Note 8 — Chapter XIII · IN THE TRACK OF PLATE-FLEETS AND BUCCANEERS
Reading edition
The History of the Buccaneers of America, Vol. I, p. 22, fourth edition, London, 1741.
Esquemeling, as the reader will observe, does not apply to his associates the euphemious term Buccaneers, but calls them “the Pyrates of America, which sort of men are not authorized by any sovereign prince. For the Kings of Spain having on several occasions sent their ambassadors to the Kings of England and France to complain of the molestations and troubles those pyrates often caused on the coasts of America, even in the calm of peace, it hath always been answered that such men did not commit those acts of hostility and pyracy as subjects to their Majesties, and therefore his Catholick Majesty might proceed against them as he should think fit. The King of France added that he had no fortress nor castle upon Hispaniola, neither did he receive a farthing of tribute from thence. And the King of England adjoined that he had never given any commission to those of Jamaica to commit hostilities against the subjects of his Catholick Majesty.” Op. cit., p. 58, Vol. I. ↑