Robert Searle’s first known ship was the…

Robert Searle’s first known ship was the sixty-ton, eight-gun Cagway, the largest of three Spanish merchantmen captured by Christopher Myngs as he returned from his raid on Santa Marta and Tolú (Colombia) in 1659.

Searle had captained the Cagway four years later as part of Myng’s expedition against Santiago de Cuba.

The political situation in Europe and the Caribbean is volatile in 1664.

Constant raiding by English buccaneers has prompted repeated and vociferous protests from Madrid, delivered by the Spanish ambassador to King Charles II of England.

In turn, a letter to Governor Modyford from the king stated that “His Majesty cannot sufficiently express his dissatisfaction at the daily complaints of violence and depredation” against the Spanish by the ships of Jamaica.

Modyford is “again strictly commanded not only to forbid the prosecution of such violence for the future, but to inflict condign punishment upon offenders, and to have the entire restitution and satisfaction made to the sufferers.” This letter, signed in London eleven days after Modyford first landed at Port Royal, in early June, does not arrive until the beginning of September.

It causes something of a sensation on the island.

At this moment there are two rich Spanish prizes from Cuba at anchor in Port Royal’s harbor.

Both are heavily guarded and prizes to Searle, who has already landed the boxes and bags of Spanish coin so that the king’s share could be calculated.

Modyford promptly summons the Council of Jamaica and shows them the letter.

The alarmed Council decides that the governor of Cuba should be told at once that the captured ships and money are being returned.

It is resolved that “all persons making further attempts of violence upon the Spaniards be looked upon as pirates and rebels, and that Captain Searle’s commission be taken from him and his rudder and sails taken ashore for security.”