TheMotayas.
TheMotayas, being of a low Stature and brown Complexion, shave off the Hair of their Heads, or else pluck it up by the Roots; they are eaters of Man’s-flesh.
Not far from whose Dominions appear the MountainsPinosup in the Countrey, which abounding with Gold and Precious Stones, are inhabited by theBiheros, otherwise call’dLopos, which live under the Trees like Beasts.
TheWaianawasons.
TheTamoyes.
TheWaianawasonshave little Villages, built along a nameless River; they are a Gigantick People, but very ignorant. ThirteenPortugueseundertaking some years ago to travel through this Countrey to the South Sea, found on some Mountains abundance of Gold and Precious Stones; and amongst many strange things they saw a Crystal Mountain ten days before they came near it, over which they could not travel because of its steepness; at the foot thereof sprung a broad Stream, making a great noise. From thence travelling forward, they came to theTamoyesCountrey, the Men whereof, being well proportion’d, wore great Bunches of Feathers on their Heads: The Women, exceeding fair, had carv’d Breasts. The saidPortuguesebeing taken here, were put into Prison, and all slain and eaten, excepting one, who escap’d after this manner: Thirty thousandTamoyesfalling into the Countrey of theAmazons, by theAmericanscall’dMandiocuysyams, made a great Feast with three hundred of them, whilest the rest fled to the RiverLa Plata, where they got help from thePortuguese, who kill’d ten thousand of theTamoyes, made the rest Slaves, and releas’d their imprison’d Countreyman.
TheTocomans,Caryogs, andMaraquites.
TheTocomans, a little People, dwell betweenLa PlataandSt. Vincent.
TheCaryogspossess much Gold and Precious Stones.
TheMaraquites, by the WesternIndianssur-namedTapuiyers, that is,Wild People, are divided into seventy six sorts, all differing in their Languages; amongst which the chiefest are theArodera,Cajau,Maquaru, andPoyme, which all live without Law, Religion, setled Abodes, or Friendship with any Neighbors; and the Women Fight as well as the Men.Jacob Rabbi, who dwelt a considerable time, and convers’d amongst these People, describes their Customs thus:
Their Customs describ’d.
“Their KingJandui, sir-namedOtshicayayna, from the River which flows throughthe Countrey of theTapuyans, causes (it he thinks fit) to be publish’d through the whole Camp of the Enemy, whither he will go the next Morning, and what he will do all the Day following, having first consulted with his Council of Sorcerers. Before they march they wash their Bodies in the River; rub themselves all over with Sand, and afterwards wash it off again, then stretch themselves till all their Joynts crack, run to the Fire, and when throughly warm, scratch their Bodies with certain Fish-Teeth, insomuch that the Blood gushes out of several places, all which they judge to be good against wearisomness. About a Stones-cast from the King’s Tent lie two thick Logs, a large Stride one from the other, against which the whole Multitude stand divided into two Parties, each of whom chuse the strongest Man accounted amongst them to carry the Log for a Wager, and when these two are tir’d, they are releas’d by others, and he that comes last to the appointed place with the Log, is laugh’d at by the Party to which he belong’d that was there first, where they all stay for the Youths that bring their Arms, which when they have deliver’d, they all fall to work, cutting down Trees, breaking off the Boughs, sticking them in the Ground, and tying them together on the top for Tents, which are built in rows one against another, leaving a broad Path between. Mean while the Women and Children coming with their Baggage, the Men run to Fish and Hunt, or to seek Honey. The old Women dig up Roots, which stamp’d serve them for Bread, whilest the young Women help one another to prepare the Meat in the Huts. Moreover the Men spend their time in several Exercises, as Wrestling and Running, of which two Women, appointed for that purpose, are the Judges. When the Evening draws on upon them, then the Youths dividing themselves into Companies, go Singing from one Tent to another, and are follow’d by the Maids Dancing and Leaping, every one standing behind him whom she loves best; and this is look’d upon as a singular sign of affection. When a young Man is inclin’d to Marry, he carries Honey and Venison to his Mistresses Father, who if he hath more than one Daughter acquaints the Soothsayers with it, who inform the King concerning it; he then causes all the young Men and Maids to be call’d together out of the Camp, sends them into the Woods to Hunt out a wild Beast, which they no sooner see, but they return and acquaint the Multitude therewith, who immediately surrounding the Place, soon catch the Beast, whose Entrails they pull out and throw to the Dogs, and give the Flesh to the Women to roast, which when ready they make merry with, Singing and Dancing after they have eaten; then if the Youth hath behav’d himself well in pursuing of the wild Beast, the King grants him the Maid which he desires for his Wife: Four days before the Wedding they bore a Hole through each of the Bridegrooms Cheeks with a sharp piece of Wood, which done they solemnize the Marriage; at which the King himself distributes the Meat to every Guest as he thinks fit; after Dinner they extol the Mothers Care, in preserving her Daughters Virginity for the Bridegroom in strange Songs. If a Maid be Marriageable, and no Suitor comes to her, then the Mother draws red Strokes under her Eyes, and conducts her to the King, who sets the Maid down by him on a Mat, warms his Hands against the Fire, then stroaks himself and the Maid, and also blows Tobacco-Smoak on her and himself, which done, he performs the part of a Husband with her. But their making Holes through their Ears and Lips is done whilest they are Children, after this manner: The Boys who undergo this Ceremony, come to the Place appointed, where the whole Multitude Dance and Sing, and the Conjurers (who are the onely Priests they have) sit in two rows opposite to one another;one of them starting up, takes a Boy by the Head, ties him Hand and Foot that he cannot stir at all; which done, a second Sorcerer comes to his assistance, and with a sharp-pointed Stick bores Holes through his Ears and Lips, whilest the Mother of the Boy makes a sad Lamentation. Women refuse to have any familiarity with their Husbands as soon as they perceive themselves to be with Child; and as soon as any Woman is Deliver’d, she runs into a neighboring Wood, where with a Shell she cuts off the Childs Navel, which boyling she eats with the After-birth; then washes her self and the Child every Morning and Evening in cold Water; as long as she gives Suck her Husband lies not with her, unless it be a Man that hath but one Wife. If a Woman commit Adultery, her Husband beats her out of his House, but if he takes her in the Act, it is lawful for him to kill both. In the middle of the King’s Tent stands a greatCalabashfull of Stones call’dKehnturah, cover’d with the corner of a Mat, which none dares approach without the King’s leave, unless it be to smoak the same with Tobacco, or to lay Venison or Honey before it.”
Strange manner of curing the Sick amongst theTapuyans.
It is also remarkable how the Sorcerers deal with their Sick; the aforesaidJacob Rabbi, in Eye-witness relates, That the KingDrarughbeing extreamly troubled with pains in his Sides and Legs, and finding no help amongst his Sorcerers, who pretended to be Physicians, went to the neighboring King of theTapuyans, where three undertook to cure him, which they did after this manner: One of them blew Tobacco-smoak on his Body, suck’d his Knees, roar’d like a Lyon, and after much ado vomited a little Eel into his Hand, which he pretended had put the King to so much pain; whilest the second suck’d his Belly, and also roar’d exceedingly, and vomited forth at last a Stone, on which appear’d a Rose; the third suck’d his left Side, till he vomited something like a Root; after which the King is said immediately to have recover’d.
Their Feasting in honor of the Stars.
There is but little Ceremony of Religion to be found amongst theTapuyans, onely they shew Reverence to the Seven-stars when the Fruits of the Field are ripe, after this manner: First they spend three days in Dancing and Singing, then the Youths prepare themselves to Fight with Lances and Clubs, tie tough Twigs about their Legs, pour Honey on their Heads, tie their Hair behind in Knots after it is powder’d with red Powder, Paint their Faces and Bodies with several Colours, stick a long Feather in their Necks betwixt their Hair, and on their Heads set Garlands of red Feathers pleited, down their Backs hang Bundles of Branches like Tails, and have their Arms adorn’d with the Wings of the BirdKosetug; thus dress’d they fight three days, at the end whereof the Conquerors shew great joy.
It deserves special observation what the LearnedGerard Vossiusrelates of them from the Mouth ofChristopher Arcisseusky, aPolishNobleman, famous for his heroick Exploits for theUnited NetherlandsinBrasile.
Arcisseusky’s Relation of the Manners of the new Married.
“TheTapuyans(saith he) are a People that range up and down, never staying long in one place, betweenSiaraandMeranthon, a vast Tract of Land, and go almost naked, having onely a slight Covering about their Middle. When theHollandersgave them Clothes, they admir’d the strange Fashion thereof, and after two days return’d them again: In their Lips, Nostrils, Ears and Cheeks they hung Ornamentals of Wood, Bones, Feathers, or Stones; a great Club, and a strong Bowe made of hard Wood serve them for Arms; Gold and Silver they esteem’d not, wherefore they barter’d whole Chests full (buried there by thePortugueseand discover’d by them) with theHollandersfor Greyhounds: They judge themselves to be better than other Man-eaters, because they eat not the Flesh of their Enemies, but of their own Relations, and those neither kill’d in the Wars,nor dying a natural Death; by which they pretend to express their exceeding love to the Deceased, who else would, say they, be eaten by the Worms and rot, wherefore they rather chuse to eat them, that they may receive the nourishment themselves.”
The same Author relates also, That he saw aTapuyanyield up the Ghost not far from the CastleRio Grande, after which his nearest Relations taking the Body, wash’d the same, together with the Entrails, and cutting the Corps into several pieces, roasted the same on a Spit, preserving the Fat that dropt from it in Pans, and eat the Flesh with a greedy Appetite. None were admitted to this Feast but his chief Relations; and that which they could not eat, as the Hair, Teeth, Nails, and Bones, they burnt to Ashes, which gathering up they mix’d with their Liquor till it was all drunk up.
The Religion of theTapuyans.
TheTapuyansacknowledge two Deities, the one good and the other bad; to the good they shew no Reverence, because, say they, he is bountiful of himself, and doth them no hurt; whereas on the contrary they zealously call upon their Devil-Deity, because they think he destroys all those who worship him not.
Their foretelling of things to come.
They never Travel nor go to War before they have consulted with their angry God, and that not without great Ceremonies; whereupon they ascribe to themselves the knowledge of future things; and indeed they often foretel future things which are beyond humane apprehension; as a testimony whereof that may serve whichSapo Amama, aFriezlandGentleman, found by experience: for he keeping Guard beforeConjahuwith a Troop of Horse against thePortuguese, had severalTapuyansin his Service, who foretold, That the following day the LieutenantAmamaand a Trooper should be kill’d by a Shot from a great Gun; which, though slighted, was confirm’d by the exact fulfilling of the Prediction. The like Passages hapned daily, and amongst manyArcisseuskyrelates one very remarkable Accident,viz.He remov’d a considerable number of Men of the GarrisonRio Grande, to surprize theSpanishFortBarra-Canium, and nothing could more promote the Design than secrecy; but fiftyTapuyanshaving joyn’d with theHollanders,Arcisseuskyfear’dthey might discover his Plot, wherefore he charg’d them that they should not stir a foot from his Company, which they accordingly promis’d, and having march’d three days through By-ways, they daily perform’d their Devotion in open view, andArcisseuskydesir’d that they would call him when their Devil appear’d, which they granted, on promise that he should not do him any hurt: On the third day the Army being sufficiently refresh’d, he being call’d, found theTapuyanssitting in a Semi-Circle, with their Feet spread asunder; opposite to them sat their Priest on the Ground, whom they ask’d concerning all manner of Affairs, and he question’d them again, on which they gave their several Answers, but could not be understood for want of Interpreters, for those whom theHollandersus’d spake only two Languages, one of which is us’d commonly by theBrasiliansalong the Sea-Coast, and the other by thePortuguese, in which they Interpreted to theHollandersas much as possibly they could understand of what theTapuyanssaid, whose Language differs very much from the vulgarBrasileTongue, because they live up in the Inland, and are divided into divers Tribes, so that the Interpreters could not understand theTapuyans, but judg’d their meaning more by nodding of the Head, and the like signs: after the Assembly had done speaking, the Priest rose up and went out of their sights into the Wood, where with a loud voice he call’d three times upon the Devil; but he not answering, the Priest return’d to his Company, who began their Questions and Answers afresh, which could not be understood by the Interpreters; and soon after the Priest (seeming to be commanded by the rest) went again to the Wood, but calling still in vain, return’d; then going a third time, and calling as before, was by a small, but shrill Voice, answer’d from the middle of the Wood, from which theTapuyansconcluded that their Business would come to perfection, and that the Devil would soon appear to them: The Priest hereupon going backwards and forwards three times one after another to his Company, they began to talk as before; at last going into the Wood again, they all spoke louder, and with more vehemency than before, whilest the fore-mention’d shrill Voice approached nearer and nearer, and at last the supposedDæmoncame forth with the Priest, who commanded him to sit opposite to the Congregation, which had a great deal of Discourse, and sometimes the Priest speaking was answer’d by the Devil in his shrill Voice; but some of the People calling aloud, catch’d up their Arms, and threatned to beat the Devil, as they often us’d to do upon the like occasions. At the departure of theDæmon, the Multitude conducted by the Priest into the Wood, cry’d out in so terrible a manner, that they affrighted theHollanders, who judg’d it rather to be Lyons and Tygers that roar’d than Men. During these Transactions, aGermanSoldier in the Rere quitted his Arms and fled, but being miss’d was pursu’d, found in a Hedge, and laid Hold on as a Person suspected to carry Advice to theSpaniards, and being brought beforeArcisseuskyand Examined, gave such ridiculous Answers as increas’d the suspicion, insomuch that he was led to a Tree to be tortur’d; where as he stood ty’d he solemnly declar’d, That the reason of his running away, was because he had not Pray’d in ten years, so that he was exceedingly afraid, lest when he saw the Devil amongst theTapuyans, he would have known him, and carry’d him away to the Place prepar’d for all such Wretches.
The Imposture.
The LearnedGerard Vossiusmade a particular Enquiry after this Story, whether the Spirit’s appearance were a Reality, or an Imposture; and the truth is it was no better than a subtile Cheat, and so it was apprehended byArcisseusky, who not long after, on a convenient time, ask’d theTapuyanswhy they feign’d him to be a Devil that was a Man, whom he had often seen before? which they denying, affirm’dthat it was a real Devil; butArcisseuskyknew their pretended Friend, who spake so shrill by reason of a Grass-blade which he held in his Mouth. However, though the main of the Fable was acted by Man, yet the Devil without doubt play’d his part with them, as appear’d by those Predictions, which no Man could possibly know,viz.That thePortugueseFort should with the loss but of three Men fall into theHollandershands; for so accordingly it hapned. But because the Devil cannot foresee all things, therefore they often erre; for they said that theHollandersshould cross the Moat on Boards nail’d together in stead of a Bridge, and that the Enemy should not perceive it; and indeedArcisseuskyhad resolv’d so to do, but was discover’d by thePortuguese, who defended themselves with great Guns, which so affrighted theTapuyans, not us’d to such a noise, that they ran away and never return’d, so that by Morning the Fort was conquer’d, and all things quieted.
A pleasant Story betweenArcisseuskyand aTapuyanPriest.
After thisArcisseuskyburnt severalPortugueseShips in the RiverMonguoape, and kept one, carrying ten Demi-Culverins, laden with Sugar andSpanishWine; which to carry to a safe Harbor a short Way, he requir’d theTapuyansassistance; but they refus’d to enter, pretending the Ship would perish by some or other unfortunate Accident, which accordingly hapned as they had said; for the Ship was split against a Rock in the Mouth of a narrow Haven, insomuch that nothing of it was sav’d; all which theTapuyansknew beforehand by the Devil’s information, for they never go upon any Business of consequence before they have consulted with him, and done him worship. Yet, it seems, they cannot secure this Devil of theirs from the Stripes of a Mortal, as appears by this pleasant Story: ATapuyanPriest was promis’d a Shirt fromArcisseusky, upon condition the Devil should pull the same out of his Hand and carry it up in the Air: TheTapuyanliking the Proposal, promis’d immediately to call the Devil; but whenArcisseuskydesir’d leave to Drub him with a Stick which he had in his Hand, he could by no means perswade the Priest to call for hisDæmon; at which every one began to laugh: and to carry on the Mirth farther,ArcisseuskyJoking with the Priest, said,I will shew you that I am a greater Artist than you, for to Morrow I will bring it about by my Art, that great Horns shall grow on your Head, so big, that you shall not be able to pass these Doors; which so affrighted theTapuyans, that all of them fled, onely the Priest return’d the next day with an Interpreter toArcisseusky, desiring him that he would use him mercifully, and not cause any Horns to grow on his Head.
At the time whenJacob Rabbiconvers’d amongst theTapuyans, they were Govern’d byJanduy, a Man of above a hundred years old, whose chief Seat was on each side of the RiverOtschunogh, and round about the LakeIgtug, in which none durst Swim, because of the many biting Fishes in the same.
The KingPritigabahaving entred into a strict League withJanduy, Warr’d continually against the KingsArygpoygh,Wanasewasug,Tshering, andDremenige; and had not thePortuguesetaken the four last into their Service to aid them against theHollanders, they could never have held out long against the Forces sent byJanduy, who destroy’d Man, Beast, and Houses, sparing nothing they met with; for they murther and destroy all things where e’re they come.
Brasileby whom possess’d at present.
The several Nations that now possessBrasile, besides its native Inhabitants, arePortuguese,English,Hollanders,Germans, andFrench, which theBrasiliansby a general Name callAjuru-juba; otherwise they call all StrangersCaraibaorPero. But from the commixing of several Nations proceeds a fifth sort, for one that is born ofEuropeanParents inBrasileis call’dMozombo; of anEuropeanFather andBrasilianMother,Mameluc; of anEuropeanFather and aMoor,Mulatto; of aBrasilianandMoor,Curiboca, orCabocles; of twoNegro’s,Criolo. But above all others thePortuguesearethe strongest along the Sea-Coast, who when first they began to settle onBrasile, found great resistance; and had not the Natives been at Wars amongst themselves, they could never have got so much footing, but now they are sufficiently Masters; for they have either slain all the old Inhabitants, or driven them up into the Inland: However, theBrasiliansare so valiant, that they will Encounter a great Army, being brought up in the Wars from their Cradle. When they Engage one with another they shoot their Arrows exceeding thick, Hooting, Hollowing, and Leaping from one side to the other to shun the Arrows with a wonderful dexterity: The Conquerors spare none, but kill all, and Feast on the slain Bodies; but some they hale away Prisoners with a Rope about their Necks, to each of whom they allot a young Maid, who cherishes and fattens them up for five Moneths, at the end of which they make a great Feast, and drink to a pitch beyond Sense or Reason, having first fill’d their Bellies with the Flesh of the slain Prisoners roasted. If the Woman be got with Child by the Slain, they imagine that they can take no greater revenge of their Enemy, than to devour the Child as soon as it comes into the World; but it often happens, that the Woman really loving her Husband the Prisoner, runs away with him, and so bereaves her Friends of a Banquet.
Places of note in thePræfectureofSt. Vincent.
The continual Wars which thePortuguesehave maintain’d against theBrasilians, have hindred them from Setling any where but along the Sea-side, where their Residences are divided into thirteenPræfecturesor Lordships, by them call’dCapitanias; the Southermost whereof being 1.St. Vincent, hath a City of the same Denomination, which lies near a River that coming out of the Ocean runs round in the Countrey, and so returns into the Sea.
2.Sanctos los Leyes, which reckons four hundred Houses and three Sugar-Mills. Here great Ships take in their Lading in the middle of the City.
3.Hitauhacin, the most Southern, is inhabited by thePortuguese. Twelve Leagues from thence up into the Countrey theJesuitshave built the VillageSt. Paulo, near the Gold-Mines that lie in the Mountains, extending from East to West thirty Leagues. This Village, long since containing eighty Houses, is inhabited byBrasiliansand a mix’d People; the Way thither is troublesom, over rough Mountains, and Ways overgrown with Brambles.
On the IslandBritioga, at a sandy Inlet which makes a good Harbor, lies a Fort for defence of the HavenSt. Vincent: and since theEnglish,Anno 1582.sunk a Ship there, a second Fort hath been built to prevent the coming in up the River; yet notwithstanding CaptainThomas Candishran by both the Forts, and burntSt. Vincent, but spar’dSanctos.
Before the River which washesSt. Vincent, appears the IslandSebastian, pretty large, wooddy, and well stor’d with Venison; It hath wholsom Water, good Herbage, and a secure Road for Ships against all Winds.
Farther into the Sea appears the high and rocky IslesAlcatraces, as alsoVictorio des Busires,Porto des Castellanos,Monte de Frigo,Muella, andQueimadas.
The Nature of theTupinikinsi, Natives ofSt. Vincent.
The Natives ofSt. Vincent, which are in League with thePortuguese, are call’dTupinikinsi, inhabiting the Mountains which extend above twenty eight Leagues up into the Countrey: They maintain continual Wars against theCarioes, a civiliz’d People, and white of Complexion, as also against theCupin Imbason the North,and a nameless People bordering onPeru. Moreover, theMiramumins, a very wild People, range all the Countrey over, but are much lessen’d since thePortuguesesArrival.
First Discovery and Possession ofRio de Janeiro.
The second LordshipRio de Janeiro, formerly by theFrenchcall’dGanabara, was discover’dAnno 1515.byJuan Dias de Solis; but theFrenchfirst Setled themselves here forty years afterDias de Solis: for setting Sail fromHavre de Gracewith three well Mann’d Ships, Commanded byNicholas Durandus Villegagnon, they arriv’d atRio JaneiroinNovember, and at the Entrance into the River, which is about half a League broad, built a woodden Fort of a hundred Foot long, and sixty broad, and giving it the Name of theFrenchAdmiralColigni, put several Guns into the same to secure the Entrance, inclos’d on each side by two steep Mountains. In the River, which is very broad, lie several wooddy Isles, on one of which, near the FortColigni,VillegagnonSetling himself, suffer’d great Inconveniences for want of Water, because he durst not Land on the Main, for fear of being surpris’d by the Natives. Here he stay’d a year and a half in a deplorable Condition, whenPhilip CorguilerayandDu Pontset Sail with three Ships from the HavenHonfleurs; but they also, though they had many Men, yet were ill stor’d with Provisions, insomuch that Hunger increas’d amongst them daily: whereforeVillegagnonreturn’d home without any farther Exploits.
Jean Lerihis Description thereof.
Jean Leri, who went withCorguileray, describesRio Janeiroafter this manner:
“The River (saith he) lies twenty three Degrees Southward of theEquinoctial Line; the Inlet of the Sea, twenty four thousand Paces broad, and in some places broader, is hemm’d in by hills; the Mouth of the Inlet is somewhat dangerous, by reason of three rocky Isles; beyond the large Bay is a narrow Channel, on the left-hand whereof there rises a high Mountain, which theFrenchcall’dLe Pot de Beure, because it resembles a Butter-pot. Somewhat farther lies the RockRatier, whereVillegagnonthought to build a Fort, but the Water in stormy Weather washing over the Rock, he was forc’d to give over his Design. Half a League farther is an Island a thousand Paces in length, and a hundred and fifty in breadth, surrounded with Rocks, on which theFrenchresided: at each end of the Isle rises a Hill, and from the middle a Rock sixty Foot high; on the HillVillegagnonpitcht his Tent till he had built him a handsom House on a Rock; the other Houses were built in the Valley. Three Leagues and a half farther lies a fruitful Isle nine Miles in circumference, inhabited by a salvage People call’dTouoebinambauti: there are several other Isles, on which breed good Oysters with little Pearls, which stick so fast to great Stones, that they can scarce be pluckt off. The RiverJaneiroabounds with Fish.”
Towns and Places of chief note.
TheFrenchonce possess’d this Island, but were dispossess’d byEmanuel de Sa, Governor ofBrasile, for thePortuguese.
The CitySebastian, which contains three hundred Houses, is built on the Southern Point ofJaneiro; opposite to which, on the Northern Point, lies the Fort; a large Church, theJesuitsCloyster, and two Sugar-Mills, give no small lustre to the City, where the chief Trade consists inBrasileWood and Cotton. TheFrenchStorm’d this TownAnno 1581.but march’d off without any success.Dirk Ruiters, an Eye-witness, gives us this Description ofSebastian:
“The Town (says he) lies two Leagues up the RiverJaneiro, in a Bay, about which it is built like a Semi-Circle in a sandy Soil along the Water, and is about a Mile long; at each end rise steep Mountains, besides which it hath neither Walls nor Gates; but its strength consists of four Forts, the chiefest whereof stands towards the East on a Rock in the Mouth of the River; the second towards the West, an Isle which on the South-East rises with a Mountain resembling a Sugar-Loaf: the third crowns a Rock South-East from the Town; and the fourth, in the North-West, a high Mountain. The Natives, call’dTououpinambauti, are very serviceable to thePortuguese.”
Besides the fore-mention’d TownsColigniandSt. Sebastian, some make mention of another in thisPræfecture, call’dAngra de los Reyes, twelve Leagues distant fromSt. SebastianWestward.
The Burroughs of the Natives are populous, but neither strong by Nature, nor fortifi’d, and so not by any one thought worthy the naming.
Description of the LordshipDe Spirito Sancto.
Next toRio Janeirolies the Lordship or CountyDe Spirito Sancto, exceedingSeveral strange sorts of Fish.fruitful, having divers Woods abounding with Venison. The RiversParayva,Manangea,Itapemeri,Iritibi, andGuarapari, are stor’d with all sorts of Fish, and amongst others the FishPiratiapua, which in the Winter Moneths lives in the Rivers, and against the Summer returns to the Rocks wash’d by the Ocean. This Fish hath a wide Mouth full of Teeth, a reddish Tongue, little Fins, except those on their Backs, divers colour’d Scales, yet most of a dark Red, and generally weighs fifty Pound.
Here is also the FishParu, full of yellow Scales like Half-Moons over a black Skin; it hath long Fins near the Tail, and a little Head.
No less remarkable is theGuebucu, which hath a long Body, a sharp bonie Snout, the upper Jaw reaching over the other, no Teeth, a Tail divided in the middle, sharp Fins on the Back, and a Skin full of Silver-colour’d Prickles. This Monster not onely devours great Fishes, but also Men; when it is hungry it often runs its Snout through the side of a Ship.
But there is no Fish more deform’d than theAbacatuaja, which being oval and flat, hath two long Fins underneath, and one on the top, a divided Tail, green Fins, a smooth Skin, and fiery Eyes; as soon as it is taken it cries like a Hog.
The SerpentBoiguacu.
In this County stands a Town of the same Denomination, which contains two hundred Houses, a Sugar-Mill, and a Cloyster ofJesuits, and drives a great Trade in Cotton andBrasileWood. Before the City lies an Inlet full of Isles, the Mouth of which is guarded by a Castle. The Natives, call’dMaigaias, are in League with thePortuguese, but theTapuyansandApiapetangasdo them all the mischief they can possibly; so that thePortuguesetravel in great danger of their lives, when any Business calls them, through the Countrey of these salvage People. But besides these People, the Way is pester’d with strange wild Beasts, especially on the MountainMestre Alvaro, which is seen at a great distance off at Sea; on which, amongst other Creatures, breeds the terrible SerpentBoiguacu, whose length is generally twenty four Foot; it is of an Ash colour, with great and small black Spots, with a little white Speck in the middle; when hungry, it leaps out of the Hedges, or from the tops of Trees, raises it self upright on its Tail, and winding about either Man,Beast, or whate’re it be, squeezes it to death, or puts its Tail, which ends in a sharp Point or Sting, in at the Fundament in such a manner, that it kills the Creature on which it seizeth in a moment, and then swallows it up. This Serpent hath strong Ribs inwardly, and more than seventy bonie Joynts; wherefore it turns it self with great ease; the Joynt-bones near the Head are the biggest, and grow smaller and smaller towards the Tail: It also feeds on Pismires.
The BirdJabicu-guacu.
This County also breeds the BirdJabicu-guacu, which exceeds the Crane in bigness, and hath a long thick Bill, but no Tongue; on his Head appears a white grisly Crest or Mitre; the Wings and Tail are short, and the Feathers most of them white, except the Pinions, which shine like Rubies; their Flesh is of a good rellish, but somewhat dry.
Near the River which washes the CitySpirito Sancto, theParaibesdwell in Huts, not unlike Ovens.
Description ofPorto Seguro.
Next to the fore-mention’d County bordersPorto Seguro, discover’d byPedro Alvares Capralis, who gave this Countrey the Name ofTerra de Santa Cruiz, but afterwards chang’d it toPorto Seguro, because he found a secure Harbor there. The Town, built on the top of a white Rock, gives its Denomination to the whole Countrey, and harbor’d long since two hundred and twenty Families, and hath five Sugar-Mills. The Land on the North side of the Rock rises high, but Southwardly a smooth Coast runs along the Ocean, from which two Leagues off at Sea lie several Cliffs, against which the Waves break with a great force.
The TownsSanta CruizandAmaroare left desolate, because thePortuguesewere continually Invaded by the salvageAymures, whom they were not able by any means to repress.
Southward fromPorto Seguroappear the ShoalsAbrolhos, twenty six Leagues from the Coast; they are of one breadth, but one is longer than the other.
Remakable Wreck of the ShipBatavia.
Corneliszoon: his villainous Attempt.
On this Coast the ShipBataviawas cast awayAnno 1629.which Accident is the more remakable for the Murders committed by the Factor,Hieronymus Corneliszoon, who with some Confederates resolv’d to run away with the Ship, and to Sail to someSpanishHaven, orDunkirk, and so to pillage theNetherlandVessels; but their Design was frustrated by the Ships running against theAbrolhos:Francis Pelsaert, chief Commander, first caus’d the Sick, with the Women and Children, to be put on an Island, or else on two Rocks about three Leagues distant from the place where the Ship lay, in which remain’d seventy Men, whomPelsaertin vain endeavor’d to carry away; for the Sea was so rough that a Boat was not able to abide in the same, and also the Storm beginning to increase, beat the Ship more and more against the Sands, and the Seamen venturing towards the Isle on pieces of Timber, were some drown’d, others by the Waves, were driven ashore, amongst whom wasHieronymus Corneliszoon, who preserv’d his Life twenty four hours on the Boltsprit after the Ship was stav’d; but not terrifi’d with such an Accident, he continu’d in his fore-mention’d Resolution. On one of the Cliffs were forty Persons with eighty Cans of Water, but on the Island a hundred and eighty with much less; upon whichPelsaert, who when the Storm ceas’d, thought to save somewhat more out of his Wrack, was necessitated to seek for fresh Water on one of the said Cliffs, but not finding enough, trimm’d up his Boat and set Sail homeward, from thence to fetch a new supply of People: During which timeCornelisszoonperform’d his Vilany; for he choseDavidofZeevang,Gysbrecht Welderen,Coenraed Huissen,Cornelis Pieterszoon,Rutger Frederickszoon, andHans Heilwerk, for his Assistants, besides several others, and destroy’d all the People on the Island, except five, who escap’d on pieces of Timber to the Rock whereWeyber Haysresided with forty Men, who being inform’d what the aforesaid Villains had done, prepar’d for resistance with sharp-pointed Sticks, those People on the second Rock being also slain byZeevang, who spared onely some Women and seven Boys; after whichHieronymus CorneliszoontookLucretia Jansfor his Wife; in like mannerHuissentookJudith Sebastiaens; the remaining Women serv’d the rest for Concubines. Not long after twenty of them going in Sloops, fell uponWeiber Hays, who valiantly resisted them: but becauseHays’s Life was of great consequence, by reason he might give notice of their Actions to the Ship which was expected fromHolland, and which they design’d to run away with, therefore they renew’d their Assault with fifteen Men more, and were again beat off; wherefore they resolv’d to make a Peace, whichHieronymus Corneliszoonpromis’d to ratifie the next day; nevertheless this Peace was but feigned, for under pretence thereof they deliver’d Letters to severalFrenchSoldiers that were underHays’s Command, promising each six thousandGuildersif they would joyn with them; but they shew’d the Letters toHays, who keeping it secret, that he might draw onHieronymus Corneliszoon, not mistrusting the Discovery, to come thither at the appointed time, took him Prisoner, and caus’dZeevang,Huissen,Welderen, andCornelis Pieterszoonto be put to death; butWouter Loosmaking his escape, was chosen chief of the Rebels, who ventur’d a fourth Assault, but returning without any effect left off making any farther Attempt. Mean whilePelsaertarriving with theSardamFrigat fromHolland, sent a Boat ashore, which by a little Skiff dispatcht byHays, was inform’d of all the Passages; whereupon the Boat returning,Pelsaertas he was putting himself into a posture of Defence, espy’d a Sloop coming about the Southern Point of the Island, in which were eleven of the Rebels clad in Scarlet with Silver Lace, which making directly towards the Ship, as soonas they came up, were commanded to throw away their Arms over-board; which having done, and coming aboard the Frigat, they were all put in Irons, as also their remaining Party, and condemn’d to die.
Opposite to theAbrolhoson the Main Coast, a plain Countrey extends it self thirty Leagues in length, inhabited by theOuetacates, a cruel People, who continually either destroy one another, or else make sad slaughters amongst their Neighbors.
The CountyPorto Segurobelongs to theSpanishDuke ofAvero, but is very much decay’d.
The BeastCapybara.
The RiversMoucuripe,Caruvelas, andLucuru, breed abundance of Water-Hogs call’dCapybara, which have short Feet, Bristles and Ears, a thick Body and Head, with a bearded Snout, besides two Tusks, and twenty four lesser Teeth in each Jaw, but no Tail; they feed on Grass and Bushes in whole Herds on the Shore, and make a terrible noise; and though they cannot run fast, yet they dive and swim extraordinary quick.
TheTapiirete.
TheTapiiretealso resembles a Hog, especially in its Head and Feet, but is as big as a Heifer of six Moneths old, hath a Snout hanging over its under Lip, a Mouth full of Teeth, and on its Skin short and dark colour’d Hair. This Beast is very libidinous, and in the Nights spoils the Fruit-Trees, especially the Sugar-Canes, but in the Day-time it sleeps in Thickets. The Flesh of a youngTapiiretetastes like Beef.
Lastly, the Inhabitants ofPorto Seguroare plentifully supply’d with Rabbets, and the more, because there being divers sorts of them, (some say five) they are taken in great abundance, either in Traps, Snairs, or Gins, or by discovering their Holes; for the Hunters stopping the entrance of them, dig a Hole directly over the place where the Coneys lodge, and so kill them with long Pike-staves in the Ground.
Five sorts of Rabbets inBrasile.
Of these five sorts of Rabbets inBrasile, the chiefest, call’dPaca, hath a thick Head, little Ears, their fore-Feet bigger than their hind-Feet, short, hard, and brown Hair, speckled grey on the Sides, but no Tail: The Flesh of this sort of Rabbets is very delicate.
The second sort is theTupesi, which being like a Hare amongst us, may as well be accounted of that kind.
TheAgutiresembles our Rabbets, onely it hath harsh brown Hair, round Ears, bald Feet, gruntles like a Hog, hath two Toes more on their hind-Legs than on the foremost.
TheCavia Cobaya, though less than theEuropeanRabbets, excell them in soft and divers-colour’d Hair, distinguish’d by white, red, and black Spots; their Head and Teeth resemble those of a Rat, but it hath no Tail: No Rabbets can be made tamer than these, and if carry’d to any remote Countrey, breed as well there as inBrasile.
The last of all is theAparea, which differs little in running from a Hare, as also in respect of the Head and Beard, harbors more in rent Cliffs than in sandy Ground.
The TreeTucum.
The Soil ofPorto Segurobears two sorts of Palm-Trees,viz.theTucumandAiri; theTucumhath small Boughs full of prickly Leaves, and a fruit not unlike the Damask Prune, hanging in Clusters of three or four hundred together; and being excellent Food to fatten Hogs and Apes; also when press’d yielding a clear Oyl, which is highly esteem’d: the Fruit when ripe grows black without, and within hath a white Kernel: of the Leaves theBrasiliansspin fine and strong Thred.
TheAirigrows much higher than theTucum, and hath also longer Leaves, a Body full of sharp Thorns, and a round Fruit full of white and oylie Pulp, but not eatable; the Wood hard, heavy and black, sinks in the Water, and theBrasiliansmake their Clubs of the same.
The BirdCocoi.
Along the Rivers flie the BirdsCocoi, resembling Herons, though in beauty they far exceed them; they have but little Flesh, long sharp Bills, of a yellowish green colour, and curious Crests of Feathers on their Heads, which fall back over their Necks; their Flesh when young is delicate.