The frequent Losses sustain'd by our Merchants abroad, by these Pyrates, was Provocation enough to attempt something by way of Reprisal; and a fair Opportunity offering it self in the Year 1716, the Traders of the _West-Indies_, took Care not to slip it over, but made the best Use of it their Circumstances would permit.
It was about two Years before, that the _Spanish_ Galleons, or Plate Fleet, had been cast away in the Gulf or _Florida_; and several Vessels from the _Havana_, were at work, with diving Engines, to fish up the Silver that was on board the Galleons.
The _Spaniards_ had recovered some Millions of Pieces of Eight, and had carried it all to the _Havana_; but they had at present about 350000 Pieces of Eight in Silver, then upon the Spot, and were daily taking up more. In the mean time, two Ships, and three Sloops, fitted out from _Jamaica_, _Barbadoes_, _&c._ under Captain _Henry Jennings_, sail'd to the Gulf, and found the _Spaniards_ there upon the Wreck; the Money before spoken of, was left on Shore, deposited in a Store-House, under the Government of two Commissaries, and a Guard of about 60 Soldiers.
The Rovers came directly upon the Place, bringing their little Fleet to an Anchor, and, in a Word, landing 300 Men, they attack'd the Guard, who immediately ran away; and thus they seized the Treasure, which they carried off, making the best of their Way to _Jamaica_.
In their Way they unhappily met with a _Spanish_ Ship, bound from _Porto Bello_ to the _Havana_, with a great many rich Goods, _viz._ Bales of Cochineal, Casks of Indico, and 60000 Pieces of Eight more, which their Hands being in, they took, and having rifled the Vessel, let her go.
They went away to _Jamaica_ with their Booty, and were followed in View of the Port, by the _Spaniards_, who having seen them thither, went back to the Governor of the _Havana_, with the Account of it, who immediately sent a Vessel to the Governor of _Jamaica_ to complain of this Robbery, and to reclaim the Goods.
As it was in full Peace, and contrary to all Justice and Right, that this Fact was committed, they were soon made sensible that the Government at _Jamaica_ would not suffer them to go unpunished, much less protect them. Therefore they saw a Necessity of shifting for themselves; so, to make bad worse, they went to Sea again, tho' not without disposing of their Cargo to good Advantage, and furnishing themselves with Ammunition, Provisions, _&c._ and being thus made desperate, they turn'd Pyrates, robbing not the _Spaniards_ only, but their own Countrymen, and any Nation they could lay their Hands on.