Introduction
En 1685, après la prise de Campêche, à laquelle il participa sous les ordres de Granmont, le capitaine Bartholomew Sharpe gagna les Honduras avec ses associés anglais et français. Avec deux d'entre eux, son compatriote Morgan et le capitaine Tristan, il complota pour aller tenter sa chance aux côtes de Guinée et quitta les Honduras en leur compagnie (voir le mémoire de Cussy, gouverneur de Saint-Domingue, du 13 août 1686). En route pour les côtes d'Afrique occidentales, pour une raison ou une autre, Sharpe fait escale aux Bermudes, l'une des plus vieilles colonies anglaises en Amérique. Le colonel Richard Cony en est alors le premier gouverneur royal, puisque jusqu'ici les Bermudes, appelées aussi Somers Islands, avaient appartenu à des particuliers anglais et non à la Couronne britannique, qui venait de racheter ses droits sur ces îles. Dès son arrivée Cony se heurte aux principaux planteurs de la colonie, qui tiennent farouchement à leur indépendance, allant même jusqu'à traiter avec des flibustiers (à ce sujet, voir sa lettre de juin 1685). Paradoxalement, profitant de la présence du flibustier Sharpe et de quelques autres capitaines qui ont jeté l'ancre aux Bermudes avec celui-ci, le gouverneur les prend à son service pour matter ses administrés qui sont en révolte ouverte contre lui. L'emploi de Sharpe et de ses hommes n'est pas sans envenimer le conflit comme le montre les documents qui suivent et qui relatent le séjour de ces flibustiers aux Bermudes. Quoique Sharpe s'acquitte fort bien de sa mission, cela ne l'empêchera pas d'être arrêté par la Royal Navy pour piraterie (voir le rapport du capitaine George St. Loe sur l'état de la colonie de Nevis et divers documents relatifs au procès de Sharpe à Nevis).
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Governor Cony to the Earl of Sunderland [extrait] December 17, 1685 [Bermudes, 27 décembre 1685]. Copy of a letter from Coopland Lea, George Bascom, William Keeley, and Francis Dickinson to the Deputy Sheriff: We need your presence and advice in consequence of a riotous assembly of Captain Sharp's men, who have seized William Righton's house and continue there by force, using many bloody oaths, calling the inhabitants rebels and charging them with attempting to kill the Governor. The above letter is a true copy. Righton several times sailed from these Islands without giving bond, or clearing in the Secretary's office, and carrying off quantities of tobacco without paying duty. For these offences I imprisoned him, but he broke prison and sailed for Pennsylvania. Returning thence he would not come under my command. but rid in harbour in his boat some sixteen miles away close to his own house. I sent to him to bring down his vessel and shew me his cocquets, which he refused to do. I then sent Captain Sharpe (who holds Sir William Stapleton's commission) to send twelve of his men and bring down Righton and his vessel. They found the vessel unrigged and without her rudder, so returned without her, but by my order two waiters stayed on board her. In the end Righton came to me and showed me some four lines for his cocquet, written on the blank paper of an old almanach. This being unsatisfactory to me, I committed him, and ordered Sharp's men to get the sails, etc., and rudder from his house and bring the vessel under my command; but none of the materials could be found. This is the real truth about the riotous assembly. There was not the least incivility committed by Sharp's men. (...) Richard Cony. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 507. deposition of John Best and others As to the falsehood of charges of misbehaviour against Captain Bartholomew Sharp's men at Bermuda. December 19, 1685 [29 décembre 1685]. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 507viii. Captain Bartholomew Sharpe to the Earl of Sunderland Bermuda, January 3, 1686 [13 janvier 1686]. I have been driven into this harbour by want of provisions. The Island affords plenty enough, yet I cannot be accommodated for our money, though I have the King's commission, unless we side with the peers of the land, as about twelve of the principal men pretend to call themselves, against the King and the Governor. They affront them daily and impudently to such a degree that I should think myself a traitor if I did not seek out means whereby the King may become acquainted, and this most loyal Governor assisted with power suitable to his desire to serve his prince, for which they owe him a mortal hatred. Bartholomew Sharpe, comr. of the Josiah frigate.
source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 532. The inhabitants of Bermuda to Governor Cony [extrait] January 1, 1686 [11 janvier 1686]. We beg you neither to do nor suffer the things following. (...) 3. That no more armed men be sent into the country to rob people under pretence of exercising authority. (...) 10. That we may not be represented as rebels and traitors. We offer these things not to offend you, but beg you to rectify them. We beg you enquire by what authority Captain Barthelomew Sharpe, who took Campeachy from the Spaniards, is entertained here and commits unwarrantable acts. (..) source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 552i. Governor Cony's reply to the inhabitants of Bermuda [extrait] (...) 3. This reflects on my sending Captain Sharpe's men to bring down Righton's vessel. When I send the townsmen on such errands the country rises against them, and disarms Sharpe's men behaved civilly, as Captain Bee can evidence. (...) 10. I have never called them rebels and traitors, though they frequently call me a traitor. As to Sharpe, he has Sir William Stapleton's commission. If he has gone beyond it, it is more than I know, or any Bermudian knows. They encouraged a proclaimed pirate because he bought three or four thounsand pounds' worth goods; Sharpe has only money to pay for provisions for his men, so they will sell him nne. All their spite against Sharpe is because I asked him to bring down old Righton's vessel. His men have behaved very well. (...) source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 552iii. Governor Cony to the Earl of Sunderland [extrait] Bermuda, January 21, 1686 [31 janvier 1686]. (...) The people publicly confess that they have nothing to say against Capt. Sharpe, but would shoot me through him. (...) source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 552. Testimony of Bartholomew Sharpe As to unwillingness of the Council of Bermuda to hear his evidence against William Righton. 28 January [7 février 1686]. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 617vii. Declaration of Joseph Bridgman That he heard William Keele and George Bascom say that if Captains Sharpe and Conway opposed the country, the country would oppose them, and would be in readiness in an hour's time; that unless they came civilly they must expect blows; and that it would be a long time before they took Bascom and Keele again. 26 February 1686 [6 mars 1686]. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 617x. Captain William Coward to Lord Dartmouth [extrait] Bermuda, March 12, 1686 [22 mars 1686]. On our way to Pennsylvania we were driven into this port, where we find the inhabitants in great distraction, being tormented by some ill instruments, and most of them in arms. They alledged, in defence, that when they heard of the late rebellion in England they demanded the King's magazine of the Governor, saying that it was their right. They have kept two castles from him by force, and have many times assaulted him, so that he would probably have been murdered but for the arrival of Captain Bartholomew Sharpe, whom he was obliged to retain for his own security. He has about a hundred men and we thirty, so that by diligent watch we manage to secure the King's interest, though we expect an attack every hour. We hope that you will move, for the Governor is in a deplorable condition in want of assistance. (...) Wm. Coward. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 596. Articles against Bartholomew Sharpe, exhibited by William Peniston 17 March 1686 [27 mars 1686]. As to his suspicious departure from Jamaica, and acts of piracy at Campeachy and elsewhere. Seven articles. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 617iv. Governor Richard Cony to Lords of Trade and Plantation [extrait] Bermuda, March 18, 1686 [28 mars 1686]. On 28 January last [7 février] a vessel arrived from Barbadoes with a packet for Samuel Trott and William Righton, superscribed, "These for his Majesty's service". Hearing of this packet, and that a letter form the King to myself was enclosed in it, I sent for Righton and asked for it. But he refused to do so unless the letters and certain articles exhibited against me by himself and William Milbourne were first recorded. I refused, and after a long dispute and my threatening to cmmit him, he told me that perhaps he might show me the King's letter as a favour... Finally he gave me a copy of the letters, but would show me no more. I therefore committed him and the Deputy-Sheriff, John Hubbard, bailed him. ...I cannot get a sight either of the articles against me or of my complaints. Captain Francis Tucker of the Council has seen several copies, and has told me that no two of them agree. He, Samuel Trott, Richard Stafford, William Peniston, and several more of their faction met and debated whether they could not bring me to examination and trial before the arrival of the King's real letters to me, and they had certainly done so, notwithstanding the readiness of Captain Sharpe and his men to defend me, had not Captain Conaway of the ship Prosperous, arrived in the nick of time and "outdured" their insolence. We are forced to keep watch day and night against an attack of this faction. By the help of Sharpe and Conaway, I recovered two forts taken from me by Bascom and Keele. (...) By assistance of Captains Sharpe and Conaway, I have been brisk with them, and have imprisoned Richard Stafford on board Sharpe's ship, for our gaol and Provost Marshal are one as rotten as the other. ...the whale fishery... might be made very considerable if undertaken by men who would go through with it. I have no account of last year's fishing, though I daily expect it now Sharpe is with me. He is very zealous for the King's service, though the people have offered him large sums to desert me. Richard Cony. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 602. William Peniston to the Justice of the Peace of Bermuda Calling upon them to meet, call Sharpe before them and try him; and, if he refuses to attend, to take all possible precuations to prevent his escape. When the matter id finished they should go down to the Governor and give the lie to his aspersion on the Bermudians for rebels and traitors. They must not forget that Richard Stafford, an aged man, is on board Sharpe's ship with both legs in irons; it is feared that he will be murdered by hard usage. 22 March 1686 [1er avril 1686]. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 617iii. Governor Richard Cony to Lords of Trade and Plantations [extrait] Bermuda, April 1, 1686 [11 avril 1686]. (...) But for Sharpe, and the ship-masters, I should have help against their fury, but they [the rebels] have nothing against me except that I will not abandon the King's interest. I have no heard a word of complaint against Sharpe from any native nor any Governor nor any people, except the factions here who wish me to be left to their rage. Had Sharpe exceeded the bounds of his commission, he will not presume to await the arrival of a King's ship, but now William Peniston has cleared him of any suspicion of piracy. If he was a pirate, why they buy goods of him, and why did they not accuse him as soon as he anchored? Yet they made no attempt to do so until after Captain Bee had sailed. I shall try to keep him till the King's frigate comes. The articles against him are enclosed. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 617. Declaration of Governor Cony That having lately discovered a design to bring him to examination and trial, he has called upon Captain Bartholomew Sharpe and his company at Bermuda for defence of the King's interest. Attested by:
source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 617i. Affirmation of John England and others As to John Viviers of the pink America. That his ship was in a wretched condition, thet he tried to refuse to carry despatches, and behaved himself uncivilly and disrespectfully towards the Governor. Signed by:
source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 617ix. Bartholomew Sharpe to the Earl of Sunderland Bermuda, April 2, 1686 [12 avril 1686). I write to satisfy you further that there is rebellion against the King in all these Islands, and that the people will not believe that any king but Monmouth is living. They demanded possession of the King's magazine and took two of the forts, which however I and Captain Conway recovered. The country is still in arms, and the Governor would be in danger of his life did we not at his request stay here to protect him. I have pried earnestly into their affairs, and they confess that they have nothing to say against the Governor, but that he is not as they would have. Bartholomew Sharpe source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 618. Deposition of James Smailes, master of the ship Bachelor's Adventure, to Lords of Trade and Plantations [extrait] I was driven into Bermuda by stress of weather, though bound to Carolina. At Bermuda... I was brought up to up to the Sessions House to answer a charge of diffamation brought by one John England, master of a small vessel, who laid his damages at £1.000. Judgment was given against me by some irregularity... When I was released the Governor employed two pirates, Sharpe and Conway, to prevail with me to take my ship again and five the Governor a discharge, and on my refusal I was committed to prison in a dungeon, loaded with irons and nearly starved. I beg relief. Received 3 June 1686 [13 juin 1686]. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 709. Deposition of Bartholomew Sharpe That when Richard Stafford was delivered as a prisoner on board his ship a paper was found on him to the effect that a part of the country were ready to rescue him by force. Sworn June 27, 1686 [7 juillet 1686]. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 841ii. Depositions of Paul Abney, Sharpe's lieutenant Confirming the preeceding. Sworn June 27, 1686 [7 juillet 1686] and before the Council 19 August 1686 [29 août 1686]. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 841iv. Depositions of Thomas Valley, Sharpe's master Confirming the preeceding. Sworn June 28, 1686 [8 juillet 1686]. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 841v. Deposition of Paul Abney That Stafford had mentioned to him a conspiracy to buy arms and put down Captain Sharpe by force; and that Hugh Wentworth told him the same. Deposition of Hugh Wentworth contradicting the above. Sworn June 30, 1686 [10 juillet 1686]. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1685-1688: no. 841vi. |
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