Save Sir Francis Drake

Save Sir Francis Drake

The name Sir Francis Drake reflects the highest achievements of human endeavor and humanity to native and enslaved peoples around the world.

Sir Francis Drake was the first European to visit Marin County and to bring the world’s focus to the region.

Drake was the world’s foremost sailor. He was the first person to successfully circle the globe. His entrance into the Pacific Ocean was the first by an Englishman. A skilled leader, he overcame Spanish treachery, unprovoked attacks, extremely long ocean voyages, running aground on a reef in the western Pacific and the near-mutiny led by a nobleman aboard his fleet.

Drake was a captain in the defeat of the Spanish Armada, preventing England from being invaded.

In his 1579 visit to Drakes Bay, he established friendly relations with the Coast Miwok people. Goods were exchanged, ceremonies were held, music was played and songs were sung. The Coast Miwok thought their ancestors had returned from the dead. Drake and his crew thought they were being crowned and being given the kingdom.

Drake and his chaplain, Francis Fletcher, were the first to bring the protestant faith to the future United States: the Episcopal church recognizes its first services at Drakes Bay in 1579.

After Spanish treachery at San Juan de Ulúa (Caribbean Mexico) in 1568, Drake’s actions showed his repeated building of alliances with native peoples of the world. In Panama, Drake worked with escaped Black Spanish slaves known as Cimarrons. One, Diego, joined Drake, traveled to England, then joined Drake on his voyage into the Pacific Ocean – as a free man.

Along the Pacific Coast, Drake treated Spanish and Native Americans well. Not one Spaniard was killed in months of encounters. There were only a few injuries. Not one Native American was killed or injured.
In contrast, Drake and his men were ambushed by Native Americans at Mocha in an unprovoked attack. Two Englishmen were captured and murdered. Diego was injured and would later die of his wounds. Several others suffered serious injuries. Yet, Drake refused to have his men return fire: Drake recognized that the Indians thought the Englishmen were Spaniards who often mistreated native peoples.

Captured Spaniards were treated well and released to return home – sometimes with a ship with few sails to slow their progress and aid Drake’s ability to advance ahead of Spanish intelligence – and sometimes with some silver for each man.

Along the coast, Drake freed Black Spanish slaves, three of whom arrived at Drake’s Cove as freed people.

Drake’s Golden Hind also arrived with a Spanish or Portuguese pilot, DeMorena, who chose to stay behind and walk back to Mexico – a trek which took him four years.

Later voyages saw Drake release hundreds or thousands – sometimes reported as 12,000 – of Black Spanish slaves along the Spanish Main. Many wished to travel with Drake back to England where they would be free men. (The infamous English slave trade developed long after Drake.) Drake’s enemies reported that Black people “loved” Drake.

Drake’s most uncharacteristic, violent outburst was a response to the wonton murder of Drake’s Black emissary – likely killed because of the color of the envoy’s skin offended the Spaniard.

Drake also relieved the colonists at Roanoke, bringing them back to England.

While 21st century skeptics assign terms such as “pirate,” “murderer” and “rapist” to Drake, these do not hold up to serious scrutiny. Drake was among the progressive persons of his era. It is likely he was the first to speak on behalf of native peoples and Black enslaved people in the English House of Commons.

The World Encompassed, the widely-read book about Drake’s circumnavigation was the first to bring European attention to Marin County.

The people of Marin County, Native Americans and more-recent residents, can be proud of their 16th century heritage and the friendly multi-cultural interactions which occurred here. They can hold their heads high in calling a major thoroughfare “Sir Francis Drake Boulevard” and in naming a key school “Sir Francis Drake High.”

It’s time to honor Marin County history: save Sir Francis Drake.

See www.savesirfrancisdrake.com