_I know some persons have objected against the greatness of these prodigious Adventures, intimating that the resistance our_ Bucaniers _found in_ America, _was everywhere but small. For the_ Spaniards, _say they, in the_ West Indies, _are become of late years nothing less, but rather much more degenerate than in_ Europe. _The continual Peace they have enjoyed in those parts, the defect of Military Discipline, and_ European _souldiers for their Commanders, much contributing hereunto. But more especially, and above all other reasons, the very luxury of the Soil and Riches, the extreme heat of those Countries, and influence of the Stars being such, as totally inclineth their bodies unto an infinite effeminacy and cowardize of minds._ _Unto these Reasons I shall only answer in brief. This History will convince them to be manifestly false. For as to the continual Peace here alleadged, we know that no Peace could ever be established_ beyond the Line, _since the first possession of the_ West-Indies _by the_ Spaniards, _till the burning of_ Panama. _At that time, or few months before_, Sir William Godolphin _by his prudent negotiation in quality of Embassadour for our most Gracious Monarch, did conclude at_ Madrid _a peace to be observed even_ beyond the Line, _and through the whole extent of the Spanish Dominions in the_ West-Indies. _This transaction gave the Spaniards new causes of complaints against our proceedings, that no sooner a Peace had been established for those parts of_ America, _but our forces had taken and burnt both_ Chagre, St. Catherine, _and_ Panama. _But our reply was convincing, That whereas eight or ten months of time had been allowed by Articles for the publishing of the said Peace through all the Dominions of both Monarchies in_ America, _those Hostilities had been committed, not onely without orders from his Majesty of_ England, _but also within the space of the said eight or ten months of time. Until that time the Spanish Inhabitants of_ America _being, as it were, in a perpetual War with_ Europe, _certain it is that no Coasts nor Kingdoms in the World have been more frequently infested nor alarm'd with the invasions of several Nations than theirs. Thus from the very beginning of their Conquests in America, both_ English, French, Dutch Portuguese, Swedes, Danes, _Curlanders, and all other nations that navigate the_ Ocean, _have frequented the_ West-Indies, _and filled them with their robberies and Assaults. From these occasions have they been in continual watch and ward, and kept their_ Militia _in constant exercise, as also their Garrisons pretty well provided and paid; as fearing every sail they discovered at Sea, to be_ Pirats _of one Nation or another. But much more especially, since that_ Curasao, Tortuga, _and_ Jamaica _have been inhabited by_ English, French, _and_ Dutch, _and bred up that race of_ Hunts-men, _than which, no other ever was more desperate, nor more mortal enemies to the Spaniards, called Bucaniers.