Introduction
Les pièces qui suivent, provenant de la correspondance du gouverneur de la Jamaïque, rapportent la mort du capitaine Tristan, l'un des plus fameux flibustiers des années 1680. Quoiqu'elles datent de 1693 et dépassent donc les limites de la période traitée dans ces pages, je les ai insérées ici parce qu'elles rapportent les circonstances de la fin d'un chef flibustier de la grande époque. Tristan qui s'était établi à la Jamaïque après l'affaire de la Veracruz, n'est pas mort riche. Pour preuve, il courrait encore la mer des Caraïbes, non plus comme corsaire mais comme contrebandier.
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Lieutenant-Governor sir William Beeston to the Earl of Nottingham [extrait] Jamaica, March 22, 1693 [1er avril 1693]. (...) The Mordaunt is on the coast of Porto Bello where the Spaniards have inhumanly cut off Captain Tristan and all his company of about fourteen persons belonging to this Island. The President wrote to the Council here to excuse himself, and I have returned him an answer, of which I enclose copy. Tristan was undoubtedly trading on the coast, but wheather that be cause enough for them to murder him and all his men in cold blood I leave to your Lordship. They pretend for their excuse that he was a Frenchman, but he has been a British subject and an inhabitant of Jamaica for many years, and his people were all English. I shall report more fully when the Mordaunt returns. (...) Wm. Beeston. The President of Panama to the Council of Jamaica [traduction anglaise de l'original espagnol] 16/26 January 1693 [26 janvier 1693]. Ever since peace was made between the two Crowns of Spain and England I have endeavoured to preserve it, never doubting that the Government of Jamaica would do the like. But recently a sloop has come from Jamaica manned by Frenchmen under Captain Tristan, with merchandise to trade on these coasts. I am surprised that you should have permitted this breach of the treaty. These men though bidden by the Lieutenant-General of Porto Bello to come to him would not do so, and he, understanding that they were French, seized the ship. The men resisted and were all killed. I cannot omit to point out to you the danger to which the arrival of such vessels, especially manned by Frenchmen, exposes me. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1696-1693: no. 207. Lieutenant-Governor sir William Beeston to the Earl of Nottingham [extrait] Jamaica, July 28, 1693 [7 août 1693]. (...) I transmit a duplicate of mine of the 10th June and part of the Marquis de les Menez's answer to me as Captain Tristan. (...) Wm. Beeston. Extract of a letter from Marquis de les Menez to sir William Beeston [sans date] I confess that Captain Tristan's business has troubled me much, for I have always endeavoured that English vessels should have good passage in these harbours, and have given orders accordingly. Frenchmen have too often been allowed to come and prosecute unlawful trade, under pretence of being English. I was lying very sick when I first heard of the matter, and my grief over the deceit of these men went near to cause my death. I have put the guilty parties to close confinement with a view to poper punishment. But do not doubt that the vessel was lawfully seized, for most of her people were French and her captain known to be one of the greatest pirates in America. Had he been brought in alive, I should have punished him. I ought to believe that you would hinder such vessels from sailing from Jamaica. source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1696-1693: no. 479. |
| LES ARCHIVES DE LA FLIBUSTE |
| sommaire || summary |
| Le Diable Volant |