CHAPTER III.

Cromwell's Declaration of War against Spain.-Invasion of St. Domingo by Penn and Venables.-Their Defeat, and consequent Conquest of it.-Descent upon Jamaica.

IN the year 1655, Oliver Cromwell, who, under the title of Lord Protector, had usurped the English throne, declared war against Spain. This conduct is generally condemned by the English historians, as equally contrary to the rules of justice, and good policy. But men, as in this case, frequently disapprove of the conduct of those whom they dislike, without sufficient, or at least, without an impartial investigation; for, upon a fair consideration of the conduct of the usurper in this instance, it is impossible not to approve of the justice of his cause, or not to respect the solidity of his views. Spain, entertaining the most extravagant notions of the extent of her dominion, treated as pirates, all those who navigated the seas of the new world. She had, in consequence of these principles, been guilty of the most treacherous and atrocious cruelties, unfeelingly inflicted upon the crews of various English vessels. Satisfaction had been boldly demanded by Cromwell; but the Spanish ambassador, instead of granting it, increased the injury, by justifying the conduct which had been pursued. No other method, therefore, of defending the honour of the English flag, and of avenging these unmerited injuries, was now left, but by an appeal to arms. But whether Cromwell's commencement of hostilities was just, or not, there cannot

remain a doubt respecting the good policy of it. Spain was possessed of rich and extensive dominions in both the old and the new world. The absurdity of her religion, the bigotted notions and narrow views of her rulers, the luxury of her people, in consequence of the wealth which they had suddenly acquired, and the languor which their indulgence in luxury had produced, convinced every careful observer, that the power of Spain was hastening to decay, and that her wealth and grandeur must be enjoyed by her more enterprising neighbours. Sagacity, far less than that of Cromwell, could easily have made this discovery. Spain was, at this period, engaged in a war with France: By siding with the former, Cromwell could have gained nothing; but by assisting the latter, he would share the rich booty which was likely to be acquired. With this view, he turned his longing eyes to the rich dominions of the new world, and fitted out a large fleet, accompanied with a respectable body of veteran troops, with orders to attack the island of St. Domingo, at that time, denominated, Hispaniola.

This armament arrived at the place of its destination on the 13th day of April, 1655. Nine thousand men were landed at a place thirty miles distant from the capital of the island, and immediately began their march to attack it. Here they met with obstacles which it was difficult to surmount, and which their commanders, Penn and Venables, seem not to have foreseen. They had little provision and no water; their route lay through woods which were almost impassable, in a country to which they were strangers, in which they had no guides, and where the heat was almost insupportable. It is not surprising, therefore, that they were four days in reaching the capital, or that the Spaniards were prepared to receive them. The English troops, already dispirited, were by a

comparatively small number of Spaniards, attacked and dispersed; six hundred of them were killed, and the rest, with some difficulty, again reached the ships. The commanders, sensible of their danger, should they again return to England defeated and disgraced, determined to make an attempt on the neighbouring island of Jamaica. Here they arrived on the 3d day of May, and marched their troops instantly to St. Jago de la Vega, the capital of the island. To prevent the evil effects of cowardice or disaffection, some symptoms of the latter having appeared during the attack on St. Domingo, an order was now issued, commanding every soldier to shoot any individual who attempted flight*. This regulation was highly useful. The soldiers had been displeased with their original destination, and were dispirited with their late defeat. But finding a better prospect of success in Jamaica, their native courage began to revive. The Spaniards were completely unprepared to oppose them. They had not even heard of the defeat at St. Domingo. As soon, therefore, as the English troops arrived at St. Jago, the governor, seeing the impossibility of saving the capital, in case of an assault, desired terms of capitulation. This request being granted, the Spaniards removed every thing of value to the woods, while they spun out the negociation; and the better to lull the suspicion of their enemies, furnished the troops with fresh provisions. They afterwards retired, and left to the English, instead of a capital abounding in wealth, an empty town, destitute of inhabitants or goods.

This was a dreadful disappointment to soldiers, eager for plunder, and already baulked in their expectations. They threatened revenge on their perfidious enemies, and imme

* See Note (a.)
D

diately set out in quest of them. But it was extremely difficult, owing to the thickness of the woods, and the mountainous nature of the country, to come up with, or to attack them. However, the perseverance and courage of the English troops, qualities for which they have been, in every age, conspicuous, surmounted every obstacle, and the Spaniards, after being driven from place to place, were obliged to leave their native land, for such it had become, and sailed in canoes to the neighbouring island of Cuba. They left behind them, in the woods, a number of mulattoes and slaves, with strict orders to harrass the English, promising them, at the same time, speedy and effectual aid.

Penn and Venables, returning to England in September, were by orders of the enraged protector, committed to prison for their flagrant misconduct, which, while it deeply tarnished the glory of the English arms, had it not been for their success in Jamaica, would in all probability have overwhelmed them with irremediable destruction. But Cromwell, who was no less capable of improving favourable events, than of forming bold schemes, soon saw the advantages of the possession of Jamaica. He fitted out a large squadron, and disliking Colonel D'Oyley, who, though a cavalier, being next in command to General Venables, had acted as governor of the island, he appointed Major Sedgwick governor in his stead.

The island was, at this period, in a very wretched condition. The soldiers had no pay, and had already consumed their whole stock of provisions. Anxious to return to their native land, they absolutely refused to plant Indian corn, pulse, cassavi, or other vegetables for their own support. So determined were they to leave the island, that they even rooted up the provisions which had been planted and left by the Spaniards. "Our soldiers," says Major Sedgwick in one of his dispatches,

"have destroyed all sorts of provisions and cattle. Nothing "but ruin attends them wherever they go. Dig or plant, they "neither will, nor can; but are determined rather to starve "than work." It is not surprising, that a distressing scarcity was the consequence of this imprudent conduct; which, to fill up the measure of their calamities, was accompanied with disease and contagion. To such a state were they now reduced, that unripe fruits, noxious vegetables, snakes, lizards, and even vermin, were eagerly devoured. This unwholesome diet, concurring with other circumstances, produced an epidemic dysentery, which raged like a plague. For a considerable time, one hundred and forty men died weekly, while Sedgwick himself fell a victim to the prevailing contagion.

Cromwell, afraid that the Spaniards would embrace this opportunity of invading the island, determined to support the colony. He immediately sent out a large supply of provisions, and granting a commission of commander in chief to Colonel Brayne, commanded him to sail to Jamaica. Brayne arrived with a reinforcement of troops, and found every thing in disorder; but before he could possibly remedy these evils, he also died after a residence of ten months. The command again devolved on Colonel D'Oyley, who happily possessed those qualities of prudence, courage, and perseverance, which were absolutely requisite for the preservation of this valuable colony.

The defenceless state of the island, the dissatisfaction of the troops, the straits to which they were reduced by famine, disease, and death, led the governor of Cuba to believe, that a favourable opportunity was now offered for restoring Jamaica to the dominion of Spain. Having received the consent and the aid of the viceroy of Mexico, he landed on the 8th day of May 1658, thirty companies of Spanish infantry, at Rio Nuevo,