French pioneers in the West Indies, 1624-1664.

Crouse, Nellis Maynard, 1884New York, Columbia university press, 1940.

http://hdl.handle.net/2027/osu.32435008011488

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FR EN CH PIONEERS IN

THE WEST INDIES

* Nellis M. Crouse

west

FRENCH PIONEERS IN
THE WEST INDIES
1624-1664

. ... . *

New York: Morningside Heights

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS

1940

CoPYRIGHT

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

1940

PRESS, NEW YORK

Foreign agents: Oxford UN versiTY PREss, Humphrey Milford, Amen

House, London, E.C. 4, England, AND B.I. Building, Nicol Road,
Bombay, India; MARUzRN CoMPANY, LTD., 6.Nihonbashi, Tori-Nichome,
Tokyo, Japan
MANUPACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

:: :

CONTENTS

VII.
VIII.

XI.

XII.
XIII.

of

35

of

De Poincy

Tortuga
Discord
Patrocles

8O

the Colonies

99

Thoisy

12.5

Governor-General versus Governors

IX. The
X.

Guadeloupe

French Expand

I49
I75

Grenada and St. Lucia

I93

Governors Become Owners

2.05

Trials and Tribulations

of

VI.

IO

Ownership

End of the Pioneer Period

Appendix: The Islands

of

V.

IV. Arrival

St. Christopher

of

Colonization

in

III.

Settlement

de

II.

I. The Caribbee Islands

the French West Indies

2.30
2-49
2.71

Bibliography

2.73

Index

2.83

56.9516

MAPS

The Caribbee Islands

Section of

chart

entitled

"The

West Indies,

Central

America,

Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea, published by the United

States Hydrographic Office of the Navy Department, 1892, with
corrections up to 1916.
St. Christopher

2.O

Guadeloupe

48

Martinique

64

The maps of St. Christopher, Guadeloupe, and Martinique are from

Du Tertre's Histoire generale des Antilles, edition of 1667, Vol. I.

ess

I e--

THE CARIBB.EE ISLANDS

E:

xTENDING

from

the eastern

tip of Puerto Rico to the

of the Orinoco River lies

bow-shape archipelago

cutting off the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean Sea,

which in the early days was called the Caribbee Islands and
to-day is known as the Lesser Antilles. This archipelago is
subdivided into two major groups: the Leeward Islands and
the Windward Islandsthe former embracing the islands lying

as

of

it.

north of Martinique, which is situated roughly midway between

Puerto Rico and the Orinoco, while the latter comprises those
Though the Spaniards with greater meteor
to the south of
ological accuracy spoke
the entire group
the Windward

of

in

to

or

to

the Greater Antilles

Islands and applied the term "Leeward
Spanish
sometimes
the islands off the
Main
the southern
Caribbean, the British government, which now owns most
the Caribbees, has adopted the former classification

seizing

the name

of

they spread out over the archipelago,

in

as

in in

in

in

establish
ing the two distinct political units called the Leeward and the
Windward Islands. But
the seventeenth century, the period
which our story lies, the French were the dominant nation
the Lesser Antilles. From St. Christopher (popularly known
St. Kitts), where Pierre d'Esnambuc planted his first colony,

on

of

to

them-Guadeloupe,
their king those rich islands
the south
Martinique, Grenada, St. Lucia, Dominicawhile the English,
who had likewise settled
St. Christopher, took possession

2.

THE CARIBBEE ISLANDS

of the smaller and

less valuable islands, such as

Nevis, Mont

serrat, and Antigua.

In those days the islands were prosperous, far more so than

now. Their owners reaped fortunes from slave-worked planta

tions; buccaneers used their harbors as ports of call where they
might refit their ships and spend ill-gotten gains; slave traders
unloaded horrid cargoes on their shores and sold them at a
handsome profit; indeed, the Caribbees offered a field of oppor
tunity to adventurous men not overburdened with scruples,

who did not hesitate to turn their hands to any profitable busi
ness without asking too many questions. During the seventeenth
century, when the principle "No peace beyond the Line was
tacitly recognized, these bold spirits, chiefly French and English,
could here organize predatory expeditions against the Spanish
possessions; for together with British Jamaica and French
San Domingo the Caribbees formed an outpost in that sphere

of influence where Spain claimed jurisdiction, and by fortifying

them they could hold the approaches to the Spanish Main.
But this obvious advantage, it must be admitted, was not the
motive which brought the Europeans there to appropriate and
colonize. The English, for their part, were interested primarily
in plantations that would enrich the mother country and serve
as an outlet for a surplus population, which even at this early
date roamed the countryside and collected in the towns to form
a problem for the authorities. Though not so greatly troubled
by a surplus population as were their British neighbors, the
French, who in the seventeenth century were beginning their
colonial adventures under the able leadership of Richelieu and

Colbert, quickly saw the advantages of establishing colonies

"The Line was fixed by the lines of amity formed by the meridian of
the Azores passing through the Tropic of Cancer. Beyond it the colonials
could fight without endangering the peace between their respective govern
ments in Europe.
*French San Domingo, known today as the Republic of Haiti, was the western
portion of the island of Haiti, while the eastern part belonged to Spain. The
French spoke of the island as San Domingo; the Spanish called it Hispaniola.

THE CARIBBEE ISLANDS

both in Canada and in the West Indies, which could be used to

supply France

with products such

as furs, tobacco, and sugar and

which would furnish a market for articles of French manu

facture.

Impelled thus by a desire to colonize for economic reasons,

the French and English pioneers had no reason to quarrel, and
thanks to the large number of islands at their disposal they were
able to live peacefully with each other, at least as peacefully
as could be expected of two rival nations. It was not until
King William III inaugurated the long series of wars that takes
up so much space in the histories of the eighteenth century
that the practice of capturing and recapturing each other's
islands began. The period we are about to describe was, there
fore, one of colonization and of wars against the native pos
sessors of the soil.

mountain peaks whose sides, dropping away

cipitately, are furrowed

is to

But what nature has

veritable jungle

in

in

of

in

the more inaccessible

portions one may see fields

of

in

parts, while
the cultivated
sugar cane and groves
orange trees,
trees and stately coco palms

waving

of

of

vegetation, forming

of

deep ravines.

pre

accessibility, she has repaid

the way
soil. The slopes are covered with trees and heavy

deprived man

fertility

by

of

made

up

it

of

height
head
more
range
than five thousand feet. This
does not lend itself
plateau formations which would make agriculture easy;
to

rugged Dominica, which raises

its

The islands which compose the Caribbee group are of volcanic

origin. They are really a mountain range rising from the ocean's
bed and towering above the sea, topped by Mt. Diablotin on

with weed-like banana

is

by

in

the breeze. The climate

warm and fairly uniform throughout the year, tempered
the northeasterly trade winds that blow there continually.
is

hurricane,

which sweeps the entire region, leaving havoc

in

by

it

necessary

to

tropical vegetation, occurs during

the summer and early fall, and
then that the islands are
occasionally visited
that dreadful scourge, the West Indian
so

Heavy rainfall,

THE CARIBBEE ISLANDS

its wake. The direction from which the trade winds blow causes
vessels

to seek shelter on the western side of the islands, and it is

here that we find such harbors as the archipelago affords. Un

fortunately, in some cases notably at St. Christopher, Dominica,
and Montserrat there are but open roadsteads, giving only a
limited protection. St. Lucia, however, has the excellent harbor
of Castries, where modern steamers can tie up at the dock.

Pitre, snugly situated between

the two halves of the island of Guadeloupe, while Martinique
and Antigua have a better than average shelter, and Grenada
can boast of one for small craft. On the whole, harbor facilities
Steamers can dock also at

Pointe

appear to have been satisfactory for the vessels of early days,

though of course they are totally inadequate for our modern
leviathans.

of so

of

its

The natives of these islands were the Caribs (whence the

archipelago takes
name),
ferocious race far different from
Hispaniola, whom the Spaniards
the peaceful savages
on

be

of

in

in

on

to

cruelly exterminated. The Caribs were the dominant stock

the West Indies, and they were
found not only
the
the South American continent, particularly
islands but also
the Guianas and
Venezuela. Shortly before the coming
or

the Spaniards they invaded the islands and extirpated

drove

of

first appearance were already confined

to

out the milder Arawaks, who when the white man made his

by

of

the island
Trinidad
adjoining
Physically
and the
mainland.
the Caribs were not
unattractive, though the barbarous custom
flattening the
compressing the head between two boards soon
after birth gave them
rather grotesque appearance. Their hair
was black, worn usually
braids and heavily greased, while

in

forehead

of

heavy coat
dye
were hidden beneath
extracted from the juice
the annatto tree, which not only
served
decorative purpose but also provided protection for

of

of

their complexions

coloring matter made

of

the skin against the sun and the ravages

noisome insects.
On important occasions they would add touches with special
genip-tree sap, and thus adorned would

L.*

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Maorias

1.

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on

-St.

st

Baerwolo-rew

St. Carlsroelate

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Monroebear-

E.

||

selected
Sr. Vincent

-- a

THE CARIBBEE ISLANDS

--*
-

6Matar Galast".

The 5Aucts-

-Desirabe

Guadeloupe

Eustavus A.Barbuda

-1.

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to

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W

Anouilla
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THE CARIBBEE ISLANDS

march boldly into battle or to
tribesmen.

conference

with their fellow

On taking the field the Carib warrior was well armed. His
bow was a stout affair, fully six feet long and one and one-half
inches thick in the middle, which discharged with considerable
accuracy arrows about three feet long. These arrows were made

its

of reeds tipped with barbs of hardened greenwood saturated

with the juice of the manchineel tree, one of the deadliest of
vegetable poisons, which because of
potency, has acquired

at

in

of

to

In

it

that seems fantastic, were not the stories about

verified by actual experience.
addition
the bow and arrow
heavy
the warrior carried
club made
stout hardwood some
long,
three feet
about two inches
diameter
the handle, and

reputation

five

in of

of

four

at

or

the business end. Thus equipped

worthy antagonist for the white settler.
the Carib brave was
As many
their warlike expeditions consisted
attacks on
large canoe,
other islands, they had developed
some cases
to

increasing

to

of of
as

of

handling
as

of

in

of

length, capable
more than forty feet
efficient service on
the rough waters
the Caribbean, and they enjoyed the dis
being one
tinction
the few Indian races
understand the
on

sailboats. These huge war canoes sometimes carried

many
three masts,
which small topsails were set above
the courses.

of

to

to

Christianity met with little

convert the Carib
worthy missionaries,
success, despite the earnest attempts
Efforts

folly

baptism,

but the

baptizing indiscriminately
no

no

missionaries soon saw the

submit

of

persuade them

to

articulo mortis.

to

admitted,

to

and some adults

baptizing only few children

was not difficult, the Father

It in

Dominica and succeeded

in

years

in

of

as

to

and the French were eventually obliged

treat him
un
Labat,
civilizable. For example, Father
who lived for years on
the French islands, speaks
two priests who spent twenty-five

as
a

of

of

of

persons who had

conception
the sacrament and
inten
whole,
embracing
tion
the Christian mode
life. Taken
unpleasant
neighbors
the Caribs were
for the European colonists,

THE CARIBBEE ISLANDS

though it is difficult to say whether or not they might have

proved more tractable had they met

with more humane treat

ment. But as the French and English had little compunction in

exterminating them when their destruction seemed the best
policy, it is doubtful if more placid dispositions would have
insured their survival. Since peace on a permanent basis was
impossible with these savages, they were driven from island to
island as fast as the white man advanced, until by the end of
the seventeenth century they were practically confined to the
two islands of Dominica and St. Vincent, where there were as
yet no permanent settlements.

The first of the Caribbees to be discovered were those seen by

Columbus on his second voyage. Returning to the West Indies
in 1493 with a magnificent fleet and a host of adventurers eager
for the riches of Cathay, the Spanish admiral's first sight of
land was stately Mt. Diablotin, standing out against the
horizon. It was Sunday, the eighth of November, and Columbus
appropriately

named the island Dominica. Yet despite the

alluring appearance of the landscape, he did not land there.
Lack of suitable anchorage and a desire to rejoin the little

colony he had left earlier in the year at Hispaniola induced him

to turn northward and to leave the beauties of Dominica behind.

His course now led him through the Leeward Islands. Just north
of Dominica he came to Mariegalante, which he named after
his flagship. Here he landed to take possession in the name of
the Spanish sovereigns; but the island was small, uninteresting,
and of no particular importance, especially when he could see

to the northward the lofty mountains of Guadeloupe beckoning

to him. This magnificent island, largest of the Caribbees (if we
except Trinidad), Columbus named after the convent of Santa
Maria de Guadeloupe

in Estremadura

in accordance with a

promise he had made the friars to call an island after their

sanctuary.
Guadeloupe proved to be the headquarters of the Carib nation,
whence these bold marauders set forth on their expeditions

THE CARIBBEE ISLANDS

against the neighboring islands. On landing there Columbus

sent his men along the shore to make a cursory investigation,

with explicit orders not to venture inland. There was, however,

one captain, bolder than the rest, who ventured to disobey the
a small number of followers on an

Admiral's orders and to lead

expedition of his own, hoping to make some discovery that

would redound to his glory. When night came and he did not
return, Columbus sent out detachments to scour the neighboring
forests in the hope of finding the lost explorers. The following
day he dispatched that gallant adventurer Alonzo de Ojeda, who
party of men plunged into the jungle, where he
wandered about for several days in a vain search for his com

with

a small

panions.

He saw much that enthralled him in this gorgeous

tropical paradise: trees clothed in sparkling foliage, exotic
flowers, richly colored birds, and on the macabre side of the
picture he discovered gruesome evidences of the cannibalism
which the savages practiced on their enemies. But he found no
trace of the lost Spaniards. At last Columbus decided to leave.
Believing his men irretrievably lost, he had already given orders
to sail when he saw on a point of land the captain and his
followers signalling desperately to the ship. By good fortune
they had reached the shore in the nick of time after having
wandered aimlessly about through the forests.
Columbus now sailed for Hispaniola without stopping at
any other islands along his route, though the temptation to
land and explore them must have been great. He contented

himself with naming them as he jotted down their location in

his logbook. Montserrat recalled a mountain near Barcelona;
Antigua commemorated the church of Santa Maria la Antigua

most group were named the

the eleven thousand virgins.

Nevis,
cloud, resembled
peak topped by
mountain; and lastly the multitudinous islands

snow-capped

of

its

at Seville; the mountains of St. Christopher gave the appearance

of the familiar legend of St. Christopher and the Christ child;
the northern

Virgin Islands after St. Ursula and

THE CARIBBEE ISLANDS

Five years later, when sailing from Spain on his third voyage,
Columbus made a vow to name the first land he sighted in
honor of the Holy Trinity. Steering a more southerly course
than on his previous voyages, his first glimpse of land was the
large island that blocks off the Gulf of Paria from the Atlantic
Ocean. This island he named Trinidad, and strange to say it
appeared to him as he first saw it in the distance from his
quarterdeck as three peaks standing out above the horizon,

the northern
he

he

as

the Dragon's Mouth,

sailed out through

called, and
entrance

southern approach,

is

Gulf of Paria by

he

the

of the Triune God he would commemorate. Entering

its

emblematic

its

variant

of he

"Mantinino,

Indian namefor "Martinique"

by

of

always retained

is

he

It

he

of

he

to

headed westward
continued far enough north
sight the islands
Grenada, which
called Conception, and
Tobago, which
named Assumption.
was on his last
voyage that
sighted Martinique, which for some reason
before

by

it

of

he

at

which name the Caribs knew itand

also
this time discovered St. Lucia, situated just south
Martinique. On this voyage
may also have sighted St. Vin
Saragossa, though
cent and named
after the famous deacon
we cannot be sure about this. The island of Barbados was found

los

is

at

of

of

its

it

the Spaniards, who gave

that name because
somewhat later
slopes reminded them
kind
bearded fig tree called
barbados,
least such
the most plausible theory.

as

as

or

of

to

Though the Spaniards discovered the Caribbees they failed

colonize them, for these little dots
the Lesser Antilles did
not offer gold and silver
vast territories
did the American
continent. They were mountainous for the most part,
we
have said, and covered

with forests that rendered them unsuit

the Caribbean Sea; but on the

on

full sail

is

at

in

as

*Many authorities state that St. Vincent was discovered

obviously
Spain
the Admiral was
that time this

but

Jan.

an

Canaries and rode them

to

of

able for cattle raising, while the fierce Caribs made colonization
navigation.
difficult. Furthermore, there was the question
Fleets coming from Spain picked up the trade winds off the

22,

error.

1498,

THE CARIBBEE ISLANDS

return journey, in order to avoid the long beat to windward they

sought a more northerly route through Florida Strait, where
favorable winds prevailed. Thus the Caribbees could never serve

for the heavily laden plate fleets that sailed

yearly from the Spanish Main.
And so for a hundred years these verdure-clad islands lay
neglected by their discoverers, who, trusting in their title to
the New World, granted to them by the Vicar of Christ, passed
them by for the more imposing Cuba, Jamaica, and San Domingo.

as a rendezvous

Then with the dawn of the seventeenth century, when the na

tions of the north began their colonial expansion, a swarm of
eager, fighting colonists poured down to claim them in the
names of England, France, and the United Netherlands, putting
an end forever to the Spanish monopoly
*

of the West Indies.

ess

II e--

SETTLEMENT OF ST. CHRISTOPHER

T:

in

of

the sixteenth century there lived

the
parish of St. Quentin, Allouville, Normandy, a gentleman
named Nicolas Belain, Sieur d'Esnambuc et de Canouville.
the close

This gentleman had married the Demoiselle Peronne, by whom

he had four children: Adrienne, who married Pierre Dyel de
Vaudroques (a descendant of one of the adventurers who had
followed the Sieur Roberval to Canada in the days of King

Francis I), Franois de Canouville, Pierre d'Esnambuc, and

Catherine. During the wars that ravaged his neighborhood
Nicolas Belain became financially hard pressed, and to relieve

In to

the domain

of

dispose

of

to

1599 Franois was forced

of

to

at

ill

his necessities he borrowed from Marshal de Brissac a large sum

of money, hoping to pay him back when conditions improved.
But
luck pursued him, and
last his heirs were obliged
satisfy the clamor
sell their patrimony
their creditor.
Esnambuc,

of

to

of

impression

on

an

made

back some day.

was nearly thirty years

to

he

an

in

at

this tender age the loss

his land
him that roused
him
intense desire
By the time Canouville was liquidated
age and able
translate his wishes
and

win

it

of

1585, he was but

lad when his

elder brother sold the fief from which he had taken his name,
Pierre d'Esnambuc.

Born

in a

be

to

of

and fifteen years later Canouville met with similar fate. There
was one member
the family, however, who was determined
fortune, and this was
not
downed by such
reversal

into deeds. At his

in

SETTLEMENT OF

ST.

CHRISTOPHER

II

sistence there was inserted in the bill of sale a clause enabling

him to buy back the family property within six years upon pay
ment of the sale price plus a slight profit.
tive Pierre now started out in search of

With this
a

as an

incen

fortune. Needless to

did not intend to obtain his money by the homely process

of trade or through the savings of a modest salarythe time
element alone would have precluded such a methodbut he
proposed to make his fortune by a series of bold strokes; in short,
he planned to cruise the Spanish Main in search of booty. In six
years, he assured himself, he would surely meet some richly
say he

laden galleon, or he might take possession of some fertile island

in the West Indies. Circumstances, moreover, were propitious

for this sort of thing. The Treaty of Vervins, signed in 1598,

between France and Spain had brought peace to these distracted
countries; but it was a peace that applied only to Europe. Be
yond "the Line," as we have pointed out, privateers could range
at will on their own responsibility.
Young D'Esnambuc, for so our hero is known to history,
of his, Urbain du Roissey,
Sieur de Chardonville, a native of Rouen, who was to be his
therefore took service

with

a friend

companion in his coming adventures and the leader of his pri

vateering enterprises. Years went by; not only the six, but many
more, without the freebooters being able to do more than make

During this time, however, they learned the art of

navigation and managed to secure commissions as captains in
the navy. At last, one day in the year 162.5, as they were cruising

expenses.

off the coast of Cuba near the

ward bound from Cartagena,
of four hundred tons, armed
Du Roissey's ship was but a
a crew of forty men; but the

route taken by the plate fleet home

they fell in with a Spanish galleon

with thirty-five

of artillery.
small brigantine of four guns with
pieces

great opportunity had arrived, and

he did not hesitate. For three hours the unequal combat lasted;
then Du Roissey, his ship leaking in a dozen places, his crew
nearly

all killed or wounded, drew off, while the Spaniard, un

able to capture the plucky Frenchman, sailed away badly shaken

SETTLEMENT OF

I2.

CHRISTOPHER

ST.

by the punishment he had taken.

It

was now necessary to reach

a port where the vessel could be careened and repaired, obviously
a port not within the Spanish possessions; so Du Roissey steered
eastward, hoping to reach one of the small uninhabited islands

of the Lesser Antilles. By chance his course lay for St. Christo
pher, and at the end of two weeks he dropped anchor off the
northern part of the island under the shadow of Mt. Misery near
Pointe de Sable.

In order to understand the situation that D'Esnambuc found

awaiting him at St. Christopher, it is necessary to devote a few
pages to the establishment of the English colony on this island
by Sir Thomas Warner, a man who played an important part in
the colonization of the West Indies. Several years before, in

Thomas Warner, who since his boyhood days

had dreamed of adventure, joined an expedition under Captain
Roger North, sent out by a small group of wealthy men to found
1620, to be exact,

in that rich country between the Amazon and the

Essequibo rivers, known by the name of Guiana. Upon reaching
his destination North landed a number of his followers, among
whom were Thomas Warner and Captain Thomas Painton, and
promptly sailed home. This Captain Painton had gleaned some
knowledge of the West Indies by previous voyages along the
a settlement

Spanish

Main, and, moreover, had some theories of his own

about colonization. He would form a settlement, so he explained

to Warner, on one of those small, fertile islands of the Caribbee

chain, where, surrounded by a sea which would keep intruders

off and prevent the inhabitants from leaving, his venture would
be sure to prosper. Furthermore, he knew of just such an island
the island of St. Christopher. The idea appealed to Warner, for
here might be an opportunity to found a colony and to succeed
where the great Raleigh had failed. At any rate, Guiana prom
ised little, and there would be harm in glancing at St. Christo
pher. Warner and Painton therefore set sail in
to the Caribbees.
St. Christopher proved, indeed,

1622

and proceeded

promising place for a colony.

SETTLEMENT OF

ST.

CHRISTOPHER

I3

True there was no harbor; but an open roadstead on the leeward

side sheltered vessels from the prevailing winds. The soil would

tobacco-in fact the tobacco grown there later

proved far better than that of Barbadosas well as the fruits

produce good

and vegetables necessary for the support of white settlers. In the

southern part lay a string of salt ponds spread out over a flat
peninsula-like formation reaching almost to Nevis, which would
give colonists an inexhaustible

supply of this necessary condi

ment. Warner stepped ashore to make an inspection and man
aged to strike up an acquaintance with the native chief, a Carib

named Tegreman, who claimed lordship over the island. Tegre

man's followers, despite their reputation for ferocity, appeared

friendly enough, the usual attitude of natives who have not yet
been molested by the white man, and this encouraged the Eng
lishmen to believe that they could live in peace with them.

to its

Satisfied with what he had seen, Warner, after a sojourn of

several months, during which he made a thorough survey of the
at

by

an

an

to

of

he

and

once

experi

navigator and just the man

expedition
sea,
lead
him
unfolded his scheme
colonization. Jeaffreson

to

enced

to

England and
natural resources, returned
look up his old friend John Jeaffreson,

island and
proceeded

at

to

was enthusiastic, and the two

once proceeded
draw up
their plans. But like most enthusiasts they lacked the necessary

in

at

to

to

cash. After casting about for

financial backer they finally
approach one Ralph Merifield,
elected
London merchant
much interested
such enterprises. Merifield
once agreed

join them. As Captain Painton had recently died, the three ad

once went

that Jeaffreson could follow with

work. He enlisted

of

to

send back

it

if

of a

willing

some neighboring island

Warner

at

his whereabouts
contingent.

small band

do so, and he was then

to

of

should seem better

transport

Warner was
Christopher,
St.
so to

men

to

partnership.

or to up
to
an

to

keep the business for themselves ex

venturers determined
clusively, and they drew
agreement, forming
sort

word

second

small, adventurous

SETTLEMENT OF

I4

ST.

CHRISTOPHER

group, which consisted of sixteen persons all told, including his

thirteen-year-old son Edward; and having set sail for St. Christo
pher, he dropped anchor on January 28, 1624, off the western

of the island, in the roadstead known as Old Road Bay,

about half way between
two extremities. Momentous day
this, and one that should rank
the history
American colon
founding
contemporary
ization with those
events the
James
of

in

of

its

shore

of

town and the landing

the Pilgrim Fathers! For when Thomas
Warner and his little band landed on the shores of St. Christo
to

in

pher, England began her colonial empire

Once ashore, the colonists proceeded

the West Indies.

entrench themselves.

of

be

by

to

of

to

of

They built
rude fort, erected some houses, sowed
field
grain, and planted
crop
ready for Jeaffreson's
tobacco
arrival, living meanwhile on fish, cassava bread, potatoes, and
plantainsthe natural produce
the island. This done, the ship
England with the joyful news that all was
was sent back
ready. And now the savages, headed
Tegreman and accom
panied by some French castaways (to whom we shall refer later)
meet the newcomers.

in

of

to

They prowled about the buildings,

looking into the houses, poking fingers through the loopholes
the fort, which the English told them they had cut
the

came

is

of

of

in

given
"The dates will
the new style according
calendar. Several accounts give the date
Warner's arrival
scholars feel that 1624
the correct year.

to

to

its

his settlement, drove his men

as

be

all

daunted by the destruction

of

in

of

of

of to

of

in

so

walls
that they might observe the chickens pecking about the
yard, and
general making themselves good deal
nuisance.
crop
ripened,
clear,
passed.
Months
The tobacco
the
warm
way
spring
gave
tempestuous
weather
winter and
the
rainy season; and then came that scourge
the West Indies
September
the hurricane. On the nineteenth
the blow fell.
poured
skies,
Torrents
water
down from leaden
while the
wind blowing with terrific force tore up the tobacco plants and
destroyed the flimsy dwellings, leaving wreckage
wake.
When the storm had finally spent itself, the gallant Warner, un
the Gregorian

1613, but modern

SETTLEMENT OF

ST.

CHRISTOPHER

I5

repair the damage. New houses were erected, the ground was
cleared of rubbish, and soon a fresh crop of tobacco was ripening
in the warm sunshine.
Meanwhile, John Jeaffreson had not been idle. With the help
of Merifield he had chartered a ship, appropriately named the
Hopewell, and having loaded her with supplies, he arrived
at St. Christopher on March 18, 1625. One can imagine with
what joy the two leaders greeted each other on this little out
of-the-way island in the far-off West Indies, where they saw the
realization of their dreams of extending the colonial empire of
England in the New World. Worthy successors of the Eliza
bethan heroes though they were, they did not then grasp the
importance of their modest enterprise. A handful of men isolated
on an insignificant island for the prosaic purpose of raising to
bacco were in reality forging an important
far-flung empire.

link in Britain's

Early in September Warner was back in England with 9,500

pounds of tobacco to defray the costs of his expedition. During
his absence important changes had taken place in the govern
ment, which were to have

significant

effect on

his colonial

venture. King James had died and had been succeeded by his
son, Charles I, whose unsuccessful matrimonial adventures with
the Spanish royal family during his father's reign had crushed
any affection he may have felt for Spain. In fact, when Warner
landed he was already preparing an armada to attack the seaport

of Cadiz. Far from sharing the fears that had held James in check
when it came to a question of encroaching on the Spanish sphere
of influence in America, King Charles was inclined to encourage
any attempts to found colonies there. All this made matters
easy for Warner, inasmuch as Merifield, well pleased with the
results

of his venture, determined to clinch his somewhat dubi

ous title to St. Christopher by obtaining a charter for himself

and his associates. Needless to say, he had no difficulty in secur
ing such a document, for since the colony encroached on the
Spaniard's domain,

King Charles regarded it with favor and

SETTLEMENT OF ST. CHRISTOPHER

I6

readily granted a patent on September 25, 1625, to Ralph Meri

field, his partners, and his agents permitting them to traffic in
the islands of St. Christopher, Nevis, Barbuda, and Montserrat.
Thomas Warner and after his death John Jeaffreson were to be

with their governance. Thus was the possession of the

founders, who proceeded
develop
settlement assured to
Such,
then,
with renewed enthusiasm.
was the situation when

D'Esnambuc and Du Roissey

Christopher.

it

to

its

entrusted

made their appearance off St.

of

to

of

to

of

in

It

the autumn season, perhaps October, when the

French landed
make their first survey
the island. The pos
D'Esnambuc, who from now
sibilities
the place appealed

was

he

it

by

as

of

the leadership

the enterprise, for here was

tobacco,
fertile isle suitable for the production
saw from
the samples already planted
the English, and doubtless
on assumed

of

he

to

of

to

of

would supply other valuable plants when properly cultivated.

With this golden opportunity before him, D'Esnambuc now
turned his attention
the question
colonists. He had with
him the survivors
his crew,
whom
could add group

by

of

of

to

stragglers who the year before had come from France

Guiana
Captain
Chantail,
Lyon,
leadership
but who had
under the

that country
the Indians and had eventually
found refuge
St. Christopher. These two contingents together
numbered about eighty men. But this was not enough; the
work must
carried out
far greater scale. For this reason
France, for there only could
must return
obtain the
necessary backing and the proper number
men for the founding
large colony.
he

of

of

to

he

be

on

in

been driven from

be

to

in

is

be

to of

as

of

of

by

in

be

In of

is

As

of

of

It

is

in

given
*The patent
Acts
the Privy Council, Colonial Series, 16131680,
pp. 9091.
speaks
Barbador (Barbados) not Barbuda.
there
considerable confusion
the documents
this period because
the similarity
names, one should
governed
what must
the more obvious meaning.
this case Barbuda,
near neighbor
St. Christopher, must
the island
referred to,
Barbados
located far
the south and could have had no
connection with the other islands mentioned
the patent.
St.

on

*Cardinal Richelieu's patent

D'Esnambuc (which
eighty Frenchmen
Christopher,

see

below) mentions

SETTLEMENT OF

ST.

CHRISTOPHER

17

While waiting for his brigantine to be repaired he made over

tures to Thomas Warner's men for a protective alliance against
the savages. It was a wise move and one which the English
fortunately accepted, for in November and again in December a
band of Caribs, five hundred strong, came from a neighboring
island to raid the little colony; but the combined efforts of the
French and English, now united under one command, succeeded
in driving them back. With the Indians of St. Christopher, how
ever, the white men appear to have lived in amity for the time
being.
the end of six months the brigantine was again seaworthy,
and D'Esnambuc felt that he had the situation well enough in
hand to warrant his returning home. Having placed the colony

At

in charge of a subordinate he embarked with Du Roissey; and

with a cargo of tobacco as evidence of his success he set sail for
France, arriving there in the summer of 1626. By good fortune
the tobacco brought a fancy price, and our two adventurers, now
flush with money, set themselves up in style. They purchased a
supply of clothing suitable to men of their station, and procuring
carriage

with

a team of horses set out for Paris to sell their

public.
By dint of liberal spending, pardonable
project to the
a

under the circumstances, they soon persuaded a number

French capitalists to take a share in their enterprise.

of

The moment for such an undertaking was propitious. Cardinal

Richelieu had recently inaugurated a plan to raise the French
navy to the position he felt it should occupy among the sea
powers

of the world. With the reorganization of the navy there

went hand in hand the policy of colonial expansion, which was

now beginning to occupy the Cardinal's attention. Inspired by
the examples of England and the Netherlands, he determined to
follow in their steps by organizing huge trading companies in
which merchants were to be encouraged to invest their capital
by offering them special privileges, such as freedom of customs
duties for a period of years or exclusive trading rights in specified
localities. This system, he believed, would be far more efficient

SETTLEMENT OF

I8

ST.

CHRISTOPHER

than the old arrangements, according to which private indivi

duals sent out small vessels which easily became the prey of

it was that when D'Esnambuc and Du Roissey

freebooters. Thus

arrived in Paris the Company of the Hundred Associates was

already in process of formationnearly ready to take over the
colonies, then little more than trading stations, which Samuel
de Champlain had established in Canada. This company, ac

it it

of

to

in

to

to

as

its

cording to the original plan, was to control all colonial activities

tributaries;
in lands bordering on the Atlantic Ocean and
but
such
vast monopoly raised too much opposition,
be
Canada,
necessary
restrict its activities
where
con
came
play
colony
tinued
dominant role
the affairs
that
for

its

in

to

many years, leaving other fields open

other organizations.
Such being the situation, when the two pioneers presented
themselves before the distinguished minister, they succeeded
a

of

convincing him that St. Christopher and

surrounding archi
pelago offered the opportunity for the founding
colonial
empire

of of

in

it

an

in

to

the West Indies and that they were the very men
undertaking. Thus
head such
was that when
the month
October Richelieu finally had himself appointed Grand Master

in

of

of

capital

to

in

Navigation and Commerce,

position which gave him su
preme authority
maritime affairs, his first act
this capacity
corporation with
close
deal with D'Esnambuc.
was

it, of

as

of

in

known

as

the Company
St. Christo
largest
shareholder,
pher,
which Richelieu was the
was formed
colonizing
Christopher,
purpose
for the
the islands
St.
quaintly
puts
Barbuda, and,
the charter
"other [islands]
45,000 francs

by

[it

at

to

Peru, between the eleventh and eighteenth

the entrance
parallels, not possessed
any
does not say "claimed"]
so

of

Christian prince.
to

The purpose
this venture,
the patent tells us, was
struct the natives in the Catholic faith and to cultivate the

in
re

of

the corporation were

to

pedition. The members

of

be

to

of

twenty years. Three ships were

sources
the land for period
purchased and immediately fitted out for the coming ex
bear

all the

SETTLEMENT OF

ST.

CHRISTOPHER

I9

to finance the enterprise, in return for which

they were to receive half the crops raised and half the goods
manufactured on the island, while D'Esnambuc and Du Roissey
expenses necessary

were to have 10 percent

of the profits on all business transac

tions. They were also to turn over to the company the fort they
had recently built at Pointe de Sable in return for 3,000 francs.
Prospective settlers who wished to join the expedition were to
be accepted, upon condition that they would agree to remain in
the colony for three years. At the same time Richelieu issued a
commission to D'Esnambuc and Du Roissey which recited with
great redundancy the terms upon which they were engaged as
commanders and which emphasized particularly that one-tenth

for the King." Armed with this

authority, D'Esnambuc went at once to Havre, where he raised
322 men for his ship, "La Catholique"; while in Brittany Du
Roissey secured 2.10 for "La Victoire and "La Cardinale. They

of the revenue should

be reserved

sailed on February 24, 1627, and they landed at Pointe de Sable

on the eighth of May. Unfortunately the expedition was badly

managed from the start. Provisions ran low, disease broke out,
and by the time St. Christopher was sighted the few who man
aged to survive had to be rescued by those they had come to

About half the original number of those who had left

France died either during the crossing or shortly after landing.
save.

While D'Esnambuc was absent in France, Indian troubles

again broke out this time among the natives of the island.
Alarmed at the rapidly increasing number of white men, the
savages determined to strike a blow before it was too late. These
foreigners, so the Indians reasoned, and

with considerable logic,

had come from afar only to massacre them as the Spaniards had
massacred their ancestors on the larger islands. To make sure of
success

in the coming uprising they sent envoys to the neighbor

ing islands to obtain assistance, and assistance was eagerly fur

nished. Fortunately for the white men, an Indian woman whom
*These documents, both dated Oct. 31, 1626, are to be found in Du Tertre,
Histoire generale des Antilles, I, 8-15.

2.O

SETTLEMENT OF

ST.

CHRISTOPHER

the English

had always treated kindly disclosed the plot.

Warner's position was too precarious for him to trouble about
the means he used to protect his colony. His handful of followers,
even when reinforced by the French, would be no match for a
concerted attack by the savages. "Like a wise man and a good

soldier" he seized his advantage, and gathering all his men

to

gether he fell upon the Indians while they were engaged in a

drinking bout, killing a large portion of them, including Chief
Tegreman, and putting the rest to flight.
But this was not the end of the affair, for there were still rein
forcements to come to the Indians from the other islands. Rush

ing his men down to the shore, Warner hastily threw up barri
cades behind which they kept watch night and day for the com
ing of the savages. At last they saw a vast fleet of war canoes,
containing some three or four thousand braves armed with
spears and clubs, swarming

toward them. The vanguard of this

force was permitted to land and approach within range. Then
the colonists opened fire. At the first volley the front ranks fell,
and the rest, seeing for the first time the deadly effects of the
white man's weapons, turned and fled ignominiously to their
canoes. They were pursued by the victorious pioneers, who
quickly launched their boats and gave chase. As a result of this
battle the Caribs, or a least the greater part of them, were driven
from St. Christopher. Thus began the expulsion of the Indians
from their native islands, a sanguinary

page

of West Indian

history that reflects little glory on the European conquerors,

but which may, in the eternal scheme of things, have been
inevitable.
The presence of two separate colonies, belonging to different
nations and located within such a limited territory, might have
led to difficulties, especially as the population began to increase
rapidly, had not the leaders solved the problem by the sensible
expedient of dividing the island between them. A treaty of parti
tion was drawn up on May 13, 1627, an epoch-making date,
indeed, whereby the English reserved the middle section of the

|
-|-#

*. "

SETTLEMENT OF
island, and the French

ST.

CHRISTOPHER

2.

two extremities. Furthermore,

D'Esnambuc took the northern or capesterre portion, with head
quarters at Pointe de Sable, while Du Roissey selected the south
ern part called basseterre, where he settled on the site of modern
Basseterre and built a fort." A glance at the map will show the
division lines. This partition was bolstered by numerous clauses
the

in the treaty calculated to maintain peace and insure mutual co

operation between the contracting parties. They agreed to aid
each other in case of an attack by the Spaniards and to unite in

its

cargo

in

an

no

its

wars against the natives when occasion required. Each nation

English ship
was to regulate trade with
own nationals:

of

the English governor,

nor could French vessel trade without permission
the French
commander. Dutch merchantmen, which were even now begin
appearance, must obtain the approval

both.
be

put

of

to

ning

of

of

without consent

could land

tory, was the one

by

in

the treaty, and the one that stands out unique

in

of

to

be

to

by

to

Quarrels between men

the two different nations were
judged
both governorsthe culprit
sent back
his own
people for punishment. But most important
all the clauses

colonial

his

by

to

in

to

which
refrain from hostili
against
ties
the other
case war broke out between France and
fight
England unless specifically ordered
their respective
each agreed

in

governments, and even

this case the aggressor must give due
notice to the other of his intention to attack. As war had

al

by

of

ready broken out between the two parent countries, the colo
ruining
nists had this clause inserted, since they saw the folly

in

of

in

becoming involved
quarrel
their embryo settlements
which they had no direct interest."
the D'Esnambuc-Du Roissey relief
The wretched condition
expedition had such
bad effect on the colony that the leaders
"Capesterre (possibly from

1638, 1644, 1649,

1655, and 1662.

17-2.0.

The treaty was renewed

or

in

to

I,

the treaty see Du Tertre,

of

"For the text

of

or

to

caput terrae) was the name generally applied

part
the eastern
northern
Caribbee island, basseterre
the southern
prevailing
part.
western
Since the
winds were the northeast trades, the wind
ward side was considered the higher side, the leeward the lower.

2-2.

SETTLEMENT OF

ST.

CHRISTOPHER

decided to apply again to France in order to save the venture

from utter ruin. The ships were therefore loaded with tobacco
and whatever commodities could be obtained on the island and
dispatched to France in charge of Du Roissey. No sooner, how
ever, had he reached his destination than he was importuned by
Commander Isaac de Razilly, an officer greatly interested in

promoting French colonization, to sell his tobacco, guns, and

merchandise and undertake a secret expedition to Ireland. With
the greatest indifference to the fate of his fellow colonists he
left France for several months on this strange business. It would

with the wretched people at St. Christopher had

not a Dutch merchant chanced to arrive with a cargo of supplies
which he was willing to unload on credit against a future crop
have gone badly

of tobacco. When Du Roissey returned to France the Company

of St. Christopher managed to secure his services againafter
all there was no one else they could sendand dispatched him
with La Cardinale" and 150 men. He reached St. Christopher
in May, 1628, in no better condition than on the first expedi
tion; nearly all his men were sick or thoroughly exhausted.
Meanwhile, Warner appears to have been more successful than
his French allies in his efforts to bring in new colonists. This
was due to some extent to the greater experience the Englishmen
had had in transporting and settling large bodies of people, for
they had been experimenting with the problem for twenty years
in Virginia, where they had learned something from their mis
fortunes. But more to the point was the apparent inexhaustibil
ity of the surplus population of England, which furnished a res
ervoir of man power from which Warner could draw at will with
the blessing and good wishes of the government officials. Thus,

with the exception of the setback in

1629,

which will be de

scribed presently, the colony grew apace, until in 1637 the

Eng

lish population was estimated at twelve to thirteen thousand

souls, though these figures seem somewhat high. The popular
method of securing plantation workers for the colonists was to
transport men as indentured servants under a contract to serve

SETTLEMENT OF

ST.

CHRISTOPHER

2.3

their masters for a given number of years before they could be

come free citizens. This method was used by both the French and
the English. The persons thus obtained were not particularly
desirable from what contemporary records tell us. General Ven
ables, who captured Jamaica in 1655, recruited a number of these

in Barbados and St. Christopher, and he describes them as

"being bold only in mischief, not to be commanded as soldiers

men

nor to be kept in any civil order: being the most profane de

bauched persons that we ever saw, scorners of religion, and in
deed men kept so loose as not to be kept under discipline, and so
cowardly as not to be made to fight. The French servants, since
no one seems to have denounced them so scathingly, may have

little better. At least we should give them the benefit of

the doubt. They consisted of younger sons in search of adven
ture; debtors fleeing from their creditors; persons with an un
savory past; quarrelsome youths who wished to escape Riche
been a

lieu's edicts against dueling; peasants tired of the

low pay; and poor artisans out of work.

corves

and

Traffic in these people was an important industry in Dieppe,

Havre, and St. Malo, where agents lured their prospects to sign
up by painting the West Indies as a land of milk and honey where
one could live well with little effort. To make matters worse
were not above enticing them on
board and boldly kidnapping them. When such unpromising
material was dumped on their shores the planters were not
unscrupulous

shipmasters

likely to exert themselves to bring out whatever latent good

qualities they might have had. The treatment of these unfortu
nate beings, from what we can learn, was harsh in the extreme,
and some authorities assert that they were treated with less
consideration than were negro slaves, who, after all, cost money.
The pressure of population soon made itself felt in St. Chris
topher, and it was not long before the inhabitants sought relief
by founding settlements on neighboring islands. The first of
these

was the English colony on Nevis, founded

following circumstances.

under the

SETTLEMENT OF

2-4

At this

CHRISTOPHER

ST.

time there came to St. Christopher

young man named

Anthony Hilton, who had been sent to Virginia by some English
adventurers, but had happened to stop off on the island. During

he

Ireland, where by
the West Indies

of

in

he

the windward side

of in

settle

on

Warner's permission

to

Old Road Bay he had no difficulty

at

landed

to

of

in

interesting some merchants

the possibilities
colony. They provided him with ship, sufficient funds, and
carry out his project. When
small following
settlers
succeeded

to

establish

of

fertility that

he a

landed
gave

he

plantation. On returning home

the glowing description
virtue

of in

he

to

his brief stay there he became so impressed with

he determined
obtain the necessary backing

its

obtaining
the island,

in

of of

of

to

proceeded
erect dwellings and clear the land. But
and here
Caribs, remnants
his good fortune did not last long.
tribe
King Tegreman's band, lived
the vicinity, and the memory

on

of

in

the recent massacre was fresh

their minds. They had had
enough
the white man and would not tolerate his intrusion

to

managed
Warner's settlement, where
bacco which he carried back to Ireland as evidence

of

the neighborhood
crop
raise

of his

of

to

of

to

this locality, Hilton retreated

he

himself

in

to

of

of

the eastern side

the island. Rising against Hilton's colony,
they destroyed his houses, tore up his plantation, killed several
trying
his men. Wise enough
see the folly
maintain

to
in

he

dustry.
happened,

on

found

merchant was planning

to

to

to

to

it

had among his followers some English

planters, and they now persuaded him
abandon his Irish con
London,
nections and
come with them
where
certain

As

colony

some island near

any other island

select. The virtues

to

Littleton and his

settling
Dulcina. The scheme
of

associates, and they called

to

he

Barbuda

might care
the Earl's domain which
this island had been greatly exaggerated

it

of in

group) granting him the island

or

royal charter for the entire Caribbee

of

self had just received

of

St. Christopher. Thomas Littleton, for such was the merchant's

name, had obtained patent from the Earl
Carlisle (who him

SETTLEMENT OF
here appealed to

ST.

CHRISTOPHER

Hilton, for by founding

2.5

colony on an un

an

of

its

the hope that Dulcina would live

to

up

expedition,

in

to

at

to

he

its

governora posi
claimed island he could eventually become
tion
could never hope
attain
St. Christopher. He there
fore accepted Littleton's offer
assume the leadership
poetic

he

nanne.

at

it

gave
On reaching this none-too-attractive spot, however,
but
brief inspection, then turned his attention elsewhere.
Antigua and Montserrat, the latter
really beautiful island,
were also considered, but quickly discarded, and
last after

July

by

it

with

it

St. Christopher,

as

The English colony

at

of

of

he

band
one hundred men, and
founded
settlement that grew and prospered until
even
tually made that rugged isle one
the social centers
the
British West Indies.
landed

22, 1628,

of

in

on

of

an

on

cruising for many days through the Leeward group his choice
Nevis,
adjunct
fell
St. Christopher, separated from
narrow strait about
mile
width. Here Anthony Hilton

we have said, also

to

this question
point
the

of

of

up

the French could find

better answer than
treaty. But treaties
this kind do not always stand
face
economic changes, and soon the English began

to in to

the island? And

to to

two-thirds
no

men occupy nearly

of

of

be

increased and prospered; but the French population remained

expected, such
static. As might
condition gave rise
dis
Why,
English
asked,
turbances.
the
should
small munber

the

en

to

as

in

the
shape
the

of

to

of

feet
the Cardinal, hoping
obtain assistance
dwindling
colony.
sadly
reinforcements for the

at

lay his problem

in

France and

to

return

to

nambuc decided

to

he

to

de

so

croach on French territory-even going

far
forbid their
fortify Pointe
neighbors
Sable
their own domain. Fear
ing
might eventually lose his foothold on the island, D'Es

in

de

of

ten vessels was collected and placed under the command

Cahuzac, and orders were issued
February,
the Sieur

fleet

of

he

to

so

The Cardinal proved sympathetic, much more

than D'Es
Moreover,
promptly.
hope.
nambuc had dared
acted

2.6

SETTLEMENT OF ST. CHRISTOPHER

colonists in getting complete control of the

island or, if this could not be done, to bring about an alliance
with the English against the Spaniards. The cessation of hostil
ities between France and England, which took place in April,
caused, it is true, the bellicose portion of these instructions to
1629, to assist the

be modified;

but the orders to form an alliance

Spaniards held good.

against the

There were strong reasons for this alliance, for the Cardinal
had just learned through one of his many sources of information

that King Philip IV of Spain had no intention of permitting

foreignersparticularly heretics, as the English wereto settle
in his cherished West Indies without making a strenuous effort
to drive them out. The clauses in the charters of Warner and of
D'Esnambuc authorizing them to settle in lands not possessed
by any Christian prince did not, in the eyes of his Catholic
Majesty, apply to St. Christopher. All the West Indies were his
by right of prior discovery whether or not they were actually
settled by Spaniards. Moreover, Philip had at this time a splen
did instrument for enforcing his claims. The recent capture of the
plate fleet by the Dutchman, Peter Hein, had caused the Spanish
government to organize a powerful squadron under Admiral Don
Fadrique de Toledo to serve as escort for merchantmen going to

With this armada at his command the King could

kill two birds with one stone: after convoying the merchantmen
Cartagena.

the fleet could drive the intruders from St. Christopher. It was to
save the island from this threat that Richelieu collected and
dispatched the ships under Cahuzac.
Cahuzac was late in starting, and he did not reach his destina

tion until July. He anchored off Basseterre in the southern part

of the island, where D'Esnambuc landed for a conference with
Du Roissey, having taken with him some three hundred colo
nists supplied him by the company. He found the situation much
better than it had been when he left, for the Dutch had again
been there

with

cargo of supplies, while during his absence the

"Margry, Belain d'Esnambuc, p. 32.

SETTLEMENT OF

CHRISTOPHER

ST.

2.7

company had sent over a shipload of settlers. It was but natural

that the arrival of Cahuzac's fleet should increase the confidence

of the Frenchmen. Brushing aside the English superiority of

fit

numbers as inconsequential, since in French opinion the British

colonists consisted chiefly of wretched indentured servants
an

till

by

at

to

in

to

to

the soil, Cahuzac and D'Ensambuc sent

ultimatum
during
Edward Warner, who governed
his father's absence
England, ordering him
withdraw
once from French terri

only

to

on

in

be

to

to

to

tory and
retire within the limits prescribed
the treaty.
get word
Warner stalled for time, hoping
small English
put off. Weighing
the offing; but Cahuzac would not
fleet
anchor with his six shipsthe rest had wandered off during the
crossinghe sailed
the English roadstead and opened fire
the vessels lying off shore. The reply was brisk and spirited. For
in

three hours the battle raged, the guns from the British redoubt,
Fort Charles, joining
the fracas, until the French had captured
three vessels, driven three ashore, and scattered the rest.

of

on

to

of

The victory was complete. The following day Warner arrived

under flag
truce
make formal protest against the actions
the French. Cahuzac received him
board his flagship, the
Trois Rois, and again insisted that the English evacuate
French territory, adding this time that they must abandon their

he

in

to

to

he

to

de

prevent D'Esnambuc from fortifying Pointe

Sable.
Warner tried
avoid the issue by saying
must first communi
cate with his Sovereign
learn his pleasure
the matter, but
efforts

or

to

up

be

delayed, and
answered bluntly: "Make
your mind quickly
give me the satisfaction
demand
again.
begin
request
shall
hostilities
To Warner's further
for
Cahuzac would not

all

of

to

five days the French commander offered

wait only
until the morrow. The following day Warner again boarded the
flagship where the officers had gathered.
friendly spirit per
delay

of

mark

of

French, was signed, and

as
a

of

to

at

luncheon, and
vaded the group. Cahuzac entertained them
the customary toasts
the reigning monarchs were given amid
artillery.
salvos
new treaty, embodying the demands
the
courtesy Cahuzac presented

2.8

SETTLEMENT OF

the English
battle.

ST.

CHRISTOPHER

with the ships he had captured from them in the

Cahuzac now considered his duty done. After dispatching his

lieutenant, Captain Giron, on a tour of reconnaissance (which
failed to reveal any trace of the Spanish fleet) he sailed to the

just north of St. Christopher,

thinking that Don Fadrique had gone elsewhere. Here he broke
up his command. La Cardinale" was sent back to France; two
vessels set sail on a cruise of their own; Captain Giron, his ship
dismasted in a storm, sought refuge in the nearby island of St.
Martin. Thus the French commander had only two vessels left
when the Spanish armada finally hove in sight, and he was un

little island of St. Eustatius,

able to be of any assistance to D'Esnambuc and Du Roissey.

Through an error of judgment he had failed in the principal
objective of his expedition.

Let us now return to Nevis, where we left Governor Hilton and

his promising little colony. At this time the Earl of Carlisle,
he had received concerning
Barbados and Nevis, had sent out as his representative a man
named Henry Hawley with orders to investigate the situation.
somewhat

disturbed

by reports

Hawley proceeded first to Barbados, where he distinguished

himself by the brutal and high-handed manner with which he
treated the local governor.
Governor Hilton, however,

This done

for Nevis.
of what he
might expect from Hawley, and had sailed for England to ap
peal to Carlisle, leaving the colony in the hands of a deputy. He
left in the nick of time, for his ship was stopped by Hawley as
it left the roadstead, and he managed to escape only by stating
he set sail

had been forewarned

that he was a peaceful trader bound for the Windward Islands.

When Hawley landed he was welcomed by the planters, who
escorted him to the Governor's residence.

There they enter

"with wine and good victuals"; but after this civil

ity had been complied with, they refused to acknowledge his
authority until Hilton returned with instructions from Carlisle.
Thus checkmated Hawley could do nothing. He realized instinc
tained him

SETTLEMENT OF ST. CHRISTOPHER

2.9

tively that the ruthless methods he had used at Barbados would

not be appropriate here, so he invited the deputy on board his
ship, hoping to accomplish something by means of kindness
and persuasion. As the two leaders sat down to dinner, the air
was split by a detonation; it was the long gun at Pelican Point
welcoming the Spanish fleet. Rushing up on deck Hawley saw
through the haze of the early September evening the mighty
armada of Don Fadrique, consisting of sixteen galleons, twenty
nine ships, and eight galiots, advancing to the roadstead. The

Englishman did not hesitate. He cut his cable, set his sails, and
ran for St. Christopher; nor did he stop until he had piled his
vessel up on the shore

of Basseterre.
The planters, meanwhile, took a more dignified course of
action. The gun on Pelican Point was served adroitly, battering
a Spanish vessel so hard as to put it out of commission. But the
indentured servants, representatives of that surplus population
which England was trying to dispose of in the New World,
feeling that any fate would be better than their present bondage,
swam out to the ships and revealed to the attackers the true
condition of the island. The soldiers proved no bettermost of
them were servantsand deserting their leaders ran to the shore

crying: "Liberty, joyful liberty!

Resistance under these conditions was obviously impossible.
Governor Hilton's brother, John, took charge of the situation
and rowed out to the flagship with an interpreter. He found Don
Fadrique well disposed. The Admiral received him with true
Spanish courtesy, informing him that all would go smoothly if

if

of

is,

the English would only yield to his master that which they had
so wrongfully usurped. He even went so far as to offer ships for
transporting the colonists back to Englandthat
they

to

of

the assembled planters, they

demurred trifle; then, there being no alternative, they accepted
good
the Admiral's offer with thanks. Don Fadrique was

his interview

as

as

report the result

to

be

would give hostages for the return

the vessels, for after all
one must
businesslike. When John Hilton went ashore

3o

SETTLEMENT OF

ST.

CHRISTOPHER

his word. He came ashore and complimented the Englishmen on

their good sense, even offering favorable terms of employment
to any wishing to join the Spanish forces. The conference ended
in a feast at the Governor's house with the copious eating and
drinking appropriate to such an occasion. It was a happy ending
to what might have been an unpleasant affair. In the afternoon
Don Fadrique set sail for St. Christopher.

On the evening of the sixth of September the Spanish fleet ap

peared off Basseterre and saluted the fort with a salvo of guns,
sending ashore at the same time an envoy with a flag of truce;
for Don Fadrique hoped to capture the place in the same peaceful
way in which he had taken Nevis. Du Roissey, for his part, ap

to have misjudged the Spaniard's intentions, for he

replied to the friendly salute with shotted guns and immediately
pears

sent messengers to Edward Warner and D'Esnambuc apprising

them of the arrival of the enemy's fleet. The French commander,

unwilling to leave his settlement undefended, could

spare but

one hundred men; but Warner, thanks to a large supply of ser

vants recently arrived from England, replied generously with
a contingent of eight times that number. With these reinforce
ments Du Roissey was ready to put up a stout defense, and he
spent the night erecting a barricade along the shore. Next morn
ing the Spanish admiral, seeing that the islanders were determined

to fight, sent ashore a detachment of sappers to build a line of

trenches paralleling the French fortifications. When this work
was completed, a large body of men was disembarked to begin
the attack.
There was among the French forces a young officer named
Simon Dyel du Parquet, eldest son of D'Esnambuc's sister,
Adrienne, who stood apart watching with considerable disgust

Du Roissey's arrangements for fighting a defensive battle. Fearing

that this lack of initiative might discourage his men, he begged
the commander's permission to attack, asking that worthy
officer somewhat sarcastically if he intended to remain behind
his barricade all day without striking a blow. Stung by the

SETTLEMENT OF ST. CHRISTOPHER

taunt Du Roissey at once gave his consent, hoping that the out
come would teach the young man a lesson. Du Parquet needed
no further encouragement, and having collected a handful of
eager volunteers he hurled himself at the enemy's outpost. The
Spaniards, taken by surprise, gave way as the Frenchman rushed
at them sword in hand. But his followers had none

of his spirit,

and soon he was left alone with only three men to support him.
The young man, however, proved equal to the emergency. He
sought out and killed the Spanish leader, but only to be borne
to the ground by superior numbers. From this predicament he
was rescued, not by his own men, who long ago had turned tail

or been killed, but by a Spanish officer, who in admiration for

the lad's bravery caused him to be carried aboard the flagship.
There he was given every care by the generous Don Fadrique.
He lived only a month, vainly struggling to regain his strength,
and at his death was buried with all honors by his enemies, who
appreciated his valor more than did his own countrymen.
When Du Parquet fell, the Anglo-French resistance collapsed,
and,

if we

can believe the

historian Du Tertre, a panic seized the

little army. Du Roissey in person led the retreat. Throwing him

self into a boat with his officers, he hurried to Pointe de Sable,
leaving his men to make their way overland to safety as best
they could. The soldiers, if we can call the plantation hands that
made up the army by such a name, were now leaderless, and they
broke into a run, throwing away guns and ammunition in their
haste to escape from the Spaniards. On landing at Pointe de
Sable Du Roissey called the demoralized settlers together and
ordered them to hurry on board two vessels which were anchored
off the shore and to abandon the island. D'Esnambuc did his best

to

on

it.

an

to quiet the panicky commander, pointing to the military ad

vantages of the place and to the difficulty Don Fadrique would
appeal
have in attacking
But neither reason nor
his
to

by

it

of

an

of

of

honor had any effect

the terrified Du Roissey. He
war, dominated
appealing
called together
council
the fears
the colonists, and insisted on
immediate evacua
sense

32.

SETTLEMENT OF ST. CHRISTOPHER

tion of the island, at the same time threatening his colleague

with death if he should dare to interfere. There was nothing
D'Esnambuc could do; all save a handful of colonists were
swayed by Du Roissey's arguments, and in a few days the entire
colony of about four hundred persons had clambered aboard the
ships and sailed for Antigua. Such is the account of the fall of
St. Christopher as given by Father du Tertrean account which
we have no means of checking, but which seems almost un
believable, inasmuch as the picture it gives of Du Roissey is so
at variance with the story of his gallant attack on the Spanish
galleon in the face of overwhelming odds. Were it not for his
subsequent conduct, we should be inclined
slander spread by his enemies.

to dismiss it as a

The English thus deserted by their allies felt unable to con

tinue the unequal contest by themselves. When the Spaniards
landed and seized the French fort at Basseterre, they offered to
surrender if ships were provided to take them back to England.
Apparently Don Fadrique acted humanely in his treatment of the
fallen enemy. Seven hundred men and boys were transported
first to Cartagena, then to Havana, where they were dispersed
among several Spanish vessels. Their fate was probably no worse,
and it may have been better, than their position as indentured
servants at St. Christopher, if we may judge by the way their
fellow-sufferers welcomed the Spaniards as deliverers when the
fleet put in at Nevis. An effort was made later to return some to

their native land when three hundred were put on board the
David of Lubeck and sent to Plymouth." Yet despite all the
efforts of Don Fadrique's men, a few remnants of the English
settlement remained in the mountain fastnesses of St. Christo
pher to form the germ of a new colony.
So hasty had been the departure of the French that they failed
to take on board sufficient supplies, and the pangs of hunger soon
made themselves felt. For three weeks the refugees were buf
fetted by storms and contrary winds until at last, only too glad
*Calendar

of State Papers, Colonial, 15741660, p. 118.

SETTLEMENT OF ST. CHRISTOPHER

33

an

in

he

of

its

to set foot again on dry land, they disembarked at St. Martin.

This island proved barren,
water brackish, and here Du
Roissey for
second time played the craven. Despairing
ever
locality,
colony
maintaining
such
unfavorable

could. We are pleased

when Du Roissey made his report
best

to

as

colony

he

to

to

of

to

of

of

one
the ships and despite the en
treaties
D'Esnambuc persuaded that officer
sail him back
France, leaving his erstwhile comrade-in-arms
manage the
suborned the captain

record, however, that

he

At

he

to

Cardinal Richelieu, he
remained,
was promptly thrown into the Bastille, where
presumably, for long time.
any rate,
disappeared forever
from West Indian history.

of

to

to

by

Next day D'Esnambuc called his followers together, cheered

promising not
them
desert them, and announced his in
continuing his voyage
Antigua. The number left
tention

on

so

after Du Roissey's defection was rather large for one ship,

few remained on St. Martin, while small detachments were

of
it

or

to

it,

or

the neighboring islands

of

Anguilla and St. Bartholo

mew. Then the main party sailed for Antigua. After three
four
days they reached the island, only
find
rather that por

placed

ill

he

to

upon which they chanced

land, swampy and
suited for colonization. But by good fortune D'Esnambuc here
met Captain Giron, Cahuzac's lieutenant, who professed himself

tion

to

to

to

to

in

to

any way
aid the refugees
could. With his assistance
Montserrat,
get his people
the French governor was able
where they remained while Giron went
St. Christopher
eager

reconnoiter.
St. Christopher Giron found the English remnant
the
colony
virtual possession
the entire island. After the de
parture
the Spanish fleet those who had fled inland determined

of in

of

of

At

on

to come forth from their retreat and to face the situation rather

to

to

to

so

in

to

hiding, gambling
remain forever
the probability
signal victory.
that the Spaniards would never return after
There were
few Frenchmen among them, but the English pre
land, hoping
dominated, and they refused
allow Giron
than

SETTLEMENT OF ST. CHRISTOPHER

34

the island exclusively for themselves. Giron, however,

had no intention of seeing France lose her rightful possessions,
so without further ado he attacked two English vessels riding
peacefully at anchor and carried them off. With the aid of these
ships he now gathered the scattered colonists at Montserrat, St.
Martin, and the other islands, and advancing on St. Christopher
35o strong he succeeded in re-establishing the French colony
without striking a blow.
With the return of the French the dual settlement of St.
secure

Christopher takes on an aspect of permanence. The colonists

lived for many years, not altogether in harmony, it must be
admitted, for where French and English dwell together there
must always be a certain amount of bickering, but at least

without serious open rupture. Sir Thomas Warner threw himself

into the various problems of government, providing for the
defense of the island, training men, stationing guards, and
going the rounds day and night. John Jeaffreson, appointed
colonel of militia, also contributed to the general welfare by
drilling soldiers and constructing fortifications, besides attend

of

the Caribbee group.

take
show signs

of

France

to

to in

it

of

it,

of

But after the formation

new company
began
over the business
the old one,
too, found need
increase, until
expansion

in

of

it

he

its

ing to his duties as a prominent planter. The English colony

grew by leaps and bounds. D'Esnambuc, on the other hand,
ruled a settlement that did not enjoy, for a while, at least, the
prosperity of
English neighbor. When
returned from
Montserrat
numbered all told only some four hundred souls.

other islands

ess

III e--

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

HEN Belain d'Esnambuc

W

returned to St. Christopher

with his followers, after his ignominious expulsion

by the Spaniards, he found it necessary to start again

from the very beginning. His men, it is true, were eager and
energetic; but he himself had lost faith in the willingness of
the company to support him in his struggles against the raids
of Spanish squadrons and the attacks of his English neighbors,
who now far outnumbered the French. For once the brave
pioneer despaired. In his agony

of doubt and uncertainty

he

lost the confidence that had sustained him throughout all the
vicissitudes

of the past four years and gave orders to return to

France. Acting on this decision the settlers stopped planting

vegetables for the coming season and concentrated on the
production of as large a crop of tobacco as possible, as it was
the one commodity that could be taken back to France and sold
at

profit.

Then came a change. The tobacco proved exceptionally abun

dant, and the Dutch merchant, who had visited them so oppor
tunely the year before, now arrived with an ample supply of
flour, wine, meat, and clothing material to be exchanged for

all the available tobacco

as a

down payment, with a six-month

credit for the balance. Perhaps, then, if the Dutch were eager
enough for tobacco to send ships across the Atlantic with goods
to be exchanged for it on such favorable terms, the colony

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

36

could prosper on Dutch trade despite the apathy of the company

at home. Providence, indeed, had rebuked D'Esnambuc for his

lack of faith.

of his colonists thus provided for,

D'Esnambuc attacked with renewed vigor the problem of
The immediate

needs

of

to

of

it

with the cultivation

is,

in

the district allotted

to on

his settlement on a permanent basis. He divided

his men into separate companies, each of which, in addition to
doing
busy itself
share
work
the fortifications, was
its

establishing

tobacco,

of

be

readily
cotton, and pimento, that
crops which could
exchanged for merchandise. Since the English neighbors, who
now numbered about six thousand, were constantly encroaching
on French territory despite the terms
the treaty, D'Esnambuc
of

to

be

so

of

to

their threat secured the close co-operation

the two
colony
halves
his
that reinforcements could
rushed
through
English
territory
intervening
from one
the other
the
whenever hostilities became imminent. At this time, too,
meet

to

of

in

of

violation
the company's charter, which limited
course, far outnumbered their
three. The servants,

service

to

it of

to

to

to

D'Esnambuc was called upon

settle problem that threatened
disrupt his economic system. The master planters were
attempting
five-year term
hold their indentured servants

the contracts

of

as

of

by

in

to

to

masters, and being well armed they threatened

turn the
plantations upside down unless their wrongs were righted.
According
simple justice they were obviously
the right,
governor canceled
and D'Esnambuc
virtue
his authority
those who had already served three years and

at

as

in

the colony
free citizens.
These domestic problems had hardly been solved, when there
arose difficulties with the company
home. The profitable

established them

his nationality

had been

D'Esnambuc's need had encouraged

build up trade with St. Christopher,
a

in

do

the time

to of

others

of

able

to

stroke of business which the Dutch merchantman

with the result that the French capitalists who had financed
the enterprise were left with little return on their investment.

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

37

the colonists replied in a spirited

manner, pointing out that the company had failed to keep
poorly supplied that
part
the bargain, thus leaving them

of

so

its

To their loud complaints

if

the truth
hearted attempt

cut off from the Dutch traders. Struck

this observation, the company made
half
set matters right. The good ship "La Cardi

to

of

by

they could not subsist

of

nale" was again sent out (in 1631), this time with
small
military men who were em
delegation consisting chiefly
enter into negotiations with the colonists with
reducing the dues they were paying the company.

to

powered
to

view
They brought with them little

small portion

of

to

to

of

if

in

of

the way
merchandise. Thus
treated, the settlers had no choice,
they would survive, but
send the greater part
their tobacco
Holland and Eng
land, where they could get excellent prices, reserving only

of

to

to to

their trade for certain French merchants not

affiliated with the company. They then took the money received
France, where they secured additional
from these transactions
servants
take back
St. Christopher. By this procedure
the English and Dutch merchants were the real beneficiaries
the business, while the French capitalists who had financed
the undertaking received no returns; for they were powerless

stop the natural flow

of

to

of

to

to

business. At last, when the directors

attempted
rectify the trouble, they applied the very worst
remedy possible. Instead
sending well-laden ships
their
at

to

an

colony, they begged the King for

edict forbidding all vessels
trade
St. Christopher without their permission. This edict,
to

signed November 25, 1634, did more harm than good

every
one concerned. The colonists, disgusted with the company,

to

trade vanish entirely, prepared

unprofitable.

seeing
as

its

to

turned over all their business

the English and Dutch, thus
cutting off the independent French traders. While the company,
give up the venture

Yet there were among the merchant adventurers

at

If

some who
English
the
and Dutch could make money
from the tobacco crop
St. Christopher, there was evidently

did not despair.

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

38

ample opportunity for French traders to do likewise, if only

the situation could be properly adjusted. A conference was

to

place

in
to

of on

of

by

of

of

in

new one with broader powers.

As result
this meeting and
several subsequent meetings
February 12, 1635,
charter was issued
the Cardinal
corporating the Company
America, which was
the Isles
a

organize

its

St.

accordingly held with Cardinal Richelieu, at which it was

Christopher and
decided to dissolve the Company of

In

of

of

take over the property, privileges, and authority

the Com
Christopher.
brief,
pany
St.
the new associates bound

by

to

to

to

on at

themselves
continue the establishment
St. Christopher and
plant new colonies
neighboring islands
bend every effort
any Christian prince. The associates
not already occupied

of

to

to

in

whom were

transport

be

all

the Caribbees during

least four thousand persons
both
good stand
Roman Catholics

to

sexes,

of

at

also pledged themselves

the next twenty years

these
dues,

King, moreover,

islands

the new

of

it

bestow

corporation without the payment

was. The

on

pleased

as

in

trouble enough

of

There would
was graciously

to

be be

in

to

of

per
ing, for neither King nor Cardinal had any intention
mitting the religious dissensions which had caused such turmoil
France
re-enacted
the newly established colonies.

to

of

trade

to

of

to

be

Indians who made profession

French settlers and

to

King would permit all descendants

of

the

of

the confiscation

express permission

even

the directors, and

disregard this ordinance were subject
their ships and merchandise. Furthermore,

with them without the

all who ventured

jurisdiction

or

trespass on the islands under

the company were forbidden

its

persons save members

of

to

grant

all

of

of

of

to

mere formal act

being
him and his successors
deemed
sufficient
obligation. He reserved,
appointing
power
course, the
military
During
civil and
officials.
the twenty-year period
the

homage paid

as

the Faith
reckoned
French subjects with all the privileges appertaining thereto.
Armed with this liberal document, the associates immediately

started to infuse new life into their moribund venture. As soon

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

39

King ratified the Cardinal's arrangement by formal letters

patent, which he did the following month, the merchants
as the

began to enlist prospective colonists. So rapidly was this work

pushed that they were soon able to send out an imposing number
of people, properly equipped for the business at hand. An inno

vation in the selection of clergymen to accompany the expedi

tion, and one that was destined to have a great influence on
the colony, was also made at this time. Hitherto the priests
had been chosen on the hit or miss plan, with the result that on
reaching St. Christopher they generally confined their duties
to the celebration of mass and routine visits to the sick. The
establishment
To please the
version

of missions among the savages was neglected.

King, who was sincerely interested in the con

of his Carib subjects, the directors asked the Provincial

of the Capuchins in Normandy to select priests whom he con

sidered specially fitted for such work. This he did, assigning
Fathers Jerome, Marc (no family names are given), and Pacifique

Provins to the colony. These worthy men came to St. Chris

topher and established conventsone in the northern section,
de

at the foot of Mt. Misery, the other, which became the head
quarters of their evangelical labors, near D'Esnambuc's home.

(M.

d'Esnambuc

had shifted his residence to Basseterre after

of Du Roissey and had erected a dwelling in the

foothills back of the town. From that time Basseterre may be
regarded as the capital of the French West Indies.)
A piece of good fortune awaited the newcomers at St. Chris
topher. A privateersman named Pitrecott had arrived with a
cargo of negroes, recently captured from a Spanish trader,
which he sold at a handsome profit. Whatever one may say of
the ethical aspects of slavery, it is certain that the colonies
could never have attained a high degree of agricultural develop
ment without a plentiful supply of cheap labor. The need for
the departure

slaves was even greater in the French than in the English

colonies, for France did not have a large surplus population.

While the English settlers could and did import thousands of

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

4o

their fellow countrymen

as indentured

servants,

the French

to get along as best they could with compara

tively few. Thus the importation of negroes was a necessity if
they were to develop and hold the larger islands of the archi
pelago. Moreover, it is extremely doubtful if the savage blacks
who were brought from their native wilds in Africa could ever
were obliged

have been made to labor on the plantations under any other

system than chattel slavery.

The slave system in the French islands, however, came very

near being wrecked at the outset by a peculiar law of great
antiquity, which held that all those who reached the domains
of the King of France became free. It was only with difficulty that
his councillors could prevail on Louis XIII to abrogate this law
in favor of the Caribbee Islands, and then they succeeded only
by an appeal to his piety, pointing out that it was the one
method by which these savages could be brought under Chris
tian influence and saved from idolatry. Once the institution of
slavery had received official sanction, French companies were
organized to carry on the traffic, though the settlers also secured

its

their human chattels from English, Dutch, and Danish inter

of

procured,

while those imported

by

the fields could

Senegal Company

be

of

lopers. The French Guinea Company obtained

blacks from
Benin,
where men suited for the arduous labors
the coast
the

better for household duties. Upon

arriving
his destination the slave trader displayed his wares
and sold them. The slaves were then taken by their masters
special treat
the plantations and subjected for
week

to

up

to

at

were

length

the method

to

treating

the newly
to by

describes

of

hand,

at

to

at

to

to

ment calculated
limber them
after the long sea voyage,
strengthen them for work. Father
acclimatize them, and
Labat, who devoted some time
studying the subject
first

at

to

owners
arrived slaves. He deplored the harsher system used
put
people
they
who
their
work before
had time
recover
plantation
they
their strength. When the slaves arrived
the
were quartered among the older hands, from whom they soon

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

4I

learned the ropes and a smattering

of the language. No time

was lost in giving them the necessary religious instruction to
prepare them for baptism, and in this the negroes already
baptized were of great help in dealing with the new ones, for
they carefully explained that they did not regard them as equals
until they had become professed Christians. Slavery, then, be
came the basis of the economic system in the Caribbee Islands,
for the English also bought slaves to supplement their free
labor. It was not abolished until the nineteenth century.
Reinforced in this fortunate manner, D'Esnambuc determined

to resist the encroachments of the English colonists, who, far

outnumbering

people,

his

had

established themselves on
French territory. There was at this time a huge banyan tree
near the seashore at Pointe de Sable, which was used as a marker

its

for the line of demarcation separating the northern French

territory from that of the English. For some time Warner's
men had been extending their boundary by taking their bearings

an

to

to

of

the tree extending farthest into French territory

Misery, the English had been able
get
angle that

the point

Mt.

to

its

species,
from a different part of the tree which, like all
dropped aerial roots from
branches
the ground, thus ex
tending itself over considerable area. By taking bearing from

to

to

in

of

on

to

of

if

of

in an

of he

of

at

to

threw the boundary line well over on the French side.

bring about
D'Esnambuc
first tried peaceful means
reasonable adjustment
the dispute. But when negotiations
fight rather
proved inadequate,
prepared for war, choosing
territory. Word was sent
than yield
inch
the planters,
body and armed their slaves, promising them
who rose
they would fight. From the salt ponds
freedom
Basseterre
the slopes
Mt. Misery the clans gathered
common

of

that almost took

the nature
crusade. Parish priests
accompanied their flocks, carrying
huge cross and exhorting
cause

of

at

of

or

to

to

stand fast against the heretics. Slaves

the number
appearance
five
six hundred made their
under the command
forests,
gazing down on
edge
French officers
the
the
them

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

42.

the English houses, ready to

kill

and burn. Alarmed by the

terrifying sight of these black savages,

Sir Thomas Warner

hastened to a rendezvous with D'Esnambuc under the banyan

tree, where he met the French commander surrounded by his
staff. D'Esnambuc had arranged his negro hordes behind him

with the dark forest

as backgrounda

setting

dramatic

cal

culated to put fear into the hearts of his enemies. For these
negroes were, not the semicivilized colored hands of a modern
plantation, but the savages of the African jungle, armed with

it.

knives and clubs, their half-naked bodies glistening in the

sunlight, ready to kill when their leader raised his hand.
D'Esnambuc at once saw his advantage and promptly seized

of

of

to

he

on

Driving his sword into the ground

the far side
the banyan
pointed
tree
the summit
Mt. Misery and swore that the
of
of

at

he

to

to

It

as

line between the two would hereafter serve

the boundary line
separating the two nations.
highhanded manner
was
beginning
conference, and Warner was disposed for
moment
resist; but
glance about him
savage
the
countenances
willing
only
the French slaves, who were
too
fall upon his

sovereigns, vowing

to

the new frontier, and the two leaders drank the healths

of

an

people, decided the issue, and

capitulated.
agreement was drawn up confirming
The tension broken,

their

respect each other's rights. Peace thus

an at

came the time

for the French

of

or

Spanish slave trader off Brazil.

to

of

on

of

of

friendly intercourse
trade soon arose between the
two colonies. French and Dutch vessels touched
the island,
bringing besides the usual cargoes
merchandise
occasional
shipload
gathered
blacks
the Guinea coast
filched from
restored,

prosperity
With the return
think about colonizing other

this time

St. Christopher

at

in

be

There happened

to

islands.

wealthy
a

he

by

be

to

in

of

de

l'Olive, whom Riche

planter named Charles Linard, Sieur
lieu had appointed lieutenant-governor
the island. He was
bold, ambitious man, ruthless
his methods, impulsive, and
not likely
held back
overconscientiousness. When

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

43

arrived, in the latter part of 1631, D'Esnambuc, out of respect

for his position, gave him Du Roissey's former home for his
residence and appointed as his assistant a young man named
Guillaume d'Orange, whose experience made him just the person

to advise his superior in matters concerning the development of

his property and his dealings with the inhabitants. L'Olive's
affairs prospered, yet mindful of Richelieu's desire to expand
the colony he presently purchased a flyboat and sent D'Orange
with a small party to make a thorough survey of the three
large islands to the south of St. Christopher: Guadeloupe,
Dominica, and Martinique. D'Orange did an excellent job of
the business entrusted to him, for thanks to his familiarity with
Indian ways he was able to penetrate into the interior of these
islands despite the general hostility of the natives. On his
return he reported to

L'Olive that Guadeloupe was the most

promising of the three islands, a conclusion D'Esnambuc had

already reached through independent investigation.
After receiving this report L'Olive promptly set sail for France
with D'Orange, and he arrived at Dieppe toward the end of
1634. Here he had the good fortune

to meet Jean Duplessis,

Sieur d'Ossonville, a former member of Cahuzac's famous
expedition, who was busily engaged in fitting out a ship for a
trading voyage to the West Indies. Duplessis was a quiet,
likable man, not given to bluster, a man easy to get on with,
just the man for the domineering Sieur de l'Olive to have as
partner. The two of them, L'Olive quickly saw, would work
well together. L'Olive accordingly laid his plans before Du
plessis, spread D'Orange's report on the table, and painted in
glowing colors the wealth and beauty of Guadeloupe, tickling

his auditor's ambition by pointing out the possibilities of build

ing there a colony that might in time overshadow St. Christopher
and make its founders the leaders of the French West Indies.
Duplessis

allowed himself to be convinced, and in truth one

cannot blame him, for here was the opportunity of a lifetime
to become a real figure in the new scheme of colonial expansion.

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

44

its

The two partners hastened to Paris, arriving in time to witness

the dissolution of the old Company of St. Christopher and the
birth of the new Company of the Isles. It was, indeed, a propi
tious time for them, as the new organization was eager to
develop its possessions and to begin the work of sending out
the four thousand colonists it had obligated itself to furnish
under the terms of
charter. Within two days after Cardinal
deal

colonizing

either

or

plessis granting them the privilege

Guadeloupe, Martinique,
Dominica.

with L'Olive and Du

in

M. Fouquet had closed

of

dency

of

Richelieu had signed the patent the directors under the presi

in

munitions were placed

their disposal

of

and three thousand

at

in

of

of

of

The terms granted the two adventurers were indeed favor

able. They were appointed governors
their colony for
period
ten years, and sums
two thousand francs
cash

or

of

to

of

to

the latter
remain the property
the company. Furthermore,
the company agreed
claim only sixty pounds
tobacco
forty
during
cotton for each man sent out
the first six years.

fort the first year and

to

at be

storehouse the second.

year were
sent
For the next five years one hundred men
out, and fifty year for the following four years,
that
the
a

so

erect

and

to

In

return for these privileges the two adventurers bound them

selves to send overseas two hundred men within two months

by

as

be

to

year

L'Olive

Frenchmen and

limited
council,

Cath

three years.

at to

service was
governed

by to

all were

be

to

to

olics. Their term

supported for

be

of

it

as

pleased, who were

and Duplessis. Of course,

be

to

in

of

the term mentioned

the charter they would have trans
ported nine hundred men, not counting women and children.
transport
many settlers
The company reserved the right

end

by

West Indies

in

to

to

of

or

The island was

which the
commis,
factorto borrow
title from the Hudson's Bay
Companywho represented the financial interests
the
company was
have
seat. At the same time the Cardinal
strengthen the royal authority
made arrangements
the
slight though important innovation. The

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

45

company, as we have pointed out, had the power to select the

governors and, if it deemed it necessary, the lieutenant-governors

of their island possessions. Over

these officials the Cardinal

arranged
superimpose
governor-general
appointed by
now
to
a
the King. There could, of course, be but one person entitled to
such a post, and on March 7, 1635, His Majesty signed a com

mission designating
When

to this high office.

the new company, he

the Sieur d'Esnambuc

the Cardinal had established

give the religious situation

lines recently set

by

the company

to

in

he

to to

as

in

fit
to

the colony his serious

this,
consideration. Before
we have seen, little had been done
send the three Capuchins. But now
for St. Christopher save
His Eminence proposed
see that Guadeloupe had
suitable
view
decided
act along the
mission. With this object
saw

dealing
to

of

be

many others
convert

the
the

With their charter signed, sealed, and delivered, MM.

l'Olive
think the

able-bodied

men, besides

an

so

proposed colony 2,500

agreement

to

with

the much-needed assistance they signed

four merchants
the city, who promised

of

secure

if

to

it

to

to

Dieppe and sat down

big assignment, bigger than they had
matter over.
was
expected, and common sense showed them that
was necessary
they would carry out
project. To
obtain help
vast

It

and Duplessis returned

de

to

the Faith. Their appointment was ratified

Pope himself, who sent brief blessing their mission.

Indians

by

of

Caribs outside St. Christopher, the forerunners

who attempted, though with little success,

to

to

to

as

to

at

to

of

in

of

at

he

in

with the situation

Christopher,
suggested
St.
and
the directors that they
Paris,
ask Father Carr, Superior
the Dominican convent
designate members
qualified for
his order who would
this work. Father Carr was pleased
this mark
the Cardi
promptly
priests
accompany
nal's esteem and
selected four
They
expedition.
the
were: Pierre Pelican, who was
act
studying
superior, Raymond Breton, who devoted much time
the Carib language, Nicolas Brchet, and Pierre Gryphon.
These men were to be the founders of the first mission to the

send the

women and

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

46

children, within the next six years. In return for this the com
pany agreed to give these merchants exclusive rights to trade
and the privilege of importing into France twenty pounds of
cotton or tobacco for every man they sent over.
Three months after Richelieu had set his hand to the charter
complement

of colonists had been raisedthere

were more than five hundred of themand the two pioneers set
sail from Dieppe on May 25, 1635, with their followers safely

the necessary

in two stout ships. The transatlantic voyage was

quickly made; just one month after leaving Dieppe the expedi
beauty, the leaders
tion sighted Martinique. Attracted by
determined
land and explore
for the place might after all
more favorable than Guadeloupe. Having anchored off the
western side, L'Olive and Duplessis accordingly went ashore
near the Rivire

Carbet, which flows from

du

be

to

it,

its

ensconsed

triple-peaked

of

by

of

on

of

of

it

prominent spot close

the shore, and
was fastened the coat
arms
His Majesty. Then, inton

cross was planted

to

on to

of

of

to

the sea about half way between the two extremities

the island. Here was performed the ceremony
the annexa
rudely
tion
the island
the Crown
France.
fashioned

mountain

de

so

ing the Vexilla regis, which was

often sung
such occasions,
the kneeling crowd bowed their heads while the Sieur

in

an

of

is is

it

as

of

l'Olive pronounced the words that proclaimed King Louis XIII

the lawful ruler
this little domain. But on further inspection
indeed
the neighbor
the island appeared inhospitable,
rugged-hardly
hood
their landing place. The terrain there
of

suitable for cultivation. Perhaps, too, they may have had

encounter with the fer-de-lance, the deadly reptile
the
island, that discouraged them from further exploration. Without

of

more thorough investigation

the lovely island,
which today
one
the most thickly populated spots
the
world, they set sail, and, passing
beautiful Dominica, they
shore

of

the largest

anchor three days later off the northern

Guadeloupe near the modern village
Ste. Rose.

we have said,

is

Guadeloupe,

as

The island

of

of

dropped

of

by

in

of

is

attempting

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

47

the Caribbees. In reality it consists of two distinct islands sep

arated by a narrow salt-water stream, barely navigable for small
boats, a stream so narrow that unless one looks closely at the
map one would never suspect that the island was actually
divided into two halves. The western half is mountainous,

its

is

to

is

of

of

is

in

its

furrowed by deep ravines and innumerable rivers. A mountain

range runs north and south, rising through the clouds to
crowning height
La Soufrire, which
more than five thou
sand feet above the sea. Indeed, Guadeloupe and Dominica
being the most imposing islands
share the distinction
this beautiful archipelago. Although the western half
moun
tainous, the eastern half
flat by contrast and offers little

to

to

is of

to

of

plains are unattractive, for due

dazzle the eye. Even
supply the necessary irrigation they have few
lack
rivers
agricultural advantages
offer. At the southern extremity

of is

of

an

the isthmus which joins the two halves

excellent harbor
located, where the modern city
Pointe Pitre
situated.
naturally
nothing
Duplessis
L'Olive and
knew
this shelter,

of

up

of

separate stations not

fort, which he called

on

to

nique. This done, the two leaders took

far from each otherL'Olive
build

is

to

at

so

pro
they anchored
Ste. Rose, where
certain amount
string
afforded, thanks
tection
small islands lying
short distance off the shore. Here they landed and took posses
sion of the island with ceremonies similar to those at Marti

to

St. Pierre,
the Vieux Fort River, while Duplessis settled
the east of him on the Petit Fort River. The choice of this site

of

to

of

by

of

so

to du

It

of

permanent colony was not fortunate one.

for the location
The soil was scarcely suitable for cultivation.
was red and
quality,
Father
Tertre tells us, more adapted
the
making
colony
any
bricks than
other use. Thus the little

of

one also taking his share

at

proper nourishment.
was handicapped
the outset
lack
The two leaders now divided the men between themeach
the tools and supplies. The colonists

land

in

with them were given concessions

of

who had paid their own way and brought indentured servants
return for certain

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

48

obligations they were expected to fulfill, such as the payment of

specified dues, guard duty, and the construction of fortifications
and public works. Like their Canadian prototypes, these men
were called habitans. They were to become the backbone of
the colony.

Now that they were settled on this wonderful island their

troubles began in earnest. The expedition had, in fact, been
poorly supplied from the start. Actuated by greed, the merchants
who provisioned the ships had furnished a poor quality of meat
and other food; and so small had been the quantity of cider
supplied for the passengers that it was found necessary to
dilute it with salt water, a process that caused a violent outbreak

of dysentery. Thus, despite the rapidity of the voyage

disease

was rampant, and many died as soon as they reached land. To

add to these misfortunes the settlers had brought from France
provisions for only two months; then the ship had failed to
touch at Barbados where the directors of the company had
arranged for a fresh food supply, so that after landing they soon
found starvation staring them in the face.

Nor was lack of food the sole

cause

of all their ills. These

who had never before experienced a tropical cli

mate, failed to take even the elementary precautions necessary
for a European who would survive in the Torrid Zone. They
worked for long hours unprotected from the glaring sun, then
burning with thirst they drank copiously of cold water and
threw themselves down to rest in the insufficient shade of the
Frenchmen,

nearest tree. Unlike the Caribs, who wisely left shady groves
standing in the midst of their fields, the French cut and slashed
right and left, intent only on clearing the ground as rapidly

thought of future protection from the

sun. They tore up the earth, which, loosened for the first time,
gave forth an unhealthy exhalation which was often fatal to
the laborers in their weakened condition. Thus, caught be
tween malnutrition and insanitary surroundings, the wretched
pioneers quickly succumbed to disease. To make matters worse
as possible and

without

*..

|
--

||

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

49

the habitans treated their servants with great severity. These

wretched men, enfeebled by sickness and privation, were driven
to work by overseers armed with clubs and forced to labor in
the burning sun, so that, as Du Tertre tells us, "some who had
been captives in Barbary cursed the hour they had left there,

publicly invoking the devil and giving themselves to him if

only he would take them back to France, and what is more
horrible, some died with these frightful blasphemies on their

lips. To remedy this

situation L'Olive and Duplessis

attempted to obtain supplies at St. Christopher, only to return
in a few days with very little in the way of food.
It was now merely a matter of surviving by any means pos
sible. Some prowled along the shore to catch turtles, whose
flesh, though it relieved hunger temporarily, caused them to
fall
and die. Some escaped
the savages, who,
said

it

to

be

to

ill

desperate

treated them humanely. Others ate what they

could find-dogs, rats, and boiled leather, even ointment stolen
from the surgeon's stores was devoured
relieve the frightful

to

their credit,

to

In

of

to

satisfy their
few frantic men dug up the dead
cravings. The entire population was reduced
desperation
that verged on insanity.
the midst
all this suffering the

hunger.

of

to

prevent the members

four Dominicans labored zealously
their flock from taking their own lives. They dragged back some
who had thrown themselves into the sea and cut down others

he

or

in

of

to

to

hang themselves. The leaders did what they

who had tried
prevent the theft
could
the fast-dwindling provisions,
jail
throwing thieves
flogging them. One fellow, who had
already been branded twice and saved from the gallows by the

by

of

be

of

intercession
Father Breton, vowed
would steal again and
hanged rather than endure the pangs
slow death

starvation.
the sixteenth

September, there appeared the

Dieppe had promised
send over

of

At last, on

to

of

of a

to

of

ship which the merchants

provisions. The miserable colonists swarmed
supply
with
out
their huts
welcome the new arrivals; but their cries

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

5o

of welcome met with no enthusiastic

response, and as the

ship's boats slid up on the beach there tumbled from them 140
half-starved creatures no better off than the men they had
come to relieve. Again the merchants had proved themselves
niggardly, drivers of a hard bargain, whose only wish was to
send over enough men

to form the quota required by the com

pany. But perhaps we are likely to judge them too harshly,
their shortcomings may have been due more to ignorance of
the true conditions in Guadeloupe than to inhuman indifference
to the sufferings of their people. Doubtless, in order to secure
the necessary backing for their enterprise L'Olive and Duplessis
had painted a lovely picture of West Indian abundance and of
Guadeloupe as a land where men could live with very little
effort. Thus the gullible merchants thought of the island as
overrun with fruit trees, game, and vegetables which could all
be had for the asking; while the two adventurers who had
spread

these reports were made the

victims of their own exag

gerations.

it

may, the settlers now saw that drastic measures

must be taken if they were to survive. The relief shipif it can
be called suchat once sailed for home, the captain stoutly
Be this as

protesting that he had barely enough food to get him back to

France without leaving any at Guadeloupe. It was then that
L'Olive proved himself the evil genius of the colony by advocat
ing a measure contrary to the policy of the company and the
dictates of conscience: he would attack the Caribs and rob them

of their provisions. Duplessis, to his credit be it said, opposed

the plan, vowing he would rather starve with his men than be a
party to such an outrage. But L'Olive was a persistent man,
strong in his opinions; and, moreover, there were many rendered
desperate by their privations who were ready to join in any

plan that promised immediate relief. Unable to move his com

panion, L'Olive hurried to St. Christopher, where he hoped to
enlist the aid of D'Esnambuc. The latter, however, he found as
stubbornly opposed to him as Duplessis,

for the experienced

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

51

Governor saw the dangers that would result from an unprovoked

attack on the natives. At first he tried persuasion; then, when
this failed to move the pig-headed commander, he threatened
to report the matter to the King, since His Majesty had insisted
on a humane policy toward the natives. Faced with such strong
opposition L'Olive might have yielded had not an untoward
event thrown the entire situation into his hands. During his
absence from Guadeloupe Duplessis fell gravely ill. Already
weakened by privations, the condition of his wife who was
also stricken had so preyed upon him that he became despondent.
His health grew rapidly worse, and on the fourth of December
he died, leaving M. de l'Olive the sole commander of the ex

pedition.
Upon receiving the news of his partner's death L'Olive imme
diately hastened back to Guadeloupe. He was now master of
the situation; and, deaf to all entreaties and even to the pleasure
of his Sovereign, he determined to put his plan into execution.
To do this he had no difficulty in gathering about him a group

of men whose sufferings had blunted their senses and who were
in no mood to weigh the ethics of the situation when it was a
question of obtaining food. On January 26, 1636, he decided
definitely to declare war on the savages. Yet, trained in the
European school

of warfare,

felt it necessary to have a casus

belli. Fortunately for him an incident soon presented itself
which by dint of sophistry he managed to regard as an excuse
for an unprovoked attack upon a friendly people. Some Caribs
had taken a roll of cotton cloth without permission, though in
exchange for it they had left a pig and some fruit, thinking, no
he

doubt, that their action was a legitimate business transaction.

This was all L'Olive needed; here was a robbery to be punished,
and on this flimsy pretext he declared war on a race which had
succored many of his people in their time of need.

L'Olive

his campaign by dispatching

began

La Fontaine, in

boat

his lieutenant,

with fifteen soldiers to make

complete

reconnaissance of the western shore and pick up quietly any

52.

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

Frenchmen he might find among savages. La Fontaine was well

received by the friendly Caribs, who gladly surrendered their
French guests, little dreaming that they would soon need them
as hostages, and even pointed

out in evidence of their friendship

that they had refused to trade with a boatload of Englishmen

who had recently come there anxious to do business with them.
Three days after La Fontaine's return L'Olive began his prepara
tions. Under pretense of looking for a better location he em
barked in one of his boats and made his way to the Carib
encampment, located near the southern

tip of the island in the

vicinity of modern Basseterre. Apparently the savages had got

wind of the expedition. Perhaps a member of La Fontaine's
detachmentmore conscientious or more loose-tongued than
his companionshad tipped them off; for when L'Olive landed
he found that they had fled with their squaws after having
burned their huts to the ground. They had, however, left behind
an aged chief, 12.0 years old according to tradition, with two

or three young men who had remained to care for him. His
name was Captain Yance, at least that is what the French
called him. When L'Olive landed, the old man was preparing
to embark in a canoe; but he promptly gave himself up when
assured that no harm would be done him. Once he had the
Carib chief in his power, the French commander quickly changed
his manner and accused him of conspiring to destroy the white
men, heaping threats and reproaches on his devoted head. All
this the unfortunate Indian vehemently denied, protesting that
there was not one of his men who would not do anything to
please the French. He defended himself, says Du Tertre, with all
the strength and positiveness of one entirely innocent. Then
L'Olive drew his watch and showed it to the chief, saying that

it

was a French devil who had told of the treachery he had

planned against the white men. Captain Yance, astonished at
the strange mechanism, believed the commander, but protested
loudly against this lying devil, swearing that neither he nor

his fellow savages had ever plotted to harm the French.

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE
L'Olive now ordered the Carib to

send one

53

of his men to

bring back the squaws, who had halted a short distance from
the smoldering village. The chief complied at once; but the
youth dispatched on this errand gave the alarm instead of
obeying and led the frightened women to the eastern part of
the island toward the place where the settlement of Ste. Marie
was later built. Enraged at this,

to be bound and thrown into

L'Olive caused Captain Yance

canoe with one of his grandsons,

of his dis
grandfather.
tracted
Then the soldiers hurled themselves upon
the aged chief, slashed him with their swords, and finally

who was speedily stabbed to death before the

threw him overboard,

with their oars.

This done, they

eyes

bearing him down beneath the waves

seized

two other savages and compelled them

to lead the way to the place where the squaws had taken
refuge. One of these guides, the son of a Carib called Captain
Baron, a chief of considerable influence, who had always been
known for his friendliness to the French, broke away from
his tormentors and threw himself over a steep precipice, landing
in some bushes that checked his fall. Uninjured, he managed to
make his way to the eastern part of the island, where he found
the squaws and warned them of the coming attack. L'Olive
now forced his other captive to act as guide. This youth led
the white men

all day through the jungle, then at night when

all were asleep, exhausted by the long march, he cut his bonds

all

and disappeared into the forest. Foiled in their attempt to reach

the camp of the squaws, the French made their way with con
the provi
siderable difficulty back to Basseterre, collected

to

to

to

to

guard what
sions they could find, and, leaving
few men
they could not remove, sailed
Fort St. Pierre, where they
proceeded
encourage their fellow colonists
complete the

But now

work they had begun.

reaction

set

in. Father Breton, who had been

the Caribs,

he

the treatment

of

this time. Shocked

at

by

absent from the fort when the expedition started, had returned

violently

54

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

denounced

the brutality

of the undertaking

and personally

L'Olive, boldly pointing out to him that his action was

in direct disobedience to the orders of the King and of the
directors, who wished for peace with the savages at any cost
in the hope that the Dominican Fathers would succeed in con
verting them to the Faith. The clique surrounding L'Olive were
berated

enraged at the father's presumption and endeavored to persuade

the commander that the priest was a Spaniard in disguise who

should be driven from Guadeloupe. But the popularity which

Breton and his fellow religious enjoyed amongst the rank and
file was too great for the war party, and the Dominicans were
left in peace.

If L'Olive
improve

and his precious gang of scoundrels expected to

their position by this unprovoked assault on the

Caribs, they were quickly undeceived. The Indians had been in

the habit of aiding the French in a small way by bringing them
an occasional canoe load

of potatoes, bananas, and figs; but now

They withdrew from Guadeloupe to

Dominica, where, in conjunction with the natives they estab
lished a headquarters for spasmodic raids on the French, which
they managed so well as to capture or kill from sixty to eighty

all such attentions

ceased.

For three years, so Father du Tertre tells us,

the raids continued. The Caribs succeeded in enlisting not only
their fellow savages in Dominica but those in St. Vincent as

of their

enemies.

well. Their method of attack was to hurl themselves upon

isolated groups which had wandered from the protection of
the fortan excellent bit of strategy, to be sure, yet one that
did not always meet with success, since the French were con
tinually on the watch for these raids.
On one occasion the Caribs learned of a detachment at work
some distance from the fort. Having collected two or three
hundred men, they bore down in their canoes on the unsuspecting
colonists.

As the Caribs advanced under cover of

shower

of

arrows, the French seized the muskets which they always kept
near at hand when working in the fields and replied with a

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

55

spirited volley. The Caribs fought well, but they could not hold
their own against the galling fire of the enemy, who enjoyed
some protection from a hastily constructed barricade, and after
a stubborn fight they were forced to retreat,
wounded with them.
Nevertheless,

successful repulses

carrying their

of Indian raids did not

of the fear of attack under which they

constantly lived. Like their contemporaries in Canada who
went to work gun in hand, ever on the alert for the Iroquois
relieve the colonists

war whoop, the French in Guadeloupe quickly learned that

eternal vigilance was the price of safety. Hard pressed for food
the Governor was now obliged to send his men along the shore
to gather turtles, whose flesh could in a pinch stave off hunger.
To insure the safety of these hunters he divided them into two
companies, each in turn to go out fully armed. But the savages
kept up a continual guerrilla warfare, picking off stragglers
with such success that sorties of this kind became less and less
frequent and famine gradually gained the upper hand.

M.

de

l'Olive now put forth his best efforts to

colony.

save the

to

he

was driven back

the sudden appearance
Spanish squadron; and another boat, dispatched from Guade
loupe
St. Christopher for supplies, disappeared forever, her
to

Guadeloupe

of

by

to

ill

From his plantation in St. Christopher he drew enough to

relieve the immediate wants of his men, but, even so,
luck
ship which
appeared
pursue him.
loaded and sent

on

up

in

It

in

in

escaping from the famine

crew evidently more interested
rescuing their dying comrades.
stricken island than
was
every man for himself. As always happens
such
crisis the
blaming
against
leader,
rank and file turned
the
him for all

the same.

replace

Duples

deprived

of

revoked, that

be to

colleague
he

given

It

was suggested that

sis, that his commission

the criticism was much

be be

France,
he

came known

in

as to

their misfortunes. L'Olive's assault

the Caribs now rose
haunt him, for this treacherous action was popularly regarded
the cause of all the trouble. When the true state of affairs be

his

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

56

office, in short that as the one responsible for the misery

of the

colony he should in some manner be called to account. For

once the home critics appeared to be in the right. In desperation

L'Olive appealed to Father Pelican to undertake

to

a mission

France in order to place what he considered to be the true state

of affairs before the directors and to request immediate help
and a renewal of his commission as Governor of Guadeloupe.

of

it,

Father Pelican left the island in the year 1636 to carry out
the wishes of his commander and also, while he was about

an

in

of

he

in

to

of

to

obtain for himself and his colleagues the grant

small
dwelling
they
land where
could erect
and live
tract
calling.
atmosphere suitable
their
After his arrival
France
presented himself promptly before the directors
the com
a

in

pany, who immediately granted his request for the ecclesiastical

establishment; indeed, the directors went
bit further
their

willingness

of

of

it

to

to

to

please him by ordering L'Olive

build
resi
came
the question
dence for the clergy. But when
renewing the commission
man who had nearly wrecked the
assault on the Caribs, they

disregard

de

dwelling for the

for the continual attacks
erect

to

at

of

up

to

dangerous for anyone even

venture
setting
separate establish
say nothing
obey instructions,
the Governor's refusal

the Indians made

from the fort,

ment. Angered

to

L'Olive saw
to

of

fathers

it fit

On receiving the directors' order

it, to

enterprise by his unprovoked

murred.

to

to

course, included

the clergy,

to

to

of

to

it

of

no

to

he

in

of

to

of

to

Father Gryphon proceeded

France
add his entreaties
placed
those
Father Pelican. The two
the matter before their
superior, Father Carr, who after listening patiently
the
suffering
poured
ear,
person
tales
into his
went
before the
request immediate aid. To his amazement
directors
was
longer felt itself responsible for
informed that the company
the actions
the Governor, since
was he, according
their
contract, who had undertaken
transport the colonists, which,
at

it

and
was now for him
decide what was best for them. Disgusted
this attitude

COLONIZATION OF GUADELOUPE

57

although it was doubtless strictly correct from the purely legal

point of viewFather Carr ordered his clergy to leave the
island.
Father Breton, however, had no desire to abandon his flock,
since he was the only priest in Guadeloupe (Father Brchet had
just gone to St. Christopher), but, unwilling to be guilty of
direct disobedience, he prepared to leave. Hearing this the
colonists swarmed about him, begging him with tears in their
not to desert them, and when this proved ineffectual, they
restrained him by main force. The good father, nothing loath to
surrender to force majeure, agreed to stay; and to settle the diffi
culty he wrote to the directors of the company, suggesting that
eyes

they issue an order to Governor

him to provide the clergy with
directors

l'Olive

l'Olive definitely instructing

a

suitable tract of land. The

at once complied, and on January 26, 1637, M. de

signed a grant giving the Dominicans a tract at the

mouth of the Rivire des Galions, near the modern town of

Basseterre. Thither

the Governor presently

moved his own

colony, as the location at Fort St. Pierre had been made unten
able by the Caribs, and, moreover, the southern portion of the
island was the one best suited for settlement and cultivation.

In consideration of the land granted to his mission, Father

Carr appealed to the Cardinal on behalf of M. de l'Olive and
urged him to bring his influence to bear on the directors in order
to secure his reappointment. This the Cardinal was pleased to
do; and the directors, bowing to the wishes of their eminent

patron, wrote to L'Olive on December 12, 1637, apprising him of

their decision to continue him at his post. M. de l'Olive was in
St. Christopher when he received the joyful news of his reap
pointment together with letters from the company promising a
generous supply
Guadeloupe,

of

men and provisions.

He returned at once to
sent for Father Breton, and read him the letters

from France, assuring him he would never forget the services

the fathers in his behalf.

of

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

EN NEws

of L'Olive's seizure of Guadeloupe reached

it,

earning

of

living

in

in

of

in

the West Indies. This

gave him
the outset
decided advantage over his neighbors
Guadeloupe, who had been recruited from the streets
Dieppe
the art

at

well versed

of

of

he

he

do

to

its

by

D'Esnambuc, he was immediately goaded into action.

The settlement of this great island had long been a pet
project of his, and he resented
pre-emption
another. But
anything about
patent from
unable
since L'Olive had
wisely put resentment aside and proceeded
the company,
with his own preparations for annexing Martinique. During the
August, 1635,
collected
band
150 picked
latter part
men, all experienced colonists, thoroughly acclimatized, and
W

brief voyage
D'Esnambuc

Cardinal Richelieu

of

letter

to

D'Esnambuc's

of

on

the date given

in

"This

is

it

in

August, and after

The expedition set out late
September.
reached Martinique
the first

or

of

so

of

an

of

of

on

to

he

of

of

to

as

of

Normandy, and who were totally unfamiliar,

we have seen, with the conditions they were called upon
face.
proper nourishment for his men D'Esnambuc
To made sure
plentiful supply
peas, beans, and sweet
took with him
potatoes, for
did not propose
have his people live for any
length
time entirely
native fruits; experience had shown
him the dangers
such
diet. Each man took with him also
garden tools,
his musket and
assortment
that all were
agriculture.
prepared for war
for the peaceful pursuits

and the fields

Nov.

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

59

did not land at the same spot where L'Olive had set up the cross
two months before. Sailing past threatening Mt. Pelee, he came
to anchor at the mouth of Rivire du Fort, somewhat north of
L'Olive's landing place. The shelter offered here for vessels is
not particularly good. It is merely an open roadstead or bight,
giving protection of a sort from the easterly trade winds, but
useless in a storm. Had D'Esnambuc continued southward he
would have come to the excellent harbor of Cul de Sac Royal
where modern Fort de France, chief town of the island, now
stands. At Rivire du Fort he constructed on the northern bank

of the stream

a substantial

fort, which he named St. Pierre, prob

ably to commemorate his own Christian name, and armed it

with the guns he had brought from St. Christopher. Like L'Olive
and Duplessis, he took formal possession of the island, not
knowing they had already done so. In a ceremony held on the
fifteenth of the month a cross was erected, the flag unfurled, and
a proclamation read declaring Martinique to be a French colony

to

of

all

for
in the name of the King, the Cardinal, and the company,
Faith,
Catholic,
Apostolic,
augmentation
the
the
and Ro
King
profit
man, and
derive
from the island for the
and our
D'Esnambuc did not remain long

in

masters."

Martinique-only long

complete the fort and get his people settled-for the

more pressing duties
his large colony
St. Christopher
he

of

he

with him

had

du

his immediate attention. Fortunately,

needed

an

in

of

to

enough

to

of

of

in

the person
Jean
Pont
whom
could entrust the governance
the place during his absence.
This done, he left the island about the middle
November. As
able lieutenant

by

is us

he

to

he

it

time

to

to

as

of

Guadeloupe

in

L'Olive's arrival
have heard
ready
early July.

Du Tertre tells
landed early
hardly probable
Sts. Peter and Paul. But
the date, and, moreover,
could not

in

of

of

the octave
the feast
that D'Esnambuc was mistaken

55.

Margry, Belain d'Esnambuc,

p.

to

1635.

July

on

in

12,

curred

of

Dominica, the thought oc

him that now was the opportunity
take possession

he skirted the western shore line

get his expedition

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

6o

of this beautiful island, so that France would have clear title to

the three major islands of the Leeward group. He therefore cast
anchor off the shorewe do not know at what spotand landed
on the seventeenth of the month to take formal possession and

to draw up

report of his action to send to the authorities at

home. A small detachment was left there in command of Philippe

Levayer de la Valle, who may be regarded as the island's first

His administration did not last long, and the island

was soon abandoned by all save the clergy who maintained a
mission there. At this time D'Esnambuc also took possession of
the little volcanic cone known as Saba, a short distance north of
St. Christopher.
Meanwhile, Governor du Pont was having troubles in Mar

governor.

tinique. The Caribs of this island, unlike those of Guadeloupe,

viewed the arrival of strangers with suspicion and determined to
drive them out before they themselves were attacked. They car
ried on a sort of guerrilla warfare, though with small results, as
the French were too strongly entrenched in their fort to be as
saulted successfully, and they never ventured forth unless heavily
armed. At last, despairing of ever being able to do the job them
selves, the savages sent out a call for assistance. From Dominica,
Guadeloupe,

and even from St. Vincent reinforcements soon

poured in, until a respectable army of no less than 1,500 men was
assembled for the attack. Du Pont, who had got wind of the
affair, was ready to receive them. He withdrew his men into the
fort, placed his three cannons in position, and loaded them to

with musketballs, nails, and assorted bits of hard

ware. Seeing the French retreat within their walls, the Caribs
the muzzle

took heart. They gathered together in a body and rushed the

fortifications. Du Pont allowed them to approach the walls
until they were within range, then he gave the signal to open
fire. The effect was terrific. The Caribs fled, and "thinking that
all the devils of France had burst from the muzzles of the guns to
destroy them, they ran

with incredible

to their canoes and

put out to sea, so terrified by the effect of the cannon that, con
speed

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

61

trary to custom, they did not stop to pick up either the dead or
the wounded."
The effect of this blast was lasting. The Caribs had learned
their lesson, and Du Pont was now able to send his men abroad
to clear the land and plant vegetables for their own needs and
tobacco for the export trade. The colony prospered and carried
on a lively business with ships which were attracted there by
the excellent quality of the tobacco the planters had to offer. At
last the Indians, seeing the futility of trying to dislodge these
newcomers, sued for peace. Governor du Pont received them
affably, for he was not a man to harbor a grudge, and before

long a truce was concluded which enabled the French to devote

their entire time to peaceful pursuits. Now that everything was

in good order, the Governor decided to pay

visit to St. Chris

topher to give an account of his stewardship to M. d'Esnambuc.

He set sail; but unfortunately he was picked up by a Spanish
vessel and taken

to San Domingo, where he was kept prisoner

for three years.

When news of this loss reached D'Esnambuc, he was already
stricken

with the malady that was destined to carry him off. It

was therefore necessary for him to appoint at once a successor to

Du Pont, and it was but natural that he should turn in such an
emergency to a member of his own family. D'Esnambuc himself
was a bachelor. For some unknown reason he had never married,
despite what must have been a yearning to transmit the fruits of
his great achievement to a son and heir. Lacking children of his
own, he took a keen interest in his nephews. His sister, Adrienne

Dyel de Vaudroques, had welcomed him to her home when his

fief was sold to satisfy his father's creditors, and to repay her for
her kindness he had invited her sons to the West Indies to share
in the great colonial empire he was building. Adrienne had five
sons: Simon, who had died fighting the soldiers of Don Fadrique;
Pierre, who remained in Normandy, but became, thanks to his
descendants who migrated to the West Indies, an ancestor of the
Empress Josephine; a third, whose first name is unknown;

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

62.

Adrien, who was made

captain by his uncle on the death of

Simon, but soon returned to France; and Jacques, Sieur du Par
quet.
a

Jacques was a new arrival at St. Christopher. He had served as

captain in a regiment of Picardy and was holding an important
post in Calais when, sensing intuitively that greater fortune
awaited him beyond the seas, he decided to sail for St. Christo
pher in 1634. He arrived in time to be selected as the new Gover

nor of Martinique. The choice made by D'Esnambuc was an ex

cellent one, for Du Parquet was destined to become one of the
leading figures in the early history of the French West Indies, a
worthy successor to his distinguished uncle. Du Parquet left at
once to assume his new duties, and taking with him some fifteen
men he proceeded to Martinique where he was received with
open arms.

its

D'Esnambuc's condition was now rapidly becoming worse.

For ten years he had devoted his life to the founding and building
up of his colonyprotecting it against foreign enemies, superin
to

colonies

at

had just laid the foundations

of

at

its

fields, dispensing justice

tending the cultivation of
its
people, ironing out
problems
home-until now the settle
ment numbered some four or five thousand souls. In addition he

Martinique and
he

in

to

to

It

at

Dominica, while an erstwhile lieutenant had established

colony
Guadeloupe.
was but natural, then, that
should
gain
seek
moment's respite from his arduous labors
order
visit again, perhaps for the last time, his beloved Normandy.

of

absence the directors

of

written
the Sieur
meeting,
their
"that the
the service
His Majesty
he

consent that

leave the

France, and that his absence might

the establishment

Martinique,

to

to

voyage

at

cause harm

make
to

islands

to

of

ran the minutes

company consider him too useful
and the well-being
the company

inexperi

to

shall

still

of

"It

leave

so

d'Esnambuc,

were
be

the negative.

to

To his request for

the West Indies, where

in

Guadeloupe,

to

answered

in

enced hands.

especially

three colonies,

in

But the company needed his presence

the preserva

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

63

best years

he

the settlement

in

the month

which

to

in

passed away

of

he

Governor grew worse and sometime

of its

tion of St. Christopher and to the help he can give to those at

Guadeloupe and Dominica." It was a sincere compliment, not
merely a politely worded refusal, but it brought little comfort
close, the
to the failing man. As the year 1636 drew to
December

had devoted the

his life.
as

of

or as

its

of

in

of

be

truly regarded
Pierre Belain d'Esnambuc may
the founder
empire
the French colonial
the West Indies. With the ex
Domingo
ception
San
and that little island home
the buc
Tortuga, the Caribbean
caneers off
northern coast, known
As

at

at

he

of

indirectly from the seed

colonies
France all sprang directly
planted
St. Christopher.
the French possessions grew,
Martinique and Guadeloupe gradually
the greater settlements

of

In

conflict which,

is

was during this time that St. Christopher was lost

peace.

It

of

the various treaties

to

traded back and forth

in

the Caribbean. The various

the Lesser Antilles were captured and recaptured, only
by

be

to

lands

of

course, had its repercussions

duels known some

as

of

England drew them into that long series

times
the Second Hundred Years' War,

of

of

overshadowed the mother colony and became the chief care and
pride
France.
time the clashing interests
France and

France and

of

in

do

de

to

to is

became entirely English. On this island his name

now almost
forgotten, but his glory has been transferred
Martinique,
where
statue has been erected
him
the public square
capital,
its
Fort
France.
The death of Belain d'Esnambuc hastened the confirmation of

in

to its

by

once sent

no

was

place

in he to
to

was

at

this title instead

that
command. The commission signed,

it

governor, though

he

so

doing
the company promised
that during his entire incumbency
of

one above him,

so In

three years.

of

of

of

2,

on

so

of

to

something
Du Parquet's position. The company, anxious
recognition
the services
well performed
late Gover
nor, issued
1637,
December
commission
his nephew
appointing him lieutenant-governor
Martinique for period

retained
supreme
the

ap

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

64

pointee. When it was received, the militia companies, such as

they were, were drawn up on the parade ground before the fort,
and

it was read to the assembled colonists. By this ceremony

was formally inducted into office.

Now that he was master de jure as well as de facto Du Parquet
proceeded to his duties with fresh enthusiasm. Fortunately for
the most southerly

of

as

him Martinique had certain advantages. Owing to

its

the lieutenant-governor

situation

to

in

to

by

it

the French islands

was the one first
visited
vessels from France, which always headed southward
pick up the trade winds. Thanks
after leaving port
order

in

lance. On one occasion

ship came

to

remain despite the evil reports they had heard

of

to

to

on

to

strangers, many
the cordial reception Du Parquet extended
Guadeloupe decided
who had stopped there
their way

the fer-de
harbor,
the
and

to

of

anchor
ventured ashore. Du Parquet took them
his
gave
sample
own house and
them
French colonial hospital
ity. The following day no less than sixty people left the vessel
few passengers

in

in

to

Martinique, and from that time

become permanent settlers
on the French commander experienced little difficulty
ob

of

to

taining colonists.
Since the population was increasing rapidly, Du Parquet ap
plied himself
organization, security, and the
the problems

of

of

he

living conditions. To encourage agriculture

betterment
generously surrendered his revenue from the tobacco crop and
introduced methods for improving the quality
the plant.
a

an

de

an

on

of

There was also the question

harbor. Fort St. Pierre was
open
located
roadstead and was scarcely suitable; but
there was, however, the Cul
Sac Royal, where large ships
could ride
anchor protected from all winds save those blow

of

on

an

to

of in

ing directly from the south. Smaller boats could find complete
shelter
its inner bays. On the northern shore
this harbor
tongue
land reached out
form
excellent basin, called the

in

he

be

Carnage, where ships could

careened, and
this little
peninsula Du Parquet built the fort
named Fort Royal. Here,
also,
second colony was started, which became
time the

||

|
|*-''

|2.

-#*

**

--

-.."-.

*|

2.

--|

A-

--

--

-|

--#

|dy-

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

65

chief town of the island and took the name of Fort de France.
For the time being, however, St. Pierre remained the capital. Du
Parquet made a bid for foreign trade by throwing open the
Carnage to all comers during July, August, and September, a
time when storms were to be expected, and even furnished a
pilot to guide them through the channel. Within two years the

colony had increased to seven hundred inhabitants.

As the colony grew under Du Parquet's wise leadership, it was
presently divided into four settlements, or quartiers, as the French
called them, the principal one of which was the Quartier du
Fort St. Pierre, for many years the capital of the island. Here
Du Parquet erected a good-size fort, strongly built of masonry
and mounting some nine or ten cannons that protected the
roadstead. The Dominican fathers resided near by in a substan

tial house which Du Tertre mentions with pride. Next door to

them was the estate

of M. dOrange, where he took up his resi

dence in 1649, after he had been driven from Guadeloupe.

On his
grounds was located a fountain of fresh water, evidently the only
one in the district, which he generously threw open to the
public. There were also in this settlement the Church of St.
Peter and St. Paul, a government building where Du Parquet
met his council once a month, and several storesthe entire
group of buildings forming

sort

of hamlet.

North of St. Pierre was the Quartier du Prcheur, so called

rock projecting into the sea bore some rough re
semblance to a preacher in his pulpit. It was not an important
settlement, though one dear to Father du Tertre, who once acted
because

of the local parish of St. Joseph. South of St. Pierre lay

the Quartier du Carbet, where lived the Governor. Here a river
of that name falls into the sea, and on an island which divides
as rector

its mouth into two branches M. du Parquet erected a brick

dwelling, where he lived until he moved to Fort St. Pierre. The
building was then given to the Jesuit Fathers. Farther south,
along the coast, was the Quartier de la Case Pilote, so called be
cause

it was the residence of the pilot mentioned above. It

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

66

boasted

of

a church

dedicated to the

Virgin,

a government

weighing scale for the benefit of local planters, and several

stores. M. de la Valle, after leaving Dominica, became one of
its leading citizens.
After the death of Pierre d'Esnambuc the company cast about
for his successor as governor-general of the archipelago. For
tunately for the immediate needs of St. Christopher, they had
appointed a short while before the Sieur du Halde, a worthy
native of Gascony, as lieutenant-governor of the island, and

of his chief he was appointed governor. He

appears to have been a good, if not particularly distinguished,
official, but one who had little enthusiasm for his position, for
as soon as he received a formal commission designating him
governor he petitioned to be allowed to return to France. At
that time such a desertion would have been a serious blow to the
after the demise

colony and the directors lost no time in begging the King to use
the weight of his authority to keep the newly appointed gover
nor at his post. Louis acquiesced without hesitation; on Septem
ber 9, 1637, he issued a royal order forbidding the recalcitrant
Du Halde from leaving his command without the express per
mission

of the company.

While this temporarily settled the vexed question of St.

Christopher, it did not solve the greater problem of the gover
of the Caribbee Islands. Du Parquet, though in
good odor with everybody, was too young and inexperienced;
Du Halde had already shown his true colors; L'Olive could

nor-generalship

with this plan, and having glanced about for

to

no

its

scarcely be regarded as a successful commander; there remained,

then, but one course opento select someone in France. Despite
proceed
obvious objections the company had
choice but

of

la

as
a

Du

to
it. is

see

successful governor. Such

Grange lived
how
up

Tertre's opinion; we shall

for

La

necessary

all the qualities

de

de

suitable candidate
they presently chose Ren
Beculat, Sieur
Grange Fro
menteau,
gentleman whom Du Tertre describes
man
exemplary piety and affable personality, richly endowed with

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY
M. de la Grange

accepted

67

with alacrity, but on second thought

he decided that the expense incident to his establishing himself

at St. Christopher was greater than he could conveniently af
ford, so he suggested a substitute in the person of Philippe de

Lonvilliers de Poincy, Knight of Malta, commander of Oyze

mont, sometime vice-admiral in the French navya dashing
blade who at this time was idling away his days in Paris, thanks
to a misunderstanding with the Archbishop of Bordeaux which
had deprived him

of his former occupation. La Grange

made

his

with the proviso that he would reserve for himself the

position of lieutenant under De Poincy and that the latter
should lend him four thousand francs with which to defray the

offer

of his voyage to St. Christopher. The proposition ap

pealed to De Poincy. Here, indeed, might be an opportunity to
carve out a name for himself and perhaps add a tidy bit to his

expenses

fortune. He closed the deal at once, even lending La Grange five

hundred francs more than the sum at first requested. As for the
directors, they quickly voiced their approval of M. de Poincy.

They placed his name before the Cardinal who presented the
candidate to the King, suggesting that he be appointed governor

of three years. Louis, rely

ing on his minister's judgment, issued a commission to this ef
fect on February 15, 1638, as a matter of course. The company
also made him Governor of St. Christopher. Thus for the first
time a man of distinguished position was to be lieutenant of the
general of

all the islands for

a period

King of France in the West Indies. The colonies founded by

Pierre d'Esnambuc were indeed growing in importance.
As soon as he received his commission, De Poincy dispatched

La Grange, now his subordinate, to prepare a residence for him

at St. Christopher. La Grange set forth in April with his wife,
his son, and several gentlemen, and on reaching his destination
was welcomed by the inhabitants in a manner that may have
caused him to regret the minor part he had chosen. To make up
for this he at once set out to provide for himself in the grand
manner, forgetting completely the arrangements he was to make

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

68

will

in it.

he

by

the good

of

to

of at

it

he

be

for his superior. He purchased some excellent property and

added to it by taking over some vacant land adjoining
To his
public
said, however, that
credit
took keen interest
Basseterre;
encouraged
welfare. He built Fort St. Pierre,
foreign trade
the great benefit
the colony; and he gained
the people and the clergy

his friendly

disposition.

is

shown

of

Poincy

prominent

member

by

such

of

as

the appointment
aristocracy
M.

de

That the colonists appreciated keenly the honor done them by

the French

the enthusiastic recep

by

in

he

arrived
the West Indies the
tion they accorded him when
following year. De Poincy sailed from France on January 12,

of

in

of

of

of

gentlemen, soldiers, and arti

retinue
governor
sans,
the dual capacity
St. Christopher for the
company and governor-general
the islands for the King. He
1639, accompanied

he

Martinique, where
by

up

on

due course

at

in

anchored off
Royal.
Fort
He was received
land
Du Parquet, whose
along the shore, while the guns
militiamen were drawn
barked out
salute from the fort. All stood uncovered while
arrived

of

to

In

the King's commission was read, then Du Parquet and his men
fidelity
Guadeloupe,
took the oath
the new incumbent.
to

at

however, the Governor-General met with quite

different re
ception. There was no one
receive him
the landing, for the
unfortunate colonists were too much occupied with their Carib
as

of

he

to

he

of

he

to

he

to

to

he

ill

he

to

he

to in

visiting
the fort,
found the wretched L'Olive
and half blind, voicing
where
profane objections
usurpation
what
considered
his
authority. The Governor-General had the good taste not
argue with the sick man, who, moreover, did not recognize him.
spent some time beside him trying
On the contrary
calm
only
brought
anger,
patient
his
and
when
had
the
more
identity.
reasonable frame
mind did
disclose his
When
and chronic famine
take much interest
dignitaries. De Poincy made his way
best
could

enemies

in

of

at

learned who his visitor was, L'Olive expressed regret

the vio
friendly spirit.
lence
his language, and the two men parted

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

69

at St. Christopher on the

twentieth of February, where, at the settlement of Basseterre,
he made a formal entry into his capital. Never before in the his
tory of the West Indies had a French governor made his appear

The Governor-General arrived

with such clat. Arrayed in the full dress uniform of a

Knight of Malta, he stepped ashore accompanied by his gentle

ance

men and guards clad

in rich scarlet cloaks embroidered with the

white cross of the order and advanced between two rows of
awe-struck colonists, drawn up on each side

of the roadway to

With this retinue he proceeded to the church,

where he was received by M. de la Grange. A Te Deum was sung
in his honor, the leading planters pressed forward to assure him
of their fidelity, and even Sir Thomas Warner was so impressed
welcome him.

by the importance of the new incumbent that he sent his aide to

welcome him in behalf of the English colony and came to Basse
terre four days later to pay his respects in person. De Poincy was
equal to the occasion. He promptly returned the visit, accom
panied by an impressive escort, and addressed to his host, through
an interpreter, the usual remarks appropriate to such an occasion.
Governor De Poincy landed, as we have said, on the twentieth

of February, and the rest of the year, that is until La Grange's

return to France in November, was taken up by an

opra bouffe

exhibition of domestic difficulties. The trouble began when De

Poincy failed to find a suitable residence prepared for his recep
tion, which it had been La Grange's business to provide. The
unfortunate lieutenant was soundly berated for his negligence
in truth the stricture was well meritedand threatened with

the seizure of his property and expulsion from the colony. In

vain he offered De Poincy his own house; the choleric Governor

of by

spurned the offer and purchased instead the former plantation of

M. D'Esnambuc, situated among the foothills at some distance

ill

Eventually the
feeling engendered
this
contretemps died down, thanks largely
the efforts
the
Capuchin fathers, who were extremely partial
La Grange,
appearance

at

until,

in

to

to

from Basseterre.

least, the two men were quite friendly.

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

7o

But there were not lacking those who thought that they could
profit by any trouble that might arise between the commanders.
Rumors were spread abroad that revived the old feeling of dis
trust, and La Grange was summarily ordered to the northern
part of the island. For this harsh procedure De Poincy gave
certain reasons in presenting his account of the affair to the
president of the company: first, before his arrival Mme de la
Grange

used his name

property to her at

to force several planters to sell their

price determined by herself, a proceeding

which embittered many toward the Governor; secondly, the
lieutenant had seized seventy-eight negroes of a consignment
a

brought in by a Dutch trader and had sent to his superior an as

sorted group of eighteen slaves, mostly sick and useless and in
cluding a couple of corpses, as his share of the cargo. But the
humorous element into the situation. It
arose from the arrival of a consignment of young women sent
over by the paternally inclined directors as wives for the colo
nists. La Grange, for no particular reason so far as we know, im

third reason injected

mediately branded most of these ladies with his disapproval.

He vowed they had been imported to form the nucleus of a
harem for M. de Poincy and cast aspersions on their virtue, re

fusing to allow his officers to marry any save a select few.

Matters came to a head when the Governor-General seized a girl
who was described as "perfectly beautiful and capable of in
spiring love." She was, not one of the new arrivals, but the
daughter

of

wealthy planter named Bellestre, and she was

taken from him on the ground that he was a hopeless drunkard

and totally unfit to care for such a lovely creature. She was
placed in the house of Mme de la Grange, where De Poincy paid
her frequent visits. Such an opportunity was not to be lost by
the wife of the irate lieutenant, who, in order to shield the

young lady's reputation, talked loudly about the matter to the

neighbors.
relative of Mme de la Grange, the
Sieur Qurolon, composed a pasquinade about De Poincy's

To make matters worse

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY
amours entitled

Prosopope

de

la

nymphe

Christophorine,

71
a

bit of

witticism that received the warm approval of La Grange him

self. It contained principally a collection of poems, doubtless
rather mediocre verse, concerning the reputation of several girls,
especially the young woman who had elicited the Governor
General's admiration. Mme de la Grange circulated this bit of

literature throughout the community, even going so far as to

furnish Sir Thomas Warner with a copy, amplifying it with
comments of her own. This was the last straw. The hue and cry
was now raised after Qurolon, who fled St. Christopher and
took refuge in the Dutch colony at St. Eustatius. De Poincy
wrote the Governor of this island requesting him to surrender
the fellow and received an answer promising full co-operation;
but Mme de la Grange used her influence with Sir Thomas and
induced him to bring pressure on the Dutch commander in be
half of the fugitive poet. Qurolon was therefore placed on an
English vessel that chanced to be in the harbor and permitted to
make his escape. De Poincy thus unable to secure his man caused
him to be tried in absentia and condemned to death. His property
was confiscated and the capital sentence was carried out on his
effigy by the local headsman.
The badgered Governor-General now felt that he could stand
no more from the ill-disposed La Granges. Fortunately for him
he held the whip hand, thanks to the loan he had made to his
subordinate, and he now took action against him, charging him
with lese majesty for the affronts offered him as representative

of the King. In vain did La Grange offer to pay all he owed and
ship his loose-tongued wife back to France by the first vessel if
only the matter were dropped. De Poincy was inexorable. He
felt, as he later wrote to M. Fouquet, that La Grange's ambition
had been fired by the possibilities of the West Indies, that he had
repented

of his bargain, and that he was using every means,

fair or foul, to procure his (De Poincy's) recall. For this reason
the Governor-General started a civil and criminal action against
La Grange in the court presided over by M. Renou, an action

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

72.

which La Grange sought to nullify on the ground that since the

judge was beneath him in rank he was not obliged to bow to his
authority. M. Renou, however, thought otherwise and presently
rendered a decision depriving the defendant of more than 2,500
francs and

all his slaves,

some twenty-odd negroes and negresses,

and sentenced him and his wife to prison for lese majesty despite
the protests of the Capuchin fathers, who stood stoutly by them.

M. and Mme

de la Grange were at once incarcerated

in the
Basseterre prison with their eight-year-old son. Apparently they
were not kept in strict confinement, and the way of escape was
easy, as numerous friends pointed out to them. But they pre
ferred to take no chances of running into an ambush and being
shot as fugitives. Mme de la Grange relieved her feelings by
writing to the directors a hysterical letter accusing De Poincy

of all manner of atrocities inflicted on the helpless colonists to

accomplish

his selfish aims, actions she asserted,

which would
assuredly have brought on a revolt had it not been for the in
fluence of her husband. La Grange also wrote the directors ask
ing for a review of the sentence passed on him by M. Renou.
While awaiting the results of this appeal an incident occurred
which nearly cost them their lives. Two of their servants were
found one night prowling about the powder magazine near De
Poincy's residence. Their actions roused suspicion. The Gover
nor-General had them questioned, using, no doubt, some
rough-and-ready methods to make them talk; but they held
firm to their story, saying that they had merely wandered there
by chance during an evening walk and had not been sent there
by La Grange to blow up the place. Shortly after this, and largely
because

of the suspicions that this incident engendered, the La

Granges were sent back to France, accompanied by

letter in

which De Poincy assured the directors that he would have had

his prisoners beheaded if he had found them guilty of attempting
his life. Thus peace, at least domestic peace, was restored to the
unhappy island.

While this serio-comic business was taking up so much of his

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

73

time De Poincy was able to inaugurate several drastic changes

in the colony. To weaken La Grange's influence he replaced
several La Grange men by creatures of his own. An ex-brewer of
Dieppe was named judge; a former surgeon who had served under
Duplessis was appointed the Governor-General's assistant in
civil matters; and the unfortunate La Grange found himself cut

off from all his friends save the Capuchin fathers.

De Poincy's most notable achievement, however,

was the

founding of an excellent hospital for those who could not

re

at

in

by ill

on

ceive proper treatment at home, as well as for strangers who fell

during their stay
the island. Arrangements were also made
him for placing orphans
suitable houses and caring for
them
his expense. He also caused Fort Pierre, recently erected
be

of

to

to

of

in by

be

It

its

in

to

by La Grange,
demolished and ordered
new fort
more
construction,
Basseterre,
him Fort
substantial
called
point
place.
strength
built
was second
the one

known as "the Citadel" at Pointe de Sable near the line of de

and the English colonies.
Capesterre,
the northern part

There was also another fort

of

the French

in

separating

marcation

at

of

at

Louve; while the English

called St. Louis, and one
Anse
boasted
two: Fort Charles,
Old Road Town, and one op
posite the Citadel.
a

of

beautiful piece

of

Governor d'Esnambuc,

by

to

in

as

of

he

of

Though busily engaged with his plan

public works, De
Poincy did not lose sight
the fact that
owed himself
keeping with his position
representative
residence
the
King. He had already purchased the estate formerly belonging
property

con

as

it

to he
in

nected with Basseterre

road lined with lemon and orange
trees, and
was here that
now erected his dwelling. This
house, sometimes referred
contemporary documents

to

in

it

an

by

an

of

as

of

in on

the Chteau, was without exception the most pretentious

dwelling
the island, or, for that matter,
the archipelago.
Designed
the style
Italian villa,
rose four stories
height
thirty-six feet and was topped
flat roof that
platform
served
observation
from which one could obtain

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

74
a

of the southern portion of the island.

magnificent panorama

Its shape was nearly square, about fifty feet on each side. Its
walls were built of cut stone and brick. The front faced the east
and overlooked the fertile valleys covered with sugar cane and
ginger plants, while in the rear was a large vegetable garden,
behind which arose the mountains, cutting off further view. A
a

in

in

its

source
stream of clear water, skillfully brought down from
hills,
poured
garden
the
into
basin
the
and furnished re

of

the neighborhood, which would

otherwise have died during the dry season.
front lay broad
by

In

freshment for the cattle

as
a

of

terrace surrounded
low wall, behind which were mounted
place
several guns; for De Poincy regarded his house

in

settlement

De Poincy, who numbered about three

of

habited

some distance from the mansion, was

by

side,

at

as

of

case

of

in

trouble. On one side

the Chteau was D'Es
nambuc's former home, now converted into chapel, while two
quarters for the servants. On the other
brick buildings served

refuge

the slaves

of

in

of of

be
a

an

to

Altogether the establishment was intended

up
supporting itself
self-sufficient one, capable
case
rising. The representative
His Christian Majesty was, indeed,
well established.

hundred.

of

about the fort was

small cluster

of

Grouped

in

of

it

at

at

be

The settlement
Basseterre could scarcely
called
town
though
Christopher
time,
capital
this
was the
St.
and
capital
Poincy,
archipelago,
also
sense the
the
since De
him,
up
like D'Esnambuc before
had taken
his residence there.
stores, some

or

French, had their stores there.

well

as

merchants, Dutch

as

or

of

of

brick, some
wood, roofed over with tile
covered
built
palm leaves. The more prominent
with sugar-cane stalks

on

as

de

Monsieur, served
large building, called the Magazin
council hall for the Governor and his advisers. In their store
of

be

substantial structure built on

of

was

the settlement.

It

at

of

to

or

plentiful supply
houses the traders kept
hand
wine and
imported. The
beer, wool and silk,
whatever goods had
Church
Notre Dame served the religious needs
the people
solid

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

75

foundation of cut stone and covered by a roof of red tile. The

priests in charge of this establishment, as well as of the church
at Cayonne on the northern side of the island and the two
churches in Capesterre, were the Capuchin fathers. These clergy
their posts until they were driven from the island by De
Poincy in 1646. They were then replaced by Jesuits and Carmel
ites, whom the Governor-General at once provided with suit
able houses and a sufficient number of slaves to keep them in

men held

comfort.

During this time certain difficulties arose with the English

settlers which well-nigh led to armed conflict. The principal
cause of this trouble was a shortage of salt from the ponds in the
southern part of the island. These ponds were free to the inhabi
tants of both nations, according to the terms of the original
treaty of partition, and usually they yielded enough and to spare
for everyone; but in the year 1639 they failed to produce a suf
ficient amount. The result was a scramble for the precious condi
ment which resulted in the death of a number of persons on both
sides. On the advice of a council of war, called to consider the
situation, De Poincy ordered his officers to arm their men
against a possible attack by the English.
M. de la Grange was at this time commanding the northern
part of the island, and orders were sent him by De Poincy to put

his frontier in a proper condition to resist invasion. As might be

expected, La Grange did no such thing; but, calling his officers
together, he indulged in a diatribe against the Governor
General, accusing him of wishing to launch a wanton attack on
the English for his own private reasons and announcing that
he (La Grange) washed his hands of the entire business.
De Poincy, however, decided to face the situation without the
help of his rebellious subordinate. He began by making over
tures of peace, sending Jean Soulon, Sieur de Sabouilly, major
general of the archipelago, then commanding at Pointe de
Sable, with full powers to negotiate a treaty. The effort failed,
and the Governor-General prepared for an attack, despite the

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

76

of two English ships of forty guns

which lay at
anchor near enough the shore to support the troops with their
fire. When all hope of a peaceful settlement had been abandoned,
De Poincy was surprised to receive a communication from John
presence

each

Jeaffreson, now in command of the British forces, asking for a

conference in the hope that the differences could be settled by
arbitration. Anxious to avoid bloodshed, De Poincy at once
agreed, and an honest attempt was made to draw up a satis
factory treaty for adjustment of the salt-pond question and vari
ous other differences that had arisen. It was decided that the

it

as

its

right to hunt and the right to gather wood, held in common by

both nations in all parts of the island, were now to be restricted
proved impossible
own territory, but
for each nation to
in

be

to

to

to

satisfactory agreement regarding the salt ponds, the

reach
parties decided
suspend hostilitiesthe ponds
used
by both nationswhile the matter was
referred
their French and English Majesties for
final pro
nouncement.
a

to

common temporarily

to

Scarcely had this difference been amicably adjusted, when

problem which had been hanging fire for some time came
head. For several years the British government had viewed with
market and playing havoc

tobacco that was flooding the

the price. Within the two years

of

apprehension the large volume

with

an

its

in

of

to

to

be

to

at

before De Poincy's arrival

St. Christopher the English West
Indian colonists had shipped
London
little more than one
nearly 3,500,000 sent home from
million pounds
added
Virginia. To ease the situation law had been passed forbidding
England, but
attempted en
the cultivation
the plant
forcement had produced riots. King Charles now made prepara

it

to

its

In

to

to

to

to

tions for sending out

officer
his Caribbean colonies
look
into the situation and
take steps
curb the excessive volume
France, too, the question was
which was being produced.
ruling limit
causing grave concern. The company had made
ing
production
900 pounds, annually, for each planter and
prohibiting its cultivation every second year. Thus
happened

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

77

that a few weeks after the conference about the salt ponds De
Poincy and Warner agreed on a suppression of the tobacco in
dustry for eighteen months. Notices to this effect were placed on
church doors, and the colonists were instructed to uproot their
tobacco without sparing a single plant, beginning on the last
and to plant no more for a year and a half
thereafter under penalty of losing their property.
This decree marks the beginning of the decline of tobacco as

day of October,

to come; but owing to the decrease in

Not that it ended

it for several years

its

the staple product of the Caribbee Islands.

abruptly, for we find the planters exporting

by

as to
a

in

its

Martinique

to

and

in

to

it

to

value they were obliged

replace
with something else. Orders were given
the com
pany
agent
compel the colonists there
St. Christopher

plant cotton

substitute. Other staples

tobacco, for cane was indigenous

to

to

it

as

roucou and indigo; but

was soon dis
were suggested, such
replace
covered that sugar cane was the plant best suited

Hemisphere

the Western

it

in

growing wild
the earliest settlers had found
the Lesser
Antilles, though they did not understand the process by which

of

Martinique with

Martinique.

contract
monopoly

of in

in

develop the art

at

cultivation,
understood
Trezel proceeded
once

to to

its

an

of

is

as as

extracted and refined. As early

1638 the directors had
possibilities
sugar
cane
the staple product
discussed the
their colonies, and the following year they had reached
agreement with Dutch merchant, the Sieur Trezel, man who
the sap

his

he

in

in

of

of

pocket granting him 2,400 arpents

land,
the
planta
privilege
establishing
business for six years, and the
Guadeloupe,
tions
return for which
would pay the com

of

he

to

of

pany one-tenth
all the sugar raised, confine his trading
France, and refrain from raising tobacco. Trezel found the diffi
establishing himself greater than
culties
had expected. He

of

of

to in

demanded and obtained further concessions from the company

exemption from payment
the shape
the tenth, permission

if

to

of

grow tobacco, and the privilege

employ fifteen men
trading with foreigners for foodstuffs
necessary. He seems,

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY

78

furthermore,

to have met with many obstacles. His manufactur

ing apparatus, he says, was scattered and probably lost, while

his plantation was sold for debt.

On the whole the arrangement proved a failure, and the com
pany felt obliged to undertake the work itself. Slaves were ac
cordingly purchased to till the fields, workmen were employed
to erect factories, and the entire business was placed under the
direction of Charles Houl, Sieur de Petit-Pr, one of the direc
tors who had just returned from
made Governor of Guadeloupe,

survey of the islands. He was

with complete authority over

all slaves and employees of the company, and given a bonus of

one-tenth of all the sugar produced there. We shall have occa
sion later to speak at great length of M. Houl, for he became
one of the most distinguished
Indies.

commanders in the French West

Gradually the sugar cane industry replaced the cultivation of

tobacco throughout the islands, until it became the principal
source of wealth. De Poincy was anxious to introduce it into St.
Christopher as early as 1639. At first it seemed as though his
efforts might be checkmated because of an insufficient water
supply, but this difficulty was gradually overcome, and within
a few years

six mills were operating full blast in the island

three on his estate and three in Cayonne. Trezel, too, was soon
back on his feet, and we presently find him the chief producer
of the commodity in Martinique. In Guadeloupe Houl for
several years raised all the sugar cane,
cultivated tobacco.

while his planters still

De Poincy first published

his edict against tobacco

raising in St. Christopher, he sought to carry out the same meas
ure in the other islands under his jurisdiction. In Guadeloupe,
however, he struck a snag. M. de l'Olive refused to be bound by
the Governor-General's order, claiming that the agreement he
When

had made

with the merchants of Dieppe, whereby they would

take all the tobacco at ten sols the pound which he could grow
in six years, absolved him from compliance with his superior's

ARRIVAL OF DE POINCY
To obey would

79

him too much loss. Unable to

reach an agreement on this point the two men referred their dif
ferences to the company at home.
It was while waiting for an answer to this appeal that L'Olive,
who had been ailing for some time, grew suddenly worse. The
anxieties of his position as head of a none-too-successful colony
orders.

cause

began to prey on him. The merchants of Dieppe had refused to

send over the men they had promised, with the result that there
were not enough hands to gather the ripening crops. Seized with
an attack

of melancholy that amounted to

frenzy and now

totally blind, the unfortunate man was carried to Nevis, where

he tried to regain his strength by taking the sulphur baths for
which the island was famous. The cure proved of little value,
and at last, as the hopelessness of his condition dawned upon
him, he proceeded to St. Christopher to beg assistance from De
Poincy for the protection of his wretched colonists, who were
suffering from the continual attacks

of the Caribs. De Poincy,

now that he had the recalcitrant Governor in his power, placed

him under nominal arrest (though out of consideration for his
helpless condition he ordered that he should be treated with
to carry out a plan which had been
maturing in his mind for some time. But before discussing this
we shall devote a few pages to the events that were taking place
in the island of Tortuga.
kindness)

and proceeded

ese

Vese

TORTUG A

O.

of

THE northwestern coast

San Domingo,
few miles
Hatien,
Cape
west of
lies the little island of Tortuga,
separated from the mainland by a channel only two miles

on

it

of

of

by

of

or

of
it,

of

of

its

wide. During the seventeenth century, this island rose to a posi

size, for
tion of importance far out of proportion to
became
the strongholds
the buccaneers who preyed
the
one
Spanish Main. San Domingo,
rather the northern part
was the original home
the buccaneers, for here they lived by
hunting the wild cattle that roamed about the island.
They were
precious crew, these freebooters, chiefly natives
France and England who had been thrown
turn
the
of

of of

or

of

fortune onto the desert shores

this savage island.
why they came no one knows, but they
Whence they came
were probably deserters and castaways who had despaired

wheel

It

to

ever returning home and had determined

make the best
their new mode of life.
was from their means of livelihood

for they were ac

slowly
drying

by

that they obtained the name "buccaneers,"

it

as

as

of

or

of to

cure the meat they obtained

coals, Indian fashion; and
over
fire
the place where this
process was carried on was called boucan, they became known
boucaniers,
buccaneers. They had no government, being guided
customed

proved sufficient for their needs.

It

la

de

as

in

their dealings with each other by laws and customs

their
own, which formed
cte,
code known
the coutume
that
was from this outlaw

settle

TORTUGA

81

ment on San Domingo that there gradually developed that free

masonry of freebooters, men of all nations, though chiefly
French and English, who for nearly a century hunted the fleets

of His Catholic Majesty.

The first definite system of government among the buccaneers
was set up in Tortuga when a group of Englishmen arrived from
Nevis under the leadership of Anthony Hilton, whom the reader
will recall as the founder of the colony on that island. Governor

Hilton,

as we pointed out

previous chapter, left Nevis for

London just before the unexpected arrival of Don Fadrique in

in

order to discuss his difficulties with the Earl of Carlisle. During

his stay he had many interviews with his backer, Thomas
Littleton, and there developed during these conversations cer

tain misunderstandings over the finances of the settlement. Con

sequently, when Hilton at last returned to Nevis he did so solely
for the purpose of securing recruits to found a colony of his own.
Thanks to a wide acquaintance among sea captains of question
able antecedents, he had gained considerable knowledge of vari
ous places where he could settle without molestation,
the island

selected

of Tortuga

as the one best suited

and he

to his

purpose.

Thither he moved with his followers in the year 1630, and he

took up his residence on the southern side of the island, where
he found a fairly good harbor. The island proved satisfactory to
the pioneers, but being poor men themselves they felt the need
of proper financial backing if they were to make a success of
their undertaking. After duly considering the matter they de
its

cided to make overtures to the Providence Company, which at

of

or

in

colonizing activities
the Bahama
this time was carrying on
Islands. The company responded quickly.
select group, con
sisting
Anthony Hilton, Christopher Wormeley, and three
an

by

to

four others, were invited

associate themselves with the
arrangement
Providence organization under
which each

of

of

by

to

contribute forty pounds for every seventy subscribed

member
the company. An enlargement
the company's

man was

TORTUGA

82.

original grant to include Tortuga was obtained from the King;

and the company was given title to the island in return for a zo
percent cut of the profits on all commodities raised by the new set
tlers. The directors also agreed to send out six cannon and a supply
of ammunition for the protection of the little harbor. Government
of the settlement was to be vested in Anthony Hilton, with
Wormeley as his assistant and successor. Officially Tortuga was
to be known as the Island of Association, and it is so referred to
in contemporary

English documents, though

of

on

of

its

elsewhere it is
proper name. The chief product
the island,
the one on which the merchant adventurers relied almost entirely
their investment, was dye wood,
which there
for return
always called by

large quantity ready

of

be

to

cut down and shipped.

quiet
For
few years the island experienced
fair degree
and prosperity. The buccaneers from nearby San Domingo proved
was

or

by

to

of

to

friendly, and brought their cured meat

exchange for gun
powder and other supplies necessary
their mode
life. Two
three vessels manned
colonists and loaded with provisions
were sent out from England. Negro slaves were introduced for
in

by

1634, and

he

Hilton died

in

to

the planters, who were thus able

obtain the dye wood
localities where the white man would not venture. Governor
was succeeded

Christopher

Wormeley.

Irish renegade
the Spanish colony

made his

As

of of

no

as

of

of

be

of

on

to

way
the southern coast
San Domingo and had persuaded the
Tortuga would
simple matter,
Governor that the capture
only six hundred men capable
the settlement then consisted

named

John Murphy had

happened that

an

time, however,

it

At this

on

an

in as

in

on

encroachment

his own

number

of

the English and French

(a

In

in

cahoots with the buccaneers,

accepting Murphy's
thorn
his flesh.
did with alacrity, the Governor evidently

of

he

who had long been

suggestion, which
poor opinion
had

Tortuga

they were

as

of

the English
domain, especially

ence

he

bearing arms. The Spaniard needed

urging.
commander
Spain's oldest colony
the New World
resented the pres

TORTUGA

83

Frenchmen had joined the colony) as fighters, or else he could

not spare a large detachment, for he entrusted the business to a
force of only 2.5o soldiers, under the command of Rui Fernandez
de Fuermayor.

it,

Thus it happened that shortly after sunrise on a January morn

ing in the year 1635 the little armada of ships bearing these men
presented itself at the mouth of the harbor of Tortuga, where
they spoiled what would otherwise have been an imposing en
trance by running aground on a reef not far from the shore. Here
they remained stranded, while Don Rui sought to capture his
objective by means of a small landing party. He managed to get
some thirty men ashore in canoes and at once seized the fort,

killing
driving off a body of colonists who advanced to retake
their leader, and breaking down whatever resistance they could

as

he

an

nothing but

of

appears, thought

of

it

Governor Wormeley,
saving his own skin and

of

offer.

he

to

on

to

in

to

of

of

as

his property
could.
quickly
large
trans
At the head
number
his followers
promptly
ferred his stores
some vessels
the harbor and
away,
leaving
enjoy
empty
Fuermayor
the fruits
sailed
victory and
wreak his displeasure
the inhabitants left
Spanish
thoroughness
Fuermayor
behind. With true
landed his
much

in

ceal themselves

to

be

to

to

soldiers and spread them over the island

exterminate the
fleeing settlers. Many were hunted down; some surrendered,
promptly hanged; while
only
handful managed
con

out-of-the-way recesses until the Spaniards,

as

of

he

to

of

of

carrying with them four banners and

supply
muskets
victory, sailed back
trophies
San Domingo. As for Gover
nor Wormeley,
was tried for cowardice and deprived
his
an

in

the life
that colony.
For several years Tortuga remained deserted, save for few
true, made
French stragglers. The Providence Company,

desultory effort

to

is

it

of

part

in he

to

officea blow which does not seem

have harmed him greatly,
Virginia and played
important
eventually settled
for

resettle the place; but their colonists became

TORTUGA

84

more interested in cattle hunting than in cruising the forests

for dye wood, and they soon moved over to San Domingo to
the great annoyance of the Spaniards, who organized squads of

militia to destroy them. Gradually, however, pioneers again

made their appearance, and by the end of 1639 the population
had risen to three hundred persons, most of them Englishmen
who had migrated there from St. Christopher. As leader they
now selected one of their own countrymen, a man referred to
in various documents as Captain James, who took the title
"president" of the colony. He appears to have been a person
of some ability, but he soon antagonized the few Frenchmen
on the island by the favoritism he showed his fellow-country
men. There was, however, in the colony a certain French adven
turer who became tired of this tyranny and determined to obtain
assistance for a plan he had evolved to seize the island. He
embarked secretly in a vessel bound for St. Christopher and
managed to reach Basseterre and place the situation before

Governor de Poincy, pointing out to him the possibilities of

capturing the island for France.
To Governor de Poincy this was indeed a welcome oppor
tunity, for he had

domestic problem on his hands that might

by

of

the implied promise the company had made the

and the Cardinal. As these people were good citizens and

violation

King

in

La

from the disastrous siege

colonies. Yet there had

Huguenots, refugees
number
Rochelle, whose presence was

of

among the faithful

of

crept

in

lics were to be transported to any of

its

be solved by the acquisition of Tortuga. The charter of the

company, it so happened, stressed the necessity of spreading the
Faith among the savages and specified that only Roman Catho

to

at

convert

have met

them, and these

with some

measure

of

efforts appear on the whole

successif not
this time,

at to

course, made

to

to

or

of

to

Efforts were,

of

added much
their industry
the wealth
the colony,
they were not molested, though they were strictly forbidden
practice their faith openly.
have any ministers

least later on. Father Pelleprat,

TORTUGA

85

who visited the islands about 1555, tells us that often as many
as thirty or forty were converted in a month, and we know
from other sources that many renounced their heretical beliefs
and returned to the religion of their forefathers. Nor is this
to be wondered at, for the Huguenot colonist transplanted to
a far-off settlement where his religion was proscribed, himself
now a member of a small minority in the midst of a large
Catholic population, felt, no doubt, few qualms when he re
entered the established church of his fellow countrymen. After
all he was merely accepting the faith which had sustained his

for generations. When

Huguenot

was admitted to
the Church an elaborate certificate was made out, duly signed
by him, showing that he had abjured his errors and embraced
ancestors

the true Faith.

There was among these heretics
D'Esnambuc's original companions,

M.

le Vasseur,

one

of

of considerable
ability upon whom De Poincy continually relied for advice,
particularly in military affairs, for he was well versed in the
construction of fortifications, having served his apprenticeship
man

No fort was built without his being consulted

its

at La Rochelle.

appointing him

scheme

Tor

more palatable De Poincy offered

charter which contained under Article One
clause

To make the
Vasseur

many

Le

of

tuga and
its governor.

"kicking his friend upstairs"

by

of

by

of

opportunity
pleasure. Here, then, was
getting rid
founding
colony
these troublesome Huguenots

at of

an

of

to

at

of

to

say the presence

location and general plan. Needless
this man constantly
his elbow gave De Poincy's numerous
complaint against him before
enemies just grounds for lodging
notify him
the directors, who did not fail
their dis
as to

quite unusual

those days and

likely

of

It

if

to

it in

with the
government
guaranteed liberty
became known.
con
science to both Protestants and Catholics. The rest of the docu
cause trouble

of

ment contained provisions regarding the political and economic

set-up
the new colonythe principal item dealing with the

TORTUGA

86

division of profits. It was decided that after one

tenth had been set aside for the Crown half should go to the
company and half to Le Vasseur and his officers. Provisions
were also made for the erection of the necessary buildings for
trade and fortifications for protection. The Governor-General
signed the document in the presence of Le Vasseur on November
question

of

2, 1641.

M. Le

Vasseur was pleased with the scheme. He immediately

gathered together some forty or fifty of his Huguenot co

religionists and set sail in May, 1642, in a vessel which he and

De Poincy had bought for the purpose. Stopping at Port
Margot in San Domingo he persuaded about fifty buccaneers,
most of them Protestants, to join his expedition. After lingering
in San Domingo for three months he reached Tortuga late in
August.
At Tortuga, Le Vasseur posed as an avenger of wrongs. He
sent word to Captain James that it was his intention to exact
for the death of several Frenchmen who had been
recently killed there by expelling the English from the island
and that if they did not leave within twenty-four hours he would
give quarter to none. Captain James did not make even a show
of resistance, for not only did he have Le Vasseur's men to
face but he also had many Frenchmen in his own ranks who
were ready to join the men from St. Christopher at the first
vengeance

sign of trouble. Within a few hours James and his men had
piled pell mell into one of their ships and departed for New
Providence, in the Bahamas, leaving Le Vasseur master of the

situation.

Mindful of the former invasion of the Spaniards, the French

as

in

it

in

in

of

p.

on

at

Le

in

of

in

it.

"The date given by Du Tertre for this expedition is 1640. But there are objec
tions to this. The charter was signed on Nov. 2, 1641, and we know that Le
Moreover,
Vasseur did not undertake his expedition before he received
316, date, Dec. 16, 1640,
document
Calendar
State Papers, Col. 1574-1660,
Tortuga
shows that James was still
command
that date. Since,
we
August
shall see,
Vasseur drove James from the island
could not have
been the August
1640. The expedition
all probability took place
1642.

TORTUGA

87

commander determined to put his newly acquired prize in an

adequate state of defense. Since he himself was a skilled en
gineer, he had no difficulty in selecting the correct spot for

building his fort. There happened to be some five or six hundred

paces from the harbor's edge a

hill

topped by a flat summit, in

rock about thirty feet in height.

At the base of this rock was a spring of fresh water. It was an
ideal natural formation for his purpose. On the platform of the
the middle

of which stood

he constructed terraces capable of sheltering four

hundred men, while for his personal use he chose the top of
the rock which could be reached by a series of steps surmounted
summit

by an iron ladder. Here he erected his dwelling and the store

house for his ammunition. Several guns were mounted on this

rock, and several more on the platform belowthe entire

battery being so placed as to command the harbor. The citadel
was named Fort de la Roche.
Once firmly entrenched in Tortuga, Le Vasseur's colony
began to attract the buccaneers and rovers who infested northern

Domingo. They brought their hides and cured meat to the

settlement, exchanged them for ammunition, and returned to
San

the island ready for further depredations. Needless to say this

did not escape the watchful eye of the Governor of San Domingo,
who became alarmed at the close proximity of this French
outpost

and determined to destroy it before it became too

powerful. For this purpose he organized in 1643 a fleet of six
manned by a force of five hundred men, and sent it
forth against the heretic stronghold, thinking that he would

vessels,

have no more trouble than he had had before. But the situation,

thanks to the fort, was now quite different. From his eyrie on
the rock Le Vasseur saw the fleet coming in the distance, and

to

to

it.

As the ships came within range, the

he made ready to receive
battery opened fire with such telling effect that one vessel was
quickly sunk and the others scurried away
safety, coming
Le

at

place called Cay

anchor about two leagues from the fort
onne. Here the army made landing.
Vasseur did not oppose

TORTUGA

88

them, but threw his men into an ambuscade as they approached

and attacked them valiantly, driving them back to their ships

with

loss of two hundred men.

While Le Vasseur was meeting with such success in Tortuga,

De Poincy, who kept a watchful eye on the situation, began to
experience certain qualms. Perhaps this plan of his would lead
to the establishment of a powerful Huguenot colony in the West
Indies, and the government would hold him responsible. It
might be well, then, to lure the Governor of Tortuga away from
his jurisdiction before he became too powerful. In order to set
the trap he now dispatched his nephew, Robert de Lonvilliers,
and Roi de Courpon, Sieur de la Vernade, to Tortuga. These
gentlemen opened their mission with the proper diplomatic
approach. They complimented M. Le Vasseur roundly on the

condition of his colony, his various achievements, and especially

on his recent victory over the Spaniards, which had so impressed
Poincy, they said, that he wished to see him in order to
discuss plans for establishing a settlement on San Domingo

M.

de

itself. Le Vasseur saw through the plot, but he kept his own
counsel and answered politely that there was grave danger of
an early

of the Spaniards with additional forces and

that much as he would like to see M. de Poincy, he felt it would
be a grave dereliction of duty for him to leave the island at this
return

critical time. It was apparent that each party saw through the
other; and such being the case MM. de Lonvilliers and La
Vernade could do nothing but bid their host farewell and return
to St. Christopher to report the failure of their mission.
The character of Le Vasseur now appears to have undergone a
change. The once moderate, wise, and generous man became a
tyrant, cruel, arrogant, and violent. Doubtless the memory of
the injustices his coreligionists had suffered at the hands of
Catholics in France now awoke the Huguenot within him
and started him on a program

of vengeance, for he suspended

of the Catholic religion, and to show that he meant

business he burned the chapel and drove away the priest who

the exercise

it,

TORTUGA

89

on

on

he a

he

he

de he

to

he

worthy Capuchin named Father Marc. Nor did he,

say, spare the Huguenots, whom
persecuted with
the same bitterness
had visited
the Catholic population,
Rochefort, the Protestant minister, from
expelled M.
and
the colony. To enrich himself
levied special tax
the hides

served
strange

squeezed every possible

from San Domingo, and
cent from the revenues
which
was entitled. But despite
open rebellion
all this Le Vasseur was careful not
come out
Poincy, for his
against his superior
St. Christopher. M.
part, continued his policy
trying
draw his subordinate
Tortuga
flattery,
away from
by means
which
Vasseur

in

Le

to

of

to

of

at

de

to

to he

in

brought

do

to

to

in

of

terms
mock humility.
defy
At last, feeling himself secure, the Governor decided
his superior. An opportunity
this occurred when some
Spanish ship brought home
val
buccaneers who had seized
replied

an

to

to

Vasseur, however, decided

him than
heretic.
amuse himself
the Governor-General's expense and sent
wood, pointing out
the same time
him replica carved out
spiritual
that Catholics were doubtless too
notice the differ
at

he

to

of

at

to

precious

Le

it

it

to

in

of

the Madonna wrought

solid silver and turned
over
Le Vasseur. On hearing this De Poincy sent him
request for the statue, pointing out that
object more
was
uable statue

he to

he

of

of

as

preferred the metal one because

while
for him
its
Poincy
piece
insolence De
could no
intrinsic value. After this
punish
longer contain himself. He cast about for some means

ence,

replace the Governor-General.

Le

King

to

be

by

de

his subordinate, but before

could work out plan
found
long struggle with Patrocles
Thoisy
himself drawn into
(which will
described later) who had been sent out
the
Years passed, and
Vasseur's power and arrogance waxed
strong. He made his colony the headquarters for buccaneers and

to

of

by

be

rovers,

haven for all who might have business that would

frowned upon
the more regular authorities
the French,
English, and Spanish colonies. He made
special effort
at
tract Protestant settlers from the various islands, for he aimed
sea

TORTUGA

90

at founding a sort of semi-independent Huguenot settlement, and

to this end he persuaded his people to accept him as their
ruler. But such a situation could not last forever. Governor de

Poincy became more and more alarmed

time went on, for

as

he had not reported to the King the clause in the charter which
guaranteed religious liberty, and should Le Vasseur succeed in

maintaining his independence from the seat of government at

St. Christopher, De Poincy might well be accused at Court of
having been instrumental in turning over an important post
to

group of heretics.

While the Governor-General was casting about for a way

out of this impasse there anchored off Basseterre a handsome
frigate of the Royal Navy, commanded by the Chevalier de

in

he

in

remained
office.
superior
his
the tax
one

of

to

with

as

be

share equally

long

on

to

He was also

his

the extreme. The

receive for his services one-half

as

become ruler

course) and was

the land, which was

Chev
the island (under the Governor

were liberal

of

suggested

to

General,

of to

The terms
alier was

he

its

Fontenay, who had stopped there to seek replacements for the

losses he had sustained in battle. De Poincy at once saw his
opportunity. He approached the Chevalier and offered him the
subjugation.
governorship of Tortuga if he would undertake

he

Le

to

of

tobacco levied yearly

each inhabitant.
contracting
parties were
The two
divide equally between
Vasseur's property, his silver, jewels, lands, furni
them all
hundred pounds

and agricultural machinery, for

had become enor
mously wealthy
his dealings with the rovers who brought
his port, while Fontenay was
make complete
their prizes

in

of

of

the rebellious governor

order
give De Poincy just cause for removing him from his post.
May 12, 1652, and
This agreement was signed
De Poincy

all the derelictions

on

by

to

report

to

to

by

ture,

as

to

de

two months later the Governor-General appointed his nephew,

Treval,
accompany the coming expedition
M.
his
of

make

to

careful inventory
the confiscated
property. The adventurous Fontenay accepted this proposal
representative and

TORTUGA

9I

with alacrity and at once began his preparations for taking over

his new duties.

The attack on Tortuga was to be in the nature of a surprise,

for Le Vasseur was too strongly entrenched on his rock to be
dislodged by any force De Poincy could spare unless he were
taken unaware. The greatest secrecy was therefore used in
getting ready the expedition. Fontenay was urged to get his
recruits together as quickly as possible under pretext of under

taking

of raids on the Spanish Main and then to sail to

Port l'cu on the northern coast of San Domingo, where he
would meet M. de Treval, who would join him in the attack on
a series

Tortuga. After Fontenay's departure De Poincy scurried about

to raise his nephew's contingent. With considerable effort he
succeeded in enlisting a force equal to that of the Chevalier,
which he placed in a frigate and sent to Port l'Ecu. Here the
two leaders met to make their final arrangements. But while
they were busy with their preparations an astounding bit of news
arrived from Tortuga, which changed the situation entirely.
When M. Le Vasseur had succeeded in consolidating his
power, he had selected two men from among his followers to
act as his confidants. According to some authorities these men,
Tibaut and Martin, were his nephews; but, be this as it may,
he adopted them and made them heirs to his power and fortune,
for he had no children of his own. This arrangement might have
he

of

to

no

It

as

Tibaut fell heir

the govern

the good

will

of

of

secure

the

King and De

to

of

ridding the island

the rebellious commander and
returning
rightful
its
rulers.

it

Poincy

by

they also hoped

well

the event
the Governor's demise. Knowing
bad odor with the authorities above him,

to in

to

in

of

Tortuga
ment
Le Vasseur
be

as

for

he

suade Martin,

Martin
per
to

at

as

considered his home, the jealous Tibaut persuaded

seeking revenge.
aid him
was
difficult task

in

to he

to

by

fit

impose upon
turned out well if the Governor had not seen
taking from him
Tibaut's good nature
handsome girl
was keeping
his mistress. Enraged
this desecration
what

TORTUGA

92.

The plot was not difficult to carry out. Waiting one day until
Le Vasseur came down from his residence on the rock to inspect
the storehouse on the esplanade, they rushed in upon him.
Tibaut discharged his musket, inflicting a slight wound. The

Governor snatched his sword from a slave and started to defend

himself, but as Martin rushed in to grapple with him, he
turned his head and saw Tibaut standing with the smoking
weapon in his hand. The sight of this treacherous rascal on
whom he had showered favors paralyzed him for a moment,
and before he had time to recover Tibaut stretched him dead

with

blow of his dagger.

Upon hearing this news Fontenay and Treval determined to

strike at once, for they feared that this desperate pair might
put up a stout resistance. Anchors were accordingly raised,
and the two ships proceeded to the attack. As was the case of
the Spanish fleet a few years before, they were met by a brisk fire
from the redoubt as they sailed into the harbor, and similarly they
retreated to Cayonne, where they landed a force of five hundred
men. The settlers, however, had no stomach for a fight, and
they failed to rally to the support of their new chiefs. Trusting

that the murder of Le Vasseur would be condoned by the

authorities at St. Christopher, Tibaut and Martin sent an
emissary to offer the surrender of the place on condition that
no punishment would be visited on them for the death of their
benefactor. In this they were not mistaken, for Fontenay was

naturally pleased to take the place without bloodshed,

all, Le Vasseur was

and,

rebellious heretic. A brief parley

was held, and the island was quietly surrendered into his hands.
After the fall of the Huguenot colony the Catholic refugees in
San Domingo quickly returned, the chapel was rebuilt, a priest
after

was secured to serve as pastor, and the colony again resumed the
more-or-less even tenor of its way.
But peace was not to endure for long. The Chevalier de Fon
tenay was an active man, accustomed from his youth to warfare,
and once the colony's affairs had been put in order he began to

TORTUGA

93

out ships for piratical raids on San Domingo and Cartagena

a form of activity in which he was so successful that he finally
send

disrupted

the commerce of these two places. To aid him in

this work he sent for his younger brother, M. Hotman, a kin
dred spirit, who quickly joined him, bringing a shipload of things
most needed by the colonists. To express his joy at the young
man's arrival Fontenay gathered his men on the esplanade of
the fort to introduce him, knocked in a few bungholes, and

wine to the assembled colonists. As they were thus en

gaged in drinking the health of the newcomer, a buccaneer
served

appeared in the harbor with news that a huge Spanish flotilla

was heading for the island.
The raids of the Chevalier on Spanish shipping had had their
effect. Merchants had complained to governors, governors to
officials at home, and officials had sent orders to San Domingo
to destroy this nest of pirates. Calling together his council in
November, 1653, the Governor of San Domingo placed the

situation before them, and as

result of their deliberations

Don Gabriel de Valle Figueroa was put in charge of a select

detachment of 18o well-seasoned soldiers, who were embarked
of five large ships and several small ones.
On the way to Tortuga they fell in with three buccaneers,
captured two, but let the third escape. He it was who now
entered the harbor with news of the impending attack.
On the tenth of January, the Spanish fleet appeared at the
predecessor
anchored off
entrance of the harbor, and like
fleet

it it

la

at

of

to

de

had tasted the reception given

Fort
landing.
this,
prepared
Seeing
Roche. Here the leaders
make
Hotman placed himself
the head
detachment and pro

it

Cayonne once

by

an imposing

its

in

It

to

was soon back

in

vain gesture, and

he

however, but

as

to

he

so

to

oppose them, but they kept their men

well covered by artillery that
could make no impression and
was obliged
content himself with spreading his men over the
neighboring hills
sharpshooters
was,
harass the enemy.
ceeded overland

the fort,

having left the Spaniards safely encamped along the shore.

TORTUGA

94

For three days both forces remained inactivethe Spaniards

reconnoitering the ground, the French strengthening their de
fenses and preparing

the garrison to meet the coming attack,

confident that the fort was impregnable. But, as often happens
in such cases, there was a weak spot in their armor. The two

so

its

large bastions of the fort were located against the side of a hill
which dominated ita hill which was considered inaccessible,

to

steep and broken that two men could

since
sides were
scarcely climb them abreast. Finding this place unguarded,
attempt the impossible and transport
Don Gabriel decided

to
a

in

on

to

by

to

he

be

the summit, where

would
able
command
his artillery
stronghold.
guns
the French
The
were therefore dismounted and
way that
strapped
supported
crosspieces
beams
such
a

so

by

to

of

or

of

In

be

carried

of

the shoulders
men.
the night
carry
slaves were requisitioned and forced
morning
battery
the artillery up the mountainside,
that
eight
ten pieces was ready for business. The first intimation

they could
large number

by

of

cannon ball
the French had concerning this maneuver was
that came crashing through the Governor's house, which stood
on the top
the thirty-foot rock silhouetted against the sky.

of

to

build
two rows

work

to

he

on

set his men

fulness. When night fell
breastwork
the esplanade, which was

to

another and still another, until the place

became untenable. Fontenay, however, showed great resource

This was followed

of

to

to

in

of

consist
beams, six feet apart, the space between filled
with earth
morning
tamped
gunfire.
well
down
resist
Next
the French,
crouching behind this defense, were able
withstand the fire
but they, seeing how they were checked,
promptly moved their battery
neighboring hill where they
sweep the breastwork."
were able
Fontenay now determined on
sortie. To lead
selected

of

he

it

of

he

in a

to

to

the Spaniards;

in

to

in

at

it.

to

placed
his brother, whom
command
detachment
sixty men with orders
attack the Spanish battery and destroy
Hotman started out
nine
the evening, expecting
surprise attack
make
the dark; but unfortunately his plan

TORTUGA

95

was betrayed by a slave, who hoped by this treacherous action

to obtain his liberty from the Spaniards when they became

Thus, on reaching the enemy's camp

Hotman found all were under arms ready to receive him, with
reinforcements hurrying to their support. There was no time to
masters of the island.

careful plan of action. Hotman gave the signal, and

his men rushed in, fought their way to the powder magazine
(which they managed to blow up), then fought their way back

work out

to safety, leaving sixteen Spaniards dead on the field. Next day

the Spaniards brought up a fresh supply of powder, and the
bombardment began again in earnest.
It was not long, however, before the enemy began to lose
heart. Heavy rains made their maneuvers increasingly difficult,
and sickness broke out among the officers and men. The leaders
were already seriously considering raising the siege, when they
were heartened by the appearance of a traitor from the French
camp, who told them that all was not well within the fort and

that Fontenay would soon be obliged to surrender. He spoke

the truth, for there was loud murmuring among the French
forces. After a second attempt to destroy the Spanish battery
had failed, the colonists gave voice to their complaints against
Fontenay, who stubbornly refused to surrender. Sadly battered
by the cannonading
quit. The Spaniards,

of the last few days, they were ready to

they felt, would be reasonable in their

demands on the vanquished, so having collected all the weapons
in the fort they sent a delegation to Fontenay, headed by one

Nol Bedel, to insist that he surrender the place on the best

terms obtainable. Livid with rage at this cowardly spirit, the
Governor drew his pistol and shot Bedel; then he rebuked the
others of the delegation with such severity that they promised
shamefacedly to return to their posts. But it was only a flash in
the pan; on the following day they were as mutinous as ever.
When evening came on, some traitor fired on Hotman as he was
making his rounds and dashed off to the Spanish camp with the
story that he had slain the Governor's brother. Don Gabriel

TORTUGA

96

disgusted

with the contemptible fellow, sent over

a flag

of truce
to learn if the report was really true, for he was determined, if it
were so, to hang the murderer in sight of the entire French army.
The Spaniards, now advised by so many deserters of the dis
satisfaction among the French colonists, could not but feel that
something was wrong. They redoubled their efforts, and soon
Fontenay sent word that he was ready to yield, for after all
he could not hold the fort by himself. An armistice was re
quested and as readily granted, for the attackers were as weary
as the beseiged.

As to terms, the French asked to be given the

honors of war when they surrenderedfor even in this bucca
neer stronghold the niceties of military etiquette must be
observedand these being conceded by the chivalrous Spaniard,
they left the fort with drums beating, flags flying, and muskets
loaded. They were also given permission to repair two ships that
lay damaged in the harborin fact the Spaniards urged them
at the point of the sword to do sosince they had no other
means

of transportation to France.

to

he

lie
in

Don Gabriel appears to have acted fairly enough, though he

did use threats to speed the colonists in their work on the
ships; but when he saw the French ready to put to sea in the
only full-sized vessels at Tortuga and remembered the smallness
of his own craft, it suddenly occurred to him that Fontenay
might
wait for him when
returned
San Domingo.
in

to

of

to in

as

be

placed
He therefore requested that the Sieur Hotman
his
hostage, agreeing
exchange for him
hands
furnish the
hostility
French with provisions and
refrain from all acts

his safe arrival. When

at

as

hostage.

his brother, he was sent

fifty men
retinue
en

landed

of

to

to
a

with

guest than

Tortuga

he

sure

the solicitous Governor

he

back

by

to

or

six months, more

When the time came for him
return

residence for five

in

as to

by

to

until he was released. This done, Don Gabriel returned

San
Domingo, taking Hotman with him.
The young Frenchman was well received
the elderly Spanish
Governor, who took great liking
him and kept him
his

found that

TORTUGA

97

preparations had already been made by the Chevalier to evacuate

the island. The colonists had been divided into two groups: one
had embarked in the ship to which MM. Tibaut and Martin had
been assigned as commanders, the other in Fontenay's vessel.
Hotman, of course, joined the latter. The fate of the first shipload
was tragic. Tibaut and Martin appear to have set sail without
any definite idea of where they were going. For some time they
beat back and forth, then they decided to make for the Spanish
Main to see what they could pick up in the way of plunder.
number of women, children, and other non
combatants, they decided to rid themselves of these superfluous
Handicapped

by

by putting them ashore, and being near the little

Cayman group, north of Jamaica, they placed them on these
barren islets and left them there to shift for themselves. Fortu
passengers

nately they were presently rescued by a Dutch vessel, which

happened by just in the nick of time. What eventually became
of Tibaut and Martin is not knownand no one cares.
Fontenay

and Hotman now found themselves in possession

of a ship, but they were without the necessary equipment or
provisions to enable them to reach France. Before they could
undertake such a lengthy voyage it was necessary to secure
fresh canvas, rope, and the hundred and one things needed to
handle a ship at sea. Therefore they put into Port Margot to
see if something could be procured there, and by good fortune
they met a Dutch trader who generously supplied them with the
required tackle and even sent over his own men to assist in
making the necessary repairs.

When his vessel was again in seaworthy condition, Fontenay

decided to return to Tortuga and wipe out the disgrace of his
surrender. His decision did not, however, meet with an enthu
siastic reception, for of his three hundred men only one-third
volunteered to accompany him. Anxious to attack before their
ardor had cooled off, Fontenay and Hotman divided the com
mand of these men equally between them and set out at once for

Tortuga, where they landed at Cayonne.

The Spanish force

TORTUGA

98

which awaited them offered no resistance and hastily retreated

to a spot near the fort, where they lay in ambush. Warned of the
trap by the barking of a dog, the French attacked the ambush
vigorously and drove the enemy back into the fort. Fortunately
the two leaders had not forgotten the battery which the Span
iards had erected overlooking Fort de la Roche. Rushing up
the mountainside, they assaulted the place with such vigor
that they slew all the garrison save one, who was spared to
carry the news to his comrades. The French now turned the

its

guns on the esplanade, sweeping it from end to end, and doubt

less they would have destroyed the entire garrison if the Span
iards had not rushed a company of two hundred men to

he

to

to

he

saw
retreat. By

gave the order

managed
get his men back

that the game was up, and

skillful maneuvering

arrived, Fontenay

to

When these reinforcements

he

support.

the

of

he

shore, where
embarked for Port Margot. Here
disbanded
his crew, took on board those who were tired
the adventure,
and sailed back to Francenever to return to the West Indies.

to

in

at

of

to

of

least, French jurisdiction

Thus ended, for
while
Tortuga; and for
few years the little island was left
shift
d'Ogeron
for itself. Then came Governor
who re-established
King
colony,
spread his author
the claims
his
over the former
ity over western San Domingo, and founded the French colony
Napoleon.
that was
endure until the time

DISCORD IN THE COLONIES

G:

Poincy, as we have said in a preceding

chapter, was preparing in the year 1640 to carry out a
plan which he had been considering for some timethe
sale of St. Christopher to the English and the removal of the
French colonists with their slaves, livestock, and portable
property to Guadeloupe, which would then become the capital
DE

of the archipelago. The idea was by no

means an unreasonable

one, for the advantages of this large island from the point of
view of location, resources, and harbor facilities were too

obvious to need discussion. The benefits that would accrue to

the proprietors

if

the colonists could get away from their

none-too-friendly English neighbors and settle on an island
where they could be supreme were many. Moreover, such a
settlement would in time become the nucleus of an expanding

colony that would spread out over the adjacent islands and be
ruled from a capital of such magnitude that it could be made
almost impregnablea citadel no enemy could capture. It was De
Poincy's intention, of course, to remain Governor-General of the
French West Indies, but in order to lessen the burden of his duties

in the new and larger colony he planned to have the company

appoint his protg, M. de Sabouilly, Governor of the island.
For placing the details of his scheme before the directors and
the government authorities De Poincy selected as his emissary
the Sieur Jean Aubert. This man, who was destined to play an

IOO

DISCORD IN THE COLONIES

important and somewhat tragic part in Guadeloupe, had come

to St. Christopher as a surgeon-a useful calling, to be sure,
but one which carried with it no social prestige, surgery in those
days being regarded more as a trade than as a profession. Yet
despite this, by sheer native

ability backed by unusual courage

Aubert had been able to carve out a respectable position for

himself. His skill in commanding men, his knowledge of colonial
affairs and the needs
businessall
d'Esnambuc,

of colonists, his intelligent management of

these qualities had recommended him to Governor

who had appointed him lieutenant in the militia.

In addition to this he married the widow of Jean Duplessis,

former governor of Guadeloupe, which made him one of the
wealthiest colonists, for the lady on the death of her husband
had acquired his extensive property. De Poincy, who was as
much impressed with the man's engaging qualities as his pred
ecessor had been, sent

him as his agent to France.

While awaiting the return of M. Aubert, Governor de Poincy
found plenty to occupy him in the island of St. Christopher.
Toward the close of 1639 a slave insurrection broke out in the
Capesterre section. Negroes, angered by the brutal treatment
meted out to them by their masters, fled to the woods on the

of Mt. Misery with their women and children, where they

established a sort of headquarters for raids on the planters.
To put an end to these disorders De Poincy raised a body of
slopes

five hundred armed men and sent them out to suppress the up
rising. It proved to be a not very difficult task, for the negroes
were poorly armed, and though they built a formidable camp

high up on the mountainside their numbers were not sufficiently

large to permit them to offer serious resistance. It was not long
before most of them were killed in skirmishes, while the rest
were captured and hanged, drawn, and quartered to serve as a
warning to those who might be tempted to rebel.
There was, however, one negro, a gigantic fellow, who for
three years had eluded capture, carrying on a one-man reign

of terror by his murders and serving

as a

rallying point for

DISCORD IN THE COLONIES

IOI