1586–1629: (The Erosion of Spanish Hegemony and the Rise of Contraband): The decline of Spanish power on the island became evident in 1586 when Francis Drake…

1586–1629: (The Erosion of Spanish Hegemony and the Rise of Contraband): The decline of Spanish power on the island became evident in 1586 when Francis Drake pillaged Santo Domingo. In response to Spain’s restrictive trade monopoly, British and French ships began bypassing colonial authorities to undersell local merchants. By 1599, Samuel de Champlain observed thirteen foreign merchantmen running the embargo at Môle St. Nicolas despite the threat of execution or the galleys. This period of “sloth” and poverty among the Spanish colonists saw the island becoming a burden to the crown. In September 1629, Spanish Admiral Federico Toledo Osorio attempted to clear foreign rivals from St. Kitts, unintentionally pushing them toward the north coast of the island.