_Now, to say something concerning_ John Esquemeling, _the first Author of this History. I take him to be a_ Dutch-man, _or at least born in_ Flanders, _notwithstanding that the Spanish Translation representeth him to be a Native of the Kingdom of_ France. _His printing this History originally in Dutch, which doubtless must be his native Tongue, who otherwise was but an illiterate man, together with the very sound of his name, convincing me thereunto. True it is, he set sail from_ France, _and was some years at_ Tortuga; _but neither of these two Arguments, drawn from the History, are prevalent. For were he to be a_ French-man _born, how came he to learn the_ Dutch _language so perfectly as to prefer it to his own? Especially that not being spoken at Tortuga nor_ Jamaica, _where he resided all the while._ _I hope I have made this English Translation something more plain and correct than the Spanish. Some few notorious faults either of the Printer or the Interpreter, I am sure I have redressed. But the Spanish Translator complaining much of the intricacy of Stile in the Original (as flowing from a person who, as hath been said, was no Scholar) as he was pardonable, being in great haste, for not rendring his own Version so distinct and elaborate as he could desire; so must I be excused from the one, that is to say, Elegancy, if I have cautiously declined the other, I mean Confusion._ THE PIRATES OF PANAMA THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA CHAPTER I _The introduction--The author sets forth for the Western islands, in the service of the West-India Company of France--They meet with an English frigate, and arrive at the Island of Tortuga._