Financial Gains, the Beginning.

In 1521 Hernando Cortez captured the Aztec in what is now Mexico. He sent proof of the value of his new conquest to Spain in three caravels.  The small ships carried gold, silver, pearls, jade figurines and other wonders of the new world. Somewhere near the Azores, six French corsairs captured the small Spanish flotilla. In June of 1494, the new world had been divided by the catholic pope between Spain and Portugal with the Treaty of Tordesillas. With the capture of Cortez’s caravels the word was out. The new world held great riches for the Spanish. Now the protestant French Huguenots along with the English and Dutch descended on the treasure Fleets of Spain.

In the beginning, the protestant attacks on the Spanish were carried out by privateers, clandestinely supported by their national governments. They were privateers for their government no matter how secrete the support (ig. Hawkins & Drake.) One country’s privateer is his enemy’s pirate. The privateers shared their captured wealth with their backers and their government.

More than Treasure

As European powers, other than Spain and Portugal made land conquest in the new world, a surge of piracy plagued the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and the Atlantic Seaboard of the English Colonies. Unemployed privateers and men of questionable character turned to piracy for a vocation. Treasure diminished and the bands of pirates turned to trade goods to generate cash and ships stores, foods and drink to sustain their lifestyles.

Division of the Spoils

Prizes plundered were divided as set down in the Pirate Articles

The Captain and Quarter-Master to receive two Shares

 The Master, Boatswain, and Gunner, one Share and a half

Other Officers, one and a Quarter

Crewmembers one share

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