ha, and with gold and silver plate from the Spanish
churches and cathedrals of Porto Bello and Panama. The old governor, Sir
Thomas Modyford, had been popular in his person, and his policy had been
more popular still. Yet Lynch, by a combination of tact and firmness,
and by an untiring activity with the small means at his disposal, had
inaugurated a new and revolutionary policy in the island, which it was
the duty of his successors merely to continue. In 1682 the problem
before him, although difficult, was much simpler. Buccaneering was now
rapidly being transformed into pure piracy. By laws and repeated
proclamations, the freebooters had been offered an opportunity of
returning to civilized pursuits, or of remaining ever thereafter
outlawed. Many had come in, some to remain, others to take the first
opportunity of escaping again. But many entirely refused to obey the
summons, trusting to the protection of the French in Hispaniola, or so
hardened to their cruel, remorseless mode of livelihood that they
preferred the dangerous risks of outlawry. The temper of the inhabitants
of the island, too, had changed. The planters saw more clearly the
social and economic evils which the buccaneers had brought upon the
island. The presence of these freebooters, they now began to realize,
had discouraged planting, frightened away capital, reduced the number of
labourers, and increased drunkenness, debauchery and every sort of moral
disorder. The assembly and council were now at one with the governor as
to the necessity of curing this running sore, and Lynch could act with
the assurance which came of the knowledge that he was backed by the
conscience of his people.

One of the earliest and most remarkable cases of buccaneer turning
pirate was that of "La Trompeuse." In June 1682, before Governor Lynch's
arrival in Jamaica, a French captain named Peter Paine (or Le Pain),
commander of a merchant ship called "La Trompeuse" belonging to the
French King, came to Port Royal from Cayenne in Guiana. He told Sir
Henry Morgan and the council that, having heard of the inhuman treatment
of his fellow Protestants in France, he had resolved to send back his
ship and pay what was due under his contract; and he petitioned for
leave to reside with the English and have English protection. The
Council, without much inquiry as to the petitioner's antecedents,
allowed him to take the oath of allegiance and settle at St. Jago, while
his cargo was unloaded