Henry Morgan the Bad Boy Pirate

Henry Morgan is known has the pirates who invaded Panama; Henry Morgan had his first command as a captain of a privateer ship involved in an attack on Santiago de Cuba. A privateer that was empowered by the British government, or a representative of the government such as the Governor of Jamaica, to raid and attack the Spanish on England’s behalf. Privateers could keep some of their plunder for themselves. So, in a way, privateers could be thought of as ‘legal’ pirates. 

Sir Henry Morgan

After many effective crusades against the Spanish, by 1665 Morgan was already a wealthy man with sugar plantations on Jamaica, becoming a man of some status on the island. His fame was also spreading, particularly after the successful attack on Puerto Bello in Panama in 1666 during which he took the town, held the residents to ransom and then beat off a force of 3000 Morgan's attack on Panama City was successful for several reasons, the most important was the ability of Morgan fight skills over the Spanish Army that defended the city. Morgan victory came in part by maneuver, firepower, protection, and leadership. Morgan was a natural born warrior and his ability to fore see the unanticipated make him and his men almost unstoppable. Even thou they were out gunned, Morgan secure the high ground early when the battle was over; Morgan lost 15 men comparing to the Spanish 500. At the time of Morgan’s incursion on Panama England and Spain had signed a peace treaty revoking privateer permissions in the Caribbean. Because Morgan’s invasion of Panama had taken place after the peace agreement between England and Spain, he was arrested and transported to England but was never punished. However, relations with Spain quickly worsened, and in 1674 King Charles II knighted Morgan and sent him out again as deputy governor of Jamaica, where he lived as a wealthy and respected planter until his death. Captain Morgan is considered one of the greatest pirates ever, even though he was a privateer. He spread terror on the Spanish Main which helped in the treaty negotiation between England and Spain. Certain places are still named for him, such as Morgan's Valley in Jamaica and Morgan's Cave on San Andres island.                  

                                                                   

Stockton, Frank R. Buccaneers and pirates. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 2007. Print.

Cordingly, David. The romance and the reality of life among the pirates: the romance and the reality of life among the pirates. Place of publication not identified: Random House, 2006. Print.

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