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T O 



to the north fide of the Ifland j and, with a fupply of about thirty companies well 

 provided with arms and ammunition, which foon after arrived there from Cuba and 

 the Main, fortified themfelves at Rio Neuvo. But the Engltjh, then under the 

 command of Colonel D'Oy/y, having early intelligence of the arrival of this rein- 

 forcement, marched dire&ly towards them, and forced them in their intrenchments, 

 tho* the Spaniards at that time were more than double their number. Upon this 

 and other ill fuccenes, they retired to Cuba, leaving many of the Negroes and 

 Mulatoes to keep poffeflion of the place, and to prevent the conquerors from fettling 

 in the country parts : thefe people continued very troublefome for a time, but the 



who were not themfelves ufed to the woods, at length called in fome of 

 the Buccaneers to their affiftance, and foon after brought them under fubjec-tion. 



The French fettlers at Tortugo, who, about this time, were much neglected by 

 the government at home, then under a minority, and too frequently prefled by the 

 Spaniards abroad, refolved to provide for themfelves ; and foon after became a let of 

 land and fea robbers, in the practice of which they continued for many years: nor 

 did their then governor de la Place (m), in the lead, difcourage proceedings whereby 

 he became a confiderable gainer. 



The government of Englandfa\Y\ng again into confufion, upon the death of the vigi- 



lant Cromwel, theafFairs of Jamaica were much neglected, and the ifland, on that account, 

 was frequently reforted to by the pirates of Tortugo, who were now grown a' very for- 

 midable body; and the people, at this time under little or no re ft rain t, encouraged 

 by the example of thofe who had frequently brought in immenfe riches with impu- 





mty, 



foon gave in to the fame methods; fo 



that the place became another colony 



of pirates, which far exceeded the former both in numbers and refolution ; and 

 with whom they ftill continued in friendfhip, frequently uniting their forces upon 



occa 



fion. 



In this Hate did the greateft part of the inhabitants of Jamaica continue for many 

 years ; chiefly under the command and guidance of the famous Morgan {n), who, 

 with his numerous followers, had brought in fuch a vaft booty, that the ifland con- 

 tinued for many years one of the mod wealthy fpotsin the world, for the number of 

 its inhabitants. Thefe people were not fatisfied with what plunder they met with at 

 fea only; they frequently landed in great numbers, and ranfacked the molt flourifh- 

 ing Spanifi fettlements : nor were thofe fituated even on the coaft of the fouth fea 

 free from their daring attempts, which reached the opulent and populous city of 

 Panama, in 1 670 ; from whence they brought immenfe fums of money, as well as 

 other valuable treafures. 



King Charles II. 



being 



at 



length 



feated on the throne of England, put on an 



early refolution to promote the welfare of an ifland, which was likely to prove very 



• 





(m) S 



( 



Morgan (it is faid ) was a native of tVel 



He was tranfportec! to Barba- 



he joined with the pirates; among whom he was foon diftinguifhed for his fuperior conduft and daring 



lead 

 id with fuc 

 Maracaiba 



H 



with 



pieces of eight from 'Porto Bella, m x r 



Haves to a confiderable value. By his expedition to Panama, it is computed he got 400,000 pieces of 

 eight to his own fhare ; and about 200 more for each of his party, at that time near 1200 in number* 

 He left off his courfes immediately after this, and became a fober fettler, and a great promoter of indus- 

 try. He was both an excellent citizen and a happy planter ; and in the courfe of time, was admitted one 



ha 

 K 



afterwards kn 



^ k L - , -j w-~ mmm—my 



to the year 1682. When the peace was concluded with the 



cordingly fent for, and committed to the Tower in 1 683-4, where he continued for three years without 

 trial or hearing ; at which he could hardly fail of clearing his own chara&er, as he had always afted 

 under regular commiffions, from the Governors of Jamaica, while he continued in that active ftate of 

 life. But indeed, fuch barbarities as were frequently committed on thefe occafions, were not to beau- 



It 



by any Chriftian 



by any 



2 



ferviceable 









*-> 



