Introduction
En 1684, la prise de la Vera Cruz, la plus lucrative expédition des flibustiers depuis bien dix ans, fait grand bruit en Europe, notamment en Angleterre qui est en paix avec l'Espagne. De même, quoique moins importante que l'affaire de la Vera Cruz, la descente manquée contre San Agustín, en Floride. Le roi anglais n'en ordonne pas moins à ses colonies américaines, surtout la Jamaïque et la Nouvelle-Angleterre, de ne plus frayer avec les flibustiers. Enfin, comme le montre la première de deux pièces ci-dessous, ce n'est pas faute de volonté de la Jamaïque dont le gouverneur est allé jusqu'à informer les Espagnols du dessein des flibustiers sur la Vera Cruz (voir à ce sujet la lettre de Saint-Laurent et Bégon datée de février 1684).
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The King to Sir Thomas Lynch Windsor, April 13, 1684 [23 avril 1684]. Having heard of the violence lately committed by pirates on Vera Cruz, and that the King of Spain is sending a Commissioner to enquire into the same, we order that if that Commissioner should apply to you for advice or assistance you will give him all in your power. You will, if he desires it, inform him privately as to the warning which you sent to the Governor of St. Domingo respecting Nicholas Vanhorn, and his answer thereto, and also as to any secret correspondence between that Governor and Vanhorn. You will permit no succour nor retreat to any pirates, least of all to Thomas Pain, who, with five vessels under Brehas, a Frenchman, is lately arrived at Florida. You will do all in your power to suppress pirates, and see that our orders in this respect are carried out. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1681-1685: no. 1633. The King to the Governor and Magistrates of Massachusetts [extrait] April 13, 1684 [23 avril 1684]. In consequence of the ravages of pirates in the territory of the King of Spain, we have thought fit, for the encouragement of the amity that exists between us and his Spanish Majesty, to give orders for the suppression of pirates, and that you give no succour nor assistance to any, and especially not to one called Thomas Paine, who with five vessels under the command of Captain Breha, has lately sailed to Florida. Such pirates you will exterminate so far as in you lies, as a race of evildoers and enemies of mankind... source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1681-1685: no. 1634. |
| LES ARCHIVES DE LA FLIBUSTE |
| sommaire || summary |
| Le Diable Volant |