Part 1 (1/2)
The Pirates of Panama.
by A. O. (Alexandre Olivier) Exquemelin.
INTRODUCTION
This volume was originally written in Dutch by John Esquemeling, and first published in Amsterdam in 1678 under the t.i.tle 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 princ.i.p.al 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 ca.n.a.l 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 s.n.a.t.c.h'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 Caesar, _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 Pa.s.sion 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 G.o.dolphin _by his prudent negotiation in quality of Emba.s.sadour 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 publis.h.i.+ng 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 s.p.a.ce 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 a.s.saults. 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 a.s.saulted 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.