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Chap. XI.—B. S.] RISE OF THE BUCCANEERS. 
Yet the adventurers of these two nations whimsically 
thought fit to borrow the name of their profession 
from the language of the other, as if the respectability 
of their calling could be enhanced, or its criminality 
palliated, by a foreign name. The English called 
themselves Buccaneers, while the French preferred 
the title of Freebooters, or corruptedly, Filibusters. 
All the adventurers, of whatever nation, made the 
Spaniards the sole object of attack. A sense of com¬ 
mon interest bound them together, and formed them 
into a society styling itself The Brethren of the Coast. 
The Buccaneers had peculiar customs, which either 
from necessity or tradition obtained the authority of 
law. Their code of morality was such as might bo 
expected among men who, while they renounced a 
friendly intercourse with the rest of mankind, de¬ 
pended upon each other’s fidelity. Every buccaneer 
had a mate, who was the heir to all his money. In 
some instances a community of property existed. 
Yegligence of dress, and even dirtiness, was prescribed 
by their fashions as best befitting a desperado. But 
when, in case of war between their nations and the 
Spaniards, they could obtain commissions, they were 
always ready to take the name of privateers. 
European States regarded the increase of the buc¬ 
caneers with satisfaction. With the laxity of poli¬ 
tical morality then prevailing, they reasoned that 
they might profit by illegal proceedings, which at 
the same time they were not called upon to avow. 
Yarious settlements were made by adventurers 
throughout the West Indian islands, members of the 
