Morgan defeats the Spanish at Maracaibo

Morgan sent a messenger to the Spanish general with the following proposals: the buccaneers would leave Maracaibo without doing any harm to the city, and without claiming any ransom, they would give up half of the slaves, and set free all the prisoners without ransom and would let the hostages go free. The general refused to consider the proposals and stated that if they did not surrender within two days, he would destroy them "by fire and sword". Upon receiving this answer, Morgan and his men instantly resolved to do everything they could to get out of the lake without surrendering their booty.