Most of the pirates/privateers are English or French.
The pirate fleets offer both protection and income to the small colony. The English Plantation became French in name but most of the population of Tortuga is made of pirates and privateers and these remain on the island with the blessing of the French Government. Le Vasseur managedto expel the English Colony, so to speak. By 1641, the French colony has become so well established that the French send Jean Le Vasseur to take control of the island. While not raising crops they are attacking the Spanish Fleets. And once again as the Spaniards left and like roaches the Buccaneers returned.īy now the buccaneers are attempting to raise sugar cane and tobacco. It seems like Tortuga really had nothing for the Spaaniards because once again as soon as the interlopers were gone, the Spaniards left. They managed to wipe out the English colony but the French and the English survivors once again fled the island. When the Spaniards got word of this they decided to attack Tortuga and wipe out thedivided intruders. This however was short lived as the two start fighting over the imported slaves on the island] and who had rights to what property. The English and the French on Tortuga at first were allies against the greater enemy, Spain. As such Tortuga became the home of the Brethren of the Coast.Īt around this same time, Anthony Hilton, and Englishman, sets up an English Colony on the island.
They were also entrusted with the powers to offer letter of Marques to privateers and weren't too picky on the nationality of the crew so long as they agreed to attack Spanish ships and split the booty with them. The French Governors of Tortuga would, for a price, offer safe harbor to just about any ship that wasn't Spanish. Tortuga became a perfect spot to ambush the returning Spanish fleets. France, like most of Europe was at war with Spain for most of the 1600s. To the Northeast of Tortuga, is Cuba, the last stop of the Treasure Fleet before returning to Spain. Strategically, Tortuga was a most important island for France.
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