Le doute a longtemps pesé sur l'identité du véritable auteur de l'Histoire générale des plus fameux pirates ; tout laisse penser aujourd'hui qu'il s'agit de Daniel Defoe.

L'authenticité de l'épisode de Libertalia, qui fait son apparition dans la quatrième édition de ce grand classique de la piraterie, ne semble pas pouvoir être soutenue.

C'est l'histoire d'une république égalitaire de pirates, proclamée sur les rives de la baie de Diego Suarez à Madagascar à la fin du XVII^e siècle à l'initiative du capitaine Misson, cadet d'une grande famille provençale, et du dominicain Caraccioli. Le crédit longtemps accordé à cet épisode controuvé illustre le pressant besoin de renouvellement qui agite l'Europe depuis le siècle des Lumières.

EXTRAIT

[Misson] stretched over to Madagascar, and coasted along this Island to the Northward, as far as the most northerly Point, when turning back, he enter'd a Bay to the northward of Diego Suares. He run ten Leagues up this Bay, and on the larboard Side found it afforded a large, and safe, Harbour, with plenty of fresh Water. He came here to an Anchor, went ashore and examined into the Nature of the Soil, which he found rich, the Air wholesome, and the Country level. He told his Men, that this was an excellent Place for an Asylum, and that he determined here to fortify and raise a small Town, and make Docks for Shipping, that they might have some Place to call their own ; and a Receptacle, when Age or Wounds had render'd them incapable of Hardship, where they might enjoy the Fruits of their Labour, and go to their Graves in Peace. That he would not, however, set about this, till he had the Approbation of the whole Company ; and were he sure they would all approve this Design, which he hoped, it being evidently for the general Good, he should not think it adviseable to begin any Works, lest the Natives should, in his Absence, destroy them ; but however, as they had nothing upon their Hands, if they were of his Opinion, they might begin to fall and square Timber, ready for the raising a wooden Fort, when they return'd with their Companions. The Captain's Motion was universally applauded, (…). (…) (…) then putting the Johannians on board the Portuguese Ship with 40 French and English and 15 Portuguese to work her, and setting Sail, they arrived at the Place where Misson designed his Settlement, which he called Libertalia, and gave the Name of Liberi to his People, desiring in that might be drown'd the distinguish'd Names of French, English, Dutch, Africans, &c. ☐ pp. 44-47