Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-07-30
ORIGIN OF FILLIBUSTERS.

Toward the end of the 18th and the begin
ming of the 18th century, before the English
navy had acquired decided supremacy over
the fleets of the other maritime powers of Eu-
rope, the seas were infested by gangs of pi-
rates who treated the flags of all nations with
contempt. In consequence of the naval pow
er of Spain, bands of adventurers were form
ed, particularly on the shores Of the Atlantic,
who at first were tolerated and even supported
turned their arms against their protectors, and
plundered indiscrimnately the vessels of ev-
cry country so unfortunate as to come within
their reach. They were called Filiibusters,
and their principal place of concealment was
in the bays and inlets aboundng on the coast
of San Domingo, where they obtained assis-
tance and recruits from among the half-civil-
lied Buccaneers.
The first fllibusters were Frenchmen, pos
sessing nothing but their daring courage,
which conducted them to fortune or the gal
lows. One of them, named Legrand. from Di-
eppe, assembled fifty chosen and determined
followers, and sought his fortune in bark, the
name of which was never known. Not far
from Spain, they spied galleon, which had
separated itself from the Spanish fleet. They
approached her as if they were going to sell
fish or fruits. Legrand and his band boarded
her, entered the cabin of the Captain, who was
playing cards, put pistol to his head, forced
him and his crew to surrender, and then re-
turned with his booty to Dieppe. This adven-
ture, says a cotemporary writer, was the first
of a series of the most Incredible enterprises
during the following forty years.
French, Dutch and English Fillibusters used
to assemble in their hiding places, in the Is
lands of San Domingo and Saint Kits, and
choose from their number chief for each ex-
pedition. When they had gathered large
amount Of booty, they bought small vessel
armed with canons, with which they captured
ships by hundreds. 1t was hard to escape
them, and still harder to pursue them. They
resembled ravens pounoinS upon their prey
from all quarters and then disappearing in
hooks and retreats impossible of access by their
pursuers. They often laid waste the coast for
a distance of 500 miles, and have ventured fire.
quentl. into the interior distance of 2oC
miles.
In this way they over-ran and plundered the
rich towns OF Chegres, Mecaizabo, Vera Cruz
Panama, and the suburbs of Carthagena. One
of the number, called Olonaias, came to the
very gates of Havana, with 20 men. When he
and his companions had returned to their ship
the Governor dispatched vessel of war, with
/ soldiers and hangman on board, to pursue
them. Olonaias took possession of the Span
| ish man. f-war, beheaded the soldiers with hi:
own hand, and sent the hangman back witt
| his compliments to the Governor.
Whenever they captured a ship, they gener
ally forced portion of the crew to take ser
vice along with them, in this manner filling VI
the vacancies in their ranks made by the enc
my's bullets. In most cases, however, com
pulsion was not needed the adventurous life
and the prospect of rich booty, proving suffi
cient attraction to induce the greater numbe
of sailors to join their party of their own &C
cord.
The term ssfllibustering' is DOW used t
designate such expeditions as the one to Cub
and Walkers to Nicaragua.