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Africa and the Slave Trade
Early on [when?], Jean-Baptiste began a career in the French merchant marine through the Indies Company [which Indies?] and later with the Compagnie du Sénégal, which was created in the early 1670s by Louis XIV out of the bankrupt French West Indies Company (which ceased operations in 1674).The Compagnie du Sénégal was granted royal privileges to purchase slaves and trade goods along Africa’s western coast between Cap Blanc and the Cape of Good Hope. He began as a ship’s clerk (écrivain) keeping records, but soon progressed to the rank of captain on slave ships sailing between Africa and the Caribbean.[citation needed]

His political vision, capacity for command, and desire to distinguish himself caught the attention of Jean-Baptiste Colbert, France’s Naval Secretary and Minister of the Colonies, among other prominent appointments. Colbert brought du Casse under the direct service of the King and in 1677 appointed him Governor of the western coast of Africa as the Director of the Compagnie du Sénégal. As such, he was given an 8 year contract granting him privileges to sell 2,000 slaves each year to the French Caribbean, all of whom were destined for plantation labor. This made him one of the first major actors in the French slave trade.

He went into the slave trade with the Compagnie de Sénégal, sailing between Africa and the Caribbean. With the money he earned from the slave trade he bought a ship in Saint-Domingue and began a career as a privateer. He eventually sailed to France and offered half of his loot to the Crown; for this he was appointed Lieutenant in the French Navy by Louis XIV.

War of the League of Augsburg
In 1687 he tried to conquer Elmina, and in June 1689 he attacked Berbice and Fort Zeelandia in Surinam.

In 1691, he was appointed governor of Saint-Domingue, and gained the respect of the buccaneers of the island. In the following months he plundered the English colonies in the vicinity, including Port Royal which had just been struck by a devastating earthquake.

In 1697, under Baron de Pointis he successfully raided the South American city of Cartagena, but did not receive the promised 1/5 share of the loot. He then sailed to France, to claim his share from King Louis XIV in person. In fact he and his men received a compensation of 1.4 Million Francs. Furthermore he was promoted to admiral and made a knight in the order of Saint Louis.

War of the Spanish Succession
In later years he performed and committed a number of notable acts. In 1702, he defeated John Benbow near Santa Marta in what is known as the Action of August 1702. Two years later he fought in the vanguard on the Intrépide during the Battle of Vélez-Málaga. In 1708, while in Spanish service, he commanded the Spanish treasure fleet during its annual voyage, suffering very few losses (a rarity at the time). For this he was awarded the Order of the Golden Fleece, the highest Spanish award possible.

In 1714, he commanded the French fleet during the Siege of Barcelona.

Governorship of Saint-Domingue
He was Governor of Saint-Domingue from 1691-1703. During his 12 years as Governor he was a strong proponent of sugar cultivation.

Post-Naval
He died on June 25, 1715 in the spa town of Bourbon-l'Archambault, Auvergne, France while he was “taking the waters” of the hot springs there.

In Popular Culture
In the video game Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Du Casse's "nephew" serves as one of the antagonists. In the game, his name is Julien, and is 33 at his time of death in 1715.