The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-24


ton OF the dsfenses OF the leading clties.
N order that an attack might be made
upon the weakest. Panama, the City %
Mexico. Vera Crax and Havana were con-
sidered, and the spies reported that the
fortiffcations OF Havana were altogetheP
100 strong TO be taken. save by regular
siege operations: that the march 10 tho
City OF Mexico would be too long. and that
Vera Cruz MAS mt rich enough to reward
80 large an expedition. Accoraingiy. Pan
anna was chosen. and on October ~ 1910.
Morgan LEFT Jamaica with a fleet es thirty
seven ships. containing over l,5a men. 10
attack the perinsular city. As a prs.iirn>
snsry, the island OF Santa Catalina. Oh tho
coast ~ Nicaragua, was seized; then.
using this as base. the expedition pro-
eeeded against the peninsula capturing
the fort 81 Chagres: then. leaving the SHIPS
with strong guard. began the march
across the peninsula.
An Undertaking of Peril.
The narratives Of huecaneering adventure
all regard the Panama expedition as the
eruwning glory Of the buccaneer war. and
SO. indeed. Il vas. The march across the
peninsula was one of severe labor. and.
as usual in buccaneering expeditions. there
was great suffering from lack OF food.
Each man carried what he could or chose.
and in case he had not enough came to
grief. The terrors OF the peninsula were
in the present century amply demonstrated
by Spain, and as all provisions had been
removed Ivy the Spaniards and all domestic
animals driven of. the buccaneer army
was almost famiShed as IL crossed the
mountains and began 20 descend into the
plains of Panama.
Forays on the descent Of the Pacific
slope furnished an adequate supply Of pro-
visions. hut the spirits Of the buccaneers.
revived by their good luck in procuring
food. fell 10 zero when they beheid the
fcrca that was drawn up for the defense
of the city. They had been lea 10 believe
that Panama was aefenseess, but. to the
aStonlshment of the little band OF 1.5p0
men. an army of over GOO Spauiards waa
drawn un on the plain. The Spanish gov
ernor had pressed every able-bodied man
into service. and had brought together
host. There were infantry and cavalry.
with artillery drawn on the wings In
front of the army the Spaniards had COLI
iected several Thousand head of cattle,
driven by hundreds of Indian herismen.
the purpose or bringing these beasts on
the field being to stampedsathem against
the buccaneers. and while the latter were
in confusion to complete the rout Of the
freebooters with the cavalry.
The situation was certainly perilous. ana
Morgan might well be excused for look
ing grave, as one OF his companions said
ha did. In spite os the desperate odds
against him he made his arrangements
with all the coolness OF veteran, divided
his little army into skirmishers. first and
second lines and reserves. took his position
on knoll from which all parts OF the
field were visible. and sent forward 50
men to begin the battle. From ths first
victory rested with the buccaneers. ina
skirmfshers. kneeling in the grass nred on
the cattle, the herds stampeded toward the
Spanish Inc. broke the ranks, threw tho
Spanish forces into confusion, and. obse-v-
ing the disorder. Morgan advanced with
all his men and drove the Spanish FORCES
into the city.
Enormous Lot of Hoaty.
But the battle was thus far only bar
rem victory, for the walls of Panama were
strong the buccaneers had only the light
guns captured from the SpanIaris. and
the shipping in the lsarbor was being uttl-
lied by the Spaniards to carry away the
population of the city with their valitahles.
But the daring and enterprise OF the leader
overcame every difficulty. Ships were
procured and the Spaniarcs were attacked
on the water: finally the town was taken
by storm. and, with one exception, the
richest city on thS continent was az sHe
mercy of the buccaneers.
The amount of spoils carried away has
been stated In figures so enormous as to
challenge belief. One buccaneer writer
tells us that ], 200 mules were laden with
tn plumber OF Panama, while hundreds OK
captives held for ransom marched away
with the returning army. The most mod
crate estimate gives the plumber Of the
city at s40oo GEO. and of this enormous SUM
II Is almost certain that Morgan and few
favored companions secured the greater
norton, for when the inventory came 20
he made, before the freebooters separated.
an immense quantity OF precious stones
and OF gold plate taken from the churches
nvnI ant az
this discovery came another. that Nor
cams ship and his crew OF confederates
had gone so the hundreds OF adventures
who had risked their lives on the battle
field got nothing A great number Of them
never returned. for sre they could cbtAiS
supplies for the voyage spanish neet
arrived and dispersed the buccaneer no.
tiila. Some OF the pirate ships We're forced
to nut in to the Spanish coast To tbs north
and south, and there were captured ana
surnnaariiy hanged. The adage. The way
<rf the transgressor n hard" never had p
better Illustration than was Furnished by
ne results OF the Panama expedition.
Up to this time Jamaica had been Used
as a base OF operations By the buccaneers,
hut after the close Of the long war be-
tween Great Britain and Spain the island
could no longer be employed by the afee-
hooters az rendezvous. for tho English
government sent ost stern command
that hurcnneeriDE must De soppf~sseu.
Morgan was now immensely rich. and re-
ports OF his wealth having reached Eng
land ne was summoned TO London TO give
an account OF his misdeeds. He seems 10
have had no hesitation In going, ana no
difficulty IN excuipatng himself after he
arrived there. He was subjected to NOM
inal Imprisonment, shortly after released.
knighted specially received at court, ana
became one Of the Hons or the town.
From Pirate to Judge.
The cosby writer's Of that time give
o,reer accounts of Morgan. the buccaneer
admiral. as London dandy, staggering
about the streets in the gay clothing or
the day. with tsweled sword and many
rings upon his fingers, so that tho hardy
sea robber seems 10 have been able TO
adam, himself TO all conditions OF life.
London. however, With its designations.
soon lost Its charm for a man whose natu-
raj home vas on the sea. and Morgan
speedily gave such signs Of being about 70
return 10 mis- old profession THAI the gov
erpment deemed II wise 10 conciiiate him
and enlist him on the side Of law and
order.
So -