Miguel Enríquez (privateer)
| Miguel Enríquez | |
|---|---|
Capt. Miguel Enríquez
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| Born | c. 1674–80 San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Died | 1743 San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Awards | Medalla de oro de la Real Efigie |
| Piratical career | |
| Nickname | The Grand Archvillain |
| Type | Royal Privateer, Pirate Hunter |
| Allegiance | Spain |
| Years active | 1701–1735 |
| Rank | Caballero (Knight) of the Royal Effigy of Spain Captain of the Land and Seas |
| Base of operations | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Commands | Private fleet |
| Battles/wars | War of the Spanish Succession Battle of Vieques (1717) War of the Quadruple Alliance Anglo-Spanish War (1727) |
| Wealth | Over 500,000 pieces of eight (between 100 and 200 million USD by modern standards) |
D. Miguel Enríquez (c. 1674–1743), was a privateer from San Juan, Puerto Rico who operated during the early 18th century. A mulatto born out of wedlock, Enríquez was a shoemaker by occupation. After working for the governor as a salesman he was recruited to defend Puerto Rico, then a colony of the Spanish Empire, and commanded a small fleet that intercepted foreign merchant ships and other vessels dedicated to contraband. These outlaws were thriving in the waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, notably in the areas surrounding Saint Thomas, Curaçao and Jamaica. Operating during the height of the Golden Age of Piracy, his fleet was also credited with controlling the proliferation of buccaneers in the region. However, he was considered a pirate himself by the enemies of Spain, since it was common practice of the government to ignore when foreign ships were attacked. After some time operating independently, Enríquez received a letter of marque and reprisal from the Spanish Crown, this was a special permit granting him the privileges of a privateer. Corsairs from Puerto Rico were often called guardacostas, or "coast guards." They operated in the same fashion as any other pirate, the only difference was that they did it in the name of Spain, protecting imperial trade restrictions. Employing a systematic approach, Enríquez was able to become the most successful and influential Puerto Rican of his time. However, despite this, he was never able to gain the acceptance of the higher social classes, something that he strived to earn throughout his life.
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