Buccaneers and Pirates of Our Coasts
Aug 2021 · Otbebookpublishing
Ebook
175
Pages
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About this ebook
Excerpt: "From the very earliest days of history there have been pirates, and it is, therefore, not at all remarkable that, in the early days of the history of this continent, sea-robbers should have made themselves prominent; but the buccaneers of America differed in many ways from those pirates with whom the history of the old world has made us acquainted. It was very seldom that an armed vessel set out from an European port for the express purpose of sea-robbery in American waters. At first nearly all the noted buccaneers were traders. But the circumstances which surrounded them in the new world made of them pirates whose evil deeds have never been surpassed in any part of the globe. These unusual circumstances and amazing temptations do not furnish an excuse for the exceptionally wicked careers of the early American pirates; but we are bound to remember these causes or we could not understand the records of the settlement of the [Pg 8] West Indies. The buccaneers were fierce and reckless fellows who pursued their daring occupation because it was profitable, because they had learned to like it, and because it enabled them to wreak a certain amount of vengeance upon the common enemy. But we must not assume that they inaugurated the piratical conquests and warfare which existed so long upon our eastern seacoasts. Before the buccaneers began their careers, there had been great masters of piracy who had opened their schools in the Caribbean Sea; and in order that the condition of affairs in this country during parts of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries may be clearly understood, we will consider some of the very earliest noted pirates of the West Indies."
About the author
Frank Richard Stockton (1834-1902) was an American writer whose imaginative and whimsical tales captivated readers in the late 19th century. Born in Philadelphia, Stockton initially pursued a career in wood engraving before turning to writing, where he found his true calling. His breakthrough came with the publication of "The Lady, or the Tiger?" in 1882, a short story that left readers pondering its ambiguous ending and showcased Stockton's flair for blending fantasy with moral dilemmas.Stockton's work often challenged the conventions of his time, eschewing the didacticism prevalent in Victorian literature for a more playful and speculative approach. His stories frequently featured strong, independent female characters and questioned societal norms, subtly advocating for progressive ideas in an era of rigid social structures. This made his work both popular and controversial, as it pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in literature.A contemporary of Mark Twain and Louisa May Alcott, Stockton influenced many writers with his unique narrative style and inventive plots. His ability to weave humor with thought-provoking themes earned him a lasting place in American literary history. Despite facing criticism from some quarters for his unconventional endings and fantastical elements, Stockton's legacy endures, inspiring modern authors who seek to challenge readers' expectations and explore the complexities of human nature.Stockton's life and work remain a testament to the power of storytelling to provoke thought and entertain, making him a fascinating figure for both literary scholars and casual readers alike.
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