Initiates_Database
Initiates Database // Golden Age of Piracy // 1650's - 1730's
In the 18th century, wars fought in Europe brought turmoil to the colonies of the New World, especially the rich shipping lanes of the Caribbean. There, disaffected sailors banded together as outlaws in search of wealth and adventure.
Amsterdam // Netherlands // 1630
The Dutch Buccaneer and Slaver
Laurens Prins was born in Amsterdam and spent most of his life operating out of Port Royal, Jamaica.
In the early days of the Golden Age of Piracy, he sailed as a privateer and developed a reputation for courage fighting against the Spanish on behalf of the British crown. He was celebrated for his role in Sir Henry Morgan's infamous raid on Panama in 1671.
After retiring from privateering, he settled in Jamaica and entered the slave trade to bolster his wealth. In 1717, his flagship slave galley, The Whydah, was attacked by Black Sam Bellamy, though Prins managed to survive and continue slaving.
Havana // Cuba // 1645
Grand Master Torres
Laureano Torres was born in Havana to Tomas Torres y Ayala and Elvira de Quadros Castellanos. He was raised in Madrid, Spain and joined the Spanish army in his late teens, and became a Templar in his twenties, using their connections to get appointed as the governor of Spain's territories in Florida.
He returned to Europe to fight in the Spanish War of Succession. In 1708 he was appointed as the governor of Cuba, but was arrested for corruption. He was acquitted of the charges and won a re-election in 1713.
Torres developed both the Templar Order and the economic development of Cuba at the same time. He established the cultivation of tobacco on the island, gaining massive profits.
He recruited the French arms dealer Juilen du Casse and the pirate hunter Woodes Rogers to his Order, and even managed to entice the disgruntled Assassin Duncan Walpole to join him in his quest to locate The Observatory, a structure built by the First Civilization that could only be opened by a Sage, whom Torres believed to have captured.
Bridgeton // Bardados // 1651
The Story of Rum
Rum has been a staple of trade and nautical culture for hundreds of years. It is an alcoholic beverage produced from the by-products of sugarcane processing like juices and molasses. It is widely popular in the West Indies as well as the Canadian Maritime.
The origins of Rum are debated, but drinks made from fermented sugarcane juice have existed for thousands of years in Asia. Production of rum started out in the West Indies in the 17th Century when plantation slaves discovered molasses could be fermented into alcohol which could then be purified and concentrated by distillation.
Rum quickly became a trade staple in the Caribbean. Its popularity, value and heavy dependence on manual labor made it a key component in the era's trade triangles between Africa, Europe and the Americas. It replaced French brandy as the Royal Navy's daily ration of alcohol to its sailors, a practice shared by pirates. In fact, a daily dose of rum, or tot, was served to sailors of the British Navy until 1970.
Gardiner's Island // Long Island // 1651
Buried Treasures
Contrary to popular interpretations, chests brimming with gold and jewels were rather rare during the Golden Age of Piracy. Burying treasures in any form was rarer still. The only documented case concerns William Kidd's attempt to use some of the wealth he buried on Long Island as a bargaining chip to avoid punishment for piracy. That tactic failed miserably for him, he was hanged.
While English fiction helped popularize the myth of buried treasures, pirates were much more practical, looting food, water, alcohol, ammunition, rope, canvas and wood from ships to stay afloat. They sold anything they couldn't use, including looted valuables to pay for the crew and turn any profit from their endeavours… Which was often spent
carousing on shore.
There have been ships filled with gold and treasures but they were usually warships under heavy escort. The average pirate ship could not hope to successfully overtake such tempting targets… with a few notorious exceptions. Still, a lot of commodities we consider of little value now were very valuable then because of rarity. Things like spices, fabrics and dyes were common types of pirate plunder.
England // United Kingdom // 1660
The Gruff Commodore
Commodore Peter Chamberlaine was charged with the task of helping Woodes Rogers issue King George's pardon to pirates. However, Peter was deeply resentful of his commanding officer and flouted Rogers's orders whenever possible.
Although he was humorless, he was respected by his men as a man of fortitude and cunning.
Tulum // Yucatan // 1660
The Mayan Mentor
Named for the Mayan god of hunting, Ah Tabai was the Mentor of the West Indies Brotherhood, as was his father Bahlam before him. Not much is known about Ah Tabai's early life, except for the fact that he lost a son.
As Mentor, Ah Tabai worked hard to open his Brotherhood to all people with good intentions as well as remain in contact with other Brotherhoods across the globe.
When the first rumors about the appearance of a new Sage began to emerge in 1713, he asked for help in keeping the First Civilization sanctuary safe from the Templars.
At the beginning of 1715, a British Assassin named Duncan Walpole arrived in Tulum, and asked to train under Ah Tabai, despite already possessing the rank of Master Assassin. When the Mentor received word that the Templars had captured the Sage, he sent Walpole to retrieve him, not knowing that Walpole was planning to betray him and the Brotherhood.
Akan Region // West Africa // 1670
The Maroon Assassin
Anto was born to the Ahsanti tribe in the Akan region of West Africa and sold into slavery as a young man. He was sent to Jamaica where he escaped with the help of the legendary warrior Kujo.
Anto founded a Maroon community near Kingston and established good relationships with local traders to coordinate raids on plantations to free slaves.
Although he ran Kingston's Assassin bureau, Anto's priority was always to free slaves from captivity.
Panama City // Panama // 1671-01-18
The Captain was here
Born in Wales, Henry Morgan became a buccaneer who raided Spanish settlements in the West Indies. Operating under the tacit approval of the English government, it is believed that Morgan was part of an expedition to seize Jamaica from the Spanish government.
After participating in several similar quests, Morgan was appointed commander of the buccaneers in 1668, and he organized multiple raids on Spanish settlements. In violation of a treaty between England and Spain, he captured Panama City and burned it to the ground.
England // United Kingdom // 1675
Devoted to Discipline
Kenneth Abraham was born to an upper-class family and was educated in boarding schools. Upon graduation, he entered the army and rose through the ranks to become a commander.
His devotion to order and discipline earned him a place with the Templars, who offered him power and influence that the military could not.
Houghton // United Kingdom // 1679
The Traitor Duncan Walpole
Although he was initially hesitant, Duncan quickly learned the skills of a Master Assassin. However his temper and arrogance were still present, which led to clashes with the leadership of the British Brotherhood.
In 1714, his Mentor asked him to sail to the West Indies to rendezvous with the Brotherhood there and meet with their Mentor Ah Tabai. Duncan eagerly accepted the mission, and the British Brotherhood never heard from him again.
Duncan Walpole is the second cousin of Robert Walpole, who is widely considered to be Britain's “first prime minister.”
He left the relative comfort of his family life at age 18 when he joined the Royal Navy as a mid-shipman with dreams of becoming an officer. However, his hot temper and impulsiveness impeded a swift ascension through the ranks.
After three years, Duncan left the navy for the East India Company and met a sailor who introduced him to the Assassin Brotherhood and its teachings.
Poole // England // 1679
The Pirate Hunter
Woodes Rogers was born into money, and his early life was the very model of ambition. When his father died in 1706, Woodes inherited his family's shipping company, and his fortunes grew.
However, by the end of 1707, his business suffered under raiding French forces and Rogers sought to recoup these losses himself. He became a privateer soon after.
His career as a privateer was rather unremarkable, though he was able to pen a successful memoir based upon his exploits. However, his fortunes quickly reversed. His son died suddenly, and wife left him soon after.
Then he was sued by his former shipmates for allegedly hoarding profits, and lost the case.
In 1713, he returned to sea, and went to Madagascar to find and subdue the pirate stronghold of Libertalia. He was disappointed to find that it was little more than a squat.
When he returned to England, he lobbied King George for a commission to hunt pirates in the West Indies and was appointed the Governor of the Bahamas. He became an ally of the Templar Grand Master Laureano Torres y Ayala and joined his search for the Observatory.
England // United Kingdom // 1680
A Vicious Captain
The history of Charles Vane is not well documented, but he arrived in Port Royal during the War of the Spanish Succession and served under the infamous pirate Henry Jennings.
On his own, Vane recruited his old friend “Calico” Jack Rackham as his quartermaster. He was notoriously cruel to the crews of ships he captured and even withheld spoils from his own men, earning a reputation for being a difficult Captain to sail with.
Norfolk // United Kingdom // 1680
Blackbeard's Mentor
Much of Benjamin Hornigold's early life is unverified, but it is assumed that he was born in Norfolk, England around 1680.
He first appears in history between as one of the first pirates to emerge after the end of the Spanish War of Succession, which suggests that he was one of many privateers who could not make a living in the ensuing peace.
Hornigold was a mentor to Edward Thatch and settled in Nassau, where he launched a career as a full-fledged pirate. However, although he was a skilled sailor and strategist, he lacked the ruthlessness required to be truly
successful. He refused to attack English ships out of a sense of loyalty to his home country and soon began to question the long-term viability of the Pirate Republic he had helped create in Nassau
Bristol // England // 1680
Birth of a Legend
Little is known about the life of Edward Thatch before his exploits in the Caribbean during the golden age of piracy. He was most probably born in Bristol, England, and pursued a career as a sailor. It appears that he participated in the War of the Spanish Succession but, when the war was coming to an end, few jobs were available in the Royal Navy, so Thatch, like many other sailors, settled in the Americas in search of better fortunes.
Thatch began his pirate activities under the command of Benjamin Hornigold. He then took command of his own vessel, and quickly became the most powerful pirate of his era, captaining several ships, the most
famous being the Queen Anne's Revenge. During his career as a pirate, which only lasted a couple of years, Thatch terrorized the British authorities.
Casnewydd Bach // Wales // 1682-05-17
Captain of the Fortune
Born John Roberts, much of his early life is unknown. However, he would later become the most successful pirate of the Golden Age, capturing over 170 vessels in his career. It is unknown why he changed his name to Bartholomew, but it's possible it was an homage to the privateer Bartholomew Sharp.
Although history remembers Roberts as “Black Bart,” he never used that name during his lifetime.
Port Royal // Jamaica // 1682-12-21
Calico Jack
Jack Rackham was born in Jamaica, though little else is known about his childhood.
Rackham took great care in his personal appearance and presentation, and dressed himself in printed and painted fabrics, earning him the nickname “Calico Jack”.
He was frequently drunk, and often chasing women, using his outrageous and offensive personality to keep out of most trouble. However, despite associating with many famous scoundrels, Jack Rackham was not much a
fighter, or sailor, or pirate.
He became the quartermaster on a British pirate ship under the command of Charles Vane, and the two joined the Pirate Republic in Nassau in January 1717.
Montpellier // France // 1682
A Collector of Hidden Blades
Julien du Casse was the nephew of the buccaneer Jean du Casse and followed his uncle's example by taking to the sea at an early age. Although he fought a few battles in the War of the Spanish Succession, he quickly grew disillusioned with the monarchy and deserted his post before the Battle of Velez-Malaga.
Julien sought his fortunes in the New World. At first, he worked for slave traders in Africa, but was uncomfortable with the cruelty of the profession, and so he departed for the West Indies in search of yet another vocation.
Julien worked for 10 years as a mercenary for anyone who could pay and eventually landed a permanent position with Templar Grand Master Laureano Torres y Ayala
England // United Kingdom // 1682
Mr. Wrong
Hilary Flint was born to an aristocratic family, the youngest of three boys. He was the black sheep of the family, often finding solitude in his studies, and discovered a particular interest in explosives, which earned him the label of “problem child.”
His parents then enrolled him in military school, where he quickly charmed his way into a few secret societies. After graduation, his connections earned him a place in the Templar Order. His obsession with firearms and explosives made him a valuable asset.
He was known to operate in the West Inidies and was also known to have been romantically involved with the Assassin Rhona Dinsmore
Guangzhou // China // 1686
The Orchid
Although Jing Lang was born to Chinese rebels, she grew up to become an accomplished diplomat with a flair for languages. She married the son of a general in the Qing Dynasty, until a shift in politics forced her to become a pirate.
She spent the next decade at sea, and developed a reputation for brutality. In the West Indies, she became obsessed with a rumored treasure and feigned a romantic interest with former Assassin Vance Travers to gain access to it.
Barbados // 1688
The Aristocratic Pirate
Stede Bonnet was probably the most unlikely person to end up as a pirate. Bonnet was the son of an affluent sugar planter in Barbados. His parents died when he was very young and he inherited the family estate, including the numerous slaves living on the plantation. Bonnet's liberal education did not make him an obvious candidate for a career as a pirate.
However, later on in life he left his wife and decided to take up piracy. He knew absolutely nothing about ships and seafaring, and ordered a fine vessel to be built, which he named the Revenge, and then set out to find a pirate crew.
England // United Kingdom // 1688
The Steadfast Smuggler
Upton Travers was born in England, and traveled to the West Indies to seek his fortune alongside his younger brother Vance.
They established a smuggling operation that they used to fund their involvement with the Assassin Brotherhood. Of the brothers, Upton was far more measured and sensible when it came to dealing with the challenges that frequently came their way.
However, the arrival of an alluring Chinese pirate named Jing Lang caused a rift between the two brothers
Glasgow // Scotland // 1689
The Runaway Bride
Rhona Dinsmore was born in Scotland to an absent father and alcoholic mother. She left Glasgow in her teens and found work with merchants in Bristol.
At the age of twenty-one, Rhona was trapped in a terrible marriage and fled to Boston, before moving on to Jamaica. At first, she tried to work as a farmer but soon found herself as a member of the Assassin Brotherhood.
England // United Kingdom // 1689
Benjamin's Lackey #1
Little is known about John Cockram, other than he was a friend and confidant of Benjamin Hornigold. Although he was a pirate for a few years, he quickly grew disillusioned with the state of affairs in Nassau and searched for a new cause to believe in.
Little is known about Josiah Burgess other than the fact that he was a friend and confidant of Benjamin Hornigold. He was a pirate for a few years but saw an opportunity in the royal pardon being offered by the King of England.
England // United Kingdom // 1689
Benjamin's Lackey #2
Spain // 1689
The Lady Black
Lucia Marquez never knew her father, though some suspect it is the explorer Alejandro de Ortega. By the age of twelve, she was living on her own, developing the skills of a master thief in the process.
At age seventeen, she was caught stealing a horse from a high-ranking Templar, but agreed to receive training rather than go to jail.
Her life as a Templar in the West Indies was never lacking in challenge or adventure.
England // United Kingdom // 1690
The Bastard son of Captain Kidd
Mary Read was illegitimately born in England at some point between 1685 and 1695, to the widow of a sea captain. Her mother dressed her as a boy in the hope of passing her off as another man's son.
As a teenager, Mary used her skills of disguise to secure a job aboard a ship, and eventually wound up in the British Navy. She met her first husband during the War of Spanish Succession, but after he was killed, she travelled to the West Indies and began a career as a pirate.
Mary resumed dressing as a man, and forged a false identity as James
Kidd, the illegitimate son of the infamous pirate William Kidd. She soon found a new direction in life after meeting Ah Tabai, the Mentor of the Assassin Brotherhood in the West Indies.
England // United Kingdom // 1690
A Fool in Love
Vance Travers was born in England, the younger brother of Upton Travers. The pair left to seek their fortune in the West Indies and started a smuggling operation as well as joining the Assassin Brotherhood.
Compared to his more level-headed brother, Vance was passionate, creative, and gullible. He fell in love with a Templar pirate named Jing Lang, who was after the treasure the Travers brothers had stashed to fund their retirement.
Bristol // England // 1691
Caroline Scott of Hawkins Lane
Caroline Scott was born in Bristol, England to Emmett and Elizabeth Scott, a prosperous family of merchants and civil servants.
She was given a modest education by her father, but she supplemented it by reading as often as her household duties allowed. She grew into an intelligent and confident young woman.
Caroline first met Edward Kenway outside of the Auld Shillelagh, after the latter saved one of her servants from the clutches of Bristol's more notorious cads.
Although she was thankful for his kindness, and agreed to meet him again under more favorable circumstances, she never thought that a romance would bloom.
Kingston // Jamaica // 1692
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston was established in 1692, following a massive earthquake that destroyed the town of Port Royal. After the tragedy, which drowned most of the land in the area, a new town was created. Kingston would later attract a number of unemployed sailors who quickly turned to piracy.
Cuba // 1695
The Taino Assassin
Opia Apito was raised Taino among her mother's people, and never knew her father, a Spaniard. There are rumors that her father was the adventurer known as Alejandro Marquez, but these have never been verified.
When Opia was twelve years old, her village was raided by the Spanish. Most of her community was kidnapped or killed, but Opia fought and ran. She survived in hiding for close to a decade.
In her early twenties, she was hired by the Assassin Brotherhood as a guide, and joined their ranks soon after.
Kinsale // Ireland // 1702-03-08
The Pirate Barmaid
Anne Bonny was the illegitimate daughter of an Irish attorney and his housemaid. She moved from Ireland to South Carolina with her father, who settled there as a plantation owner.
Anne married a low-class sailor named James Bonny and they settled in Nassau. James found work at a nearby plantation, and she worked as a waitress at the Old Avery tavern, where she caught the eye of many of its regular patrons.
Within a year of their arrival, the Bonnys' marriage was in shambles. James disappeared into his work, while Anne started taking pirate lovers.
Nassau // The Bahamas // 1706
Ungoverned Island
In July 1703, during the War of the Spanish Succession, French and Spanish troops attacked the British territory of New Providence, and ultimately burnt it to the ground. By 1706, no one ruled over Nassau.
In the aftermath of the war, thousands of sailors were left without work. Many of them stayed in the Caribbean, where they had been stationed at the end of the conflict, while others headed towards Central America from Europe. Most of these seamen sought to take advantage of the ungoverned territory.
Virginia // British America // 1710
Chasing the Pirates
Alexander Spotswood became the governor of Virginia in 1710. He was aware of the pirate activities around his colony and grew increasingly concerned about the menace they represented to his economic transactions, both in the area and overseas.
Spotswood had supposedly received numerous complaints from North Carolina merchants and traders as well as reports of a pirate scheme to erect fortifications at Ocracoke Island. After realizing that the government of North Carolina did not have the resources or the will to hunt down the seafaring criminals, Spotswood took it upon himself to put an end to the pirate threats.
Spotswood targeted Blackbeard as the main pirate menace. He gave orders to keep track of the movements and activities of Blackbeard's ship, Queen Anne's Revenge. On November 24, 1718, he issued a proclamation offering rewards for the capture, conviction, or killing of pirates.
Nassau // The Bahamas // 1713
The Beaches of Nassau
After the end of the War of the Spanish Succession, Benjamin Hornigold and other pirates stepped onto the beach at Nassau where they found it in ruins, full of abandoned buildings. The island of New Providence had already served as a buccaneer base in the 1690s, and by 1713, pirates began to meet in Nassau once again.
Tactically, the Bahamas were perfect for piratical enterprises. It was positioned right in the middle of European trade routes in the Caribbean. Moreover, Nassau was located in a labyrinth of islands where pirates could hide and plan their attacks on European merchant vessels.
Kingston // Jamaica // 1714
Unemployed Seaman
After the War of the Spanish Succession, Kingston was filled with unemployed sailors. The town became a place where several former sailors joined pirate groups.
Charles Vane was one of many seamen seeking employment around the docks of Kingston in search of employment. He was hired by Captain Henry Jennings, and they both later became successful pirates.
Utrecht // Netherlands // 1714-06-26
Before the Golden Age
The Peace of Utrecht was a series of treaties between many European powers, including France, Great Britain, and Spain, that ended the War of the Spanish Succession. Aside from resolving many territorial disputes, it also settled the question of the Spanish Succession, establishing Philip V, from the House of Bourbon, as the King of Spain. The Treaties of Utrecht, however, did not resolve the problem of the unprotected coastline in the Caribbean.
The end of the War of the Spanish Succession forced Great Britain to demobilize a large part of its navy. Several thousand sailors were released
and a great number of them, including Edward Thatch, headed to the Caribbean, searching for new opportunities.
Jobs were scarce and the Caribbean was soon filled with angry, bitter sailors. Taking advantage of the lack of authority in the region, several men regrouped and formed crews to attack Spanish ships. They not only wanted revenge for what they suffered during the war, but also hoped to get rich. Soon, gangs of pirates flourished in the Bahamas, and thus began the Golden Age of piracy in the Caribbean.
Florida Coast // 1715
The Wreck of the Spanish Treasure Fleet
Following the War of the Spanish Succession, King Philip V of Spain, the grandson of Louis XIV of France, was in dire need of financial relief. Since Spain had accumulated a vast amount of wealth in the Americas during the war, the King ordered that his treasure be brought back to Spain. On July 13, 1715, a fleet under the command of Captain-General Don Juan Esteban de Ubila left Havana.
The galleons and their extremely valuable haul were bound for Cádiz, Spain, but they encountered a storm on July 19, while in the Straits of Florida. All ships were lost. The wrecked Spanish treasure fleet attracted
many pirates, and changed the fortunes of William Jennings, Benjamin Hornigold, Edward Thatch, and Charles Vane, among others.
Nassau // The Bahamas // 1715
The Flying Gang
Around 1715, Nassau was the refuge for hundreds of pirates. Benjamin Hornigold emerged as the unofficial leader of the pirate groups evolving around the island. Hornigold and another pirate named Edward Thatch often organized their raids on European ships. The Bahamas then transformed into a republic of pirates, with Nassau a stronghold filled by outlaws.
Havana // Cuba // 1716
The Fortified City
Established in 1514, Havana was a place where many merchant ships heading for Europe or Central America sought refuge before continuing their journey.
During the early part of the eighteen century, the city caught the attention of many pirate gangs. Pirates had been able to infiltrate Havana and contributed to the rise of corruption. Consequently, the harbor and the town became increasingly fortified, but this did not prevent further attacks from privateers and pirates.
Nassau // The Bahamas // 1716
The Republic of Pirates under Scrutiny
Reports of the pirates located around Nassau were quickly transmitted across the colonies and in Europe. The emergence of the republic of pirates was disrupting trade in the region and destabilizing the slave societies near the Bahamian islands. Consequently, by the end of winter 1714, there were persistent rumors that said the Spanish authorities were preparing an assault on the pirate base
Port-au-Prince // Saint-Dominigue // 1717
Buccaneer Hideout
Neglected by the Spanish authorities, the region of what is known today as Port-au-Prince was encroached by French boucaniers around 1670. Even when the western part of Hispaniola was officially transferred to the French, the region did not immediately emerge as an important part of Saint-Domingue. The port of the town was not as developed as other ports in the colony. Not being the main focus of the island, the town attracted pirates who were passing through while on the run from authorities who were chasing them.
Cape Cod // British America // 1717-04-26
From Slavers to Pirates
In February 1717, the pirate Sam Bellamy captured the Whydah, a British ship named after a trading post on the West African Gold Coast. Built in England in 1716, the Whydah was a massive galley with three masts that weighed three hundred tons. It was used to carry slaves across the Atlantic.
At the time of its capture, the Whydah was armed with ten guns, but Bellamy and his pirate crew converted the ship into a twenty-eight gun galley. After plundering a number of ships near Virginia, the Whydah, along with Bellamy's other ships, attempted to reach Block Island, off the
coast of Rhode Island. However, the weather rapidly deteriorated and the ships lost contact with each other. The weather intensified near Cape Cod and the Whydah was destroyed in the storm.
Charleston // British America // 1718-05-22
Medicinal Hostages
Desperately seeking medical supplies, Blackbeard and his fleet entered the Charleston harbor bay in South Carolina. For several days, he blockaded the harbor and terrorized the town. The crew took hostages and sought to exchange them for medical supplies.
Port Royal // Jamaica // 1721-03-29
Pirates Hanged
In the seventeenth century, Port Royal, a harbor town on the southern coast of Jamaica, was a refuge for slave traders. It also became a place where semi-legal piratical activities took place. In the 1660s, British buccaneers and privateers were tacitly encouraged by the British authorities to attack Spanish ships in order to prevent Spain from retaking the island. The buccaneer Henry Morgan established his headquarters in Port Royal. When the British authorities sought to properly administer the island, the buccaneers' rule was eradicated, but Morgan was nonetheless appointed governor of Jamaica and commanded to bring order to the town.
On June 7, 1692, an earthquake hit Port Royal. Around 2,000 people were killed and several thousand others died of subsequent disease and fever. A considerable area of land sank.
Despite this, privateering continued in the region. After the War of the Spanish Succession, the streets and taverns of Port Royal were filled with bitter, unemployed sailors, among them Benjamin Hornigold and Edward Thatch. These broke seamen began to attack and plunder Spanish ships.
During the Golden Age of Piracy, Port Royal became notorious as the location where pirates were hanged after being captured by British authorities. Charles Vane and Jack Rackam were two pirates who were found guilty of piracy and were then hanged at Gallows Point.
Okhotsk Sea // 1728
Explorer of the North
Vitus Bering was a navigator and an explorer who was working for the Russian Navy. In 1724, he was appointed to explore the territory between Asia and North America, and to determine whether the continents were connected by land. The Russians wished to find a northeast passage to North America. Bering was the first European to thoroughly explore the region and in 1728, he navigated the sea between the two land masses. His explorations paved the way for Russian involvement in North America.
Port-au-Prince // Saint-Domingue // 1730
Overshadowed by Slavery
At the beginning of the eighteenth century, the area of today's Port-au-Prince was more town than city. The mountains surrounding the town prevented the population from spreading through the region. Living conditions were particularly difficult and the expansion of slavery affected the nature and development of the city.
By the middle of the eighteenth century, the town was characterized by a brutal slavery system. During the eighteenth century, African slaves outnumbered the European population by a large margin and the conditions on the plantations were particularly harsh. The plantations were close to each other and the density of the population was far greater
than that of other colonial towns on the island of Saint-Domingue. Apart from some large plantations, the buildings were remote and rudimentary, highlighting the omnipresence of slaves in the town and the importance of slavery in the region.
The city of Port-au-Prince is located at the heart of the Gulf of Gonâve. The area had been part of the Spanish empire before being transferred to the French in 1697. The western part of the island of Hispaniola never reached its economic potential and had been progressively left on its own by the Spanish authorities. The Spaniards relinquished sovereignty over the territory and handed it over to France through the 1697 Treaty of Ryswick.
The French had begun to colonize the island even before it was officially under their possession. The Mentor of the Assassin Brotherhood, François Mackandal, was active in Saint-Domingue during the early part of the
eighteenth century. In Saint-Domingue, Mackandal taught his pupils Baptiste and Agaté the rudimentary principles of the Assassin Brotherhood.
In the early 1700s, the territory now known as Port-au-Prince was a remote region. The area, which was called L'Hôpital at the time, substantially developed after 1749. The emerging city suffered from major earthquakes in 1751 and 1770 that destroyed large parts of its territory. However, these crises did not prevent Port-au-Prince from replacing Cap-Haïtien, originally named Cap François, and later Cap Français, as the capital of the French colony of Saint-Domingue.
Port-au-Prince // Saint-Domingue // 1749
A Resilent Colony
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