Introduction
Les trois pièces qui suivent montrent les moyens pris par le gouverneur de la Jamaïque pour tenter de réduire des flibustiers qui s'était trouvés avec Granmont à la prise de Campêche et aussi pour tenter d'empêcher des Jamaïquains de prendre parti avec eux. Cependant le capitaine Duchesne, qui est principalement visé, s'en tire avec la perte de son navire et s'embarque avec son associé Bannister.
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Lieutenant-Governor Molesworth to William Blathwayt Jamaica, November 16, 1685 [26 novembre 1685]. A week since one Dushean, a French privateer, was careening in Porto Lucia on the North side of this Island. Hearing that many people were consorting to him I pressed a sloop, manned her with the Ruby's men, and sent her to bring the vessel in, which she did; but the captain and several of the men escaped a shore. Some desperate people are still designing for the South Seas, in spite of the bad news from thence. They seem to count on being pick up by Grammont's fleet, which is cut off from Petit Guavos under the French King's new orders. I hear that Bannister is about the leeward part of this Island, short of provisions. I shall endeavour to keep him so till I can send the frigate after him. It is rumoured that the French fleet was also about the Island and that some Spanish men of war had disturbed them, when the French fled and left Laurens to bear the burnt alone. Jamaica, November 18 [28 novembre]. Captain Mitchell reported yesterday that while heaving down the Ruby her channel-wale gave way and was broken, with several of her timbers. It will now require a great deal of time to repair her. He therefore very frankly offered his service, proposing to hire two sloops, man them from the Ruby, and bring in Bannister. I gave orders accordingly, and I hope he may have success. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no 463. Lieutenant-Governor Molesworth's instructions to Captain David Mitchell, of H.M.S. Ruby Jamaica, November 1685. To take two sloops, the frigate being unfit to go to sea, man them with the King's sailors, and cruise towards the East end of the Island in search of the pirate Bannister, and his shipe the Golden Fleece. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no 476. Lieutenant-Governor Molesworth to William Blathwayt [extrait] Jamaica, November 25, 1685 [4 décembre 1685]. (...) It will be of great advantage not only to Spain, but to Europe, that all the privateers in the South Seas should be suppressed; but above all it will benefit to this Island, which is unpeopled by privateers. I wish the King of Spain would give His Majesty sufficient encouragement to do so great work. Captain Mitchell returned with his two sloops with out any success, having round the whole Island without meeting Bannister or any of the French fleet. Bannister indeed was so much alarmed on reaching the place to hear Duchean's ship was taken, that he only waited to take Duchean on boards and at once made all sail. I am glad to find my measures so far successful. (...) Hder. Molesworth. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no 475. |
| LES ARCHIVES DE LA FLIBUSTE |
| sommaire || summary |
| Le Diable Volant |