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Updated: June 5, 2025
We have had nearly two score of Englishmen here, officers and men; some privateersmen, some merchant seamen, the men-of-war's men having been taken mostly in prizes, except a dozen of us who belong to the Buzzard schooner, and we should not have been taken had not the sloop of war we were engaging knocked away our fore-topmast, and pretty well killed or wounded two-thirds of our ship's company.
By the end of the war of 1812, in particular, the American privateers had won for themselves a formidable position on the ocean. The schooners, brigs, and brigantines in which the privateersmen sailed were beautifully modeled, and were among the fastest craft afloat.
All this was of course simply disastrous from a commercial point of view; but for navy men and privateersmen it opened up a long vista of opportunities to win both distinction and fortune; for it gave us the marine commerce of three rich and powerful nations France, Holland, and Spain as a lawful prey.
The "beggars of the sea," as these privateersmen designated themselves, soon acquired as terrible a name as the wild beggars, or the forest beggars; but the Prince, having had many conversations with Admiral Coligny on the important benefits to be derived from the system, had faithfully set himself to effect a reformation of its abuses after his return from France.
All this was, legally, very wrong; but, I still think, it was not so very far from being morally just; at least, as regards the privateersmen. The attempt failed, however, and those implicated were blamed a great deal more than they would have been, had they burned up the Frenchmen's eye-bolts.
Cross's burly form, drawn cutlass and conspicuously displayed pistol, supported by the appearance of the barque's crew in his immediate background, proving an effectual deterrent to any attempt on the part of the privateersmen to make a rush for freedom, and in something like a couple of hours from the time of her capture, the Aurora, was once more in the undisputed possession of her rightful owner.
"I know that," he said, "but it is necessary to send the boats ahead to tow. Were I to run the risk of losing the ship, the crew, and even the officers, would mutiny these privateersmen are difficult characters to deal with; as it is, they will be discontented at not obtaining the stores and recovering their shipmates. My first lieutenant, also, is on shore.
Though I respect the officers and men of the Royal Navy, who are engaged in fighting for their king and country, I have a very different opinion of privateersmen, who go forth to plunder the harmless merchantmen of other nations merely for the sake of enriching themselves.
Orange and Count Louis in France Peace with the Huguenots Coligny's memoir, presented by request to Charles IX., on the subject of invading the Netherlands Secret correspondence of Orange organized by Paul Buys Privateering commissions issued by the Prince Regulations prescribed by him for the fleets thus created Impoverished condition of the Prince His fortitude His personal sacrifices and privations His generosity Renewed contest between the Duke and the Estates on the subject of the tenth and twentieth pence Violent disputes in the council Firm opposition of Viglius Edict commanding the immediate collection of the tax Popular tumults Viglius denounced by Alva The Duke's fierce complaints to the King Secret schemes of Philip against Queen Elizabeth of England The Ridolphi plot to murder Elizabeth countenanced by Philip and Pius V. The King's orders to Alva to further the plan The Duke's remonstrances Explosion of the plot Obstinacy of Philip Renewed complaints of Alva as to the imprudent service required of him Other attempts of Philip to murder Elizabeth Don John of Austria in the Levant Battle of Lepanto Slothfulness of Selim Appointment of Medina Celi Incessant wrangling in Brussels upon the tax Persevering efforts of Orange Contempt of Alva for the Prince Proposed sentence of ignominy against his name Sonoy's mission to Germany Remarkable papers issued by the Prince The "harangue" Intense hatred for Alva entertained by the highest as well as lower orders Visit of Francis de Alva to Brussels His unfavourable report to the King Querulous language of the Duke Deputation to Spain Universal revolt against the tax Ferocity of Alva Execution of eighteen tradesmen secretly ordered Interrupted by the capture of Brill Beggars of the sea The younger Wild Boar of Ardennes Reconciliation between the English government and that of Alva The Netherland privateersmen ordered out of English ports De la Marck's fleet before Brill The town summoned to surrender Commissioners sent out to the fleet Flight of the magistrates and townspeople Capture of the place Indignation of Alva Popular exultation in Brussels Puns and Caricatures Bossu ordered to recover the town of Brill His defeat His perfidious entrance into Rotterdam Massacre in that city Flushing revolutionized Unsuccessful attempt of Governor de Bourgogne to recal the citizens to their obedience Expedition under Treslong from Brill to assist the town of Flushing Murder of Paccheco by the Patriots Zeraerts appointed Governor of Walcheren by Orange.
This matter was, of course, set right in time. But the next point made by the admiralty was that they would make no exchanges with Franklin except for English sailors taken by American cruisers, thus excluding captives taken by the privateersmen. Franklin, much angered at the thwarting of his humane and reasonable scheme, said that they had "given up all pretensions to equity and honor."
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