| The first English invader that would set foot on our lands was John
Hawkins.
In July of 1568, commanded by Hawkins, four big ships and seven small ones appeared on the coasts of Cartagena. Hawkins sent a letter to the then Governor of Cartagena de Indias, Don Martín de las Alas, communicating he had to his disposition merchandise and slaves to start a commercial fair.
This trick had worked for the English in other cities where he entered quietly and then give the final stroke to seize the place. But the Governor de las Alas didn't fall in the trap, he denied the permission requested by the pirate and alerted the city for its defense.
Eight days of intense blocking and fire from Hawkins' squadron, during which the people in Cartagena employed the tactic of changing the places of the cannons to make believe they had a bigger artillery. Hawkins gave up and swore to come back with more power in the future, but never kept his promise. |
