Situation and Description ofLos Isleos.
NextPorto Seguroborders the CountreyLos Isleos, so call’d from its chief Town, which consists of a hundred and fifty Houses, (or perhaps by this time many more) eight Sugar-Mills, a Cloyster for theJesuits, and a Church. The Inhabitants live by Tillage, and Transporting of Provisions in little Barks toPernambuco.
Seven Leagues farther in the Countrey, beyond the Town ofIsleos, lies a nameless Lake three Leagues long, as many broad, and above ten Fathom deep, and full of the FishManati, which are very large and well tasted, besides abundance of Crocodiles; and in windy Weather the Water is as rough as if it were in the Ocean. Out of this Lake flows a River by a Passage so narrow, that a Boat can scarce pass through the same.
Round about this River live theGuaymures, the most salvage People of allAmerica; they are of a Gigantick size, have white Skins, carry exceeding great Bowes and Arrows, live without Houses like Beasts, devour Mans-flesh like Tygers, never Fight in Companies or Armies, but watch to surprize a single Man or Beast; they also eat their own Children, and possess’d formerly all the Land from the RiverSt. Franciscoto the PromontoryFrio; but beaten from thence by theTupinambasandTupinachias, they went to the CountyLos Isleos, which they Invaded in such a manner, that thePortuguesewere not onely forc’d to leave several Sugar-Mills, but also the whole Countrey.
Situation and Description ofTodos los Sanctos.
Next toIsleosbordersBahia de Todos los Sanctos, belonging to thePortuguese. The Inlet which borrows its Denomination from all the Saints, gives Name to this eminent County. The Bay great and wide, and in the middle from twelve to eighteen Fathom deep, lies in thirteen Degrees Southward of theEquinoctial Line. The Coast rises white along the Sea side. The Current according to the course of the Sun runs six Moneths towards the South, and as many towards the North. The opening of the Inlet is on the South, but it flows up Northerly, and contains two Leagues and a half in breadth; several fresh Rivers discharge their Waters into the same: The utmost and biggest IslandTapericabreaks off the Waves which come rowling in from the Ocean. Those that Sail into the same must have the Island on their left Hand, and the Main Coast on their right, which is known by a Promontory, on which the FortAntonio, and the old CityVilla Vejaare built, near a little Bay with a Foreland on the North, from which the Main Coast circling like a Half-Moon ends near the PointTapagipe, which juts out fromBahia Todos los Sanctos. The CastleTapesiepestands on the utmost Point, where the Countrey winding towards the East makes the Inlet larger, from whence a narrow Channel runs up into the Countrey, and there makes a Lake which extends North and South: from the Mouth of the Lake the Coast reaches Northward to the RiverPitanga, which comes gliding out of the East, and in its Passage receives several Streams, on whose Banks stand divers Sugar-Mills. FromPitangathe Coast extends a League Northward, then Westerly with a crooked Elbow, in whose circumference lie two nameless Isles close under the Shore; this Elbow ends in a blunt Point, about half a League from which lies the IslandMare, a League long, in the Mouth of the RiverPitanga. To the Northward from hence a River disembogues in the said Inlet. More Southerly appearsMonks-Isle, from whence the Coast extends it self Northerly, where several Islands appear at an exact distance from the Coast; the first beyond the fore-mention’d blunt Point, isBirapebiara; the next, which lies closer to the Shore,Porto Madero; next comes in view a long Island in the Mouth of a River, from whence the Countrey extends Westward, and fronts the IslandDe Fuentes, as doth also the RiverTambaria, which comes out of the North, but empties it self with a crooked Arm near the rest; from hence the Coast with two little Bays runs North-West to the StreamGeresipe, in whose Mouth, which is pretty large, appear three Isles on a row, the utmost whereof is call’dCaraibe, the middlemostPycca, the innermost hath no Name, but divides the River into two Channels; from hence the Coast bends with several Inlets, into which fall divers Rivulets towards the South, from the RiverCachoera, full of little Isles, opposite to which stand several Sugar-Mills. AgainstCachoeraappears the IslandMeve, and more SoutherlyTaperica, between the sharp PointTapagipeand the CastleAntonio. Near the fore-mention’d the CitySt. Salvadorwas built byThomas de Sosa, who weighing Anchor fromLisbon,Anno 1549.Landed safely nearVilla Veja, and about half a League from thence pitch’d upon a Hill, and took order forthwith for the erecting of his new City there, giving to each of his Followers a place to build on: theJesuitschose the large Plain where at present stands the Church Consecrated to the VirginMary; the Names of the saidJesuitswereJuan Azpilcueta,Antonio Pireo,Leonardo Nonnio,Didaco Jacobeo,Vincentio Roderigo, andEmanuel Nobrega; whilest the common People set themselves to the building of Dwelling-houses: But whenJohnthe Third, King ofPortugal, sent a Priest thither to Teach in the new Church ofMaria, the fore-mention’dJesuitsremov’d from thence to a high Hill, which they call’dThe Mountain Calvarien, whither diversBrasilianscame flocking, and pitch’d their Tents about the Cloyster, admiring their strange Neighbors.
SINUS OMNIUM SANCTORU
WhenSosaLanded on the fore-mention’d Shore, thePortuguesehad but little footing onAmerica; for their Plantations atIsleos,St. Vincent,Pernambuco,Villa Veja,Itamaraca, andPorto Seguro, discover’d byPedro Alvares Capralis,Anno 1500.were run all to ruine.
Beside the CitySt. Salvadorand the decay’d TownVilla Veja, the CityParipelies three Leagues farther into the Countrey, consisting of three thousand Families, and eighteen Sugar-Mills: The Countrey about the same produces plenty of Cotton.
The IslandTaperica, which is pretty large, hath a fertile Soil for the production of Tobacco, and Grass to fatten Cattel: The Inhabitants boyl much Train-Oyl of the Whales, which come ashore there in considerable numbers.
Twelve Leagues Southward fromSt. Salvadorappears the VillageCacocheira, formerly belonging to a richPortuguese, who took great pains in reforming the salvage PeopleGuaymuresto a civil Life; but seeing he profited but little, he caus’d great Companies of them to be remov’d toTaperica, that they might do less mischief, where the unusual and unwholsom Air kill’d them all in a short time.
The LordshipBahiahath abundance of Sugar-Mills, which are either turn’d by the Water, or drawn by Oxen.
The manner of Planting Sugar-Canes.
The WormGuirapeacopa.
The manner of making Sugar in the Sugar-Mills.
The Sugar-Canes, by theBrasilianscall’dVibaorTacomaree, grow better in a clayie and fat Soil, over which the Rivers flowing leave their Mud, than on High-lands, Hills, or Mountains; they are Planted after this manner: They first plough their Fields, weed them, and make Holes at an exact distance one from the other, into which they plant their Canes in such a manner, that the tops touch one another. The Holes before mention’d require more Earth to fill them in Summer than in Winter, that the violent Heat of the Sun may not dry up the Root, and that the Rain may the freelier come at them to moisten them, for the more moisture they have, the better they grow; they attain to their full ripeness in ten, or at most in twelve Moneths;FebruaryandMarchbeing the two last Winter Moneths, are accounted the best to Plant in, because the Earth softned by Rains, suffers the Root to shoot forth the better. The ripe Canes being cut off, are left in the Field till the following Year; during which time new Canes growing, are often ground in the Mill with the old ones; but if they stand two years, then the sweet Liquor dries up, and the Cane withers. The young Plants carefully planted in good Ground may last forty, nay fifty years; but in a barren Soil they set new every five years. Sometimes in great Droughts and extraordinary hot Seasons, the Canes are scorcht to nothing, which being burnt in the Winter, the Ashes serve to Dung the Ground; and so in like manner when the Water, overflowing the Fields, drowns the young Plants. In moist Grounds the black-wing’d Worm, call’dGuirapeacopa, (by thePortuguesenam’dPao de Galeuba) gnaws the Roots in such a manner, that the Canes die; and sometimes it happens also that the Weeds choak the young Plants; wherefore the Ground is to be weeded four times a year, till such time as the Canes are strong enough to bear against the Weeds: they cut off the ripe Canes at the lowermost Joynt, and, all the Leaves being first pull’d off, tie them up in Bundles, and bring them to the Mills, which consist of three great Iron Bars, between which the Canes are squeez’d. The Water-Mills are turn’d by the force of the Water, which in great Gutters led from high Mountains falls with exceeding force into Pools made for that purpose; after which manner, though they wind the Canes much faster, yet they get not so much Sugar as when they grind them in the Mills turn’d by Cattel: The places through which the Juice runs must be cleans’d twice in twenty four hours; the Canes put in behind between the first Bar, are turn’d into the second, and thence into the third, which successively squeezes out all the remaining Juice: The Canes thus press’d, serve for Fewel to burn; but they constantly keep such a great Fire both Night and Day, that besides those press’d Canes, they burn forty Fathom of Wood in twenty four hours, insomuch that whole Woods are consum’d in a short time: The Liquor, nam’dCaldo, runs along woodden Gutters into great Kettles, in which it is boyl’d, but if it happen to be over-boyl’d they put Water amongst it, whereby it becomes excellent Food for Horses; then they put the Liquor into a second Kettle, where it is boyl’d afresh, and also scumm’d; and for the better cleansing of it, Lime-Juyce and other things are put amongst it; then they strein it through Clothes, and give the Dross which remains in the same to the Slaves, which work for half a year together Night and Day like Horses. The Dross mix’d with Water makes also good Wine. Out of the great Kettles, by thePortuguesecall’dCaldero de Mellar, theCaldoruns into the lesser nam’dTachas, where it is boyl’d a third time, and continually stirr’d till it comes to be thick like a Syrrup, and at last to the consistence of Sugar: It may be accounted amongst the Mysteries of Nature, that while the Sugar boyls in theTachas, which are the little Kettles, they must drop Oyl amongst the Liquor, which if they should do whilest it is in the great Kettel, the Liquor would not turn to the consistence of Sugar; as on the contrary, if they should put their Lye into the little Kettles as they do into the great, the Liquor would be quite spoil’d. In their Boyling-houses stand several hundreds of Earthen Pots one by another on Planks full of Holes; which Pots they cover with moist clay, and after fourteen days knocking it out of the Pots, they separate the brown Sugar from the white, both which are laid to dry in the Sun, and put into Chests.
OLINDA DE PHERNAMBUCO
Sect. VIII.Pernambuco.
Description ofPernambuco.
Northward fromBahia de Todos los SanctosliesPernambuco, which extends along the Coast above seventy Leagues, between the RiverSt. Franciscoand the Countrey ofHamaraca.
Pernambuco, which signifiesHells-Mouth, is on the East wash’d by the Northern Ocean; in which grows a Weed much like an Oaken Leaf, and so thick, that unless it be cut to make their Way, impedes the Sailing of Ships.
Several sorts of Fish.
The Sea is also very full of Fish, which in calm Weather are visible sixty Fathom deep, and are taken in greater abundance than they are able to spend; for they no sooner let down a Bait, cover’d with Feathers and Tallow, but the Fish immediately swallowing the same, are taken.
Here are in the first place abundance ofHays, a Fish so rank and oylie, that they are not eatable, but their Brains are accounted good against the Stone.
There are also hereabouts a sort of flying Fish like Herrings, but not so big; they have Wings like Bats, which carry them above Water whilest they are wet; they swim in shoals, and are chased by all other Fishes, which endeavoring to escape by flight out of the Water, they become a prey to the Sea-pies.
The Sea-Breams are as well tasted as the flying Fish; the Mariners cover them in Salt, or stuff them within full of Salt and Pepper, and so hang them to dry in the Sun.
Pernambucoit self lying in five Degrees Southward from theEquinox, produces abundance ofBrasileWood and Sugar-Canes, which last is no properBrasilianPlant, for the first Plants thereof were by thePortuguesefirst transplanted thither from theCanaryIslands.
First Discovery.
This Countrey was first discover’d byAmericus Vesputius, who being sent thither byEmanuel, King ofPortugal, to discover the Coast between the Promontory beforeOlindaand the IslandItamaraca, and finding a split Rock and someBrasilianHuts, Landed, and ask’d the Denomination of the Coast, which he was inform’d was call’dPernambuco, which he found full of steep Mountains, inaccessible Woods, and in some places Plains and pleasant Valleys; but the chiefest thing he could find to lade his Ship with, wasBrasileWood; but being inform’d that the Soil would bear Sugar-Canes, he caus’dCanarySugar-Plants to be Set there.
Chief Towns and Places of note.
Olinda, formerly the chief City ofPernambuco, had (according toLopez) above three thousand Houses and seventy Sugar-Mills: It is built on several Hills, which on the North-side are steep and overgrown with Brambles; betwixt which in many places grow Orange-Trees.John Newhof, who arriv’d atOlindaAnno 1642. found a fewNetherlandersandSpaniardsthere, who dwelt in the ruin’d Houses. The Land-side of the City is strengthned by Hills overgrown with Brambles and Thorns, and towards the Sea-side with Earthen Walls, fortifi’d by fourteen Bulwarks and a Stone Castle, able to withstand a considerable force: The Out-works towards the South were maintain’d byJews, who from the fore-mention’d Hillscould see not onely a great way into the Ocean, but also the RiverBiberibi, which hath a Stone Bridge leading to the City, and Northerly and Westward the Way lies through great Woods and Forrests.Olindait self is divided into twenty seven large Streets, besides lesser Lanes and several Avenues, and five chief Churches,viz.Misericordia,Nostra Sennora del Emparo, andNostra Sennora de Guadalupe,San Salvador, andSan Pedro, besides two others of lesser note. On the highest Hill stands theJesuitsCloyster, built square and high, and surrounded with Walls, on whichSebastianKing ofPortugal, by the perswasion of his Uncle CardinalHenry, spent a great sum of Money, and endow’d it with annual Revenues,Anno 1571.TheCapuchinsalso built a stately Cloyster towards the East. TheFranciscansmoreover inhabited a magnificent Building, near which stood the Governors Palace. TheCarmeliteshad also a stately Edifice, whose former lustre still appears by the Ruines, where now Cattel graze; from the Hills about which may be exactly discern’dReciffa, the Promontory ofSt. Augustine, and the Castle before the Road ofReciffa: Along the Shore stood theDominicanCloyster, and in the upper part of the City the Minster, Consecrated toSt. Bento, exceeding strong both by Nature and Art; near which stoodConceptio de nostra Sennora. The FortJuan de Albuquerquestood on the South-side, from whence a Way leads you along the Shore toReciffa, where hard by the Potter’s House stood a Beacon. But sinceOlindafell into the hands of theNetherland East-IndiaCompany, they built a strong Fortress on the North near the Sea-side, where formerly a great Trade was driven with Sugar, insomuch that forty Ships have been fraighted in a day therewith fromOlinda, and still as much more remain’d in the Store-houses. The Sugar cannot be made without the help ofAfricanSlaves, and that in great numbers; forAngolaalone provided fifteen thousand four hundred and thirtyMoorsfor the Sugar-Mills aboutOlinda.
The Expedition ofLoncque.
Olindataken by theHollanders.
The FortSt. Georgetaken.
In the Years 1601, 1602, and 1623. there was sent to surprize this CityHenrick Loncque, who a little before withPeter Peterszoon Heintook theSpanishPlate-Fleet, and brought it away fromMatanca. In the middle ofJune, Anno 1629.Loncqueweighed Anchor from theGoereanRoad, and between greatCanaryandTeneriffhe was Engag’d (having but eight Sail) with fortySpanishShips, Commanded byFrederick de Toledo, fought his way through the midst of them, and nearSt. Vincent(the rest of his Fleet being come up to him, which in all made up twenty seven) he stay’d for a farther promis’d Supply of Ships to assist him, and the longer, because the Men rais’d by theNetherland West-IndiaCompany were taken into theStatesService, to oppose theSpanishand Imperial Forces, who at that time had gain’d some advantage upon them: But not long afterHartogen-boschbeing taken by theHollanders, the rest of the expected Fleet, with the promis’d Aid, arriv’d atSt. Vincent; from whenceLoncque, after four Moneths stay, set Sail with these additional Forces, his Fleet then consisting of fifty Sail of Ships, which carry’d above seven thousand Soldiers, besides Seamen; but he was forc’d to lie a considerable time under theLine, being either becalm’d or beaten back by contrary Winds, insomuch that many of his Men perish’d, or were disabled with the Scurvey: At last his Fleet being come to an Anchor upon the Coast ofPernambuco, the first that Landed about two Leagues Northward ofOlinda, was ColonelDiederik van Waerdenberg, who by Day-break divided his Men into three Divisions, the Forlorn-Hope consisting of nine hundred and thirty four Men, march’d towardsOlindaalong the Shore, led byAdolf van der Eltz; the second being a thousand and forty nine, byStein Callenfels; the third, consisting of nine hundred and sixty five, was led byFouke Honx: thus drawn out, and marching on, they met with no resistance till they came to the RiverDolce, where eight hundredPortugueseCharg’d on them from behind a new Sconce;butWaerdenbergwading up to the Middle through the River with two Field-Pieces, the Enemy left his Works and ran into the Wood; the Forlorn-Hope approaching the City, march’d up towards the right side, up a Way through the Woods, Scal’d the Walls, near which theJesuitsCloyster stood, over which he got after some resistance. The second Party march’d in a narrow Path along the Shore, and broke into the City between theFranciscansandJesuitsCloyster, towards the CathedralSalvador, from whence they discharg’d several Guns, as also from the Castle, which they had taken, whilestFouke HonxStorm’d the Battlements towards the South; butStein CallenfelsandEltzbeing already Masters ofOlinda, the Defendants surrendred all. Mean while the Colonel’s Skiff brought five hundred Men more ashore, with which he march’d without any hinderance into the City, where the Conquerors, faint with excessive Heat and want of Water, found but little Booty, because the Inhabitants having notice of theHollanderscoming, had convey’d all their Goods and Wealth toReciffa, which the GovernorMatthias Albuquerque(Brother to the LordDuarte Albuquerque, to whomPernambucoproperly belong’d) burnt with all the Store-houses, partly out of revenge to the Inhabitants, who fled contrary to his Commands, and partly because he would not enrich theHollanders. ThePortugueseCaptain,Correa de Castel Blanco, in his Letter to the King ofSpain, values the loss at twenty hundred thousandDucats. But still thePortuguesehad possession of several Forts about the Countrey, whereof the most considerable wasSt. George, whitherStein Callenfelsmarch’d in the Night with six hundred Men, but his Ladders being too short, and the Hand-Granado’s not easily taking fire, he was forc’d to Retreat; whereupon judging it most convenient to besiege the Castle, he digg’d Trenches about the same; nor was it long ere the Besieged desir’d Quarter, which being granted, they march’d from thence with ninety Men. The Water Castle surrendring in like manner, they found fifteen Brass Guns therein; and in that ofSt. Georgefour thousand pound of Gun-powder, and twenty four Iron Guns.
When theNetherlandForces Landed onPernambuco, thePortugueseinhabited eleven Towns, the chiefest whereof beingOlinda, was generally Garrison’d by four Companies of Armed Citizens, each containing a hundred Men and three Companies of Soldiers: Amongst the Citizens were two hundred Merchants, some of whom were judg’d to be worth fifty thousandCrusados.
Southward fromOlinda, between the RiverBiberibeand the Ocean, was a narrow Cawsey, at the end of which lay the populous VillageReciffa, where the Ships lade and unlade. About the middle of the Cliff, being a League long, is the Anchoring place for great Ships, call’dPozo. At the end of the fore-mention’d Cawsey againstPozo, appear’d a round Tower of Fre-stone.
The memorable Exploits of theEnglishunder CaptainJames Lancaster.
The Journal kept by theEnglishFleet that came hither under the Command of CaptainJames Lancaster, Anno 1595. makes mention of a Fort which lay at the Mouth of the Haven beforeReciffa, which theEnglishvaliantly Storm’d, notwithstanding six hundred Men and seven Brass Guns might easily have made it invincible: But they conquering the same, march’d up toOlinda, took the Suburb, consisting of a hundred Houses, without any resistance, as also a great Booty, and the greater, because the Goods of a richCarakwhich had some few days before suffer’d Shipwrack, were kept there; they also took fifteen laden Ships, and for thirty days kept the whole Countrey aboutOlindarestless with continual Alarms. Since this Invasion thePortuguesebuilt a third Fort onReciffa, so that the Ships must pass in between two Forts, where the Channel is also full of Rocks, and consequently the more dangerous.
FromReciffathe Goods are sent in Barques or Lighters toOlinda, between whichandSt. Salvadorrun the two great RiversFranciscoandReal, the first whereof retains its freshness twenty Leagues into the Ocean.
Along the RiverPopitingastand many Sugar-Mills; and five Leagues farther Northward beyondOlindathePortugueseinhabit these Villages,viz.Garasu,Reciffa,Moribeca,Antonio de Cabo,Miguel de Poyuca,Gonsalvo de Una,Povacon de Porto Calvo,Alagoa del Nort, andAlagoa del Zur, besides otherBrasilianHamlets, and above seventy Sugar-Mills.
The nature of the Soil inPernambuco.
The County ofPernambucohath for the most part a good Soil, several Plains, low Hills, and fruitful Valleys, abounding with fair Canes, which also grow on the MountainsMasurepe,Zebaatan,Poyuca, andMoribeque.
The Wilds ofEl Gran Matto, afford the best Wood, with which they drive the greatest Trade in the VillageLaurenzo. WhilestMatthias AlbuquerqueIntrench’d himself a League and a half Westward fromOlinda, by the Sugar-Mills belonging toFrancisco Montero, with a hundredPortuguese, and three times as many ArmedBrasilians,Loncquefinding that he could not long keep the CityOlindaagainst the Enemy, caus’d the same to be pull’d down and burnt.
Sergippo del Rey.
Between the RiversFranciscoandReal, lies the TownSergippo del Rey, up in the Countrey near a small Rivulet, which at Spring-Tydes hath fourteen Foot Water. The Woods round about feed wild Cattel, and the Mountains contain Mines of Gold and Silver.
The first Plantation inBrasilewas in the IslandItamaraca, three Leagues long and two broad, but extends its Jurisdiction along the Main Coast, from which it is separated by a narrow River, which runs betwixt both thirty five Leagues. The Countrey is eminent for twenty Sugar-Mills, and abundance ofBrasileWood.
Villa de Conception.
The chief Town of this Island is call’dVilla de Conceptionnear the Sea, which round about the Island is full of Rocks. TheFrenchsettling themselves here at first, were driven from thence by thePortuguese. The Town it self, built on a Rock, hath a strong Castle on the one side, erected near a shrubby Moor; to the Northward of whichStein Callenfelsfound a little Isle, scarce a Musquet-shot long, which at High-water is overflown, and being full of small Trees makes a Receptacle for Sea-Fowl, which flock thither about six a Clock in the Evening to Roost on the Boughs, from which, when once setled to take their repose, they will not stir till six of the Clock the next Morning, though you discharge Guns at them all Night; but sinceStein Callenfelscut down the Wood to make Pallisado’s for the new Fort against the TownConception, they were never seen afterwards.
Description ofParayba.
Northward fromItamaracaborders the County ofParayba, whence theFrenchShips carry’d yearly several Ladings ofBrasileWood, tillAnno 1585.thePortugueseGeneralMartin Leytamdrove them from all places, since when they never recover’d any part thereof.
OSTIUM FLUMINES PARAYBÆ
This Territory ofParaybaborrows its Denomination from the chief Town, lying five Leagues from the North Sea near the RiverParayba, which in the Summer Season hath but little Water, but in the Winter Season increases to that heighth, that it oftentimes on a sudden overflowing the Countrey sweeps away both People, Cattel, and Houses. The City it self, though small, yet hath several fair Buildings, amongst which three Churches and as many Cloysters, inhabited byFranciscans,Carmelites, andBenedictins, are none of the meanest. The Countrey thereabouts indifferently fruitful, hath twenty Sugar-Mills. The MountainCupaguao, formerly very populous with Natives, being exceeding fertile, produces all manner of Fruit; at present it lies desolate, theBrasiliansbeing all destroy’d by thePortuguese. These Mountains produce also curious green Stones, which the Inhabitants wore in their Lips for an Ornament, and which also cures the Griping of the Guts, by being laid upon the Belly.
The Silver-MineCopaoba.
TheFrenchunder the Command of CaptainDourmigas, discover’d ninety years ago the Silver-MineCopaoba, and for considerable time carry’d Silver andBrasileWood from hence, till thePortuguesemade themselves absolute Masters.
Moreover, on the North-side ofParayba, the Salvages call’dPetiguarsinhabit sixteen Villages.
Strange Birds.
Amongst the Birds of prey which breed here, are theOuyaourassou, twice as big as a Crane, with curious Feathers, and so bold and strong, that it devours not onely Sheep, but Deer and Men.
The BirdMaytonis no way inferior in beauty to the Peacock, his whole Body being cover’d with white and black Feathers; on his Head grows a Tuft; the Flesh is also very pleasant to the taste.
TheToucan, another Bird, resembles a Turtle-Dove in all parts, except the Bill and Breast; for the Belly is ten Inches long and three broad, the Breast of an Orange colour, mix’d with Crimson Spots; the remaining part is white, the Back red, and the Tail and Wings Coal-black.
The PlantYarammacarou.
The Plant call’dYarammacaroudeserves also a peculiar observation,viz.It is thicker than a Man’s Thigh, grows twelve Foot high, with three Branches of equal length and thickness, which you may easily break; it is green without, white within, and without Leaves, leaving red Blossoms streak’d with blue, from whence grows a Fruit about the bigness of an Apple, crimson without and white within, and tasting like a Mulberry.
TheGuara-tereba, with other strange Fish.
The RiverParaybaproduces amongst many other Fishes theGuara-tereba, which hath a thick Body, flat Head, crooked Back, split Tail, and triangular Scales, which laid in the Sun, shine like polish’d Gold.
The Sea also hereabouts affords a strange Fish with a very long and thin Tail, the Females whereof Lay every day Eggs like Hens: they are full of poysonous Prickles, and divided into several sorts, amongst which the chiefest are accounted theNaainariandJabebara.
Description of the Sea Coast ofBrasile.
The Sea-Coast ofBrasilefromSt. VincenttoSpirito Santoappears as followeth:Strange Tree.Before the Coast ofSt. Vincentlie the four little IslesQueimadas, and on one side theAlcatracesandBusios; East North-East from which bears the IslandSebastian: Before the InletUbatubalies the IsleDos Porcos, close under a high Shore, where the Haven runs far up in the Countrey. Fourteen Leagues farther the IslandGrande, stor’d with fresh Water, with Fish-ponds, Woods, and two good Havens. Before the Road ofGaratubaappear several broken Isles, the chiefest whereof isMorambaya. The Ships Sailing along theBrasilianCoast view next the Mouth of the wide RiverJenero, without fear of Rocks or Shoals. Moreover, a sandy Ground extends from the Western Point toCape Frio, which rises out of the Sea like a Rock, with white Streaks, and crack’d on the top, between both which the high Island beforeFriomakes a safe Harbor. Nine Leagues beyondFrioto the Northward,St. Salvadoropens a large Bay, hemm’d in on the South by divers nameless Isles. Lastly, the several Salt-pans along this Coast are very remarkable, as also the PromontorySt.ThomaandParayba, the InletsManangeaandItapemeri, and the RiverGuarapari, famous for the MountainPero Camtowards the North, andGuapelto the South. The IslandSalvago, round and mountainous, lies before the Mouth of the RiverGuarapari, where the Main Coast grows uneven and Hilly. On the North-East Point ofSpirito Santoa long ridge of Rocks appears above the Sea; and near the Inlet rises three black Hills on the South, and two Leagues up in the Countrey the broken MountainMestre Alvaro, which extends along the Sea-Coast. The RiverDes Reyos Magosencompasses three Mountains severally, and makes three Isles. The Coast on each side of the RiverDolceis very plain and even, butCricarehath a mixture of high and low Lands. In the Mouth of the RiverMaranipelies a great company of white Shelves near together, appearing afar off as if all one.Parairepeis remarkable by the high Trees growing on it. The Mouth of the RiverCaruvelaslies full of Sand-plats. Near the BeaconTauhaenrises a red Cliff from which a sandy Point reaches to the RiverCurubabo. BeforePorto Segurolie several dangerous Rocks in the Sea, to the Southward of which rises the High-landCape Pasqual. Not far from henceSanta Cruiza good Haven for small Vessels, from whence the Coast extends North North-East, and South South-West, toRio Grande, where the Shoals call’dBaxos de St. Antonio, making a dangerous Entry, force the Ships for the most part to keep three Leagues from the Shore. Beyond the Arm ofRio Grandeappear three high Mountains cover’d with Trees; from whence toIlheosis a safe Passage free from Shelves. Eight Leagues farther, the RiverDos Contasruns between two broken Cliffs into the Sea: in the Mouth of it rises a Rock resembling a high Island. BetweenIlheosandContasthe Coast rises also, but falls low again in a Bay, where white Sugar-Mills, formerly belonging toLucas Giraldes, are seen at a great distance. The Countrey on each side of the RiverCamanuis plain; the Stream it self hath a wide Mouth, and respects with its Northern Shore the IsleCayepa, dangerous for the many Shelves which are about the same. The RiverTinhareis known by the MountainMorro de Santo Paulo, which rises like a Galley on the Southern Shore. Twelve Leagues farther opens the Bay ofTodos los Sanctos, on whose Eastern Point stands the CastleAntonio, and before the Northern Shore the IslandTopoam, to the East and South-East low and strong. The RiverDas Pedrasfalls with a wide Mouth into the Ocean. Next you pass by the StreamsTapicuru,Real VasabarisandFrancisco, known by a low Promontory. The RiversMiguel,Antonio,Camaragili,Porto Calvo,Formoso, andSerinhaem, disembogue also into the Sea. Next the StreamDas Pedrasrises the PromontorySt. Augustine, all overgrown with Bushes and Brambles. Five Leagues Southward lies the small IsleAlexo. The Coast fromSt. AugustinetoPernambucoextends North and by East, and South and by West. The IslandTamaracalies in the Mouth of the StreamGajana; and fifteen Leagues farther appearsParayba; between which two the ShelfPedra Furadaextends three Leagues along the Coast, and another from the Shore of the PromontoryBlanco, where the RoadPorto de Franesesaffords Seamen secure Anchorage for Shipping. Next toParaybafollow the HavensTreicaon,Pipa, andBasios, the StreamSiaraandMaragnan, which washes the Western part ofBrasile, and is taken for the Boundary between theSpanish Indiesand thePortuguese, according to the Division by PopeAlexanderthe Sixth,Anno 1502.Lastly, there belongs toBrasilethe IslandFernando de Noronho, in three Degrees of Southern Latitude. The Capuchin,Claude de Abbeville, going thither, found the same to be six Leagues in circumference, and extraordinary fruitful; besides good fresh Water, Pease, Beans,Maiz, Potato’s, Melons, Cotton, Cattel, wild Goats, and all sorts of Poultrey, which this Island affords; but it chiefly abounds with great variety of a sort of Birds which suffer themselvesto be caught with the Hand. There grows likewise a nameless Tree, not unlike the Laurel, being of a strange Nature, for who e’re touches the Leaves, and afterwards rubs his Eyes, loses his Sight for four hours, with exceeding pain; which pain nevertheless another Tree growing in the same Island cures immediately. TheFrench, who Landed onNoronhoAnno 1613. found aPortuguesethere, with eighteenBrasilians, Men, Women, and Children, banish’d thither fromPernambuco, whom Baptizing, they carry’d toMaragnan. NearNoronholies the IsleDe Feu.
Situation.
Maragnan, forty five Leagues in circumference, lies in two Degrees of Southern Latitude, and a considerable distance from the Bay, which appears between the RiversApereghaandComajamu.
The Eastern Entrance into this Bay hath before the PromontoryArbres Secs, the IsleSt. Anna, by theBrasilianscall’dUpaonmiri.
Opposite toMaragnan, about half way from the said Inlet, fall three Rivers into the Sea, the most Easterly call’dMounin, hath a Mouth a Mile wide, and discharges its Water into the Sea; the middlemostTaboucourou, is five hundred Leagues long, and ends with two Mouths, half a League distant one from the other; the most Westerly, call’dMiary, is about six Leagues broad, so falling into the Sea.
The StreamMaracoufalls into thePinare, and thus united they joyn both with theMiary, which runs exceeding swift into the Sea.
Between the CapesArbres SecsandDe la Tortue, the Coast lies full of sandy Banks, some of which extend a League into the Ocean.
On the other side of the PromontoryTapoytaperenearMaragnan, towards the River ofAmazones, lie so many Isles along the Sea-shore, that no Ship is able to approach the same, because the Spaces between the Isles are overgrown with Trees call’dApparituriers, whose Boughs shooting down and rooting in the Sea, produce other Trees, which grow so close together, that they seem one entire Tree with many Branches. Besides this Inconvenience there is abundance of drift Sand when the Wind sits from the Shore, which oftentimes swallows the Ships which lie upon the same.
BeyondMaragnanlie two Roads, the first between the PromontoryArbresand the IsleSt. Anna, but dangerous; the other, discover’d some years since, reaches to the Fort ofMaragnan, and is as dangerous as the first.
This Island hath twenty seven Villages, by the Natives call’dOcorTave, each Village consisting of four Houses made of great Stakes, and cover’d with Palm-tree Leaves against the Rain, each House being thirty Foot broad, and from two hundred to five hundred Paces long, according to the greater or lesser number of Inhabitants. The first Village, opposite toSt. Anna, is call’dTimbohu; the second, well known for two eminent Fishing-places, isItapara; but the two biggest areJuniparanandEussaouap, each having about five or six hundred Inhabitants.
This Island ofMaragnanlies under a temperate Climate, being seldom troubled with excessive Colds, Droughts, pestilential Vapors, Wind, Hail, or Thunder, only it Lightens Morning and Evening in serene Weather. When the Sun returns from theTropickofCapricornto the North, then it Rains for six Weeks together; but when he declines fromCancertowards the SouthernSolstice, theTrade-Wind, orEastern Breezes rise at seven of the Clock in the Morning, but grow fainter towards Sun-setting.
Fruitful Soil and rich Coast ofMaragnan.
The Soil ofMaragnanis exceeding fruitful, producing abundance ofBrasileWood, Sugar, Cotton, the red ColourRoucou, Tobacco, Balsam not inferior to theArabian, Pepper, and all manner of Fruits. On the Coast is often found excellent Amber-greece and Jasper Stones, which the Inhabitants wore in their Lips. In some places along the Sea-shore appear Rocks of red and white StoneDiaphanous, like Crystal, which (some say) are as hard as Diamonds, and call’dAllencon. The Woods produce Timber, and the Shore Stones and Shells, of which they make Mortar. There are also several pleasant Fields and Hills, whose Feet are wash’d by delightful Brooks, along which they pass inCanoosfrom one Village to another. The Woods consist most of Palm-Trees, amongst which breed all sorts of Fowls and Beasts.
Fruit-Trees.
The chiefest of the Fruit-Trees which grow here is theAccayou, which being much bigger than our Pomewaters, hath Leaves not unlike those of an Oak: and also a Nut resembling a Sheeps Kidney, cover’d with a hard Shell, which incloses an oylie Pith. Out of these the Islanders press a very wholsom and pleasant Liquor; as also out of thePacoeiraandBannanas, both excellent Plants, which will grow in any Ground. This Plant they pluck up by the Roots wild as soon as it hath put forth three Leaves; which Leaves being rowl’d up hard together like a Twig, are again Set, and then sprout up each with ten green Leaves, which when mov’d by the Wind, rattle like Parchment, and tear very easily: the Stalk is an Inch thick, from which spread several lesser Branches; under the Leaves hang yellowish Flowers of a pleasant smell, at whose Stalks are lesser Leaves resembling little Scoups, full of Juice, in taste like Honey, and in colour like the White of an Egg: after the Flower follows the Fruit, very like a Cucumber, onely they are three square, and have a hardish Shell, which incloses a well tasted and wholsom Pulp, which commonly grows in Clusters. This Plant, when the Fruit is ripe, is pluck’d up, from whence another springs up immediately, which bears the like Fruit the next year; so that this Plant lives as it were by propagation continually.
TheBannanasbear Leaves of a Fathom long and two Foot broad; the Fruit is very like that of thePacoeira.
TheMangaais very like the Apricock both in taste and form.
The TreeJaracahahath a spread Crown, leaves like those of a Fig-Tree, yellow Flowers, and Pears with Shells, and full of Kernels.
TheOuaierouais an exceeding sweet-smelling Tree, bears a Fruit much bigger than the greatest Melons.
TheJunipap, which is much taller, hath Apples, which whilest they are green are best, yielding a Juice which Dyes Coal-black, and therefore is us’d by the Natives to paint their Bodies with: The Apples when ripe are yellow within and without, very well tasted, and melting in the Mouth.
Besides these fore-mention’d Fruit-Trees there are several others that grow on this Island, amongst which is theVua-pirup, eminent for its Blossom, which is yellow, blue, and red, and bears delicate Apples, which ripen best in the rainy Season.
Lastly, thePekey, which three Men cannot Fathom, bears a Fruit of two handfuls bigness, having a hard thick Shell, and within four Kidney-like Kernels, each concealing a prickly Stone, which hurts the Mouths of unwary Eaters.
The PlantCarouatahath Leaves an Ell long, and two Inches broad; they arevery thick and thistly from the middle, and about two Foot from the Ground grows an exceeding pleasant Fruit, yellow without and within, three square, a Finger long, and hanging oftentimes sixty in a Cluster.
Vua, a sort of Melons, green without, and within full of white Pulp and black Kernels, and hath a pleasant Juice, dissolves to Water, if cut in the middle, sweeter than Sugar, and very refreshing.
Manioch, a thick Root of the PlantManicup, Leav’d like a Fig-Tree; being ground to Meal, it serves in stead of Bread.
Besides these already mention’d, there are several other Plants, the most usual are the great flat Beans call’dCommanda-ouassou, and the long PeaseCommanda-miry.