In 1630, 150 English settlers from Saint Kitts established a settlement linked to the Providence Island colony, which appointed Christopher Wormeley as governor in 1634.

The Spanish, alerted to Tortuga's weak defences by Irish defectors, set a 250-strong expedition in late January 1635 which captured and destroyed all French and English settlements on the island, forcing their survivors to flee.

[note 1] English, French and Dutch colonists, many of whom were buccaneers, gradually began settling Tortuga and the northern coast of Hispaniola in the early 17th century.

They engaged in the harvesting of logwood and piracy, and in 1630 were joined by approximately 150 English settlers from Saint Kitts led by Anthony Hilton.

Upon Wormeley's inauguration as governor, these and many others were required to take oaths of allegiance, whereupon Murphy and his cousin protested, leading to the latter's death and the former's defection to Cartagena (first) and Santo Domingo (later).

[9]Hereupon, Alonso de Cereceda, acting governor, convened a council of war, which resolved to 'dislodge the enemy from the said Island and punish their audacity before their greater expansion and fortification [occurs,] and because of the great [commercial] interest in the brazilwood and tobacco that they harvest and trade[,] and because it is [too] close to the route of the frigates and ships which come and go from this Island [Hispaniola] to that of Cuba[,] Cartaxena[,] and other parts[, being so located so as] to steal from these vessels.

'[9] Turrillo and 50 infantry-men set off from Santo Domingo on 4 January 1635, with four baxeles in tow, to meet Fuenmayor and his 150 lancers at their rendezvous, Port Bayaha.

A loud and confused skirmish followed, as sailors rushed to man the fort and sound the alarm, while Spaniards simultaneously prepared their attack, with most taking to the ships' cannons, while a small contingent slipped away in canoes towards the beach.

[19][13][20][21][note 9] It has been suggested that settlers who hid were 'hunted down' during Fuenmayor's sweep of the island, though a 'handful managed to conceal themselves in out-of-the-way recesses until the Spaniards [...] sailed back to San Domingo.'