ness is attributed to a certain seed which they eat about that time, as bitter as gall. About the sea shores great multitudes of Crabs ^ are everywhere found, belonging both to the land and sea, and both sorts very big. These are good to feed servants and slaves, who find them very pleasing to the palate, yet withal very hurtful to the sight. Besides which symptom, being eaten too often, they also cause great giddiness in the head, with much weakness of the brain, insomuch that very fre- quently they are deprived of sight for the space of one quarter of an hour.
The French, having in 1625 established themselves in the Isle of St. Christopher, planted there a sort of trees, of which at present there possibly may be greater quan- tities. With the timber of those trees they made Long- boats and Hoys, which they sent thence westward, well manned and victualled, to discover other islands. These, setting sail from St. Christopher, came within sight of the Island of Hispaniola, where at length they arrived with abundance of joy. Having landed, they marched into the country, where they found huge quantities of catde, such as cows, bulls, horses and wild boars. But finding no great profit in those animals unless they could enclose them, and knowing likewise the island to be pretty well peopled by the Spaniards, they thought it convenient to enterprize upon and seize the Island of Tortuga. This they performed without any difficulty there being upon the island no more than ten or twelve
^ Land-crabs are abundant in the West Indies. The violet land- crab {Gecarcinus ruricola), living in communities, burrowing and travel- ling great distances, is the principal variety — it is a great delicacy.
lo THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
Spaniards to guard it. These few men let the French come in peaceably and possess the island for the space of six months, without any trouble. In the meanwhile they passed and repassed with their canoes to Hispaniola, whence they transported many people, and at last began to plant the whole Isle of Tortuga. The few Spaniards remaining there, perceiving the French to increase their number daily, began at last to repine at their prosperity and grudge them the possession they had freely given. Hence they gave notice to others of their own nation, their neighbours, who sent several great boats, well armed and manned, to dispossess the F"rench of that island. This expedition succeeded according to their desires. For the new possessors, seeing the great number of Spaniards that came against them, fled with all they had to the woods ; and hence by night they wafted over with canoes to the Isle of Hispaniola. This they more easily performed having no women or children with them, nor any great substance to carry away. Here they also retired into the woods, both to seek themselves food, and thence with secrecy to give intelligence to others of their own faction ; judging for certain that within a little while they should be in a capacity to hinder the Spaniards from fortifying in Tortuga.
Meanwhile the Spaniards of the greater island ceased not to seek after their new guests, the French, with in- tent to root them out of the woods, if possible, or cause them to perish with hunger. But this their design soon failed, having found that the French were masters both of good guns, powder and bullets. Here, therefore, the fugitives waited for a certain opportunity, wherein they knew the Spaniards were to come from Tortuga, with arms and great number of men, to join with those of the greater Island for their destruction. When this occasion proffered, they, in the meanwhile deserting the woods where they were, returned to Tortuga, and dis possessed the small number of Spaniards that remained
THE FRENCH IN THE ISLE OF ST. CHRISTOPHER, ii
at home. Having so done, they fortified themselves as best they could, thereby to prevent the return of the Spaniards, in case they should attempt it. Moreover, they sent immediately to the Governor of St. Christo- pher, in 1630, craving his aid and relief, and demanding of him to send them a Governor, the better to be united among themselves and strengthened on all occasions. The Governor of St. Christopher received their petition with expressions of much satisfaction, and without any delay sent to them Monsieur le Passeur in quality of a Governor, together with a ship full of men and all other things necessary both for their establishment and defence. No sooner had they received this recruit than the Gover- nor commanded a fortress to be built upon the top of a high rock, whence he could hinder the access of any ships or other vessels that should design to enter the port. To this fort no other access could be had than by almost climbing through a very narrow passage, that was capable only of receiving two persons at once, and those not without difficulty. In the middle of this rock was a great cavity, which now serves for a storehouse ; and, besides, here was great convenience for raising a battery. The fort being finished, the Governor commanded two guns to be mounted, which could not be performed without huge toil and labour, as also a house to be built in the fort ; and, afterwards, the narrow way that led to the said fort to be broken and demolished, leaving no other ascent thereto than by a ladder. Within the fort a plentiful fountain of fresh water gushes out, which perpetually runs with a pure and crystalline stream sufii- cient to refresh a garrison of a thousand men. Being possessed of these conveniences, and the security these things might promise, the French began to people the island, and each of them to seek his living, some by the exercise of hunting, others by planting tobacco, and others by cruising and robbing upon the coasts of the Spanish Islands — which trade is continued by them to this day.
12 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
The Spaniards, notwithstanding, could not behold but with jealous eyes the daily increase of the French in Tortuga, fearing lest in time they might by them be dis- possessed also of Hispaniola. Thus taking an oppor- tunity, when many of the French were abroad at sea, and others employed in hunting, with eight hundred men in several canoes, they landed again in Tortuga, almost without being perceived by the French. But finding that the Governor had cut down many trees, for the better discovery of an enemy in case of any assault, also that nothing of consequence could be done without great guns, they consulted about the fittest place for raising a battery. This place was soon concluded to be the top of a mountain which was in sight, seeing that thence alone they could level their guns at the fort, which now lay open to them, since the cutting down of the trees by the new possessors. Hence they resolved to open a way for carriage of some pieces of ordnance to the top. This- mountain is somewhat high, and the upper part plain, whence the whole island may be viewed. The sides thereof are very rugged by reason of a huge number of inaccessible rocks surrounding it everywhere ; so that the ascent was very difficult, and would always have been the same, had not the Spaniards undergone the immense labour and toil of making the way aforementioned, as I shall now relate.
The Spaniards had in their company many slaves, and Indians, labouring men, whom they call Matates, or, in English, half-yellow men. To these they gave orders to dig a way through the rocks with iron tools. This they performed with the greatest speed imaginable. And through this way, by the help of many ropes and pulleys, they at last made shift to get up two sole cannon pieces, wherewith they made a battery, and intended next day to batter the fort. Meanwhile the French were not igno- rant of these designs, but rather prepared themselves for a defence (while the Spaniards were busied about the
SPANISH ATTACK ON TORTUGA. 13
battery), sending notice everywhere to their companions requiring their help. Thus the hunters of the island all joined together, and with them all the pirates who were not already too far from home. These landed by night at Tortuga, lest they should be seen by the Spaniards. And under the same obscurity of the night, they all together by a back way climbed up the mountain where the Spaniards were posted ; which they more easily could perform as being acquainted with those rocks. They came thither at the very instant that the Spaniards, who were above, were preparing to shoot at the fort, not knowing in the least of their coming. Here they set upon them, at their backs, with such fury as forced the greatest part to precipitate themselves from the top to the bottom, and dash their bodies in pieces. Few or none escaped this attack, for if any remained alive they were all put to the sword, without giving quarter to the meanest. Some Spaniards still kept the bottom of the mountain, but hearing the shrieks and cries of them that were killed, and believing some tragical revolution to be above, fled immediately towards the sea, despair- ing, through this accident, to ever regain the Isle of Tortuga.
The Governors of this island always behaved them- selves as proprietors and absolute lords thereof until the year 1664 ; at which time the West India Company of France took possession of it, and sent thither for their Governor, Monsieur Ogeron. These planted the colony for themselves, by the means of their factors and servants, thinking to drive some considerable trade thence with the Spaniards, even as the Hollanders do from Curacoa. But this design did not answer their expectation. For with other nations they could drive no trade, by reason they could not establish any secure commerce from the beginning with their own. Forasmuch as at the first institution of this Company in France, they made an agreement with the pirates, hunters and planters, first
14 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
possessors of Tortuga, that these should buy all their necessaries from the said Company, taking them upon trust. And although this agreement was put in execu- tion, yet the factors of the Company soon after found that they could not recover either monies or returns from those people. Insomuch as they were constrained to bring some armed men into the island, in behalf of the Company, to get in some of their payments. But neither this endeavour nor any other could prevail towards settlinof a secure trade with those of the island. And hereupon the Company recalled their factors, giving them orders to sell all that was their own in the said plantation, both the servants belonging to the Company (which were sold, some for twenty, others for thirty, pieces of eight), as also all other merchandizes and pro- perties which they had there. With this resolution all their designs fell to the ground.
In this occasion I was also sold, as being a servant under the said Company, in whose service I came out of France. But my fortune was very bad, for I fell into the hands of the most cruel tyrant and perfidious man that ever was born of woman, who was then Governor, or rather Lieutenant General, of that island. This man treated me with all the hard usages imaginable, even with that of hunger, with which I thought I should have perished inevitably. Withal he was willing to let me buy my freedom and liberty, but not under the rate of three hundred pieces of eight, I not being master of one, at that time, in the whole world. At last through the manifold miseries I endured, as also affliction of mind, I was thrown into a 'dangerous fit of sickness. This mis- fortune, being added to the rest of my calamities, was the cause of my happiness. For my wicked master, seeing my condition, began to fear lest he should lose his monies with my life. Hereupon he sold me the second time to a surgeon for the price of seventy pieces of eight. Being in the hands of this second master, I began soon after to
THE AUTHOR SOLD INTO SLAVERY. 15
recover my health through the good usage I received from him, as being much more humane and civil than that of my first patron. He gave me both clothes and very good food, and after I had served him but one year he offered me my liberty, with only this condition, that I should pay him one hundred pieces of eight when I was in a capacity of wealth to do so. Which kind proposal of his I could not choose but accept with infinite joy and gratitude of mind.
Being now at liberty, though like unto Adam when he was first created by the hands of his Maker — that is, naked and destitute of all human necessaries, nor knowing how to get my living — I determined to enter into the wicked order of the Pirates, or Robbers at Sea. Into this Society I was received with common consent both of the superior and vulgar sort, and among them I continued until the year 1672. Having assisted them in all their designs and attempts, and served them in many notable exploits, of which hereafter I shall give the reader a true account, I returned to my own native country. But be- fore I begin to relate the things above-mentioned, I shall say something, for the satisfaction of such as are curious, of the Island Hispaniola, which lies towards the Western parts of America, as also give my reader a brief descrip- tion thereof, according to my slender ability and experi- ence.
'^^
CHAPTER III.
Description of the great and famous Island of Hispaniola.
The very large and rich island called Hispaniola is situate in the latitude of seventeen degrees and a half. The greatest part thereof extends, from East to West, twenty degrees Southern latitude. The circumference is three hundred leagues, the length one hundred and twenty, its breadth almost fifty, being more or less broad or narrow at certain places. I shall not need here to insert how this island was at first discovered, it being known to the world that it was performed by the means of Christopher Columbus, in the year 1492, being sent for this purpose by Ferdinand, the Catholic, then King of Spain. From which time, to this present, the Spaniards have been continually possessors thereof. There are on this island many very good
THE ISLAND OF HISPANIOLA. 17
and strong cities, towns and hamlets ; it also abounds in a great number of pleasant and delicious country- houses and plantations ; all which are owing to the care and industry of the Spaniards, its inhabitants.
The chief city and metropolis of this island is called San Domingo, being dedicated to St. Dominic, from whom it derives this name. It is situated towards the South, in a place which affords a most excellent prospect, the country round about being embellished with in- numerable rich plantations, also verdant meadows and fruitful gardens — all which produce plenty and variety of excellent and pleasant fruits, according to the nature of those countries. The Governor of the island makes his residence in this city, which is, as it were, the storehouse of all the other cities, towns and villages, which hence export and provide themselves with all necessaries what- soever for human life. And yet has it this particularity, above many other cities in other places, that it entertains no external commerce with any other nation than its own, the Spaniards. The greatest part of the inhabitants are rich and substantial merchants, or such as are shop- keepers and sell by retail.
Another city of this island is named Santiago, or, in English, St. James, as being consecrated to the Apostle of that name. This is an open place, without either walls or castle, situate in the latitude of nineteen degrees South. The greatest part of the inhabitants are hunters and planters, the adjacent territory and soil being very proper for the said exercises of its constitution. The city is surrounded with large and delicious fields, as much pleasing to the view as those of San Domingo ; and these abound with all sorts of beasts, both wild and tame, whence are taken a huge number of skins and hides, that afford to the owners a very considerable traffic.
Towards the Southern parts of this island is seen another city called Nuestra Sefiora del Alta Gracia.
VOL. I. c
i8 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
The territory hereof produces great quantities of cacao, which occasions the inhabitants to make great store of the richest sort of chocolate. Here grows also much ginger and tobacco ; and much tallow is prepared of the beasts which hereabouts are hunted.
The inhabitants of this beautiful island of Hispaniola often go and come in their canoes to the Isle of Savona, ' not far distant thence, where is their chief fishery, especi- ally of tortoises. Hither those fish constantly resort in huge multitudes at certain seasons of the year, there to lay their eggs, burying them in the sands of the shore. Thus by the heat of the sun, which in those parts is very ardent, they are hatched, and continue the propagation of their species. This island of Savona has little or nothing that is worthy consideration or may merit any particular description, as being so extremely barren, by reason of its sandy soil. True it is, that here grows some small quantity of ligmim sanctum or guaiacum.
Westwards of the city of San Domingo is also situated another great village, called by the name of El Pueblo del Aso, or the Town of Aso. The in- habitants of this town drive a great commerce and traffic with those of another village, which is placed in the very middle of the island, and is called San Juan de Goave, or St. John of Goave. This place is environed with a magnificent prospect of gardens, woods and meadows. Its territory extends above twenty leagues in length, and grazes a huge number of wild bulls and cows. In this village scarce dwell any others than hunters and butchers, who flay the beasts that are killed. These are for the most part a mongrel sort of people of several bloods ^ ; some of which are born of white Euro-
1 The offspring of a negro and Indian, or a person with three-fourths of black blood, is denominated a zambo or sambo ; a mixture of half white and half black is strictly the mulatto ; three parts white to one part black forms the quadroon ; one-eighth part of black blood marks the mustee or octoroon ; after the octoroon the mixed race are usually considered to be " white-washed," and rank as white. In the British
THE ISLAND OF HISPANIOLA. 19
pean people and negroes, and these are called Mulattos. Others are born of Indians and white people, and such are termed Mestizos. But others are begotten of negroes and Indians, and these also have their peculiar name, being called Alcatraces. Besides which sorts of people, there are several other species and races, both here and in other places of the West Indies, of whom this account may be given, that the Spaniards love better the negro women, in those Western parts, or the tawny Indian females, than their own white European race, whereas peradventure the negroes and Indians have greater inclinations to the white women, or those that come near them, the tawny, than their own. From the said village are exported yearly vast quantities of tallow and hides, they exercising no other traffic nor toil. For as to the lands in this place, they are not cultivated, by reason of the excessive dryness of the soil. These are the chiefest places that the Spaniards possess in this island, from the Cape of Lobos towards St. John de Goave, to the Cape of Samana, near the sea, on the North side, and from the Eastern part, towards the sea, called Punta d' Espada. All the rest of the island is possessed by the French, who are also planters and hunters.
This island has very good ports for ships, from the Cape of Lobos to the Cape of Tiburon, which lies on the Western side thereof. In this space of land there are no less than four ports, which exceed in goodness, largeness and security even the very best of England. Besides these, from the Cape of Tiburon to the Cape of Donna Maria, there are two very excellent ports, and from this Cape to the Cape of St. Nicholas there are no less than twelve others. Every one of these ports has also the confluence of two or three good rivers, in which
West Indies very few of the negroes are of pure black blood, owing to the number of convicts and political prisoners who were sent to the plantations during the earlier settlements of the islands. In Montserrat (known as little Ireland), which was largely colonized by Irish prisoners, the negroes universally bear Irish surnames, and retain the Irish accent.
20 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
are found several sorts of fish, very pleasing to the palate, and also in great plenty. The country hereabouts is sufficiently watered with large and profound rivers and brooks, so that this part of the land may easily be culti- vated without any great fear of droughts, it being certain that better streams are not to be found in any part of the world. The sea coasts and shores are also very pleasant, to which the tortoises resort in huge numbers, there to lay their eggs.
This island was formerly very well peopled on the North side with many towns and villages ; but these, being ruined by the Hollanders, were at last for the greatest part deserted by the Spaniards.
CHAPTER IV.
Of the Fruits, Trees and Animals that are found at Hispaniola.
The spacious fields of this island commonly extend them- selves to the length of five or six leagues, the beauty whereof is so pleasing to the eye that, together with the great variety of their natural productions, they infinitely applaud and captivate the senses of the contemplator. For here at once they not only, with diversity of objects, recreate the sight, but, with many of the same, also please the smell, and, with most, contribute abundancy of delights to the taste. With sundry diversities also they flatter and excite the appetite ; but more especially with the multitude of oranges and lemons, here growing both sweet and sour, and those that participate of both tastes, and are only pleasantly tart. Besides which here abundantly grow several other sorts of the same fruit, such as are called citrons, toronjas and limes, in English not improperly called crab-lemons. True it is that, as to the lemons, they do not exceed here the bigness of a hen's egg ; which smallness distinguishes them from those of Spain most frequently used in these our Northern countries. The date-trees, which here are seen to cover the whole extent of very spacious plains, are exceedingly tall in their proportion, which notwithstanding does not offend but rather delight the view. Their height is observed to be from 150 to 200 feet, being wholly destitute of branches to the very tops. Here it is there grows a certain pleasant white substance not unlike that of white cabbage, whence the branches and leaves sprout, and in which also the seed or dates are contained.
22 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
Every month one of those branches falls to the ground, and at the same time another sprouts out. But the seed ripens only once in the year. The dates are food extremely coveted by the hedgehogs. The white sub- stance growing at the top of the tree is used by the Spaniards after the same manner for common sustenance as cabbage in Europe, they cutting it into slices, and boiling it in their ollas, or stews, with all sorts of meat. The leaves of this sort of date-tree are seven or eight foot in length and three or four in breadth, being very fit to cover houses with. For they defend from rain equally with the best tiles, though never so rudely huddled together. They make use of them also to wrap up smoked flesh with, and to make a certain sort of buckets wherewith to carry water, though no longer durable than the space of six, seven, or eight days. The cabbages of these trees, for so we may call them, are of a greenish colour on the outside, though inwardly very white, whence may be separated a sort of rind, which is very like parchment, being fit to write upon, as we do upon paper. The bodies of these trees are of an huge bulk or thickness, which two men can hardly compass with their arms. And yet they cannot properly be termed woody, but only three or four inches deep in thickness, all the rest of the internal part being very soft, insomuch that, paring off those three or four inches of woody substance, the remaining part of the body may be sliced like new cheese. They wound them three or four foot above the root, and, making an incision or broach in the body, thence gently distils a sort of liquor, which in short time by fermentation becomes as strong as the richest wine, and which easily inebriates if not used with moderation. The French call this sort of palm-trees Frank-palms, and they only grow, both here and elsewhere, in saltish grounds.
Besides these palm-trees of which we have made mention, there are also in Hispaniola four other species
FLORA AND FAUNA OF HISPANIOLA. 23
of palms, which are distinguished by the names of Latanier, Palma Espinosa or Prickle-palm, Palma a Chapelet or Rosary-palm, Palma Vinosa or Wine-palm. The Latanier-palm is not so tall as the Wine-palm, although it has almost the same shape, only that the leaves are very like the fans our women use. They grow mostly in gravelly and sandy ground, their circumference being of seven foot more or less. The body has many prickles or thorns of the length of half a foot, very sharp and pungent. It produces its seed after the same manner as that above-mentioned, which likewise serves for food to the wild beasts.
Another sort of these palm-trees is called Prickle-palm, as we said before, by reason it is infinitely full of prickles, from the root to the very leaves thereof, much more than the precedent. With these prickles some of the barbarous Indians torment their prisoners of war, whom they take in batde. They tie them to a tree, and then taking these thorns, they put them into little pellets of cotton, which they dip in oil, and thus stick them in the sides of the miserable prisoners, as thick as the bristles of a hedgehog ; which of necessity cause an incredible torment to the patient. Afterwards they set them on fire, and if the tormented prisoner sings in the midst of his torments and flames, he is esteemed as a valiant and courageous soldier, who neither fears his enemies nor their torments. But if on the contrary he cries out, they esteem him but as a poltroon or coward, and unworthy of any memory. This custom was told me by an Indian, who said he had used his enemies thus oftentimes. The like cruelties to these, many Christians have seen while they lived among those barbarians. But returning to the Prickle-palm, I shall only tell you that this palm-tree is in this only different from the Latanier, that the leaves are like those of the Frank-palm. Its seed is like that of the other palm-trees, only much bigger and rounder, almost as a farthing, and inwardly
24 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
full of little kernels, which are as pleasing to the taste as our walnuts in Europe. This tree grows for the most part in the marshes and low grounds of the sea coast.
The Wine-palm is so called from the abundance of wine which is gathered from it. This palm grows in high and rocky mountains, not exceeding in tallness the height of forty or fifty foot, but yet of an extraordinary shape or form. For from the root to the half of its proportion, it is only three or four inches thick. But upwards, some- thing above the two-thirds of its height, it is as big and as thick as an ordinary bucket or milk-pail. Within, it is full of a certain matter, very like the tender stalk of a white cabbage, which is very juicy of a liquor that is much pleasing to the palate. This liquor after fermenta- tion and settling of the grounds reduces itself into a very good and clear wine, which is purchased with no great industry. For having wounded the tree with an ordinary hatchet, they make a square incision or orifice in it, through which they bruise the said matter until it be capable of being squeezed out, or expressed with the hands, they needing no other instrument than this. With the leaves they make certain vessels, not only to settle and purify the afore-mentioned liquor, but also to drink in. It bears its fruit like other palms, but of a very small shape, being not unlike cherries. The taste hereof is very good, but of dangerous consequence to the throat, where it causes huge and extreme pains, that pro- duce malignant quinsies in them that eat it.
The Palma a Chapelet, or Rosary-palm, was thus called both by the French and Spaniards, because its seed is very fit to make rosaries or beads to say prayers upon, the beads being small, hard and capable of being easily bored for that use. This fourth species grows on the tops of the highest mountains, and is of an excessive tallness, but withal very straight, and adorned with very few leaves.
Here grows also in this island a certain sort of Apricot trees, whose fruit equals in bigness that of our ordinary
FLORA AND FAUNA OF HISPANIOLA. 25
melons. The colour is like ashes, and the taste the very same as that of our apricots in Europe, the inward stones of this fruit being of the bigness of a hen's egg. On these the wild boars feed very deliciously, and fatten even to admiration.
The trees called caremites are very like our pear-trees, whose fruits resemble much our Damascene plums or pruants of Europe, being of a very pleasant and agree- able taste and almost as sweet as milk. This fruit is black on the inside, and the kernels thereof, sometimes only two in number, sometimes three, others five, of the bigness of a lupin. This plum affords no less pleasant food to the wild boars than the apricots above-mentioned, only that it is not so commonly to be found upon the island, nor in such quantity as those are.
The Genipa-trees are seen everywhere all over this island, being very like our cherry-trees, although its branches are more dilated. The fruit hereof is of an ash colour, of the bigness of two fists, which interiorly is full of many prickles or points that are involved under a thin membrane or skin, the which, if not taken away at the time of eating, causes great obstructions and gripings of the belly. Before this fruit grows ripe, if pressed, it affords a juice as black as ink, being fit to write with upon paper. But the letters disappear within the space of nine days, the paper remaining as white as if it never had been written upon. The wood of this tree is very strong, solid and hard, good to build ships with, seeing it is observed to last many years in the water without putrefaction.
Besides these, divers other sorts of trees are natives of this delicious island, that produce very excellent and pleasant fruits. Of these I shall omit to name several, knowing there are entire volumes of learned authors that have both described and searched them with greater attention and curiosity than my own. Notwithstanding, I shall continue to make mention of some few more in
26 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
particular. Such are the Cedars, which trees this part of the world produces in prodigious quantity. The French nation calls them Acajou; and they find them very useful for the building of ships and canoes.^ These canoes are like little wherry-boats, being made of one tree only, excavated, and fitted for the sea. They are withal so swift as for that very property they may be called " Neptune's post-horses." The Indians make these canoes without the use of any iron instruments, by only burning the trees at the bottom near the root, and afterwards governing the fire with such industry that nothing is burnt more than what they would have. Some of them have hatchets, made of flint, wherewith they scrape or pare off whatsoever was burnt too far. And thus, by the sole instrument of fire, they know how to give them that shape which renders them capable of navigating threescore or fourscore leagues with ordinary security.
As to medicinal productions, here is to be found the tree that affords the g2u?i clemi, wsed in our apothecaries' shops. Likewise guaiaciun, or ligniun sanctum, ligmun aloes, or aloe- wood, cassia lignea, China- roots, with several others. The tree called niapou, besides that it is medicinal, is also used for making of canoes, as being very thick ; yet is it much inferior to the acajou or cedar, as being somewhat spongy, whereby it sucks in much water, rendering it dangerous in navigation. The tree called acoma has its wood very hard and heavy, of the colour of palm. These qualities render it very fit to make oars for the sugar mills. Here are also in great quantities brasilete, or brazil-wood, and that which the Spaniards call iiiaiLcanilla.
Brazil-wood is now very well known in the provinces of Holland and the Low Countries. By another name it is called by the Spaniards Lcnna de Peje paLo. It
^ The French term "Acajou" seems to be apphed by the buccaneers to cedar wood ; it is now, however, almost entirely confined to mahogany.
FLORA AND FAUNA OF HISPANIOLA. 27
serves only, or chiefly, for dyeing, and what belongs to that trade. It grows abundantly along the sea coasts of this island, especially in two places called Jacmel and Jaquina. These are two commodious ports or bays, capable of receiving ships of the greatest bulk.
The tree called inaufanilla, or dwarf-apple-tree,^ grows near the sea shore, being naturally so low that its branches, though never so short, always touch the water. It bears a fruit something like our sweet-scented apples, which notwithstanding is of a very venomous quality. For these apples being eaten by any person, he instantly changes colour, and such a huge thirst seizes him as all the water of the Thames cannot exting-uish, he dying raving mad within a little while after. But what is more, the fish that eat, as it often happens, of this fruit are also poisonous. This tree affords also a liquor, both thick and white, like the fig-tree, which, if touched by the hand, raises blisters upon the skin, and these are so red in colour as if it had been deeply scalded with hot water. One day being hugely tormented with mosquitos or gnats, and as yet unacquainted with the nature of this tree, I cut a branch thereof, to serve me instead of a fan, but all my face swelled the next day and filled with blisters, as if it were burnt to such a degree that I was blind for three days.
Ycao is the name of another sort of tree, so called by the Spaniards, which grows by the sides of rivers. This bears a certain fruit, not unlike our bullace or damson plums. And this food is extremely coveted by the wild boar, when at its perfect maturity, with which they fatten as much as our hogs with the sweetest acorns of Spain. These trees love sandy ground, yet are so low that, their branches being very large, they take up a great circumference, almost couched upon the ground. The trees named Abelcoses bear fruit of like colour with
^ The well-known manchineel, erroneously supposed to be the upas- tree, which latter owes its reputation to a Malay legend.
28 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
the Ycaos above-mentioned, but of the bigness of melons,, the seeds or kernels being as big as eggs. The sub- stance of this fruit is yellow, and of a pleasant taste, which the poorest among the French eat instead of bread, the wild boar not caring at all for this fruit. These trees grow very tall and thick, being somewhat like our largest sort of pear-trees.
As to the insects which this island produces, I shall only take notice of three sorts of flies, which excessively torment all human bodies, but more especially such as never before, or but a little while, were acquainted with these countries. The first sort of these flies are as big as our common horse-flies in Europe. And these, darting themselves upon men's bodies, there stick and suck their blood till they can no longer fly. Their importunity obliges to make almost continual use of branches of trees wherewith to fan them away. The Spaniards in those parts call them mosquitos or gnats, but the French give them the name of maranguines. The second sort of these insects is no bigger than a grain of sand. These make no buzzing noise, as the preceding species does, for which reason it is less avoid- able, as being able also through its smallness to penetrate the finest linen or cloth. The hunters are forced to anoint their faces with hogs' -grease, thereby to defend themselves from the stings of these little animals. By night, in their huts or cottages, they constantly for the same purpose burn the leaves of tobacco, without which smoke they were not able to rest. True it is that in the daytime they are not very troublesome, if any wind be stirring ; for this, though never so little, causes them to dissipate. The gnats of the third species exceed not the bigness of a grain of mustard.^ Their colour is red. These sting not at all, but bite so sharply upon the flesh as to create little ulcers therein. Whence it often
^ This is the Bete rouge, one of the greatest plagues of the West Indies.
INSECTS AND SNAKES OF HISPANIOLA. 29
comes that the face swells and is rendered hideous to the view, through this inconvenience. These are chiefly- troublesome by day, even from the beginning of the morning until sun-setting, after which time they take their rest, and permit human bodies to do the same. The Spaniards gave these insects the name of rojados, and the French that of calarodes.
The insects which the Spaniards call cochinillas and the English glow-worms are also to be found in these parts. These are very like such as we have in Europe, unless that they are somewhat bigger and longer than ours. They have two little specks on their heads, which by night give so much light that three or four of those animals, being together upon a tree, it is not discernible at a distance from a bright shining fire. I had on a certain time at once three of these cochinillas in my cottage, which there continued until past midnight, shining so brightly that without any other light I could easily read in any book, although of never so small a print, I attempted to bring some of these insects into Europe, when I came from those parts, but as soon as they came into a colder climate they died by the way. They lost also their shining on the change of air, even before their death. This shining is so great, according to what I have related, that the Spaniards with great reason may well call them from their luminous quality moscas de fuego, that is to say fire-flies.
There be also in Hispaniola an excessive number of grillones or crickets. These are of an extraordinary magnitude, if compared to ours, and so full of noise that they are ready to burst themselves with singing, if any person comes near them. Here is no lesser number of reptiles, such as serpents and others, but by a par- ticular providence of the Creator these have no poison. Neither do they any other harm than to what fowl they can catch, but more especially to pullets, pigeons and others of this kind. Ofttimes these serpents or
30 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
snakes are useful in houses to cleanse them of rats and mice. For with great cunning they counterfeit their shrieks, and hereby both deceive and catch them at their pleasure. Having taken them, they in no wise eat the guts of these vermin, but only suck their blood at first. Afterwards throwing away the guts, they swallow almost entire the rest of the body, which, as it should seem, they readily digest into soft excrements, of which they discharge their bellies. Another sort of reptiles belong- ing; to this island is called by the name of cafadores de moscas. or tiy-catchers. This name was given to this reptile by the Spaniards, by reason they never could experience it lived upon any other food than flies. Hence it cannot be said this creature causes any harm to the inhabitants, but rather benefit, seeing it consumes by its continual exercise of hunting the vexatious and troublesome flies.
Land-tortoises here are also in great quantities. They mostly breed in mud, and fields that are overflown with w^ater. The inhabitants eat them, and testify they are verv sfood food. But a sort of spider which is here found is very hideous. These are as big as an ordinary egg, and their feet as long as those of the biggest sea- crabs. Withal, they are very hairy, and have four black teeth, like those of a rabbit, both in bigness and shape. Notwithstanding, their bites are not venomous, although they can bite very sharply, and do use it very commonly. They breed for the most part in the roofs of houses. This island also is not free from the insect called in Latin millcpes, and in Greek scolopcndria, or "Many-feet": neither is it void of scorpions. Yet, by the providence of nature, neither the one nor the other bears the least suspicion of poison. For although they cease not to bite, yet their wounds require not the application of any medicament for their cure. And although their bites cause some inflammation and swelling at the beginning, however these symptoms disappear of their own accord.
THE CROCODILES OF HISPANIOLA. 31
Thus in the whole circumference of Hispaniola, no animal is found that produces the least harm with its venom.
After the insects above-mentioned, I shall not omit to say something of that terrible beast called cayman. This is a certain species of crocodile, wherewith this island very plentifully abounds. Among these caymans some are found to be of a corpulency very horrible to the sight. Certain it is, that such have been seen as had no less than threescore and ten foot in length, and twelve in breadth. Yet more marvellous than their bulk is their cunning and subtlety wherewith they purchase their food. Being hungry, they place themselves near the sides of rivers, more especially at the fords, where cattle come to drink or wade over. Here they lie with- out any motion, nor stirring any part of their body, resembling an old tree fallen into the river, only floating upon the waters, whither these will carry them. Yet they recede not far from the bank-sides, but continually lurk in the same place, waiting till some wild boar or salvage cow comes to drink or refresh themselves at that place. At which point of time, with huge activity, they assault them, and seizing on them with no less fierceness, they drag the prey into the water and there stifle it. But what is more worthy admiration is, that three or four days before the caymans go upon this design, they eat nothing at all. But, diving into the river, they swallow one or two hundred-weight of stones, such as they can find. With these they render themselves more heavy than before, and make addition to their natural strength (which in this animal is very great), thereby to render their assault the more terrible and secure. The prey being thus stifled, they suffer it to lie four or five days under water untouched. For they could not eat the least bit thereof, unless half rotten. But when it is arrived at such a degree of putrefaction as is most pleasing to their palate, they devour it with great appetite and voracity. If they can lay hold on any hides
32 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
of beasts, such as the inhabitants ofttimes place in the fields for drying In the sun, they drag them into the water. Here they leave them for some days, well loaden with stones, till the hair falls off. Then they eat them with no less appetite than they would the animals themselves, could they catch them. I have seen myself, many times, like things to these I have related. But besides my own experience, many writers of natural things have made entire treatises of these animals, describing not only their shape, magnitude and other qualities, but also their voracity and brutish inclinations ; which, as I have told you, are very strange. A certain person of good reputation and credit told me that one day he was by the river-side, washing his baraca, or tent, wherein he used to lie in the fields. As soon as he began his work, a cayman fastened upon the tent, and with incredible fury dragged it under water. The man, desirous to see if he could save his tent, pulled on the contrary side with all his strength, having in his mouth a butcher's knife (wherewith as it happened he was scraping the canvas) to defend himself in case of urgent necessity. The cayman, being angry at this opposition, vaulted upon his body, out of the river, and drew him with great celerity into the water, endeavouring with the weight of his bulk to stifle him under the banks. Thus finding himself in the greatest extremity, almost crushed to death by that huge and formidable animal, with his knife he gave the cayman several wounds in the belly, wherewith he suddenly expired. Being thus delivered from the hands of immi- nent fate, he drew the cayman out of the water, and with the same knife opened the body, to satisfy his curiosity. In his stomach he found nearly one hundred- weight of stones, each of them being almost of the bigness of his fist. The caymans are ordinarily busied in hunting and catching of flies, which they eagerly devour. The occasion is, because close to their skin they have certain little scales, which smell with a sweet scent, something
CROCODILES OF HISPANIOLA.
35
like musk. This aromatic odour is coveted by the flies, and here they come to repose themselves and sting. Thus they both persecute each other continually, with an incredible hatred and antipathy. Their manner of procre- ating and hatching their young ones is as follows. They approach the sandy banks of some river that lies exposed to the rays of the south sun. Among these sands they lay their eggs, which afterwards they cover with their feet ; and here they find them hatched, and with young genera- tion, by the heat only of the sun. These, as soon as they are out of the shell, by natural instinct run to the water. Many times those eggs are destroyed by birds that find them out, as they scrape among the sands. Hereupon the females of the caymans, at such times as they fear the coming of any flocks of birds, ofttimes by night swallow their eggs, and keep them in their stomach till the danger is over. And, from time to time, they bury them again in the sand, as I have told you, bringing them forth again out of their belly till the season is come of being excluded the shell. At this time, if the mother be near at hand, they run to her and play with her as little whelps would do with their dams, sporting themselves according to their own custom. In this sort of sport they will oftentimes run in and out of their mother's belly, even as rabbits into their holes. This I have seen them do many times, as I have spied them at play with their dam over the water upon the contrary banks of some river. At which time I have often disturbed their sport by throwing a stone that way, causing them on a sudden to creep into the mother's bowels, for fear of some imminent danger. The manner of procreating of those animals is always the same as I have related, and at the same time of the year, for they neither meddle nor make with one another but in the month of May. They give them in this country the name of crocodiles, though in other places of the West Indies they go under the name of caymans.
VOL. I. D
CHAPTER V.
Of all sorts of quadruped Animals afid Birds that are foimd in this Islajid. As also a relation of the French Biiccaneers.
Besides the fruits which this island produces, whose plenty, as is held for certain, surpasses all the islands of America, it abounds also very plentifully in all sorts of quadruped animals, such as horses, bulls, cows, wild boars, and others very useful to human kind, not only for common sustenance of life, but also for cultivating the ground and the management of a sufficient commerce.
In this island therefore are still remaining a huge num- ber of wild dogs. These destroy yearly multitudes of all sorts of cattle. For no sooner has a cow brought forth her calf, or a mare foaled, than these wild mastiffs come to devour the young breed, if they find not some resis- tance from keepers and other domestic dogs. They run up and down the woods and fields commonly in whole troops of fifty, threescore or more, together, being withal so fierce that they ofttimes will assault an entire herd of wild boars, not ceasing to persecute them till they have at last overcome and torn in pieces two or three. One day a French buccaneer caused me to see a strange action of this kind. Being in the fields hunting to- gether, we heard a great noise of dogs, which had sur- rounded a wild boar. Having tame dogs with us, we left them to the custody of our servants, desirous to see the sport, if possible. Hence my companion and I, each of us, climbed up into several trees, both for security and pros- pect. The wild boar was all alone, and standing against a tree ; with his tusks he endeavoured to defend himself
FIGHT BETWEEN A WILD BOAR AND WILD DOGS. 35
from a great number of dogs that had enclosed him, hav- ing with his teeth killed and wounded several of them. This bloody fight continued about an hour, the wild boar meanwhile attempting many times to escape. At last, being upon the thght, one of those dogs leaped on his back, and the rest of the dogs, perceiving the courage of their companion, fastened likewise upon the boar, and presently after killed him. This being done, all of them, the first only excepted, laid themselves down upon the ground about the prey, and there peaceably continued till he, the first and most courageous of the troop, had eaten as much as he could devour. When this dos: had ended his repast and left the dead beast, all the rest fell in to take their share, till nothing was left that they could devour. What ought we to infer from this notable action, performed by the brutish sense of wild animals } Only this, that even beasts themselves are not destitute of knowledge, and that they give us documents how to honour such as have well deserved, seeing these, being irrational animals as they were, did reverence and respect him that exposed his life to the greatest danger, in vanquishing courageously the common enemy.
The Governor of Tortucja, Monsieur Ogeron, under- standing that the wild dogs killed too many of the wild boars, and that the hunters of that island had much-a-do to find any, fearing lest that common sustenance of the isle should fail, caused a great quantity of poison to be brought from France, therewith to destroy the wild mastiffs. This was performed in the year 1668, by com- manding certain horses to be killed and envenomed, and laid open in the woods and fields, at certain places where mostly wild dogs used to resort. This being continued for the space of six months, there were killed an incredible number in the said time. And yet all this industry was not sufficient to exterminate and destroy the race ; yea, scarce to make any diminution thereof, their number appearing to be almost as entire as before. These wild
36 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
dogs are easily rendered tame among people, even as tame as the ordinary dogs we breed in houses. More- over, the hunters of those parts, whensoever they find a wild bitch with young whelps, commonly take away the puppies, and bring them to their houses, where they find them, being grown up, to hunt much better than other dogs.
But here the curious reader may peradventure enquire whence or by what accident came so many wild dogs into those islands ? The occasion was that the Spaniards, having possessed themselves of these isles, found them much peopled with Indians. These were a barbarous sort of people, totally given to sensuality and a brutish custom of life, hating all manner of labour, and only in- clined to run from place to place, killing and making war against their neighbours, not out of any ambition to reign,, but only because they agreed not with themselves in some common terms of language. Hence perceiving the dominion of the Spaniards laid a great restriction upon their lazy and brutish customs, they conceived an incredible odium against them, such as never was to be reconciled. But more especially, because they saw them take possession of their kingdoms and dominions. Here- upon they made against them all the resistance they were capable of, opposing everywhere their designs to the utmost of their power, until the Spaniards, finding them- selves to be cruelly hated by those Indians, and no- where secure from their treacheries, resolved to extirpate and ruin them every one ; especially seeing they could neither tame them by the civilities of their customs, nor conquer them with the sword. But the Indians, it being their ancient custom to make their woods their chiefest places of defence, at present made these their refuge whenever they fled from the Spaniards that pursued them. Hereupon those first conquerors of the New World made use of dogs to range and search the intricatest thickets of woods and forests for those their implacable and un-
WILD HORSES OF HISPANIOLA. 37
conquerable enemies. By this means they forced them to leave their ancient refuge and submit to the sword, seeing no milder usage would serve turn. Hereupon they killed some of them, and, quartering their bodies, placed them in the highways, to the intent that others might take warning from such a punishment, not to incur the like danger. But this severity proved to be of ill consequence. For, instead of frighting them and reducing their minds to a civil society, they conceived such horror of the Spaniards and their proceedings, that they resolved to detest and fly their sight for ever. And hence the greatest part died in- caves and subterraneous places of the woods and mountains ; in which places I myself have seen many times great numbers of human bones. The Spaniards afterwards, finding no more Indians to appear about the woods, endeavoured to rid themselves of the great number of dogs they had in their houses, whence these animals, finding no masters to keep them, betook themselves to the woods and fields, there to hunt for food to preserve their lives. Thus by degrees they became unacquainted with the houses of their ancient masters and at last grew wild. This is the truest account I can give of the multitudes of wild dogs which are seen to this day in these parts.
But besides the wild mastiffs above-mentioned, here are also huge numbers of wild horses to be seen every- where. These run up and down in whole herds or flocks all over the Island of Hispaniola. They are but low of stature, short-bodied, with great heads, long necks, and big or thick legs. In a word, they have nothing that is handsome in all their shape. They are seen to run up and down commonly in troops of two or three hundred together, one of them going always before, to lead the multitude. When they meet any person that travels through the woods or fields, they stand still, suffering him to approach till he can almost touch them, and then, suddenly starting, they betake themselves to flight,
38 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
running away disorderly, as fast as they are able. The hunters catch them with industry, only for the benefit of their skins, although sometimes they preserve their flesh likewise, which they harden with smoke, using it for pro- visions when they go to sea.
Here would be also wild bulls and cows, in greater number than at present, if by continuation of hunting their race were not much diminished. Yet considerable profit is made even to this day by such as make it their busi- ness to kill them. The wild bulls are of a vast corpu- lency, or bigness of body ; and yet they do no hurt to any person if they be not exasperated, but left to their own repose. The hides which are taken from them are from eleven to thirteen foot long.
The diversity of birds inhabiting the air of this island is so great that I should be troublesome, as well to the reader as myself, if I should attempt to muster up their species. Hence, leaving aside the prolix catalogue of their multitude, I shall content myself only to mention some few of the chiefest. Here is a certain species of pullets in the woods, which the Spaniards call by the name of pintadas, which the inhabitants find without any distinction to be as good as those which are bred in houses. It is already known to everybody that the parrots which we have in Europe are transported to us from these parts of the world. Whence may be inferred that, seeing such a number of these talkative birds are preserved among us, notwithstanding the diversity of climates, much greater multitudes are to be found where the air and temperament is natural to them. The par- rots make their nests in holes of palmetto-trees, which holes are before made to their hand by other birds. The reason is, forasmuch as they are not capable of excavating any wood, though never so soft, as having their own bills too crooked and blunt. Hence provident nature has supplied them with the labour and industry of another sort of small birds called carpinteros, or carpenters.
BIRDS OF HISPANIOLA. 39
These are no bigger than sparrows, yet notwithstanding of such hard and piercing bills, that no iron instrument can be made more apt to excavate any tree, though never so solid and hard. In the holes therefore fabricated be- forehand by these birds, the parrots get possession, and build their nests, as has been said.
Pigeons of all sorts are also here abundantly provided to the inhabitants by Him that created in the beginning and provided all things. For eating of them, those of this island observe the same seasons as we said before, speaking of the Isle of Tortuga. Betwixt the pigeons of both islands little or no difference is observable, only that these of Hispaniola are something fatter and bigger than those. Another sort of small birds here are called cabreros, or goat-keepers. These are very like others called hei^onsetas, and chiefly feed upon crabs of the sea. In these birds are found seven distinct bladders of gall, and hence their flesh is as bitter to the taste as aloes. Crows or ravens, more troublesome to the inhabitants than useful, here make a hideous noise through the whole circumference of the island. Their ordinary food is the flesh of wild dogs, or the carcases of those beasts the buccaneers kill and throw away. These clamorous birds no sooner hear the report of a fowling-piece or musket than they gather from all sides into whole flocks, and fill the air and woods with their unpleasant notes. They are in nothing different from those we see in Europe.
It is now high time to speak of the French nation, who inhabit a great part of this island. We have told, at the beginning of this book, after what manner they came at first into these parts. At present, therefore, we shall only describe their manner of living, customs and ordi- nary employments. The different callings or professions they follow are generally but three : either to hunt, or plant, or else to rove on the sea in quality of pirates. It is a general and solemn custom amongst them all to seek
40 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
out for a comrade or companion, whom we may call partner, in their fortunes, with whom they join the whole «tock of what they possess, towards a mutual and recipro- cal gain. This is done also by articles drawn and signed on both sides, according to what has been agreed between them. Some of these constitute their surviving com- panion absolute heir to what is left by the death of the first of the two. Others, if they be married, leave their estates to their wives and children ; others to other relations. This being done, every one applies himself to his calling, which is always one of the three afore- mentioned.
The hunters are again sub-divided into two several sorts. For some of these are only given to hunt wild bulls and cows ; others hunt only wild boars. The first of these two sorts of hunters are called buccaneers. These not long ago were about the number of six hun- dred upon this island ; but at present there are not reckoned to be above three hundred, more or less. The cause has been the great decrease of wild cattle through the dominions of the French in Hispaniola, which has appeared to be so notable that, far from getting any con- siderable gain, they at present are but poor in this exer- cise. When the buccaneers go into the woods to hunt for wild bulls and cows, they commonly remain there the space of a whole twelvemonth or two years, without returning home. After the hunt is over and the spoil divided among them, they commonly sail to the Isle of Tortuga, there to provide themselves with guns, powder, bullets and small shot, with all other necessaries against another going out or hunting. The rest of their gains they spend with great liberality, giving themselves freely to all manner of vices and debauchery, among which the first is that of drunkenness, which they exercise for the most part with brandy. This they drink as liberally as the Spaniards do clear fountain water. Sometimes they buy together a pipe of wine ; this they stave at the one
HUNTERS AND PLANTERS. 41
€nd, and never cease drinking till they have made an end of it. Thus they celebrate the festivals of Bacchus so long as they have any money left. For all the tavern- keepers wait for the coming of these lewd buccaneers, even after the same manner that they do at Amsterdam for the arrival of the East India fleet at the Texel. The said buccaneers are hugely cruel and tyrannical towards their servants ; insomuch that commonly these had rather be galley slaves in the Straits, or saw brazil- wood in the rasp-houses of Holland, than serve such barbarous masters.
The second sort of hunters hunt nothing else but wild boars. The flesh of these they salt, and, being thus pre- served from corruption, they sell it to the planters. These hunters have also the same vicious customs of life, and are as much addicted to all manner of debauchery as the former. But their manner of hunting is quite different from what is practised in Europe. For these buccaneers have certain places, designed for hunting, where they live for the space of three or four months, and sometimes, though not often, a whole year. Such places are called Desa Boulan ; and in these, with only the company of five or six friends, who go along with them, they continue all the time above-mentioned, in mutual friendship. The first buccaneers we spoke of many times make an agree- ment with certain planters to furnish them with meat all the whole year at a certain price. The payment here- of is often made with two or three hundred-weight of tobacco, in the leaf But the planters commonly into the bargain furnish them likewise with a servant, whom they send to help. To the servant they afford a sufficient quantity of all necessaries for that purpose, especially of powder, bullets and small shot, to hunt with.
The planters began to cultivate and plant the Isle of Tortuga in the year 1598. The first plantation was of tobacco, which grew to admiration, being likewise of very -good quality. Notwithstanding, by reason of the small
42 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
circumference of the island, they were then able to plant but little ; especially there being many pieces of land in that isle that were not fit to produce tobacco. They attempted likewise to make sugar, but by reason of the great expenses necessary to defray the charges, they could not bring it to any effect. So that the greatest part of the inhabitants, as we said before, betook themselves to the exercise of hunting, and the remaining part to that of piracy. At last the hunters, finding themselves scarce able to subsist by their first profession, began likewise to seek out lands that miorht be rendered fit for culture ; and in these they also planted tobacco. The first land that they chose for this purpose was Cul de Sac, whose terri- tory extends towards the Southern part of the island. This piece of ground they divided into several quarters, which were called the Great Amea, Niep, Rochelois, the Little Grave, the Great Grave, and the Augame. Here, by little and litde, they increased so much, that at present there are above two thousand planters in those fields. At the beginning they endured very much hardship, seeing that while they were busied about their husbandry, they could not go out of the island to seek provisions. This hardship was also increased by the necessity of grubbing, cutting down, burning and digging, whereby to extirpate the innumerable roots of shrubs and trees. For when the French possessed themselves of that island, it was wholly overgrown with woods extremely thick, these being only inhabited by an extraordinary number of wild boars. The method they took to clear the ground was to divide themselves into small companies of two or three persons together, and these companies to separate far enough from each other, provided with a few hatchets and some quantity of coarse provision. With these things they used to go into the woods, and there to build huts for their habitation, of only a few rafters and boughs of trees. Their first endeavour was to root up the shrubs and little trees ; afterwards to cut down the great ones.
BE A NS—P O TA TOES- CA SS A I A. 43-
These they gathered into heaps, with their branches, and then set them on fire, excepting the roots, which, last of all, they were constrained to grub and dig up after the best manner they could. The first seed they committed to the ground was beans. These in those countries both ripen and dry away in the space of six weeks.
The second fruit, necessary to human life, which here they tried, was potatoes. These do not come to perfec- tion in less time than four or five months. On these they most commonly make their breakfasts every morning. They dress them no otherwise than by boiling them in a kettle with fair water. Afterwards they cover them with a cloth for the space of half an hour, by which manner of dressing they become as soft as boiled chestnuts. Of the said potatoes also they make a drink called Maiz. They cut them into small slices, and cover them with hot water. When they are well imbibed with water, they press them through a coarse cloth, and the liquor that comes out, although somewhat thick, they keep in vessels made for that purpose. Here, after settling two or three days, it begins to work ; and, having thrown off its lees, is fit for drink. They use it with great delight, and although the taste is somewhat sour, yet it is very pleasant, sub- stantial and wholesome. The industry of this composi- tion is owing to the Indians, as well as of many others, which the ingenuity of those barbarians caused them to invent both for the preservation and the pleasure of their own life.
The third fruit the newly cultivated land afforded was Mandioca, which the Indians by another name call Cassava. This is a certain root which they plant, but comes not to perfection till after eight or nine months, sometimes a whole year. Being thoroughly ripe, it may be left in the ground the space of eleven or twelve months, without the least suspicion of corruption. But this time being past, the said roots must be converted to use some way or another, otherwise they conceive a total
44 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
putrefaction. Of these roots of Cassava, in those countries, is made a sort of granulous flour or meal, extremely dry and white, which supplies the want of common bread made of wheat, whereof the fields are altogether barren in that island. For this purpose they have in their houses certain graters made either of copper or tin, where- with they grate the afore-mentioned roots, just as they do Mirick in Holland. By the by, let me tell you, Mirick is a certain root of a very biting taste, not unlike to strong mustard, wherewith they usually make sauces for some sorts of fish. When they have grated as much Cassava root as will serve turn, they put the gratings into bags or sacks, made of coarse linen, and press out all the moisture, until they remain very dry. Afterwards they pass the gratings through a sieve, leaving them, after sifting, very like sawdust. The meal being thus prepared, they lay it upon planches of iron, which are made very hot, upon which it is converted into a sort of cakes, very thin. These cakes are afterwards placed in the sun, upon the tops of houses, where they are thoroughly and perfectly dried. And lest they should lose any part of their meal, what did not pass the sieve is made up into rolls, five or six inches thick. These are placed one upon another, and left in this posture until they begin to corrupt. Of this corrupted matter they make a liquor, by them called Veycou, which they find very excellent, and certainly is not inferior to our English beer.
Bananas are likewise another sort of fruit, of which is made another excellent liquor, which, both in strength and pleasantness of taste, may be compared with the best wines of Spain. But this liquor of Bananas, as it easily causes drunkenness in such as use it immoderately, so it likewise very frequently inflames the throat, and produces dangerous diseases in that part. Guines agudos is also another fruit whereof they make drink. But this sort of liquor is not so strong as the preceding. Howbeit, both
TO BA CC O -P LA NTING. 4 5
the one and the other are frequently mingled with water, thereby to quench thirst.
After they had cultivated these plantations, and filled them with all sorts of roots and fruits necessary for human life, they began to plant tobacco, for trading. The man- ner of planting this frequent commodity is as follows. They make certain beds of earth in the field, no larger than twelve foot square. These beds they cover very well with palmetto leaves, to the intent that the rays of the sun may not touch the earth wherein tobacco is sowed. They water them, likewise, when it does not rain, as we do our gardens in Europe. When it is grown about the bigness of young lettuce, they transplant it into straight lines which they make in other spacious fields, setting every plant at the distance of three foot from each other. They observe, likewise, the fittest seasons of the year for these things, which are commonly from January until the end of March, these being the months wherein most rains fall in those countries. Tobacco ought to be weeded very carefully, seeing that the least root of any other herb, coming near it, is sufficient to hinder its growth. When it is grown to the height of one foot and a half or there- abouts, they cut off the tops, thereby to hinder the stalks and leaves from shooting too high upwards, to the intent that the whole plant may receive greater strength from the earth, which affords it all its vigour and taste. While it ripens and comes to full perfection, they prepare in their houses certain apartments of fifty or threescore foot in length, and thirty or forty in breadth. These they fill with branches of trees and rafters, and upon them lay the green tobacco to dry. When it is thoroughly dried, they strip off the leaf from the stalks, and cause it to be rolled up by certain people who are employed in this work and no other. To these they afford for their labour the tenth part of what they make up into rolls. This property is peculiar to tobacco, which therefore I shall not omit, that if, while it is yet in the ground, the leaf be pulled oft" from
^6 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
the stalk, it sprouts again, no less than four times in one year. Here I should be glad to give an account also of the manner of making sugar, indigo, and gimbes ^ ; but seeing these things are not planted in those parts where- of we now speak, I have thought fit to pass them over in
silence.
The French planters of the Isle of Hispaniola have always to this present time been subject to the Gover- nors of Tortuga. Yet this obedience has not been ren- dered without much reluctance and grudging on their side. In the year 1664 the West India Company of France laid the foundations of a colony in Tortuga, under which colony the planters of Hispaniola were compre- hended and named, as subjects thereto. This decree disgusted the said planters very much, they taking it very ill to be reputed subjects to a private Company of men who had no authority to make them so ; especially being in a country which did not belong to the dominions of the King of France. Hereupon they resolved to work no longer for the said Company. And this resolution of theirs was sufficient to compel the Company to a total dissolution of the Colony. But at last the Governor of Tortuga, who was pretty well stocked with planters, con- ceiving he could more easily force them than the West India Company, found an invention whereby to draw them to his obedience. He promised them he would put off their several sorts of merchandise, and cause such returns to be made, in lieu of their goods from France, as they should best like. Withal, he dealt with the mer- chants under hand, that all ships whatsoever should come consigned to him, and no persons should entertain any correspondence with those planters of Hispaniola ; think- ing thereby to avoid many inconveniences, and compel them through necessity and want of all things to obey. By this means he not only obtained the obedience he designed from those people, but also that some merchants ^ Probably gambier.
DUTCH TRADING WITH HISPANIOLA. 47
who had promised to deal with them and visit them now and then, no longer did it.
Notwithstanding what has been said, in the year 1669 two ships from Holland happened to arrive at the Isle of Hispaniola with all sorts of merchandise necessary in those parts. With these ships presently the planters aforesaid resolved to deal, and with the Dutch nation for the future, thinking hereby to withdraw their obedience from the Governor of Tortuga, and, by frustrating his designs, revenge themselves of what they had endured under his government. Not long after the arrival of the Hollanders, the Governor of Tortuga came to visit the plantation of Hispaniola, in a vessel very well armed. But the planters not only forbade him to come ashore, but with their guns also forced him to weigh anchor, and retire faster than he came. Thus the Hollanders began to trade with these people for all manner of things. But such relations and friends as the Governor had in Hispaniola used all the endeavours they were capable of to impede the commerce. This being understood by the planters, they sent them word that in case they laid not aside their artifices, for the hindrance of the commerce which was begun with the Hollanders, they should every one assuredly be torn in pieces. Moreover, to oblige farther the Hollanders and contemn the Governor and his party, they gave greater ladings to the two ships than they could desire, with many gifts and presents to the officers and mariners, whereby they sent them very well contented to their own country. The Hollanders came again very punctually, according to their promise, and found the planters under a greater indignation than be- fore against the Governor ; either because of the great satisfaction they had already conceived of this commerce with the Dutch, or that by their means they hoped to subsist by themselves without any further dependence upon the French nation. However, it was suddenly after, they set up another resolution something more
48 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
Strange than the preceding. The tenour hereof was, that they would go to the Island of Tortuga, and cut the Governor in pieces. Hereupon they gathered together as many canoes as they could, and set sail from His- paniola, with design not only to kill the Governor, but also to possess themselves of the whole island. This, they thought they could more easily perform, by reason of all necessary assistance which they believed would at any time be sent them from Holland. By which means they were already determined in their minds to erect themselves into a new Commonwealth, independent of the Crown of France. But no sooner had they begun this great revolution of their litde State, when they received news of a war declared between the two nations in Europe. This wrought such a consternation in their minds as caused them to give over that enterprize, and retire without attempting anything.
In the meanwhile the Governor of Tortuga sent into France for aid towards his own security, and the reduc- tion of those people to their former obedience. This was granted him, and two men-of-war were sent to Tortuofa, with orders to be at his commands. Having received such a considerable support, he sent them very well equipped to the Isle of Hispaniola. Being arrived at the place, they landed part of their forces, with a design to force the people to the obedience of those whom they much hated in their hearts. But the planters, seeing the arrival of those two frigates, and not being ignorant of their design, fled into the woods, aban- doning their houses and many of their goods, which they left behind. These were immediately rifled and burnt by the French without any compassion, not sparing the least cottage they found. Afterwards the Governor be- gan to relent in his anger, and let them know by some messengers that in case they luoidci rehirn to his obedience, he would give ear to some accommodation between them. Hereupon the planters, finding themselves destitute of all
PLANTERS AND THEIR SLAVES. 49^
human relief and that they could expect no help from any- side, surrendered to the Governor upon Articles, which were made and signed on both sides. But these were not too strictly observed, for he commanded two of the chief among them to be hanged. The residue were par- doned, and, moreover, he gave them free leave to trade with any nation zuhatsoever they found most fit for their purpose. With the grant of this liberty they began to recultivate their plantations, which gave them a huge quantity of very good tobacco ; they selling yearly to the sum of twenty or thirty thousand rolls.
In this country the planters have but very few slaves, for want of which they themselves, and some servants they have, are constrained to do all the drudgery. These servants commonly oblige and bind themselves to their masters for the space of three years. But their masters, forsaking all conscience and justice, oftentimes traffic with their bodies, as with horses at a fair ; selling them to other masters, just as they sell negroes brought from the coast of Guinea. Yea, to advance this trade, some persons there are who go purposely into France (the same happens in England and other countries), and travelling through the cities, towns and villages, endeavour to pick up young men or boys, whom they transport, by making them great promises. These, being once allured and conveyed into the islands I speak of, they force to work like horses, the toil they impose upon them being much harder than what they usually enjoin on the negroes, their slaves. For these they endeavour in some manner to preserve, as being their perpetual bond-men ; but as for their white servants, they care not whether they live or die, seeing that they are to continue no longer than three years in their service. These miserable kidnapped people are frequently subject to a certain dis- ease, which in those parts is called coma, being a total privation of all their senses. And this distemper is judged to proceed from their hard usage, together with
VOL. I. E
50 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
the change from their native climate into that which is directly opposite. Oftentimes it happens that, among these transported people, such are found as are persons of good quality and tender education. And these, being of a softer constitution, are more suddenly surprised with the disease above-mentioned and with several others belonging to those countries, than those who have harder bodies and have been brought up to all manner of fatigue. Besides the hard usage they endure in their diet, apparel and repose, many times they beat them so cruelly that some of them fall down dead under the hands of their cruel masters. This I have often seen with my own eyes, not without great grief and regret. Of many instances of this nature I shall only give you the following history, as being somewhat remarkable in its circumstances.
It happened that a certain planter of those countries exercised such cruelty towards one of his servants as caused him to run away. Having absconded for some days in the woods from the fury of his tyrannical master, at last he was taken, and brought back to the dominion of this wicked Pharaoh. No sooner had he got him into his hands than he commanded him to be tied to a tree. Here he gave him so many lashes upon his naked back as made his body run an entire stream of gore blood, embruing therewith the ground about the tree. After- wards, to make the smart of his wounds the greater, he anointed them with juice of lemon mingled with salt and pepper, being ground small together. In this miserable posture he left him tied to the tree for the space of four and twenty hours. These being past, he commenced his punishment again, lashing him as before, with so much cruelty that the miserable wretch, under this torture, gave up the ghost, with these dying words in his mouth : / beseech the Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, that he permit the wicked Spirit to make thee feel as 7nany torments, before thy death, as
TORTURE OF A SLAVE. 51
thou hast caused me to feel before mine. A strange thing and worthy all astonishment and admiration ! Scarce three or four days were past after this horrible fact, when the Almighty Judge, who had heard the clamours of that tormented wretch, gave permission to the Author of Wickedness suddenly to possess the body of that bar- barous and inhuman Amirricide, who tormented him to death. Insomuch that those tyrannical hands, where- with he had punished to death his innocent servant, were the tormentors of his own body. For with them, after a miserable manner, he beat himself and lacerated his own flesh, till he lost the very shape of man which nature had given him ; not ceasing to howl and cry, without any rest either by day or night. Thus he continued to do until he died, in that condition of raving madness where- in he surrendered his ghost to the same Spirit of Dark- ness who had tormented his body. Many other examples of this kind I could rehearse, but these, not belonging to our present discourse, I shall therefore omit.
The planters that inhabit the Caribbee Islands are rather worse and more cruel to their servants than the preceding. In the Isle of Saint Christopher dwells one, whose name is Bettesa, very well known among the Dutch merchants, who has killed above a hundred of his servants with blows and stripes. The English do the same with their servants. And the mildest cruelty they exercise towards them is that, when they have served six years of their time (the years they are bound for among the English being seven complete), they use them with such cruel hardship as forces them to beg of their masters to sell them to others, although it be to begin another servitude of seven years, or at least three or four. I have known many who after this manner served fifteen and twenty years before they could obtain their freedom. Another thing very rigorous among that nation is a law in those islands, whereby if any man owes to another above five and twenty shillings, English money, in case
52 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
he cannot pay, he is Hable to be sold for the space of six or eight months. I shall not trouble the patience of my reader any longer with relations of this kind, as belong- ing to another subject, different from what I have pro- posed to myself in this history. Whereupon I shall take my beginning hence to describe the famous actions and exploits of the greatest Pirates of my time, during my residence in those parts. These I shall endeavour to' relate without the least note of passion or partiality ; yea, with that candour which is peculiar both to my mind and style : withal assuring my reader I shall give him no stories taken from others upon trust or hearsay, but only those enterprizes to which I was myself an eye-witness.
CHAPTER VI.
Of tJie Origin of the most famous Pirates of the coasts of America. A notable exploit of Pierre le Grand.
I HAVE told you in the preceding chapters of this book, after what manner I was compelled to adventure my life among the Pirates of America— to which sort of men I think myself obliged to give this name, for no other reason than that they are not maintained or upheld in their actions by any Sovereign Prince. For this is cer- tain, that the Kings of Spain have upon several occasions sent, by their Ambassadors, to the Kings of France and England, complaining of the molestations and troubles those Pirates often caused itpon the coasts of America, £ven in the calm of peace. To whose Ambassadors it has always been answered : That stich men did not commit those acts of hostility and piracy as subjects of their Majesties ; and therefore his Catholic Majesty might pro- ceed against them according as he should find fit. The King of. France, besides what has been said, added to this answer : That he had no fortress nor castle upon the Isle of Hispaniola, neither did he receive one farthing of tribute thence. Moreover, the King of England adjoined : That he had never given any patents or commissions to those of Jamaica, for committing any hostility against the subjects of his Catholic Majesty. Neither did he only give this bare answer, but also, out of his Royal desire to pleasure the Court of Spain, recalled the Governor of Jamaica, placing another in his room. All this was not sufficient to prevent the Pirates of those parts from acting what mischief they could to the contrary. But before I
54 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
commence the relation of their bold and insolent actions, I shall say something of their origin and most common exercises, as also of the chief among them, and their manner of arming before they go out to sea.
The first Pirate that was known upon the Island of Tortuga was named Pierre le Grand, or Peter the Great. He was born at the town of Dieppe, in Normandy. The action which rendered him famous was his taking of the Vice-Admiral of the Spanish flota, near the Cape of Tiburon, upon the Western side of the Island of His- paniola. This bold exploit he performed alone with only one boat, wherein he had eight and twenty persons, no more, to help him. What gave occasion to this enter- prize was that until that time the Spaniards had passed and repassed with all security, and without finding the least opposition, through the Bahama Channel. So that Pierre le Grand set out to sea by the Caicos, where he took this great ship with almost all facility imaginable. The Spaniards they found aboard were all set on shore, and the vessel presently sent into France. The manner how this undaunted spirit attempted and took such an huge ship, I shall give you out of the Journal of a true and faithful author, in the same words as I read. The Boat, he says, wherein Piei^re le Grand was with his companions, had now been at sea a long time, without finding anything, according to his intent of piracy, suit- able to make a prey. And now their provisions beginning to fail, they could keep themselves no longer upon the ocean, or they must of necessity starve. Being almost reduced to despair, they espied a great ship belonging to the Spanish flota, which had separated from the rest. This bulky vessel they i^esolved to set upon and take, or die in the attempt. Hereupon they made sail towards her, with design to vieiu her strength. And although they jtidged the vessel to be far above their forces, yet the covetousness of such a prey, and the extremity of fortune they were reduced to, made them adventure on such an
ORIGIN OF BUCCANEERING. 55
&nterp7'ize. Bemg now come so near that they could not escape without danger of being all killed, the Pirates jointly made an oath to their captain, Pierre le Grand, to behave themselves courageously in this attempt, without the least fear or fainting. True it is, that these rovers had conceived an opinion that they should find the ship unprovided to fight, and that through this occasion they should master her by degrees. It was in the dusk of the evening, or soon after, when this great action was per- formed. BiU before it was begun, they gave orders to the surgeon of the boat to bore a hole in the sides theixof, to the intent that, their own vessel sinking imder them, they might be compelled to attack more vigorously, and en- deavottr more hastily to run aboard the gi^eat ship. This was performed accoi^dingly ; and without any other arms than a pistol in one of their hands and a sword in the other, they immediately climbed up the sides of the ship, and ran altogether into the great cabin, ivhere they found the Captain, with several of his companions, playing at cards. Here they set a pistol to his breast, commanding him to deliver up the ship to their obedience. The Spani- ards seeing the Pirates aboard their ship, zvithottt scarce having seen them at sea, cried out, " Jesus bless us ! Are these devils, or what are they ? " In the meanwhile some of them took possession of the gun-room, and seized the arms and military affairs they found ther^e, killing as many of the ship as made any opposition. By which means the Spaniards presently were compelled to sur- render. That very day the Captain of the ship had been told by some of the Seamen that the boat, which was in view cruizing, was a boat of Pij'ates. To whojn t/ie Captain, slighting their advice, made answer: "What then ? Must I be afraid of such a pitiful thing as that is ? No, nor though she were a ship as big and as strong as mine is." As soon as Piei^re le Grand had taken this magnificent prize, he detained in his sei'vice as many of the common seamen as he had need of and the rest he set
56 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
on shore. This being done, he immediately set sail for France, carrying with him all the riches he found in that huge vessel : here he continued ivithout ever returning to the parts of America.
The planters and hunters of the Isle of Tortuga had no sooner understood this happy event, and the rich prize those Pirates had obtained, than they resolved to follow their example. Hereupon many of them left their ordinary exercises and common employments, and used what means they could to get either boats or small vessels, wherein to exercise piracy. But not being able either to purchase or build them at Tortuga, at last they resolved to set forth in their canoes and seek them elsewhere. With these, therefore, they cruized at first upon Cape d'Alvarez, whereabouts the Spaniards used much to trade from one city to another in small boats. In these they carry hides, tobacco and other commodi- ties to the port of Havana, which is the metropolis of that island, and to which the Spaniards from Europe frequently resort.
Hereabouts it was that those Pirates at the beginning took a great number of boats, laden with the aforesaid commodities. These boats they used to carry to the Isle of Tortuga, and there sell the whole purchase to the ships that waited in the port for their return, or acciden- tally happened to be there. With the gain of these prizes they provided themselves with necessaries, wherewithal to undertake other voyages. Some of these voyages were made towards the coast of Campeche, and others towards that of New Spain ; in both which places the Spaniards at that time frequendy exercised much com- merce and trade. Upon those coasts they commonly found a great number of trading vessels and many times ships of great burden. Two of the biggest of these vessels, and two great ships which the Spaniards had laden with plate in the port of Campeche to go to Caracas, they took in less than a month's time, by cruiz-
PROGRESS OF BUCCANEERING. 57
ing to and fro. Being arrived at Tortuga with these prizes, and the whole people of the island admiring their progresses, especially that within the space of two years the riches of the country were much increased, the number also of Pirates augmented so fast, that from these beginnings, within a little space of time, there were to be numbered in that small island and port above twenty ships of this sort of people. Hereupon the Spaniards, not able to bear their robberies any longer, were constrained to put forth to sea two great men-of- war, both for the defence of their own coasts, and to cruize upon the enemies.
CHAPTER VII.
After what manner the Pirates arm their vessels, and how they regulate their voyages.
Before the Pirates go out to sea, they give notice to every one that goes upon the voyage, of the day on which they ought precisely to embark, intimating also to them their obligation of bringing each man in particular so many pounds of powder and bullets as they think necessary for that expedition. Being all come on board, they join together in council, concerning what place they ought first to go to wherein to get provisions — especially of flesh, seeing they scarce eat anything else. And of this the most common sort among them is pork. The next food is tortoises, which they are accustomed to salt a little. Sometimes they resolve to rob such or such hog-yards, wherein the Spaniards often have a thousand heads of swine together. They come to these places in the dark of the night, and having beset the keeper's lodge, they force him to rise, and give them as many heads as they desire, threatening withal to kill him in case he disobeys their commands or makes any noise. Yea, these menaces are oftentimes put in execution, without giving any quarter to the miserable swine- keepers, or any other person that endeavours to hinder their robberies.
Having got provisions of flesh sufficient for their voyage, they return to their ship. Here their allowance, twice a day to every one, is as much as he can eat, with- out either weight or measure. Neither does the steward of the vessel give any greater proportion of flesh, or anything else to the captain than to the meanest mariner.
58
DIVISION OF PROFITS AMONG BUCCANEERS. 59
The ship being well victualled, they call another council, to deliberate towards what place they shall go, to seek their desperate fortunes. In this council, likewise, they agree upon certain Articles, which are put in writing, by way of bond or obligation, which every one is bound to observe, and all of them, or the chief, set their hands to it. Herein they specify, and set down very distinctly, what sums of money each particular person ought to have for that voyage, the fund of all the payments being the common stock of what is gotten by the whole expedition ; for otherwise it is the same law, among these people, as with other Pirates, No prey, no pay. In the first place, therefore, they mention how much the Captain ought to have for his ship. Next the salary of the carpenter, or shipwright, who careened, mended and rigged the vessel. This commonly amounts to one hundred or an hundred and fifty pieces of eight,^ being, according to the agreement, more or less. Afterwards for provisions and victualling they draw out of the same common stock about two hundred pieces of eight. Also a competent salary for the surgeon and his chest of medicaments, which usually is rated at two hundred or two hundred and fifty pieces of eight. Lastly they stipulate in writing what recompense or reward each one ought to have, that is either wounded or maimed in his body, suffering the loss of any limb, by that voyage. Thus they order for the loss of a right arm six hundred pieces of eight, or six slaves ; for the loss of a left arm five hundred pieces of eight, or five slaves ; for a right leg five hundred pieces of eight, or five slaves ; for the left leg four hundred pieces of eight, or four slaves ; for an eye one hundred pieces of eight, or one slave ; for a finger of the hand the same reward as for the eye. All which sums of money, as I have said before, are taken out of the capital sum or common stock of what is got by their piracy. For a very exact and equal ^ A piece of eight is equivalent to about five shillings.
«o THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
dividend is made of the remainder among them all. Yet herein they have also regard to qualities and places. Thus the Captain, or chief Commander, is allotted five or six portions to what the ordinary seamen have ; the Master's Mate only two; and other Officers proportionate to their employment. After whom they draw equal parts from the highest even to the lowest mariner, the boys not being omitted. For even these draw half a share, by reason that, when they happen to take a better vessel than their own, it is the duty of the boys to set fire to the ship or boat wherein they are, and then retire to the prize which they have taken.
They observe among themselves very good orders. For in the prizes they take, it is severely prohibited to every one to usurp anything in particular to themselves. Hence all they take is equally divided, according to what has been said before. Yea, they make a solemn oath to each other not to abscond, or conceal the least thing they find amongst the prey. If afterwards any one is found unfaithful, who has contravened the said oath, immediately he is separated and turned out of the society. Among themselves they are very civil and charitable to each other. Insomuch that if any wants what another has, with great liberality they give it one to another. As soon as these Pirates have taken any prize of ship or boat, the first thing they endeavour is to set on shore the prisoners, detaining only some few for their own help and service, to whom also they give their liberty after the space of two or three years. They put in very fre- quendy for refreshment at one island or another ; but more especially into those which lie on the Southern side of the Isle of Cuba. Here they careen their vessels, and in the meanwhile some of them go to hunt, others to cruize upon the seas in canoes, seeking their fortune. Many times they take the poor fishermen of tortoises, and, carrying them to their habitations, they make them work so long as the Pirates are pleased.
TORTOISES. 6p
In the several parts of America are found four distinct species of tortoises. The first hereof are so great that every one reaches the weight of two or three thousand pounds. The scales of the species are so soft that they may easily be cut with a knife. Yet these tortoises are not good to be eaten. The second species is of an indifferent bigness, and are green in colour. The scales of these are harder than the first, and this sort is of a very pleasant taste. The third is very little different in size and bigness from the second, unless that it has the head something bigger. This third species is called by the French cavana, and is not good for food. The fourth is named caret, being very like the tortoises we have in Europe. This sort keeps most commonly among the rocks, whence they crawl out to seek their food, which is for the greatest part nothing but apples of the sea. These other species above-mentioned feed upon grass, which grows in the water upon the banks of sand. These banks or shelves, for their pleasant green, re- semble the delightful meadows of the United Provinces. Their eggs are almost like those of the crocodile, but without any shell, being only covered with a thin mem- brane or film. They are found in such prodigious quan- tities along the sandy shores of those countries, that, were they not frequently destroyed by birds, the sea would infinitely abound with tortoises.
These creatures have certain customary places whither they repair every year to lay their eggs. The chief of these places are the three islands called Caymanes, situ- ated in the latitude of twenty degrees and fifteen minutes North, being at the distance of five and forty leagues from the Isle of Cuba, on the Northern side thereof
It is a thing much deserving consideration how the tortoises can find out these islands. For the greatest part of them come from the Gulf of Honduras, distant thence the whole space of one hundred and fifty leagues. Certain it is, that many times the ships, having lost their
^2 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
latitude through the darkness of the weather, have steered their course only by the noise of the tortoises swimming that way, and have arrived at those isles. When their season of hatching is past, they retire towards the Island of Cuba, where are many good places that afford them food. But while they are at the Islands of Caymanes, they eat very little or nothing. When they have been about the space of one month in the seas of Cuba, and are grown fat, the Spaniards go out to fish for them, they being then to be taken in such abundance that they provide with them sufficiently their cities, towns and villages. Their manner of taking them is by making with a great nail a certain kind of dart. This they fix at the end of a long stick or pole, with which they wound the tortoises, as with a dagger, whensoever they appear above water to breathe fresh air.
The inhabitants of New Spain and Campeche lade their principal sorts of merchandises in ships of great bulk ; and with these they exercise their commerce to and fro. The vessels from Campeche in winter time set out towards Caracas, Trinity Isles and Margarita. For in summer the winds are contrary, though very favourable to return to Campeche, as they are accustomed to do at the beginning of that season. The Pirates are not ignorant of these times, being very dextrous in searching out all places and circumstances most suitable to their designs. Hence in the places and seasons afore- mentioned, they cruize upon the said ships for some while. But in case they can perform nothing, and that fortune does not favour them with some prize or other, after holding a council thereupon, they commonly enter- prize things very desperate. Of these their resolutions I shall give you one instance very remarkable. One certain Pirate, whose name was Pierre Fran9ois, or Peter Francis, happened to be a long time at sea with his boat and six and twenty persons, waiting for the ships that were to return from Maracaibo towards Campeche. Not
ATTACK ON SPANISH PEARL-FISHERS. 63
being able to find anything, nor get any prey, at last he resolved to direct his course to Rancherias, which is near the river called De la Plata, in the latitude of twelve degrees and a half North, In this place lies a rich bank of pearl, to the fishery whereof they yearly send from Cartagena a fleet of a dozen vessels, with a man-of- war for their defence. Every vessel has at least a couple of negroes in it, who are very dextrous in diving, even to the depth of six fathoms within the sea, whereabouts they find good -store of pearls. Upon this fleet of vessels, though small, called the Pearl Fleet, Pierre Francois resolved to adventure, rather than go home with empty hands. They rode at anchor, at that time, at the mouth of the river De la Hacha, the man-of-war being scarce half a league distant from the small ships, and the wind very calm. Having espied them in this posture, he presently pulled down his sails and rowed along the coast, dissembling to be a Spanish vessel that came from Maracaibo, and only passed that way. But no sooner was he come to the Pearl Bank, than suddenly he assaulted the Vice-Admiral of the said fleet, mounted with eight guns and threescore men well armed, com- manding them to surrender. But the Spaniards, running to their arms, did what they could to defend them- selves, fighting for some while ; till at last they were constrained to submit to the Pirate. Being thus pos- sessed of the Vice-Admiral, he resolved next to adven- ture with some other stratagem upon the man-of-war, thinking thereby to get strength sufficient to master the rest of the fleet. With this intent he presently sank his own boat in the river, and, putting forth the Spanish colours, weighed anchor, with a little wind, which then began to stir, having with promises and menaces com- pelled most of the Spaniards to assist him in his design. But no sooner did the man-of-war perceive one of his fleet to set sail than he did so too, fearing lest the mariners should have any design to run away with the
64 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
vessel and riches they had on board. This caused the Pirates immediately to give over that dangerous enter- prize, thinking themselves unable to encounter force to force with the said man-of-war that now came against them. Hereupon they attempted to get out of the river and gain the open seas with the riches they had taken, by making as much sail as possibly the vessel would bear. This being perceived by the man-of-war, he presently gave them chase. But the Pirates, having laid on too much sail, and a gust of wind suddenly arising, had their main-mast blown down by the board, which disabled them from prosecuting their escape.
This unhappy event much encouraged those that were in the man-of-war, they advancing and gaining upon the Pirates every moment ; by which means at last they were overtaken. But these notwithstanding, finding them- selves still with two and twenty persons sound, the rest being either killed or wounded, resolved to defend them- selves so long as it were possible. This they performed very courageously for some while, until being thereunto forced by the man-of-war, they were compelled to sur- render. Yet this was not done without Articles, which the Spaniards were glad to allow them, as follows : That they should not use them as slaves, forcing them to carry or bring stones, or employing them in other labours, for three or four years, as they commonly employ their negroes. But that they should set them on shore, upon free land, without doing them any harm in their bodies. Upon these Articles they delivered themselves, with all that they had taken, which was worth only in pearls to the value of above one hundred thousand pieces of eight, besides the vessel, provisions, goods and other things. All which, being put together, would have made to this Pirate one of the greatest prizes he could desire ; which he would certainly have obtained, had it not been for the loss of his main-mast, as was said before.
Another bold attempt, not unlike that which I have
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BARTHOLOMEW PORTUGUES. 65
related, nor less remarkable, I shall also give you at present. A certain Pirate, born in Portugal, and from the name of his country called Bartholomew Portugues, was cruizing in his boat from Jamaica (wherein he had only thirty men and four small guns) upon the Cape de Corrientes, in the Island of Cuba. In this place he met with a great ship, that came from Maracaibo and Carte- gena, bound for the Havana, well provided with twenty great guns and threescore and ten men, between pas- sengers and mariners. This ship he presently assaulted, but found as strongly defended by them that were on board. The Pirate escaped the first encounter, resolving to attack her more vigorously than before, seeing he had sustained no great damage hitherto. This resolution he boldly performed, renewing his assaults so often that after a long and dangerous fight he became master of the great vessel. The Portuguese lost only ten men and had four wounded, so that he had still remain- ing twenty fighting men, whereas the Spaniards had double that number. Having possessed themselves of such a ship, and the wind being contrary to return to Jamaica, they resolved to steer their course towards the Cape of Saint Antony (which lies on the Western side of the Isle of Cuba), there to repair themselves and take in fresh water, of which they had great neces- sity at that time.
Being now very near the cape above-mentioned, they unexpectedly met with three great ships that were coming from New Spain and bound for the Havana. By these, as not being able to escape, they were easily retaken, both ship and Pirates. Thus they were all made prisoners, through the sudden change of fortune, and found them- selves poor, oppressed, and stripped of all the riches they had pillaged so litde before. The cargo of this ship consisted of one hundred and twenty thousand weight of cacao-nuts, the chief ingredient of that rich liquor called chocolate, and threescore and ten thousand pieces
VOL. I. F
66 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
of eight. Two days after this misfortune, there happened to arise a huge and dangerous tempest, which largely separated the ships from one another. The great vessel wherein the Pirates were, arrived at Campeche, where many considerable merchants came to salute and welcome the Captain thereof These presently knew the Portu- guese Pirate, as being him who had committed innumer- able excessive insolences upon those coasts, not only infinite murders and robberies, but also lamentable incendiimis {i.e., fires), which the people of Campeche still preserved very fresh in their memory.
Hereupon, the next day after their arrival, the magis- trates of the city sent several of their officers to demand and take into custody the criminal prisoners from on board the ship, with intent to punish them according to their deserts. Yet fearing lest the Captain of those Pirates should escape out of their hands on shore (as he had formerly done, being once their prisoner in the city before), they judged it more convenient to leave him safely guarded on board the ship for the present. In the meanwhile they caused a gibbet to be erected, where- upon to hang him the very next day, without any other form of process than to lead him from the ship to the place of punishment. The rumour of this future tragedy was presently brought to Bartholomew Portugues' ears, whereby he sought all the means he could to escape that night. With this design he took two earthen jars, wherein the Spaniards usually carry wine from Spain to the West Indies, and stopped them very well, intend- ing to use them for swimming, as those who are unskilful in that art do calabashes, a sort of pumpkins, in Spain, and in other places empty bladders. Having made this necessary preparation, he waited for the night, when all should be asleep, even the sentry that guarded him. But seeing he could not escape his vigilancy, he secredy secured a knife, and with the same gave him such a mortal stab as suddenly deprived him of life and the
ESCAPE OF BARTHOLOMEW PORTUGUES. 67
possibility of making any noise. At that instant he com- mitted himself to sea, with those two earthen jars before- mentioned, and by their help and support, though never having learned to swim, he reached the shore. Being arrived upon land, without any delay he took refuge in the woods, where he hid himself for three days, without daring to appear nor eating any other food than wild herbs. Those of the city failecPnot the next day to make a diligent search for him in the woods, where they con- cluded him to be. This strict enquiry Portugues had the convenience to espy from the hollow of a tree, where- in he lay absconded. Hence perceiving them to return without finding what they sought for, he adventured to sally forth towards the coasts called Del Golfo Triste, forty leagues distant from the city of Campeche. Hither he arrived within a fortnight after his escape from the ship. In which space of time, as also afterwards, he endured extreme hunger, thirst, and fears of falling again into the hands of the Spaniards. For during all this journey he had no other provision with him than a small calabash, with a little water ; neither did he eat anything else than a few shell-fish, which he found among the rocks near the sea-shore. Besides that, he was compelled to pass some rivers, not knowing well to swim. Being in this distress, he found an old board, which the waves had thrown upon the shore, wherein stuck a few great nails. These he took, and with no small labour whetted aofainst a stone, until he had made them capable of cutting like knives, though very imperfectly. With these, and no better instruments, he cut down some branches of trees, which with twigs and osiers he joined together, and made as well as he could a boat, or rather a raft, wherewith he rafted over the rivers. Thus he arrived finally at the Cape of Golfo Triste, as was said before, where he happened to find a certain vessel of Pirates, who were great comrades of his own, and were -lately come from Jamaica.
68 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
To these Pirates he instantly related all his adversities and misfortunes, and withal demanded of them that they would fit him with a boat and twenty men. With which company alone he promised to return to Campeche and assault the ship that was in the river, which he had been taken by and escaped from fourteen days before. They readily granted his request, and equipped him a boat with the said number of men. With this small company he set forth towards the execution of his design, which he bravely performed eight days after he separated from his comrades at the Cape of Golfo Triste. For being arrived at the river of Campeche, with undaunted courage and without any rumour of noise he assaulted the ship before- mentioned. Those that were on board were persuaded this was a boat from land, that came to bring contraband goods ; and hereupon were not in any posture of defence. Thus the Pirates, laying hold on this occasion, assaulted them without any fear of ill success, and in short space of time compelled the Spaniards to surrender.
Being now masters of the ship, they immediately weighed anchor and set sail, determining to fly from the port, lest they should be pursued by other vessels. This they did with extremity of joy, seeing themselves possessors of such a brave ship. Especially Portugues, their captain, who now by a second turn of Fortune's wheel was become rich and powerful again, who had been so lately in that same vessel a poor miserable prisoner and condemned to the gallows. With this great booty he designed in his mind greater things ; which he might well hope to obtain, seeing he had found in the vessel great quantity of rich merchandise still remaining on board, although the plate had been transported into the city. Thus he continued his voyage towards Jamaica for some days. But coming near the Isle of Pinos, on the South side of the Island of Cuba, Fortune suddenly turned her back upon him once more, never to show him her countenance again. For a horrible storm arising at
ROCHE BRASILIANO. 69
sea occasioned the ship to split against the rocks or banks called Jardines. Insomuch that the vessel was totally lost, and Portugues, with his companions, escaped in a canoe. After this manner he arrived at Jamaica, where he remained no long time, being only there till he could prepare himself to seek his fortune anew, which from that time proved always adverse to him.
Nothing less rare and admirable than the preceding are the actions of another Pirate, who at present lives at Jamaica, and who has on sundry occasions enterprized and achieved things very strange. The place of his birth was the city of Groningen, in the United Provinces; but his own proper name is not known : the Pirates, his companions, having only given him that of Roche Brasiliano by reason of his long residence in the country of Brazil, whence he was forced to flee, when the Portuguese retook those countries from the West India Company of Amsterdam, several nations then inhabiting at Brazil (as English, French, Dutch and others) being constrained to seek new fortunes.
This fellow at that conjuncture of time retired to Jamaica, where being at a stand how to get a liveli- hood, he entered the Society of Pirates. Under these he served in quality of a private mariner for some while, in which degree he behaved himself so well that he was both beloved and respected by all, as one that deserved to be their Commander for the future. One day certain mariners happened to engage in a dissension with their Captain ; the effect whereof was that they left the boat. Brasiliano followed the rest, and by these was chosen for their conductor and leader, who also fitted