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THE PIRATES OF PANAMA
[Illustration: "THE MAN-OF-WAR GAVE THEM CHASE"--_Page 43_]
THE PIRATES OF PANAMA
Or
The Buccaneers of America
A True Account of the Famous Adventures and Daring Deeds of Sir Henry
Morgan and Other Notorious Freebooters of the Spanish Main
by
JOHN ESQUEMELING
_One of the Buccaneers who was Present at those Tragedies_
EDITED AND ILLUSTRATED BY GEORGE ALFRED WILLIAMS
[Illustration]
New York
Frederick A. Stokes Company
Publishers
Copyright, 1914, by Frederick A. Stokes Company
All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign
languages.
Printed in the United States of America
CONTENTS
PAGE
(1) INTRODUCTION BY GEORGE ALFRED WILLIAMS xi
(2) THE TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION xv
CHAPTER I.
The Introduction--The Author sets forth for 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 1
CHAPTER II.
A description of Tortuga--The fruits and plants there--How
the French first settled there, at two several times,
and forced out the Spaniards--The Author twice sold in
the said island 7
CHAPTER III.
A description of Hispaniola--Also a relation of the French
Buccaneers 19
CHAPTER IV.
Original of the most famous pirates of the coasts of
America--Famous exploit of Pierre le Grand 34
CHAPTER V.
How the pirates arm their vessels, and regulate their
voyages 39
CHAPTER VI.
Of the origin of Francis Lolonois, and the beginning of
his robberies 57
CHAPTER VII.
Lolonois equips a fleet to land upon the Spanish islands
of America, with intent to rob, sack, and burn whatsoever
he met with 63
CHAPTER VIII.
Lolonois makes new preparations to take the city of St.
James de Leon; as also that of Nicaragua; where he
miserably perishes 81
CHAPTER IX.
The origin and descent of Captain Henry Morgan--His
exploits, and the most remarkable actions of his life 101
CHAPTER X.
Of the Island of Cuba--Captain Morgan attempts to
preserve the Isle of St. Catherine as a refuge to the
nest of pirates; but fails of his design--He arrives
at, and takes, the village of El Puerto del Principe 112
CHAPTER XI.
Captain Morgan resolving to attack and plunder the City
of Puerto Bello, equips a fleet, and with little
expense and small forces takes it 123
CHAPTER XII.
Captain Morgan takes the City of Maracaibo, on the coast
of Neuva Venezuela--Piracies committed in those
seas--Ruin of three Spanish ships set forth to hinder
the robberies of the pirates 134
CHAPTER XIII.
Captain Morgan goes to Hispaniola to equip a new fleet,
with intent to pillage again on the coast of the West
Indies 170
CHAPTER XIV.
What happened in the river De la Hacha 173
CHAPTER XV.
Captain Morgan leaves Hispaniola, and goes to St.
Catherine's, which he takes 179
CHAPTER XVI.
Captain Morgan takes the Castle of Chagre, with four
hundred men sent to this purpose from St. Catherine's 187
CHAPTER XVII.
Captain Morgan departs from Chagre, at the head of
twelve hundred men, to take the city of Panama 195
CHAPTER XVIII.
Captain Morgan sends canoes and boats to the South
Sea--He fires the city of Panama--Robberies and
cruelties committed there by the pirates, till
their return to the Castle of Chagre 213
ILLUSTRATIONS
"The Man-of-War gave them chase" _Frontispiece_
FACING
PAGE
Pierre le Grand commanding the Spanish Captain to surrender
the ship 36
"Portugues made the best of his way to del Golpho Triste" 46
"They boarded the ship with great agility" 92
"Lolonois, with those that remained, had much ado to
escape aboard their boats" 96
Captain Morgan recruiting his forces 114
"Being come to the place of the duel, the Englishman
stabbed the Frenchman in the back" 120
"Morgan commanded the religious men and women to place
the ladders against the walls" 128
"They hanged him on a tree" 146
"The fire-ship sailing before the rest fell presently
upon the great ship" 158
Morgan dividing the treasure taken at Maracaibo 166
Sacking of Panama--"Morgan re-entered the city with his
troops" 214
INTRODUCTION
This volume was originally written in Dutch by John Esquemeling, and
first published in Amsterdam in 1678 under the title of De Americaeneche
Zee Roovers. It immediately became very popular and this first hand
history of the Buccaneers of America was soon translated into the
principal European languages. The first English edition was printed in
1684.
Of the author, John Esquemeling, very little is known although it is
generally conceded that he was in all probability a Fleming or
Hollander, a quite natural supposition as his first works were written
in the Dutch language. He came to the island of Tortuga, the
headquarters of the Buccaneers, in 1666 in the employ of the French West
India Company. Several years later this same company, owing to
unsuccessful business arrangements, recalled their representatives to
France and gave their officers orders to sell the company's land and all
its servants. Esquemeling then a servant of the company was sold to a
stern master by whom he was treated with great cruelty. Owing to hard
work, poor food and exposure he became dangerously ill, and his master
seeing his weak condition and fearing to lose the money Esquemeling had
cost him resold him to a surgeon. This new master treated him kindly so
that Esquemeling's health was speedily restored, and after one year's
service he was set at liberty upon a promise to pay his benefactor, the
surgeon, 100 pieces of eight at such a time as he found himself in
funds.
Once more a free man he determined to join the pirates and was received
into their society and remained with them until 1672. Esquemeling served
the Buccaneers in the capacity of barber-surgeon, and was present at all
their exploits. Little did he suspect that his first hand observations
would some day be cherished as the only authentic and true history of
the Buccaneers and Marooners of the Spanish Main.
From time to time new editions of this work have been published, but in
many cases much new material, not always authentic, has been added and
the result has been to mar the original narrative as set forth by
Esquemeling. In arranging this edition, the original English text only
has been used, and but few changes made by cutting out the long and
tedious description of plant and animal life of the West Indies of which
Esquemeling had only a smattering of truth. But, the history of Captain
Morgan and his fellow buccaneers is here printed almost identical with
the original English translation, and we believe it is the first time
this history has been published in a suitable form for the juvenile
reader with no loss of interest to the adult.
The world wide attention at this time in the Isthmus of Panama and the
great canal connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean lends to this
narrative an additional stimulus. Here are set forth the deeds of daring
of the wild freebooters in crossing the isthmus to attack the cities,
Puerto Bellow and Panama. The sacking and burning of these places
accompanied by pillage, fire, and treasure seeking both on land and on
sea form exciting reading. _The Buccaneers and Marooners of America_
well deserves a place on the book shelf with those old world-wide
favorites _Robinson Crusoe_ and the _Swiss Family Robinson_.
GEORGE ALFRED WILLIAMS.
THE TRANSLATOR
TO THE
READER (OF 1684).
_THE present Volume, both for its Curiosity and Ingenuity, I dare
recommend unto the perusal of our English nation, whose glorious actions
it containeth. What relateth unto the curiosity hereof, this Piece, both
of Natural and Humane History, was no sooner published in the_ Dutch
Original, _than it was snatch't up for the most curious Library's of_
Holland; _it was Translated into_ Spanish _(two impressions thereof
being sent into_ Spain _in one year_); _it was taken notice of by the
learned Academy of Paris; and finally recommended as worthy our esteem,
by the ingenious Author of the_ Weekly Memorials for the Ingenious,
_printed here at_ London _about two years ago. Neither all this
undeservedly, seeing it enlargeth our acquaintance of Natural History,
so much prized and enquir'd for, by the Learned of this present Age,
with several observations not easily to be found in other accounts
already received from_ America: _and besides, it informeth us (with
huge novelty) of as great and bold attempts, in point of Military
conduct and valour, as ever were performed by mankind; without
excepting, here, either_ Alexander the Great, _or_ Julius Cæsar, _or the
rest of the_ Nine Worthy's of Fame. _Of all which actions, as we cannot
confess ourselves to have been ignorant hitherto (the very name of_
Bucaniers _being, as yet, known but unto few of the_ Ingenious; _as
their Lives, Laws, and Conversation, are in a manner unto none) so can
they not choose but be admired, out of this ingenuous Author, by
whosoever is curious to learn the various revolutions of humane affairs.
But, more especially by our_ English Nation; _as unto whom these things
more narrowly do appertain. We having here more than half the Book
filled with the unparallel'd, if not inimitable, adventures and_ Heroick
_exploits of our own Country-men, and Relations; whose undaunted, and
exemplary courage, when called upon by our King and Country, we ought to
emulate._
_From whence it hath proceeded, that nothing of this kind was ever, as
yet, published in_ England, _I cannot easily determine; except, as some
will say, from some secret_ Ragion di Stato. _Let the reason be as
t'will; this is certain, so much the more we are obliged unto this
present Author, who though a stranger unto our Nation, yet with that
Candour and Fidelity hath recorded our Actions, as to render the Metal
of our true English Valour to be the more believed and feared abroad,
than if these things had been divulged by our selves at home. From hence
peradventure will other Nations learn, that the English people are of
their Genius more inclinable to act than to write; seeing as well they
as we have lived unacquainted with these actions of our Nation, until
such time as a Foreign Author to our Country came to tell them._
_Besides the merits of this Piece for its curiosity, another point of
no less esteem, is the truth and sincerity wherewith everything seemeth
to be penned. No greater ornament or dignity can be added unto History,
either humane or natural, than truth. All other embellishments, if this
be failing, are of little or no esteem; if this be delivered, are either
needless or superfluous. What concerneth this requisite in our Author,
his lines do everywhere declare the faithfulness and sincerity of his
mind. He writeth not by hearsay, but was an eye witness, as he somewhere
telleth you, unto all and every one of the bold and hazardous attempts
which he relateth. And these he delivereth with such candour of stile,
such ingenuity of mind, such plainness of words, such conciseness of
periods, so much divested of Rhetorical Hyperboles, or the least
flourishes of Eloquence, so hugely void of Passion or national
Reflections, as that he strongly perswadeth all-along to the credit of
what he saith; yea, raiseth the mind of the Reader to believe these
things far greater than what he hath said; and having read him, leaveth
onely this scruple or concern behind, that you can read him no longer.
In a word, such are his deserts, that some persons peradventure would
not stickle to compare him to the Father of Historians_, Philip de
Comines; _at least thus much may be said, with all truth imaginable,
that he resembleth that great Author in many of his excellent
qualities._
_I know some persons have objected against the greatness of these
prodigious Adventures, intimating that the resistance our_ Bucaniers
_found in_ America, _was everywhere but small. For the_ Spaniards, _say
they, in the_ West Indies, _are become of late years nothing less, but
rather much more degenerate than in_ Europe. _The continual Peace they
have enjoyed in those parts, the defect of Military Discipline, and_
European _souldiers for their Commanders, much contributing hereunto.
But more especially, and above all other reasons, the very luxury of the
Soil and Riches, the extreme heat of those Countries, and influence of
the Stars being such, as totally inclineth their bodies unto an infinite
effeminacy and cowardize of minds._
_Unto these Reasons I shall only answer in brief. This History will
convince them to be manifestly false. For as to the continual Peace here
alleadged, we know that no Peace could ever be established_ beyond the
Line, _since the first possession of the_ West-Indies _by the_
Spaniards, _till the burning of_ Panama. _At that time, or few months
before_, Sir William Godolphin _by his prudent negotiation in quality of
Embassadour for our most Gracious Monarch, did conclude at_ Madrid _a
peace to be observed even_ beyond the Line, _and through the whole
extent of the Spanish Dominions in the_ West-Indies. _This transaction
gave the Spaniards new causes of complaints against our proceedings,
that no sooner a Peace had been established for those parts of_ America,
_but our forces had taken and burnt both_ Chagre, St. Catherine, _and_
Panama. _But our reply was convincing, That whereas eight or ten months
of time 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 onely without orders 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 were, in a perpetual War with_ Europe, _certain it is that
no Coasts nor Kingdoms in the World have been more frequently infested
nor alarm'd with the invasions of several Nations than theirs. Thus from
the very beginning of their Conquests in America, both_ English, French,
Dutch Portuguese, Swedes, Danes, _Curlanders, and all other nations that
navigate the_ Ocean, _have frequented the_ West-Indies, _and filled them
with their robberies and Assaults. From these occasions have they been
in continual watch and ward, and kept their_ Militia _in constant
exercise, as also their Garrisons pretty well provided and paid; as
fearing every sail they discovered at Sea, to be_ Pirats _of one Nation
or another. But much more especially, since that_ Curasao, Tortuga,
_and_ Jamaica _have been inhabited by_ English, French, _and_ Dutch,
_and bred up that race of_ Hunts-men, _than which, no other ever was
more desperate, nor more mortal enemies to the Spaniards, called
Bucaniers. Now shall we say, that these People, through too long
continuation of Peace, have utterly abolished the exercises of War,
having been all-along incessantly vexed with the Tumults and Alarms
thereof?_
_In like manner is it false, to accuse their defect of Military
Discipline for want of_ European _Commanders. For who knoweth not that
all places, both Military and Civil, through those vast dominions of
the_ West-Indies, _are provided out of_ Spain? _And those of the Militia
most commonly given unto expert Commanders, trained up from their
infancy in the Wars of_ Europe, _either in_ Africa, Milan, Sicily,
Naples, _or_ Flanders, _fighting against either_ English, French, Dutch,
Portuguese, _or_ Moors? _Yea their very Garrisons, if you search them in
those parts, will peradventure be found to be stock'd three parts to
four with Souldiers both born and bred in the Kingdom of_ Spain.
_From these Considerations it may be inferr'd what little difference
ought to be allowed betwixt the Spanish Souldiers, Inhabitants of the_
West-Indies, _and those of_ Europe. _And how little the Soil or Climate
hath influenced or caused their Courage to degenerate towards cowardize
or baseness of mind. As if the very same Argument, deduced from the
nature of that Climate, did not equally militate against the valour of
our famous Bucaniers, 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 Souldiers or Officers, by the sequel of this
History. What men ever fought more desperately than the Garrison of_
Chagre? _Their number being 314, and of all these, only thirty
remaining; of which number scarce ten were unwounded; 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 Town of_ San Pedro _both fortifie themselves, lay several
Ambuscades, and lastly sell their lives as dear as any European Souldier
could do; Lolonois being forced to gain step by step his advance unto
the Town, with huge loss both of bloud and men? Many other instances
might be produced out of this compendious 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 Commanders, What man
ever behaved himself more briskly than the Governour of_ Gibraltar,
_than the Governour of_ Puerto del Principe, _both dying for the
defence of their Towns; than Don Alonso del Campo, and others? Or what
examples can easily parallel the desperate courage of the Governour of_
Chagre? _who, though the_ Palizda's _were fired, the Terraplens were
sunk into the Ditch, the Breaches were entred, the Houses all burnt
above him, the whole Castle taken, his men all killed; yet would not
admit of any quarter, but chose rather to die under his Arms, being shot
into the brain, than surrender himself as a Prisoner unto the_
Bucaniers. _What lion ever fought to the last gasp more obstinately than
the Governour of_ Puerto Velo? _who, seeing the Town enter'd by
surprizal in the night, one chief Castle blown up into the Air, all the
other Forts and Castles taken, his own assaulted several ways, both
Religious men and women placed at the front of the Enemy to fix the
Ladders against the Walls; yet spared not to kill as many of the said
Religious persons as he could. And at last, the walls being scaled, the
Castle enter'd and taken, all his own men overcome by fire and sword,
who had cast down their Arms, and begged mercy from the Enemy; yet would
admit of none for his own life. Yet, with his own hands killed several
of his Souldiers, to force them to stand to their Arms, though all were
lost. Yea, though his own Wife and Daughter begged of him upon their
knees that he would have his life by craving quarter, though the Enemy
desired of him the same thing; yet would hearken to no cries nor
perswasions, but they were forced to kill him, combating with his Arms
in his hands, being not otherwise able to take him Prisoner, as they
were desirous to do. Shall these men be said to be influenced with
Cowardize, who thus acted to the very last_ Scene _of their own_
Tragedies? _Or shall we rather say that they wanted no Courage, but
Fortune? It being certainly true, that he who is killed in a Batel, may
be equally couragious with him that killeth. And that whosoever
derogateth from the Valour of the_ Spaniards _in the_ West-Indies,
_diminisheth in like manner the Courage of the_ Bucaniers, _his own
Country-men, who have seemed to act beyond mortal men in_ America.
_Now, to say something concerning_ John Esquemeling, _the first Author
of this History. I take him to be a_ Dutch-man, _or at least born in_
Flanders, _notwithstanding that the Spanish Translation representeth him
to be a 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_ France,
_and was some years at_ Tortuga; _but neither of these two Arguments,
drawn from the History, are prevalent. For were he to be a_ French-man
_born, how came he to learn the_ Dutch _language so perfectly as to
prefer it to his own? Especially that not being spoken at Tortuga nor_
Jamaica, _where he resided all the while._
_I hope I have made this English Translation something more plain and
correct than the Spanish. Some few notorious faults either of the
Printer or the Interpreter, I am sure I have redressed. But the Spanish
Translator complaining much of the intricacy of Stile in the Original
(as flowing from a person who, as hath been said, was no Scholar) as he
was pardonable, being in great haste, for not rendring his own Version
so distinct and elaborate as he could desire; so must I be excused from
the one, that is to say, Elegancy, if I have cautiously declined the
other, I mean Confusion._
THE PIRATES OF PANAMA
THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA
CHAPTER I
_The introduction--The author sets forth for 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, from whence we set sail in
the ship called _St. John_, May 2, 1666. Our vessel was equipped with
twenty-eight guns, twenty mariners, and two hundred and twenty
passengers, including those whom the company sent as free passengers.
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 convoy of a man-of-war, mounted with
thirty-seven guns, and two hundred and fifty men. Of these ships two
were bound for Senegal, five for the Caribbee islands, and ours for
Tortuga. Here gathered to us about twenty sail of other ships, bound for
Newfoundland, with some Dutch vessels going for Nantz, Rochel, and St.
Martin's, so that in all we made thirty sail. Here we put ourselves in
a posture of defence, having noticed that four English frigates, of
sixty guns each, waited for us near Aldernay. Our admiral, the Chevalier
Sourdis, having given necessary orders, we sailed thence with a
favourable gale, and some mists arising, totally impeded the English
frigates from discovering our fleet. We steered our course as near as we
could to 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; whereupon we endeavoured to
pursue the said pirate; but our labour was in vain, not being able to
overtake him.
Our fleet, as we sailed, 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 convenient place for landing. To allay their fright,
we hung out our colours; but they would not trust us. After this we came
to an anchor in the bay of Conquet in Brittany, near Ushant, there to
take in water. Having stored ourselves with fresh provisions here, we
prosecuted our voyage, designing to pass by the Ras of Fontenau, and not
expose ourselves to the Sorlingues, fearing the English that were
cruising thereabouts. The 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 48 deg. 10 min. latitude; so that this passage
is very dangerous, all the rocks, as yet, being not thoroughly known.
Here I shall mention the ceremony, which, at this passage, and some
other places, is used by the mariners, and by them called baptism,
though it may seem little to our purpose. 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, made very burlesque; in his right
hand he had 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. Thus apparelled, he commanded every one
to be called who had never passed through that dangerous place before;
and then, causing them to kneel down, he made the sign of the cross on
their foreheads, with ink, and gave every one a stroke on the shoulders
with his wooden sword. Meanwhile, the standers-by cast a bucket of water
upon each man's head; and so ended the ceremony. But that done, each of
the baptized must give a bottle of brandy, placing it nigh the
main-mast, without speaking a word; even those who have no such liquor
not being excused. If the vessel never passed that way before, the
captain is obliged to distribute some wine among the mariners and
passengers; 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, not only at this passage, but also at the rocks
called Berlingues, nigh the coast of Portugal, in 39 deg. 40 min. (being
a passage very dangerous, especially by night, when, in the dark, the
rocks are not distinguishable, the land being very high) they use some
such ceremony: but their manner of baptizing is very different from that
of the French; for he that is to be baptized is fastened, and hoisted up
thrice, at the mainyard'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 every one
is dipped several times in the main ocean; but he that is dipped first
has the honour of being saluted with a gun. Such as are not willing to
fall, must pay twelve pence for ransom; if he be an officer, two
shillings; and if a passenger, at their own pleasure. If the ship never
passed that way before, the captain is to give a small rundlet of wine,
which, if he denies, the mariners may cut off the stem of the vessel.
All the profit accruing by this ceremony is kept by the master's mate,
who, after reaching their port, usually lays it out in wine, which is
drank amongst the ancient seamen. Some say this ceremony was instituted
by the Emperor Charles V. though it is not amongst his laws. But here I
leave these sea customs, and return to our voyage.
Having passed the Ras, we had very good weather, till we came to Cape
Finis Terræ: here a sudden tempest surprised us, and separated our ship
from the rest that were in our company. This storm continued eight days;
in which time it would move compassion to see how miserably the
passengers were tumbled to and fro, on all sides of the ship; insomuch,
that the mariners, in the performance of their duty, were compelled to
tread upon them. This boisterous weather being over, we had very
favourable gales again, till we came to the tropic of Cancer. This
tropic is an imaginary circle, which astronomers have invented in the
heavens, limiting the progress of the sun towards the north pole. It is
placed in the latitude of 23 deg. 30 min. Here we were baptized a second
time, as before. The French always perform this ceremony at the tropic
of Cancer, as also under the tropic of Capricorn. In this part of the
world we had very favourable weather, at which we were very glad,
because of our great want of water; for that element is so scarce with
us, that we were stinted to two half pints a man every day.
About the latitude of Barbadoes, we met an English frigate, or
privateer, who first began to give us chase; but finding herself not to
exceed us in force, presently got away: hereupon, we pursued her, firing
several guns, eight-pounders, at her; but at length she escaped, and we
returned to our course. Soon after, we came within sight of Martinico.
We were bent to the coast of the isle of St. Peter, but were frustrated
by a storm, which took us hereabouts. Hence we resolved to steer to
Gaudaloupe, yet we could not reach this island, by reason of the said
storm; so that we directed our course to the isle of Tortuga, being the
very same land we were bound to. We passed along the coast of Punta
Rica, which is extremely agreeable and delightful to the sight, being
adorned with beautiful woods, even to the tops of the mountains. Then we
discovered Hispaniola (of which I shall give a description), and we
coasted about it till we came to Tortuga, our desired port. Here we
anchored, July 7, in the same year, not having lost one man in the
voyage. We landed the goods that belonged to the West-India company,
and, soon after, the ship was sent to Cal de Sac with some passengers.