French West India Company

Of the author, John Esquimeling, very little is known, although it is generally conceded that he was in all probability a Fleming or a Hollander, a quite natural supposition as his first works were written in the Dutch language.

He came to the island of Tortuga, the headquarters of the buccaneers, in sixteen sixty six, in the employ of the French West India Company.

Several years later this same company, owing to unsuccessful business arrangements, recalled their representatives to France and gave their officers order to sell the company's land and all its servants.

Esquimeling, then a servant of the company, was sold to a stern master by whom he was treated with great cruelty.