Letter from the Spanish General to Henry Morgan

Letter from the Spanish General to Henry Morgan

An excerpt from Alexander O. Exquemelin's eyewitness account of the French presence in Hispaniola describes the region its inhabitants. It also explores the origin of the buccaneers by recounting their rules and way of life.

Spanish General, Don Alonzo del Campo y Espinosa, writes to Henry Morgan and his men. This was following their attack on the Chagre and Panama.

"Having, through our friends and neighbours, received news that you have had the audacity to commit hostilities in the territories and cities owing obedience to His Catholic Majesty, the king of Spain my master, I have come to this place, according to my bounden duty, and have built up again that fortress which you took from a set of faint-hearts and from which you flung down the guns, that I may prevent your escape from this lake and do you all the injury my duty requires.

Nevertheless, if you will surrender with humility all which you have taken, including all the slaves and other prisoners, I will have the clemency to let you pass, that you may return to your own country. Should you obdurately resist these honourable conditions which I propose, I shall send for sloops from Caracas, in which I shall embark my troops to sail for Maracaibo, with orders to destroy you utterly and put every man to the sword. This is my final resolution: take heed, and be not ungrateful for my kindness. I have with me valiant soldiers, yearning to be allowed to revenge unrighteous acts you have committed against the Spanish nation in America.

Signed on board His Majesty’s ship, Magdalena, at anchor in the entry of the Lake of Maracaibo, 24 April 1669.

Don Alonzo del Campo y Espinosa"

The buccaneers arrived at Lake Maracaibo, where they found everything as they had left it before. But they received news there were three Spanish "men-of-war" in the lake, lying in wait for him, and the fort had again been well equipped. The boat returned the next evening, and confirmed there were men waiting for Morgan. They had seen the warships and been under cannon fire. The warships were full of troops, and the biggest carried at least forty guns, and the fort also was well defended. 

Alexander O. Exquemelin

Library of Congress, Jay Islak Collection

Jan ten Hoorn, Amsterdam

1678