History of Mexico (Bancroft)/Volume 3/Chapter 10

by Hubert Howe Bancroft

 

CHAPTER X.

THE SACK OF VERA CRUZ, AND OTHER PIRATICAL RAIDS.

1680 — 1686.

The Corsairs in Central America and New Spain — Laguna Appointed Viceroy — Van Horn the Sea Rover — The Pirates Resolve to Attack Vera Cruz — The Corsair Lorencillo — A Clever Stratagem — Vera Cruz Surprised by Buccaneers — The Inhabitants Imprisoned in the Churches — And Kept for Three Days without Food or Water — The Captives Taken to the Island of Sacrificios — Departure of the Corsairs — Division of the Booty — News of the Raid Received in Mexico — Further Operations of the Freebooters — Dampier and Others in the South Sea — End of Laguna’s Administration.

Between the years 1680 and 1687, it will be remembered, the principal towns of Central America that lay near the shores of the South Sea were continually infested by pirates. The settlements on the North Sea had been so frequently sacked that few of them contained sufficient wealth to tempt the freebooters, with the exception of Cartagena, which was too strongly fortified to fall an easy prey. Nevertheless they were not exempt from attack. In August 1682 four French vessels entered the harbor of Portobello and rescued a number of their countrymen who were detained there as prisoners. From a negro slave on board the squadron the governor ascertained that fifteen French vessels had arrived at Martinique with three thousand persons on board, the purpose of the expedition being the colonization of Darien. In Nicaragua news was received that two thousand filibusters were assembled at the same point, intending to make a raid on Panamá. Vera Cruz and other parts of New Spain were also threatened, and the marqués de Laguna,^[1] who took office in November 1680, at once made preparations for defence; the militia were called out; the principal harbors were strongly fortified and garrisoned, and the armada de Barlovento was refitted and ordered to cruise off the coast of Tierra Firme.

But at this period corsairs ceased not to harass the Spaniards on land and sea. During the absence of the settlers they made sudden raids on the coast, sacked the towns, and carried off the cattle, thus causing many thriving colonies to be abandoned. Hovering on the shores of New Spain, they lay concealed in their light swift craft behind some point or reef, whence on the appearance of a treasure ship they darted like hawks on their prey. Laying their vessels athwart the Spaniard's bow they raked her deck with musketry, then pulled alongside, and dagger in hand swarmed over the bulwarks. Rarely did they fail to secure their prize, and often the Spaniards made no defense; the pirates finding them on their knees in supplication to the virgin and the saints, who sadly failed them in their emergencies.

In consequence of these depredations the viceroy gave orders that no ship should leave Vera Cruz without orders. This measure remedied the evil to some extent; but still the corsairs lurked among the numberless islands and reefs of the Bahama Channel, through which vessels must pass on their way to Spain, and many a richly laden craft fell a prize to them before those on board were aware that an enemy was within sight. On one occasion while the viceadmiral of the treasure fleet was at dinner in his cabin, his ship was boarded by a boat's crew of twenty-eight men in charge of a Frenchman named Pierre, a native of Dieppe. So sudden and daring was the attack that the vice-admiral and a number of officials who sat at table with him found themselves prisoners before they had time to gain the deck. The captives were put on shore at Cape Tiburon, and a few weeks later Pierre entered the port of Dieppe with his prize, which contained a rich freight of treasure and merchandise. This adventurer is dignified in buccaneer history by the title of le Grand.

In 1682 Tampico was sacked by corsairs and thirty prisoners taken. During the same year a sea rover named Nicholas Van Horn captured two vessels off the coast of Honduras. Van Horn is described as a man of swarthy complexion and short stature, a thorough seaman and a capable and far-sighted commander. He began life as a common sailor, and remained in that position until he had saved money enough to purchase a small craft of his own. Collecting a crew of twenty-five or thirty men, he began his career as a pirate by capturing several Dutch vessels, which he sold, and with the proceeds sailed for Ostend and there purchased a ship of war. His further operations were successful, and in a few years he was in command of a small fleet, with which he swept the seas, taking many prizes, and requiring all but French vessels to lower their flag as they passed him. Finally he gave offence to the monarch of France, and a captain named D'Estrées, being ordered to arrest him, put to sea in a well armed frigate for that purpose. When the captain's vessel fell in with Van Horn, the latter, finding himself outsailed, and not wishing to fight, for he was aware that D'Estrées was acting under orders from the crown, boarded his ship in a small boat, and demanded his intention in thus pursuing him. "To conduct you to France," replied the captain. "But why?" exclaimed the pirate; "I have given no cause of offence to his Majesty, and have made war only upon his enemies." "My instructions are explicit," rejoined D'Estrées, and after some further parley ordered the anchor to be weighed. "What are you about?" cried the corsair angrily, and looking the captain straight in the eye. "Think you my men will not fight when they see me thus carried off before their eyes? You will find that my lieutenant is prompt to act, and that my crew fear neither danger nor death." The captain saw that his prisoner meant what he said, and as he had no orders to risk his vessel in an encounter with the corsair, he allowed him to depart.

Van Horn had the reputation of being the bravest of all the sea-rovers, and his crew was composed of men after his own heart. During the hottest fight he would closely observe their actions, and if any showed signs of fear, such as stooping to avoid the enemy's missiles, he would shoot them dead on the spot. But while he thus punished cowards, he rewarded without stint those who distinguished themselves in action, for he had amassed enormous wealth, and like others of his craft was lavish with his means.

Soon after joining the buccaneer fraternity he obtained a commission from one of the French governors, of whom there were now many in the West Indies, and proceeded to the island of Roatan, where he was joined by captains Laurent de Gaff, Michel Grammont, and others, who were there lying in wait for Spanish vessels. He now proposed an expedition against Vera Cruz, which was then the storing-place for the treasure and merchandise which passed between New and Old Spain. The city was protected by the island fortress of San Juan de Ulúa, which at that time was supposed to be impregnable. The fortress was mounted with sixty guns which commanded the town, and swept the approach by sea. and at the north-east and south-west corners of the city were two other forts with twenty guns. A few companies of veterans were stationed on the island; in the city itself was a garrison of trained soldiers, and several thousand men could be concentrated within twenty-four hours from the interior. The enterprise was a bold one, and by many deemed too hazardous; but the filibusters were now assembled in force, mustering probably about a thousand strong,^[2] and their leaders were men fertile of resource.

Map of Vera Cruz.

Laurent, or as he is more frequently known by the chroniclers Lorencillo, by which name we shall henceforth call him, was appointed commander of the fleet, while Van Horn was in charge of the land forces. The former is described as a tall, well proportioned, and handsome man; light-haired and comely of aspect, a generous ruffian withal, though of course always alieni profusus, and one very popular among his comrades. He was in fact a model corsair. It is not recorded that he was ever guilty of quite such diabolic atrocities as were laid to the charge of Morgan or L'Olonnois, but if we can believe the Spanish records of this period, his deeds were sufficiently diabolical to be interesting. It is there stated that while still a youth he was punished by an alcalde of Tabasco for some offence. Vowing vengeance he disappeared, and not long afterward returned with a gang of malefactors who sacked and burned the town and outraged the women. But the account given by Esquemelin, one of his fraternity,^[3] and probably the more truthful version is that, being captured by pirates while serving on board a Spanish vessel, he consented to join the buccaneers. This writer describes the character of his favorite hero in glowing colors, giving him credit for all the qualities of a true gentleman, and remarking with amusing naïveté that his only fault was his impatience and a habit of swearing a little too frequently.^[4]

Toward sunset on the 17th of May,^[5] 1683, two large ships flying Spanish colors were seen to the leeward of Vera Cruz, crowding all sail to make the port, for a league or two farther out at sea was a strong squadron apparently in pursuit. At nightfall, the Spaniards on the island and mainland made fires to guide them into the harbor, for they were supposed to be two vessels laden with cacao that were now due from the coast of Caracas.^[6] The pursuing squadron had changed its course when the ships neared the fort, casting anchor a short distance from the city, and the townsfolk went to vespers and to rest as usual, apprehending no danger.

About an hour after midnight a few musket shots were heard, but the inhabitants, supposing a salute was being given to some prominent citizen, remained quietly in bed. The town was well garrisoned; the castle of San Juan de Ulúa was the strongest fortress in the New World, and to add to the feeling of security, the great fleet was daily expected from Spain. Never, for years, had the citizens been more free from alarm than when they awoke at sunrise and prepared to go about their daily avocations. The church bells tolled as usual for matins, and the people set forth to obey the summons. But no matins were said that morning in Vera Cruz; for those who first made their appearance in the streets found them guarded by parties of armed men, and soon the dread news spread from house to house that pirates were in possession of the city.

The buccaneers had obtained information from prisoners captured off the coast of the two ships laden with cacao that were hourly expected at Vera Cruz, and this information had suggested the stratagem already related. On board the vessels which the Spaniards had supposed to be thus laden was the main body of the pirates, captains Van Horn and Lorencillo in charge. During the night nearly eight hundred men, armed to the teeth, had landed at a distance of less than a league from Vera Cruz, and guided by slaves had crept stealthily on the city, surprised the forts, and made themselves masters of the place with the loss of only four men.^[7]

Lorencillo had recommended that a party be sent to surprise the fortress of San Juan de Ulúa, and if his advice had been taken, the pirates might have remained masters of Vera Cruz long enough to obtain an immense ransom. But this was deemed too hazardous, and they resolved to plunder the. town and make good their retreat as speedily as possible. The doors of the houses were battered in and the panic-stricken inhabitants dragged forth without regard to age, sex, or condition, into the public square, and soon afterward lodged in the principal churches, where, by nine o'clock in the morning, over six thousand persons were confined, most of them being placed in the parish church.^[8] For three days and nights they were kept without food or drink, while the buccaneers plundered the city, and when at length water and a small dole of food were given to them, many died from drinking immoderately. Meanwhile the ruffians who kept guard over them mocked at the wailings of the women who begged of them in vain to save the lives of their little ones. The captives were told that they were all to be burned alive, and barrels of powder were placed in their sight at the doors of the church, ready to blow up the building in case they should attempt resistance. Not a woman escaped outrage, and each day they were driven off in bands, like cattle, to satisfy the lust of their tormentors.^[9]

A quantity of plate was found in the churches, and the altars and sacred images were stripped of every article of value; but these were only a small portion of the spoils. Besides the property of the inhabitants, the pirates secured large amounts of specie, bullion, and merchandise which had arrived at Vera Cruz in transit for Spain. Among the plunder was much valuable jewelry and about three hundred bags of cochineal, each weighing from a hundred and fifty to two hundred pounds.^[10] The freebooters were not yet satisfied, however, and suspecting that some of the wealthier citizens had secreted their treasure, put several to the torture,^[11] again threatening to burn the parish church with its inmates unless all their valuables were delivered up. Thereupon, one of the priests ascended the pulpit and besought the captives to surrender their property in order to save their lives. Thus a further large amount was obtained. For the ransom of the governor, who was found hidden under a pile of grass in a stable, the sum of seventy thousand pesos was paid.

Troops of mounted Spaniards now appeared on the outskirts of the town, and occasionally made a dash at the pirates, though they did not venture an organized attack. It was observed, however, that their numbers constantly increased. Moreover the fleet from Spain was every moment expected, and the corsairs deemed it prudent to depart. The spoils were therefore removed to the island of Sacrificios where the fleet was stationed. All the negroes and mulattoes of both sexes, and some of the Spaniards, were taken from the churches to serve as pack animals. The latter were unused to such work, and being enfeebled by fasting could barely stagger under their burdens, but were urged on by the merciless blows of their captors. Not even yet were the pirates satisfied. About fifteen hundred prisoners, including the governor and the leading citizens, were conveyed to the island, and a ransom of a hundred and fifty thousand pesos demanded from the citizens of Vera Cruz, under threat that twelve of the principal Spaniards, whom meanwhile they would hold as hostages, should be put to death in case of non-payment.^[12]

Haggard and gaunt with hunger after their four days' imprisonment in the stifling and fetid atmosphere of the crowded churches, the captives were in a pitiful condition; but further suffering was in store for them. Before embarking for the island and on landing they were closely searched and everything of the least value taken from them, even to the piece of straw matting which was their only bed at night and their shelter from the sun by day. Their food was of the coarsest, and barely sufficient to sustain life. A supply of provisions sent to them from the city was appropriated by the pirates. They were constantly exposed to insults and threats, and most of them expected only death, or, as a worse alternative, a life of hopeless captivity. For ten days they remained on the island until the ransom was paid, about midday on the second Sunday after the capture of Vera Cruz. The Spaniards who had been held as hostages were then released; the negroes and mulattoes, to the number of at least thirteen hundred, and the most attractive of the female captives, were placed on board the fleet;^[13] and the buccaneers prepared to set sail from the island.

During the afternoon a double guard was placed over the remaining prisoners; the rude huts which they had erected of branches to screen them from sun and dew were destroyed; and the pirates, brandishing their weapons, never ceased to menace them with death, in the hope of yet extorting a further ransom. The threats were not executed, however, and at night all the corsairs withdrew, for the ships were now ready for sea. The following morning a boat's crew returned to take on board another load of captives; but found that all had concealed themselves. The governor and two friars were discovered, and having no time for further search the pirates carried them off to their vessels, though the latter were afterward released. They secured also a launch laden with provisions, which had been sent from the city for the relief of the famishing prisoners.

No sooner had the ransom been paid than the fleet from Spain appeared in sight.^[14] The governor of San Juan de Ulúa immediately despatched a boat to the admiral, proposing to make a combined attack on the corsairs, who now put to sea, not waiting even to take in water, or a supply of fresh meat which they had provided at the mouth of the Medellin River. Now once more the Spaniards let slip their opportunity, for, like the Austrians in the day's of Bonaparte, they knew not the value of minutes. If a prompt and vigorous attack had been made on the overladen ships of the buccaneers it would probably have been successful; but instead of instant action a council of officers was summoned, and while they were yet in deliberation, the pirates, crowding all sail, made good their escape.^[15]

Before leaving the island of Sacrificios a partition was made of the spoils, which were divided into 1,200 shares; and it was found that each share amounted to 800 pesos, the total being valued at 960,000 pesos. Van Horn demanding for himself 80 shares or 64,000 pesos. Lorencillo appears to have been dissatisfied with his portion, for he quarrelled with the former concerning the dividend,^[16] and the dispute ended in a duel in which Van Horn was wounded in the wrist. The commander of the buccaneers paid no attention to his hurt, for trifling wounds were not regarded among his fraternity; but this neglect cost him his life. His wrist grew worse; soon mortiflcation set in; and when fifteen days out at sea, he was thrown overboard, a corpse, off Cape Yucatan, The plunder on board his vessel, amounting to one hundred thousand pesos, was bequeathed to his son, a youth of twelve, and the command of his ship devolved on Grammont, his lieutenant. Overcrowding and want of provisions caused sickness on board the buccaneer fleet, and numbers perished. Lorencillo and his squadron were next seen off Jamaica. Grammont sailed for the island of Little Guayove, where he arrived in safety, though with the loss of two thirds of his prisoners. A vessel which accompanied him was chased by a Spanish armadillo;^[17] and the crew were compelled to take to their boats, securing their treasure, but leaving behind them the slaves and merchandise. No further attempt was made to pursue or punish the marauders. The Spaniards contented themselves with offering up thanks to the Almighty for their deliverance, and an order was issued that in all churches, chapels, and convents founded by the crown, a solemn annual mass should be celebrated in gratitude "for the happy event of the flight of Lorencillo."

After the departure of the pirates those who remained on the island of Sacrificios were at once transferred to the city, which was now guarded by a large force of cavalry. During the raid over three hundred of the inhabitants perished, and many of the survivors were reduced to beggary. The entire loss amounted to several millions of pesos. None of the buildings were destroyed, but all were more or less injured, and most of them were found in a filthy condition. Several months were required to purify the churches. The streets were choked with garbage, and the air was poisoned with the stench of decomposed bodies.

For many years the name of Lorencillo was remembered with terror by the people of New Spain, and even to this day it is not forgotten.^[18] Such was the dread which he inspired that life and property were no longer considered safe in Vera Cruz, and when foreign vessels appeared in sight the inhabitants fled to the woods. It was now ordered that the treasure destined for Spain should be detained at Jalapa until after the arrival of the fleet, and the armada de Barlovento was ordered thenceforth to convoy the vessels as far as Habana. This force was reorganized, and its commander tried by court-martial and cashiered for neglect of duty, Don Andrés Ochoa y Zárate being appointed in his stead.

The raid of Morgan and his gang on Panamá, in 1671, had always been considered as the boldest venture of the buccaneers; but the sack of Vera Cruz was a yet more daring exploit. When Morgan was once in possession of Panamá, it was impossible that any large body of Spanish troops could arrive in time to interfere with his operations, but at Vera Cruz the case was different. Apart from the garrison of San Juan de Ulúa there were troops stationed at several points not more than thirty leagues distant. A courier was despatched to the city of Mexico within a few hours after the landing of the pirates, and arrived in three days,^[19] reporting that they came in fifteen large ships and numbered eight thousand men. On the following day a hastily levied force of nearly two thousand horse and a few-companies of foot set forth, soon to be followed by large reënforcements from the capital, all Spaniards capable of bearing arms, between the ages of fifteen and sixty, being enrolled. The ecclesiastics assembled in the cathedral and resolved to join them in a body. But before any of these reënforcements could arrive the buccaneers had abandoned the city, and news of their departure was received in Mexico on the 5th of June.^[20]

On the 28th of July the viceroy arrived in Vera Cruz. His first measure was to cause the governor to be tried for cowardice, and sentence of death was pronounced; but an appeal being made, his life was spared and he was ordered to proceed to Spain. The defences of the city were repaired and strengthened, and to ensure the earlier departure of the fleet it was ordered that the annual fair be transferred from the capital to Vera Cruz, which was as yet the only port of entry in New Spain, and now for a few years became the distributing point for the merchandise of Seville.

During the remainder of Laguna's administration, the raids of corsairs and privateers continued almost without intermission. On the 3d of August 1683 news was received in the city of Mexico that war was declared between France and Spain, and in the following year hostilities broke out with England. The operations of the English buccaneers were mainly directed, as we have seen, against the cities of Central America; but those of the French filibusters extended over all portions of the coast of New Spain. On the northern portion of Santo Domingo nearly ten thousand of the latter had their head-quarters, all of them professing allegiance to the king of France. The waters of the Caribbean sea swarmed with pirates who defied the Spanish cruisers and the armada de Barlovento. All the efforts of the Spanish authorities to rid the seas of this scourge were of little avail. Orders were given that whenever a pirate craft was captured the captain and officers should be shot and the crew sent to work at the galleys in Spain. Nevertheless it seldom happened that a vessel arrived in Vera Cruz without bringing news of further depredations.

At the very time when Van Horn and his gang were sharing the spoils of this city at the island of Sacrificios, a large force of French corsairs captured the city of Guayana with its governor and garrison, and took possession of Margarita and other small islands in the West Indies. Maracaibo was also threatened, and the audiencia of Santa Fé petitioned the viceroy to allow the armada de Barlovento to proceed to New Granada. On the 2d of May 1684 news arrived in Mexico that Tampico had again been sacked by a large force of pirates, and a number of the inhabitants carried off as captives. Two days later the Barlovento fleet sailed in pursuit of them and captured three of their ships.^[21] On July 6th of the same year Lorencillo appeared once more in the North Sea, this time off the port of Campeche, which he captured after a five days' siege, and thence marched on Mérida, but was driven back with heavy loss. On his return voyage he encountered the armada under command of Ochoa, and one of his frigates mounting twenty-seven guns was captured by Spaniards. Lorencillo escaped with his own vessel^[22] and henceforth appears no more in connection with piratical expeditions on the mainland. Nevertheless the settlers of Mérida were constantly in dread of filibusters. Many of the corsairs when not engaged in their raids employed themselves in the profitable occupation of tortoise fishing, these grounds extending from Campeche to the confines of Nicaragua. Among the numerous keys, islands, or coves of this long stretch of coast they careened their vessels, pursued their fishing, and planned their expeditions, safe from the attacks of Spanish cruisers. The intricate coast of Campeche, with which they were perfectly familiar, was constantly frequented by these marauders, and in consequence Mérida was continually exposed to their attacks. The garrison consisted of but two companies of half-clad and poorly fed soldiers, until after the raid of Lorencillo, when two more companies were sent from Spain. The encomenderos offered to build a wall around the city at their own expense, asking only that they should be released from the tax for the support of cavalry called montado.

During the years 1685 and 1686 the principal operations of the pirates were the raid of Agramon on the coast of Florida, and the expedition of Dampier to the South Sea. The former was driven off with the loss of fifty men. The operations of Dampier, Swan, and others on the coast of Central America have been related in their place; and it has already been mentioned that the latter, accompanied by Townley, resolved to try his fortune on the coast of Mexico, hoping to capture the Manila ship, which at this epoch-was wont to leave the Philippines in June and arrive at Acapulco about Christmas. After an unsuccessful attempt to take the Lima galleon from under the guns of the fort at Acapulco early in November 1685, and an equally vain effort to find the town of Colima on the 26th, they reached Salagua, or Santiago, December 1st, and had a skirmish with the Spaniards, capturing two mulattoes, but were unable to find there any such town as was described in the Spanish pilot-books. Many of the Englishmen died in this region of a prevalent dropsy following chills and fever. The malady might have been easily cured by certain parts of an alligator pulverized and taken in water, but there were no alligators to be had. On the 11th they sighted Cape Corrientes, and it was their plan to cruise about this place and watch for the galleon; but it was also necessary to obtain supplies, and during one of the raids made for this purpose, the galleon is supposed to have passed by unnoticed; at least the hope of taking her was soon given up, and on January 6, 1686, the fleet separated, sailing from Banderas Valley, where on December 4th they had had a fight with the Spaniards, losing four men and killing seventeen. Captain Townley with two vessels returned down the coast, while Captain Swan continued his voyage northward in the hope of finding towns or rich mines. The northern limit reached by the ships was 23° 30', just above Mazatlan, although Swan went in boats still farther in search of Culiacan, which he did not reach. The fleet turned about on February 2d. On February 11th they anchored at the mouth of the Rio Santiago, or Tololotlan, up which stream seventy men were sent in four boats; but having captured an Indian who could guide them to Santa Pecaque, probably Centipac, Swan set out in person with double that force. The inhabitants ran away, and the town was entered without resistance. Several days were spent in loading the canoes with supplies, and on the 19th fifty men on their way from the town to the landing, each leading a horse laden with maize, were attacked by Spaniards, Indians, and negroes from Santiago, and every man killed, as already related,^[23] including Ringrose the buccaneer author, who was Swan's supercargo. This disaster discouraged the British "from attempting anything more hereabouts." It was proposed to go to Cape San Lúcas for repairs, and they sailed on the 21st, passing the Tres Marías but were driven back thither on the 7th of March. It was now decided to sail for Manila, and after taking water at Banderas they left Corrientes on the last day of March. The men murmured at the long voyage before them, but hoped for rich booty in the East Indies. The historian of the expedition naturally does not quit the coast without having his say about Californian geography and the Strait of Anian.^[24]

Apart from the raids of buccaneers few incidents worthy of note occurred during the reign of Viceroy Laguna; there was an Indian revolt in New Mexico, and an expedition to the coast of Lower California, which will be related in their place. On the 8th of February 1684, the viceroy received intelligence that his term of office was extended for three years.^[25] In 1686 his residencia was taken by the fiscal Bastida. The charges were trivial, and about two years later he returned to his native country, where, having made a donation of fifty thousand pesos fpr some charitable purpose, he received the rank of grandee of Spain, and his son the title of duke of Guastala.

 

 

1. Don Tomás Antonio de la Cerda, conde de Paredes, marqués de la Laguna, de la orden de Alcantara, del Consejo de su Magestad, Camara, y junta de Guerra de Indias. Ordenes de la Corona, MS., iv. 47. He took office on November 30, 1680. Vetancvrt, Trat. Mex., 16. In Rivera, Gob., 252, he is called Antonio de la Cerda y Aragon. According to this authority he was a man of illustrious family, the members of which had always been employed in civil and military affairs. He was accompanied by his wife, the Doña María Louisa Manrique de Lara y Gonzaga.
2. 'Ce fut en l'année 1683, après avoir fait une revue générale de la flotte, qui se trouva montée de deux cens Flibustiers, tous gens d'elite.' Esquemelin, Hist. Flib., i. 269. Probably the 200 included only the French contingent. They numbered over 1,000. Rivera, Gov. Mex., i. 255. 800 men, Cavo, ii. 63-4. The expedition consisted of 960 men, a motley gathering, including French, English, Spaniards, mulattoes, and Indians. Mosaico, i. 407. 8,000 men, Robles, Diario, i. 370; Zamacois, v. 438. The last estimate is of course absurd. Robles himself gives them only 15 vessels, while in the Mosaico are mentioned 11 ships and nine piraguas, one of the former being mounted with 50 guns, according to the author of West Indies, Geog. and Hist., 146, the other ships having in all 124 guns. This chronicler places the land forces at 1,200.
3. Hist. Flib., i. 276 et seq.
4. Id., i. 276.
5. The 9th of May in Sharp's Voyages, 116. The 17th is the date given in Villarroel, Invasion Vera Cruz; Lerdo de Tejada, Apunt. Hist., 273. Although the latter is somewhat contradictory as to dates in relating the sack of Vera Cruz, he is probably right in this instance.
6. Sharp's Vogages (London, 1684), 116; Burney's Hist. Bucc., 127.
7. Three of these were killed by their own comrades, who mistook them in the darkness for Spaniards. Sharp's Voyages, 117. There is considerable discrepancy among the authorities as to the particulars of the capture of Vera Cruz. In Sharp's Voy., it is stated that the buccaneers landed 774 men, who by break of day had made themselves masters of the town and forts on the mainland, and that after stationing guards at the streets 'they sent parties to break open the houses, where they found everybody as quiet as in their graves.' Villarroel's version is that on the 18th of May the pirates landed 600 men, who reached the city at 4 o'clock in the morning and charged through the streets firing their muskets and crying 'Long live the king of France!' The garrison, he says, rushed to arms, but were shot down or captured as soon as they appeared, while all the citizens who attempted to leave their houses met with a similar fate. Villarroel, Invasion Vera Cruz, in Lerdo de Tejada, Apunt. Hist., 274-5, 285. Esquemelin, Hist. Flib., i. 271, states that the inhabitants remained quietly in their beds, 'jusqu'à ce que I'heure de se lever fût venue; mais alors ils furent bien surpris d'apprendre que les Flibustiers étoient maȋtres de leur ville.' Esquemelin's account seems to be the more probable on this point, for the pirates, having possession of the forts which commanded the city, had nothing to gain by rousing up the inhabitants by night, and thus giving them a chance to escape during the darkness. The stratagem by which the buccaneers contrived to make their landing undiscovered is related in Burney's Hist. Bucc., 127, and is apparently taken from Esquemelin, and the author of Sharp's Voyages, though neither mention that the buccaneer fleet appeared in chase of the two vessels. Such a ruse was, however, very likely to have been adopted.
8. Villarroel, Invasion Vera Cruz, in Lerdo de Tejada, Apunt. Hist., 274-5. In Sharp's Voy.,118, the number is given at 5,700, all of whom were confined in the parish church; but it is not probable that the building would contain so many.
9. 'Las mugeres pasaron muchos travajos, porque su maldad no reservava blanca, ni prieta, ni doncella ni casada, que á fuerza de su vigor no las sacasen, llevandolas á forzarlas. Siendo este caso una de las cosas mas sensibles.' Villaroel, Invasion V. Cruz, 275.
10. Esquemelin estimates the value of the booty at 6,000,000 crowns, but this must be an exaggeration. Hist. Flib., i. 272.
11. Among these was one Caspar de Herrera, who was suspended by the private parts until he was nearly dead. Mosaico, i. 401.
12. Robles, Diario, in Doc. Hist. Mex., i. 371-3. According to this authority the ransom was demanded from the viceroy. Zamacois places the amount at 160,000 pesos, v. 438-9.
13. Villarroel states the corsairs took with them over 3,000 mulattoes, negroes, and boys. Invasion Vera, Cruz, in Lerdo de Tejada, Apunt. Hist. , 283. Robles, that they carried away only 1,300 negroes. Diario, in Doc. Hist. Mex., i. 376. The latter is probably nearer the truth, for 3,000 captives in addition to all the plunder would have overcrowded the vessels.
14. lt consisted of 11 sail. Robles, Diario, in Doc. Hist. Mex., 374. 17 vessels. Esquemedia, Hist. Fab., i. 274. 12 great ships. Sharp's Voyages, 118.
15. Robles, Diario, in Doc. Hist. Mex., i. .373; Cavo, ii. 64. The French and English versions of the matter differ materially from the above. Esquemelin says that the fleet arrived while the buccaneers were at Vera Cruz, Hist. Flib., i. 274; the author of Sharp's Voy., 119-20, that Van Horn proposed to attack it and offered to board the admiral's ship, but that Lorencillo refused to coöperate with him. It is not likely that the buccaneers would think of thus risking their spoils, or would have ventured to remain on the coast in the presence of so strong a fleet, supported by the artillery and garrison of the fort.
16. Sharp's Voyages, 119. Esquemelin attributes the quarrel to a report that Van Horn had said something offensive concerning Lorencillo, whereupon the latter went in search of his traducer, and though he denied the charge, drew his sword, exclaiming, 'Voilà ce qui va me veuger de I'injure que tu m'as faite.' Van Horn also drew, and in the fight which ensued was wounded in the wrist. Hist. Flib., i. 291-2. Villarroel's version is that immediately after boasting before his prisoners that he believed in no God, and that his success was due to his own valor, he was met by Lorencillo, who reproved him for his harsh treatment of the captives. Hence the quarrel and the duel. Invasion Vera Cruz, in Lerdo de Tejada, Apunt. Hist., 281. Robles states that both were wounded, and that Lorencillo offered to restore the booty on certain conditions. Diario, in Doc. Hist. Mex.,i. 373. The account given in Sharp's Voy. seems the most probable.
17. On June 17, 1683, it was reported from Goazacoalcos that the pirates demanded 60,000 pesos of ransom for their negro and mulatto captives. An armadillo of 6 vessels with 600 men left Vera Cruz for Goazacoalcos in the middle of July, in pursuit of the pirates; but was drived back by a storm and detained for about a week. About the 20th of August the armament returned with 6 prizes and 90 slaves taken from the enemy. Robles, Diario, in Doc. Hist. Mex., i. 370, 380-3. The recapture of the slaves is confirmed in Esquemelin, but it is nowhere mentioned except in Robles that the Spaniards took more than one vessel.
18. The name of Lorencillo afterward became a byword in Vera Cruz. When anything was irrecoverably lost it was customary to say that Lorencillo had taken it. Villarroel, Invasion Vera Cruz, in Lerdo de Tejada, Apunt. Hist., 288-9.
19. The distance is about 94 Spanish leagues.
20. The chief authorities which have been consulted in relation to the sack of Vera Cruz are the contemporaneous accounts of Father Villarroel and Antonio Robles. The former, who was assistant parish priest of Vera Cruz at the time of its capture, has left in one of its registers of births a detailed record of this event. It contains occasional repetitions, and, as I have said, there is some confusion in the dates, but otherwise it is clear and graphic. A literal copy is given by Lerdo de Tejada, in his Apuntes Históricos, 273-85, and another copy, less carefully taken, will be found in the Mosaico Mexicano, i. 399-407. Though the Diario of Robles, i. 370-83, contains only brief items relating to this event, it serves to confirm the main statements of Villarroel and furnishes some additional facts. These are the sources from which the principal writers of later times have drawn their information, though not always conforming to the originals. Among the numerous foreign writers, English, French, and Dutch, who treat of this event in connection with the buccaneers, the author of Sharp's Voyages and Esquemelin are probably the best, though both are biassed, and the latter superficial. The former narrative is meagre, but professes to be taken from despatches sent from Jamaica in August 1683. As his work was published in London during the following year, this is probably the case. Further mention of this writer is made in Hist. Cent. Amer., ii. 510-11, this series, and of Esquemelin in Id., 567. These works are probably the most reliable so far as they relate to the stratagem by which the city was surprised, and to questions of detail relating to the buccaneer armament; for the Spaniards captured no prisoners, and neither Villarroel nor Robles could have known anything definite about these matters.
21. Rivera mentions that, during this year, a pirate vessel was captured near Tampico with 104 men on board. The prize was taken to Vera Cruz and 5 of the corsairs were hanged. The rest would have met with the same fate but for a recent order requiring that all freebooters taken captive should be sent to Spain. Gob. Mex., i. 263.
22. Id., 426, 428, 435-7. Ochoa died about this time; but whether he was killed in action is not recorded.
23. Hist. Cent. Amer., ii. 568, this series.
24. Dampier's New Voyage around the World, London, 1699, i. 237-78. The author, Wm. Dampier, was on the fleet, but in what position does not appear. He had left Virginia under Captain Cook in Aug. 1683, had been with Captain Davis in the south, and had come north with Captain Swan. Between 1686 and 1688 several attacks on the coast of Cumaná were repelled by Governor Gaspar Mateo de Acosta, but he was unable to expel a French colony established at the mouth of the river Guarapicheto, and the armada de Barlovento was ordered to proceed to his aid. A number of French pirates were pardoned, and one of them, named Lorenzo, appointed sargento mayor. In December 1686, three prisoners taken at Laguna de Trminos gave information that 100 men had been engaged there for several months in cutting logwood and shipping it to Jamaica. Measures were taken by the viceroy to expel them. Rivera, Gob. Mex., i. 263-4. The treaty concluded between England, France, and Holland at this period, whereby these countries were pledged to aid each other in extending their possessions in America, caused much uneasiness to the Spanish crown, and the viceroy was ordered to make vigorous preparations for defence. The forts were repaired, the armada de Barlovento was refitted, another vessel purchased, and Jacinto Lopez Gijon, admiral of the Flemish squadron in the ocean fleet, placed in command.
25. During the previous year an impostor appeared in the person of Antonio Benavides, who represented himself as the marquis of Saint Vincent, a field-marshal and governor of the castle of Acapulco. He is commonly known as the Tapado. He was arrested by order of the audiencia, tried, and sentenced to death. While in prison he tried to strangle himself with a handkerchief. After his execution his head and one of his hands were taken to Puebla. The other hand was fastened on the gallows. Robles, 370 et seq.; Cavo, ii. 64; Ordenes de la Corona, MS., iii. 60-1.