Strange Birds.
Here are variety of Birds of several sorts, especially of Parrots, which flye in great Companies, most beautiful to the Eye, and very docible to speak, and also good for Food.
The PartridgesNanbououassou, in bigness no way inferior to a Capon, have blue Feathers, and also Lay blue Eggs.
TheOurou, resembling a Partridge, hath a Combe like a Cock, but mix’d with three Colours,viz.red, black, and white.
The Bats, nam’dAndheura, have a mournful Note in the Night, often biting those they find asleep, and suck their Blood so hard that it can hardly be stopt.
The Ostriches here call’dYandou, being as tall as a middle-siz’d Man, cannot flye, but run as swift as a Greyhound.
Their Fowl call’dFalian, with long Bills and Cranes Legs, flies very low, but runs so swift that a Horse can scarce overtake them.
Strange sorts of Fish.
The Ocean aboutMaragnanproduces abundance of all sorts of Fish, and amongst others thePyraon, six Foot long, thicker than a Barrel, and cover’d with black Scales of a hand-breadth.
The FishCamouroupouydiffers not much from thePyraon, onely in having fewer Scales.
TheOugry, four Foot long, hath a broad Head, and two sharp Fins on the Back, which wound terribly. This Fish also swimming in the River, smells of Musk whilest it stays therein.
The like length hath also theCamboury Ouassou, whose Hog-like Head, and yellow scal’d Tail, makes it seem like a Monster.
TheYauebouyreis a Foot in thickness, in length two Fathom, and a Fathom in breadth, and hath a Tail of half a Fathom long, out of the middle of which flicks a sharp and great Bone, which makes such dangerous Wounds, that if any part of a Man’s Body be touch’d therewith, it must be cut off.
TheNarinnary, which is much lesser, wounds with its Sting very dangerously.
The flat FishAcaraiouhath the length of a Foot, a green Head, thick Scales, a yellow Back, and white Belly.
TheAraououahath a hard Skin, is eight times bigger than theAcaraiouand hath a three-pointed Sword, with which it kills other Fish.
Another sort of Sword-fish is thePanapans, whose Sword is a Foot less than that of theAraououa.
ThePicamoandCaramourouresemble the Pilchard, and are taken in great abundance near the Rocks.
The Rivers and Brooks onMaragnanare also very full of Fish, amongst which thePourake, four Foot long, full of green, blue, red and white Specks and Streaks, the Skin so hard that no Sword can penetrate it; wherefore it regards not a blow, but if it moves, it causes such a pain on the Arm of him that strikes, that he falls down on the Ground.
TheCaurimata, which is very like a Carp, is the most delicious Fish that ever was tasted.
ThePyrain, without Scales, colour’d red and yellow, hath sharp Teeth, which cut sloapingly; as also theOpean,Tarehure,Paraty, andJerou.
The red CrabsOussa, with hairy Legs, breed about the Roots of the fore-mention’d Trees that grow in the Water.
The white CrabsAouara-oussacarry the Amber-greece, cast on the Shores to their Holes.
They have also good Mussles, and well rellish’d Oysters sticking on the Boughs of the said Trees.
During the rainy Season there are generally standing Pools, in which yearly breed many Fishes, which are taken up by the Inhabitants when the Pools begin to dry.
Divers kinds of strange Beasts.
Moreover, this Island feeds abundance of four-footed Beasts, amongst which their wild Deer, Rabbets and Hares, differ little from theEuropean. They have also wild Swine call’dTaiassou, who seem to have Navels on their Backs, which cast a sweet Musky smell; besides another sort of Swine, not inferior to the former, but of a stranger shape, being Mouth’d like a Hare, with two long Tusks in their upper Jaws, and two beneath; their Ears like a Mans; the foremost Feet white, and hoof’d like an Ass; the hindermost part of their Body like a Bear, and full of Bristles, half white and half black, three handfuls long: when they creep in their Holes their staring Bristles fall; they keep much amongst Brambles, feed on Apples and Roots; In the Winter Season they Stye themselves up in their Holes.
Here are also Pismire-eaters, call’dTamandua, with a Boars Head, Dogs Ears, sharp Snout, Horses Hair, and Ox Feet.
TheTapiyre-etediffer little from wild Cows, onely they have shorter Legs and Tails, and wanting Horns, are Arm’d in stead thereof with Teeth; in their Heads are often found a Stone like theBezoarStone.
Several sorts ofArmadillo’s here differ much in form each from the other.
The wild CatsMargaiaare caught for their curious Skin.
The FoxesJanovare, and LeopardsSovassovaran, both curiously mark’d, are very ravenous.
Here is also a deform’d slow creeping Beast call’dAi, whose Head is like a Mans, and cover’d with rough and grey Hair, on each Foot three Claws close together, and at least a Finger long, sharp Teeth, a smooth high black Nose, little drowsie Eyes, no Ears, a Tail small above and broad at the bottom, long Ash-colour’d Hair over all the Body; and being about the bigness of a Fox, it climbs slowly up the Trees, and comes not down before it hath eaten off all the Leaves; it feeds also on Earth, and sometimes sits on a high Bough without Meat twenty days together; it goes so softly, that it will hardly clear fifty Paces in twenty four hours.
On this Island are likewise all sorts of Apes and Monkies, amongst which is one most remarkable, call’dThe Zimme Cayon, hairy all over, with a long white Beard, an old Mans Face, bald Ears, black Eyes and long Tail, which they wind about a Bough, and so hanging, swing themselves from one Tree to another; they are very fierce as well as subtile, for being wounded with an Arrow, they set upon their Enemy without the least fear; when they climb up the Trees, they carry their Mouths and Hands full of Stones to throw at Travellers; and if any one of them chance to be wounded, all the rest that are near come to help him, and stop the Wound with Leaves, and the like; the young ones hang upon the Backs of their Dams, who run very swift with them, and leap from one Tree to another.
Juan Ardenoisrelates, That theCoyonsplay at certain Games with the Natives for Money, and spend what they win in publick Houses.
Joseph de Acostatells us, That one of these kind of Creatures being sent to a Tavern for Wine, would not part with his Money before his Pot was fill’d, which he defended from the Boys that offer’d to take it from him, by throwing Stones at them; and though it lov’d Wine very well, yet brought it always home without tasting.
It is no less wonderful whatPeter Martyrrelates of one of these Creatures,viz.That observing one ready to fire a Gun at him, before he could discharge, it leap’d from the Tree and snatch’d up a Child, which he held as a Buckler before him.
TheSagovin.
TheSagovinresembles a Lyon in the fore-part of the Body, with shaggy Hair; they are exceeding dainty and tender, yet so stubborn and sullen, that they take pet at the least affront, and often pine themselves away and die with hunger.
TheBoyete, and other sorts of Serpents.
The SerpentBoy-ete, two Fathoms long, without Legs, having a bright speckled Skin and four sharp Teeth, wounds also mortally with its Tail; but is the less dangerous, because at the end of the Tail grows a Bladder, which moving rattles as if there were Pease in it, which gives notice to the Traveller, though unwary, by which means he makes his escape.
The other Serpents call’dJouboy,Tara-gouyboy, andTarehuboy, serve the Natives for a great Delicacy; as also the great Toads or Frogs, call’dTourourou.
They have also a sort of Flies call’dTon, which exceedingly molest them, against which their chiefest Medicine is Palm-tree Oyl, and theRoucou, with which they colour their Skins.
The Natives of this Island ofMaragnan, driven out of the pleasant CountreyCayeteby thePortuguese, are a sort of theToupinambas, who Setled here about a hundred and fifty years ago. The time of their first coming hither us’d formerly to be solemniz’d with the great Feast call’dCaoven; but because a Woman boldly set upon a Commander in his Cups, there arose a great Tumult amongst them, and ever since the Island hath been divided, one Party calling the otherTobaiares, that is,We are Enemies: They are so inveterate against one another, that who e’re they take Prisoners they unmercifully devour: Both are of a middle Stature, have flat Noses, which the Midwives make at the Birth of the Child, they are generally a strong People, and many of them living a hundred years, without being grey, bald, or sick; they live temperate, and under a wholsom Climate: Some of their Women bear Children (as they say) till they are eighty years of age, which being born white, turn to be of a Tawny colour, by being anointed with Suet call’dRoucon, and Oyl; otherwise they are well proportion’d. The Men pluck out all the Hair of their Foreheads, but suffer it to hang pretty long over their Ears, and behind. The Women let their Hair hang down to their Middle, and wear woodden Ear-rings, but the Men hang green Beads in their Lips, and thrust little Bones through their Noses. They go all stark naked, their Legs are colour’d black with the Juice of the HerbJunipap, and upon the other parts of their Body appear Figures of several Representations. Those that will manifest their Valor, and be accounted hardy, gash their Bodies all over with Wounds, which they heal in such a manner, that the Scars may more plainly appear. They never come to their usual Feasts, but dress’d up in various colour’d Feathers; upon the Crown of their Heads they wear Caps stuck with Plumes, which they callAcangoap, or Coronets, call’dAcangerar; about their Necks, the NecklacesAiouacava; over their Shoulders, the MantlesAssoyave; their Garters they callTabacoura, at which they hang hollow Nutshells full of little Stones, which gingle and rattle as they go, and about their Arms Armlets call’dMapouyh-couaychovare; all which are curiously checker’d with various colour’d Feathers.
TheMaragnanslive not much up in the Countrey, but rather on the Sea-Coast, because of their Fishing, removing every sixth year, calling the Village where they Settle, by the former Name.
They take every Man as many Wives as he pleaseth, but the Women must stick each to one Man, unless she be Divorc’d from him, which often happens upon small occasions.
Their Cotton Hammocks call’dYu, on which they sleep, hang between two Stakes, in which they lie.
Singular Friends and Relations Feast one another daily; but they are cruel and revengeful against their neighboring Enemies, whom, when they take any of them, they fatten, kill, and eat. The least affront done them, or injurious word spoken to them, or against their Predecessors, makes them take up Arms, which consist of Bowes and Arrows, which they callOuyraparandOune.
Here theFrenchhave built the FortSt. Lovison an Island, from whence Westward may be seen the CapeTapouytapere, which at High-water seems like an Island, and lies four Leagues from thence; at Low-water they can walk over the Sands from the same to the Main Land.
This fruitful Countrey hath twenty populous Villages.
Westward liesComma, which gives Denomination to the chief Village, the River, and the rest of that Countrey, wherein are sixteen more handsom Villages, better built, and more populous thanMaragnanorTapouytapere.
Concerning the building of the fore-mention’d Fort onMaragnan, it hapned as followeth:
The occasion of building the FortMaragnan.
A Colony ofFrenchsent over into the Island ofMaragnan.
Driven out by thePortuguese.
I TAMARACA
FL VIUS GRANDIS
SIARA
TheFrenchCaptainRiffaut, upon the Advice ofOuyrapive, who bore a great sway amongst hisMaragnanSubjects, fitted out three Ships; but because of a Contention between the Sea-men, and the loss of his chiefest Vessel, he was forc’d to Sail toFrance, and leave some of his Men onMaragnan, under the Command of a young Gentleman call’dDe Vaux, who carry’d himself so discreetly amongst the Islanders, that they promis’d to embrace theChristianReligion, if new Supplies came fromFranceto assist them against their Enemies; of whichDe Vauxadvis’d theFrenchKingHenrythe Fourth, who approv’d of it, and sent MonsieurDe la RavardieretoMaragnan, to make a farther Enquiry into the whole Matter, where he spent six Moneths; after which returning he found the King murder’d, wherefore the Business lay dead for a while; but at lengthRavardieretook with him the LordRosilly, and the Baron ofSansi, desiring someCapuchinsof the Queen-Mother, for the promulgating of theChristianReligion inMaragnan; which being granted, they set Sail with three ShipsAnno 1612.with which arriving safely there, and Landing, he built next the chiefest Haven the FortSt. Lewison a Hill, by whose foot two Rivers glide into the Ocean. After which this new Plantation went on for a considerable time, till thePortugueseoverpowering them, drove them out of this their new Field, making themselves absolute Masters of the Fort, and also of the great MountainIbouyapap, four Leagues high, plain on the top, twenty four Leagues long, and little less in breadth. No Champain under the Sun is more pleasant and fruitful than this; for in some places it is shaded with Trees, in others hath brave Pastures, lies under a wholsom Climate, and abounds with fresh Springs, from whence are deriv’d store of Brooks, and Rivulets full of Fish.
Description of the Lordship ofTamarica.
ThePræfectureofTamarica, not above three Leagues in length and two in breadth, so call’d from a little Island lying before it, and part of its Precinct, is counted the first, that is, the most ancient Lordship ofBrasile, having otherwise nothing in it that is very considerable, save onely a good Haven or Port, with a Castle for the Security or Command of it, held to be impregnable, and so found by theDutch, who underPeter HeynandStein Callenfelsin vain attempted the taking of it, as shall be mention’d hereafter more particularly, but made it useless to thePortuguese, by making a Bulwark at the Mouth of the Haven, and so blocking it up.
ThisCapataniayielded formerly a Rent of thirty thousandDucatsto the Earls ofMontesanto, whose Right it was.
Description of the Lordship ofRio Grande.
ThePræfectureofRio Grande, a small Precinct, so denominated, as lying on the South-side of that great River which thePortuguesecallRio Grande, and the NativesPotingi, where it falls into the Sea, was once possess’d by theFrenchabout the Year 1597. who were outed by thePortuguese, and the Place fortifi’d both against them and the Salvages, (of whom they slew and took Prisoners very great numbers) with a Castle, which theDutchin the Year 1631. found an impregnable piece, and too hard for them to take.
Description of the Lordship ofSiara.
ThePræfectureofSiara, so denominated from the Haven; it hath long been in the possession of thePortuguese, but they have therein no Towns of note, onely a Castle, and some few Houses for those that attend the gathering of Cotton-Wool, and Manuring of the Sugar-Canes, which are here in great abundance, also the Countrey is said to afford some Crystal and other Precious Stones.
Description of the Lordship ofPara.
Lastly, thePræfectureofParais the most Northerly part ofBrasile, bordering uponGuiana, so call’d from the RiverPara, which runneth through the midst of it, upon which, in a convenient place, and upon rais’d Ground, thePortuguesehave built a very strong Castle, well Wall’d on all sides, save onely towards the River, where it is planted with Ordnance: It is built in a quadrangular form, and hath at least three hundred Persons of thePortugueseNation (besides the Garrison Soldiers) belonging to it, who have all Employment enough about the Cotton-Wool, Sugar-Canes, and Tobacco, which the Countrey is said to afford in great plenty.
The chief Disturbers of thePortuguesein the possession of the Countrey ofBrasile, were theUnited Netherlanders; for they having had good success with their first Fleet, under the Command ofJohn Molenaer,John Dignumszoon,John Schelinger,Simon Mau, and the MerchantsCornelis Woodman,Gerard Beveningen, andHeinier van Hel, Anno 1595. in theEast-Indies, where they got such footing, that they took whole Kingdoms, to the great enriching of the Eastern World, where they spread their Trade over the whole Countrey, were thereupon emboldned to venture also to the West, that thereby they might cut off the Sinews of the King ofSpain’s Wars, he being continually supply’d with Treasures fromAmerica.
AWest-IndiaCompany erected by theUnited States.
St. Salvadorset upon by theDutchunderPeterszoonandWillekens.
St. Salvadortaken by theDutch.
The grand Promoters of this Design were the Company of Merchants, who hitherto had Traded toGuinee; and the rather, becauseGuineebrought them but little Profit. But to set upon theSpanishPower, was a Business of no small Consequence; nevertheless they undertaking it, obtain’d Letters Patents from theStatesof theUnited Netherlands, Anno 1621. for erecting of aWest-IndiaCompany, in which it was declar’d, That none without the said Companies leave should drive any Trade toAfricafrom the NorthernTropick, to the CapeBonne Esperance; nor toAmericafromTerre-Neufto theStraightsofMagellan, orLe Maire; nor in the South Sea toAnian; which if any attempted, they should forfeit Ship and Goods; besides several other Priviledges and Immunities granted towards the promoting and establishing of the said Company. After a long Consultation which way to steer their Course, it was concluded upon in the Council for the Affairs of the Company, to InvadeSt. Salvadorin the InletTodos los Sanctos, whether they sent twenty Men of War and three Ketches, Commanded byJacob Willekens, andPeter Peterszoon Hein; the Land Forces being under the Command of ColonelJohn van Dorth. In the beginning of the Year 1624. the Fleet set Sail out of theTexeland theMaes, and in five Moneths arriv’d atSt. Salvador. As soon as thePortuguesesdiscover’d theDutchFleet, they shot without ceasing from the FortPhilippowith three Brass Guns, as also from the CastleTapagipe, with four Demi-Canons, but chiefly from the Battlement rais’d threesquare out of the Water beforeSt. Salvador, from whence they play’d at them with twelve great Guns, whilest the Vice-Admiral ran within Musquet-shot of the said Battlement with three Ships, and found fifteenPortugueseVessels lying near the Shore not far from the CastlePhilippo, where there began a sharp Conflict, to the no small advantage ofPeter Hein; who thereupon ventur’d with three Boats to Board the fifteen Ships: which resolute Attempt of theDutchSeamen so amaz’d thePortuguese, that they set their biggest Ships on Fire, and fled ashore: Those Ships that escap’d, being in all ten, theHollanderstook and brought them to the Fleet. This flight of thePortugueseencouragingPeter Hein, he went with fourteen Boats, each Mann’d with two hundred Arm’d Men upon the very Mouths of the Cannons to the fore-mention’d Battlement and took the same, notwithstanding the Stone Wall rose eight Foot out of the Water, and above a hundredPortuguesedefended it, whilest the AdmiralWillekenssent twelve hundred Soldiers, and two hundred and forty Seamen ashore with Field-Pieces. The Forlorn-Hope consisted of sixty Musquetteers, led by CaptainHelmond, who was seconded by LieutenantLa Main, all the Seamen following with Spades and Pick-axes; the Reserve was brought up by CaptainKyf,Ysenach, andWilliam Schouten; thus drawn out, they were led towards the City by the GuidesDirk ColverandDirk de Ruiter, along a narrow Way, which thePortuguesemight have guarded with a few Men, had they not been all struck with a pannick fear, and making use of the dark Night, fled into the Woods. TheDutchfound in the City an incredible Booty, because the GovernorDiego Mendoza de Furtadohad forbid the carrying away of any Goods, that so the Citizens might be the easier perswaded to defend the City; which they might well have done, had they not been surpris’d with the suddenness of the Action; for whenWillekensAnchor’d here, there were above sixteen hundred Soldiers, besides a considerable number of Arm’d Citizens inSt. Salvador; besides, in the Forts about the City on the Walls lay twenty three Brass, and twenty six Iron Guns.
Urba SALVADOR
This Victory was scarce obtain’d, when ColonelDorth, who had lost the Fleet atPoint Vincent, arriv’d here after all was done, and caus’d Edicts to be publish’d, in which the fled Citizens were promis’d greater Priviledges under theNetherlandersProtection, than ever they had under the King ofSpain. Whereupon a fewPortuguesereturn’d to the City; but the greatest part of them, and those the most considerable, were partly kept back by Command of the BishopTeixera, who laid the fault concerning the loss of the City on the GovernorFurtado, and partly because they judg’d theNetherlandersunable to defend them against theSpanishPower.
About the same time several rich laden Vessels arriv’d there fromLisbon,Janeiro,Spirito Santo,Angolaand other Places, all ignorant of the Conquest ofSt. Salvador.
Col.Dorthkill’d by an Ambuscade.
WhilestDorthandWillekenswere ordering all things within the City, the outstayingPortugueseat last taking courage, Storm’d the City from Midnight till the next day in the Afternoon, but fearing they should be set upon behind unawares, Retreated; after whichDorththinking he had been free from all fear of Enemies, and with a small Guard riding out of the City to take a view of the adjacent Countrey, was scarce got a Bowe-shot from the Walls, when a great Body ofBrasiliansrush’d forth unexpectedly from an Ambuscade, and wounded him so mortally, that he fell dead from his Horse, and had his Head suddenly chopt off, and his Body mangled very terribly.
Allart Schoutenbeing chosen Governor inDorth’s stead, took no care to fortifie the City; and after his Decease his BrotherWilliam Schoutensucceeding him, regarded it less, so that all things went to ruine, every one striving onely to enrich themselves. Amongst other Booties, they took the rich laden Vessel whichFrancisco de Sarmiento, Governor ofChili, brought toSt. Salvador, with fifty eight thousandGuilders, and a much greater sum of Gold and Pearls, all which was imbezled away.
Description ofSt. Salvador.
This CitySt. Salvador, built byThomas de Sosaalong the Sea-side, runs up broad at the SuburbCarmo, hath four Market-places, into the biggest whereof, being of a long square, run nine Streets, the chief of which being very broad, hath many stately Houses. The second Market-place is of like form, onely it winds a little towards the Right, and at the Entrance stands a strong Prison. The CloysterSt. Francis, inhabited byJesuits, stands in a Park near the Wall by which the Moat runs. Towardsthe Sea-side they have a second Structure, much statelier than theFranciscanCloyster. Near the Prison stands the Armory, and somewhat farther the great Church, whichAnno 1624.was not quite finish’d. The Church dedicated to the VirginMaryappears with a high Spire near the GateBento, without which the great CloysterBentois built; but the chief Church isSt. Salvador. On the utmost Point towards the South-West of the City lies the FortAntonio, between which and the City stands a very neat Pleasure-house, belonging to the Bishop. BesidesAntoniothere are four other considerable Forts,viz.Diego,St. Maria,De Gracia, andVittoria. About half way betweenVittoriaand the CloysterBento, stands the Castle with four Bulwarks; but on the North-side the City is guarded by the FortsSt. Peter,Philippo, andTapecipe.
A great Fleet set out by the King ofSpainfor the recovery ofSt. Salvador.
TheSpanishKing seeming exceedingly concern’d at the loss of so eminent a Place, fitted out a great Fleet for the recovery of what had been taken from him; but theNetherland West-IndiaCompany having notice of it, put themselves into a posture of Defence, and in a short time made ready eighteen Men of War and seven Ketches, Mann’d with a thousand six hundred and ninety Seamen, and a thousand three hundred and fifty Land-Soldiers,John Dirkszoon Lambeing Admiral: But news coming day after day of the extraordinary Preparations inSpain, it was judg’d convenient to strengthen the Fleet with fourteen Ships and two Ketches more, carrying a thousand four hundred and thirty Seamen, and five hundred eighty Soldiers, under the Command of GeneralBoudewyn Henrickszoon, and AdmiralAndries Veron. Moreover, theWest-IndiaCompany fitted out a third Fleet, consisting of four Frigats and three Ketches, Commanded byHenry Kat, with Orders to Cruise along theSpanishCoast.
In the beginning of the Year 1625.Frederick de Toledoweighed Anchor fromCaleswith one and thirty Gallions, four Pinnaces, three Tartans, and a Carvel, all carrying seventy five hundred Men. The Soldiers were divided into three Regiments, Commanded by the ColonelsPedro Osorio,Juan Orellana, and the MarquessDe Torreclusa.
St. Salvadorre-taken by theSpaniardsfrom theHollanders.
NearSt. Jagoat theAfricanCapeVerde,Toledojoyn’d with thePortugueseFleet, consisting of twenty one Gallions and fourteen Carvels and Barques, Mann’d with four thousand Seamen, two Regiments of Soldiers, Commanded byAntonio Nunnez Barreio, andFrancisco de Almeida; but the chief Commander of this Fleet wasEmanuel Meneses. Which great Fleet being arriv’d atSt. Salvador,Toledohimself Landed at the FortAntonio, leaving the Command of the Fleet toJuan Fajardo: The first thing he did, was to set upon the CloysterBento; which having gain’d, he left SerjeantTroppaniwith two Regiments in the same, whilest he went and Storm’d theCarmelitesMinster, and at last took it; but in the mean time four hundredHollandersSallying out, made a furious Onset upon the two Regiments, who had possession of the CloysterBento, where theSpaniardssustain’d considerable damage; for besides the wounding of three Captains, and the loss of a great number of Soldiers, there were slain the CommandersEmanuel Aquitara,Alonso de Gana,Pedro San Stevan,Diego Espinosa, and ColonelPedro Osorio; ButToledono whit dismay’d hereat, but taking fresh courage, brought twenty nine Demi-Culverins ashore, which fir’d so vehemently out of theCarmelitesandBento’s Cloysters, on the seventeenDutchShips that lay near the Shore, that several of them were sunk, and others shatter’d beyond hopes of ever being repair’d. After this theSpanishArmy was divided into three several Parties, which continually fir’d on the City from three new rais’d Works; the chiefest Party, which was in theCarmelitesMinster, had twenty three Brass Guns; the second, plac’d on the great Wall of the CloysterBento, fir’d Night and Day with eight Demy-Cannons on the City, in which all things were in a confusion,whilest the GovernorWilliam Schoutenwent unconcern’d from one Tavern to another railing at the Soldiers, who thereupon mutinying and deposing him, chose SerjeantHans Ernst Kyfin his room, who, as he was calling a Council of War, receiv’d a Summons fromToledoto deliver up the City; at whichKyfbeing much surpris’d, sent a Drummer with a Letter toToledo, desiring him to grant the Besieged three Weeks time to repair and make fit their batter’d Vessels to carry them back forHolland; and also that they might, according to Martial Custom, march out with lighted Matches, flying Colours, Bullets in their Mouths, and with Bag and Baggage. To whichToledoreturn’d Answer, That he was now in his own Countrey, and had gotten possession of four Fortifications aboutSt. Salvador, on which he had planted thirty seven Cannons, and therefore saw no such necessity to grant the Besieged (who could not possibly expect any fresh Supplies) such advantageous and bold Demands; and onely promis’d them their Lives should be at his discretion. Yet at lastWilliam Stoop,Hugh Antoniszoon, andFrancis du Chesnebeing sent to theCarmelitesCloyster, agreed withToledoon these Conditions:That theHollandersshould surrenderSt. Salvadorin the Condition it was then in, march out unarm’d, but with Baggage, and have a free Passage with Provisions and all things necessary allow’d them for their Transportation forHolland. Whereupon on the first ofMaythe City was deliver’d up to theSpaniardsin such disorder, that some of them had taken possession of the GateBento, before those on the other side of the City knew of any Agreement that was made betweenToledoand ColonelKyf. And thus the Place which had a whole year been under the Jurisdiction of theNetherlanders, fell again under the possession of theSpanishCrown, onely through the indiscreet management of the Commanders; for otherwise it was sufficiently strong, and well stor’d with Ammunition and Men, being able to make out two thousand. Moreover, the KetchDe Haes, was set out before from theHollandFleet, and brought news of the Forces that were sent from theNetherlandHavens to their assistance: But the Ships under AdmiralLam, as also those underBoudewyn Henriczoon, were stay’d a considerable time in their Harbors by contrary Winds, and at last reaching theLinewere becalm’d, and through the excessive heat of the Climate many Men lost by raging and mortal Distempers, insomuch that they reach’d not the BayTodos los Sanctosbefore the twenty sixth ofMay, on which they saw theSpanishFlag streaming from the Walls ofSt. Salvador, and fifty great Ships riding at an Anchor near the Shore.
The CityPorto Ricosurpriz’d byHenrickszoon.
Capt.Uzeelslain.
TheNetherlandFleet, divided into four Squadrons, consisted of thirty four Sail, amongst whichLamcarry’d the Flag on the Main-top, the Vice-AdmiralAdrian Cheszoonon the Fore-top, the Rere-AdmiralAndries Veronon the Main-mast, and the Commander of the fourth Squadron on the Mizne-top: All of them seeing theSpaniardsabsolute Masters, judg’d it most convenient to put to Sea; but standing a pretty while to the South, they found that the strong Current drove them to the Shelves on the West-side of the Inlet; wherefore Tacking about, they made towards the Enemy, who at first seem’d to meet them with twenty eight great Ships, but returning towards the City, theHollandersalso stood to Sea again, Steering Southerly, though without making much advantage in their Way, the Sea going very hollow, and the strong Current setting them towards the Shore, by which means they were in no small danger before the RiverFrancisco, where many of the Men dy’d for want of fresh Provisions, and the number of the Sick increas’d daily, insomuch that some of the Ships were like to perish for want of Men to guide them: It was also judg’d dangerous to lie longer with such a great Fleet near a Lea-Shore, therefore they put into the InletTrayciaon, which lies a League to the Northward of the RiverMonguapigape, from whence a ridge of Rocks extends toTrayciaon, and beingoverflow’d at High-water, hath three Openings or Entrances, two for great Ships, and one, the most Northern, for small Vessels to pass through: The Sea also breaking against this Cliff never molests the Ships whatever Winds blow. The Countrey is overgrown with Brambles, and hath a Lake two Leagues long, and a quarter broad, on the opposite Shore of which stood a Village, inhabited byPortuguesesandBrasilians; but thePortuguesesflying from thence left theBrasiliansin absolute possession: TheHollandersgoing thither found thirty Chests of Sugar in one Hut; after which the AdmiralLamcaus’d his sick Men to be brought ashore, whilest the CaptainsBoshuisen,Swart,Dyke,Stapels, andUzeel, march’d up into the Countrey, where they got plenty of Oranges and Cattel. In the mean time the KetchVosken, Mann’d with thirty six Seamen, Cruising along the Sea-Coast ofBrasile, took three Ships, one out of the InletTodos los Sanctos, laden with Sugar and Tobacco, another with the same Merchandise fromPernambuco, and the third laden with Wines fromMadera. On the first ofAugustthe Fleet set Sail again, to the great sorrow of theBrasilians, who out of hopes of being protected by them against thePortuguese, had joyn’d their Forces with theirs; but now being forsaken, they expected nothing but utter Ruine; which to escape, many of them desir’d to be admitted to go along with the Fleet, which had been granted them, had not theHollanderswanted Provisions for themselves. The Fleet getting off at Sea, the AdmiralVeronran with twelve Sail to the Coast ofAfrica; andBoudewyn Henrickszoonkept eighteen Ships under his Command, the rest returning home with AdmiralLam: and thus the Fleet left the unfortunate HavenTrayciaon, where above seven hundredDutchSeamen were bury’d.Boudewyn Henrickszoonrefreshing atCape St. Vincent, steer’d Westerly, when a Storm (which in twenty four hours blew from all Points of the Compass) surprising him, broke his Main-mast, separated the whole Fleet, and sunk theFlushingFrigat; at last getting beyond the IsleVirgin Gorda, the Fleet meeting again, got toJuan de Porto Ricoabout the latter end ofSeptember; into whose HavenHenrickszoonSail’d with great courage, notwithstanding the narrow Mouth thereof was guarded by a strong Fort full of Brass Guns, which fir’d very fiercely upon him, who on the other side was not idle in discharging his Guns on the Fort; and had not the shallow Water before the City prevented his Landing that day, he had gotten a far greater Booty than afterwards he met with; for the Inhabitants had, during the Low-water, remov’d all their best Goods: but the next Morning before Sun-rising, the Admiral Landed with eight hundred Men, march’d into the City without any resistance, pitch’d theStatesFlag on the Governor’s House, guarded all Avenues, unhoop’d all the Wine-Casks which he found there, for fear his Men should make themselves Drunk therewith, and so neglect their Duty, fir’d from the Land-side towards the Castle with three Brass Guns, gain’d the Redoubt, built for the security of the Bridge, which unites the small Isle on whichPorto Ricois built with the great, rais’d a Platform, from whence he fir’d Day and Night with six Cannons, guarded by CaptainThyene, whilest the CommanderUzeelkept Watch near the Fort; but his Men being most of them sick, he could not do any great Exploits, especially since theSpaniardsSallying out, as they did daily, kill’d many of theHollanders, and amongst them CaptainUzeel, after he had shot down two Turrets from the Castle, which damage the Enemy repair’d by taking several of theHollandersBoats; by which means they could not prevent fresh Supplies from going to the Castle; the Besiegers in the mean time beginning daily to be in greater want for Ammunition and Provisions: whereuponHenrickszoonjudg’d it convenient to sound a Retreat, after he had set the Ships belonging to the CityPorto Ricoon fire in four places. In which Retreat he receiv’d so manyfarewel Shots from the Fort, that they were forc’d to go to the Leeward to stop their Leaks, and leave one of their Ships to the Enemy, in lieu whereof theWest-CapelFrigat took a Barque with four Brass Guns, in the little HavenSierra Gorda; from whence the Fleet ran into the Western Bay of the IslandPorto Rico, where whilest they repair’d and took in fresh Provisions,Henrickszoonsent the ShipsHesterandJonasrichly laden forHolland; the remaining part of the Fleet meeting with strong contrary Tydes atPorto Rico, were necessitated to put into the InletFrancisco, where they made several Marches up into the Countrey, to the loss of many of their Men, which were kill’d by theSpaniards, lying in Ambuscade amongst the Brambles that grew along by the Ways.
The Fort ofMargaritataken byHenrickszoon.
Henrickszoondying, is succeeded byAdrian Cheszoon.
In the middle ofJanuary, Anno 1626.HenrickszoonSailing about the North ofPorto Rico, steer’d toDominico, and from thence along the IslesMartinigo,Luzia, and the PromontoryDe tres Puntas, towards the IslandMargarita, where Landing, and Storming the Castle on the Land-side with fifteen Men, he gain’d the first Breastworks; but theSpaniardsstopping up the Way along which they were to return, they had without doubt been all slain, had not the CaptainsStapelandEstiennecome to their assistance; for theSpaniardsseeing them climbing up the Bulwarks, betook them to their Heels, after they had kill’d nine of the fore-mention’d fifteen, amongst whom were the CaptainsUrkandMolkman: of those that leap’d over into the Ditch most part escap’d; those few that were taken inform’d theHollanders, That the Way towards the Village, inhabited bySpaniards, was every where stopt up with Barricado’s, through which none were able to pass.Henrickszoonthus become Master of the Fort, sent the Booty which he had gotten there, together with three Brass, and five Iron Guns, aboard of his Ship, blew up the Fort, burnt all the Houses, and ran into the HavenMuchina, to which he gave the Denomination ofPort Maurice; where, besides a great number of dry’d Fish, he took forty Tun of Salt out of one Salt-pit. After this he taking in fresh Provisions atSt. Fe, discover’dAves, a low Isle full of high Trees, took above two hundred Sheep, and abundance of red Wood onBonaire, and before the Coast aSpanishFrigat richly laden, made Inspections into the Havens ofHispaniolaandJamaica; from whence he fell back on the Coast ofPorto Rico, about the IslandMona, where discovering fourSpanishShips, he took three of them, and burnt the fourth; he also got abundance of Tortoises and Crocodiles on the greatCaiman, and took a new Ship between the little sandy IslesCaios, as also beforeCubaa Barque, which inform’d him, That the Fleet from theHonduras, as also that fromNew Spain, was daily expected atHavana: Thence Sailing into the HavenCabannas, he took a new Vessel of a hundred Tun, and abundance of Timber and Carpenters Tools on the Shore; he Landed also with seven hundred Men on the East-side of the Haven, from whence he march’d along a narrow Path a League up into the Countrey, where he found a running Stream, Pastures full of Cattel, and a Village, the Inhabitants whereof being warn’d by the Barking of their Dogs, fled, and left all manner of fresh Provisions to theHollanders, viz. above two thousand Oranges, abundance of Lemmons,Bananas, Hogs, Calves, and Bacon; all which having sent aboard, they burnt the Village: After this they took aSpanishBarque beforeHavana, as also a Ship laden with Timber, another Barque with Poultry,Cochenile, Money, and Haberdashery Ware, one Vessel with live Tortoises, and another, full of Salt, dry’d Fish, and some Merchandise. While the Fleet was thus Cruising up and down beforeHavana, the AdmiralHenrickszoondy’d; a Man of most approv’d Valor, and of great Conduct: After whichAdrian Cheszooncarry’d the Flag; but the Men mutinying about the dividing of the Provisions, which began to grow very scarce, all things fell into great disorder; theSeamen rebell’d against their Commanders, saying,That they had been out long enough, and that they would not stay waiting any longer for the Fleet fromNew SpainorHonduras: Wherefore steering Home, they all arriv’d safe at theTexeland other places inHolland.
In our foregoing Relation we have given you an Account of the Fleet which came to assist the City ofSt. Salvador, divided into two Squadrons; eighteen SailBoudewyn Henrickszoonkept under his Command, and twelve Sail remain’d in the AdmiralVeron’s Squadron, who Sail’d to the InletSerre Leona, where he found the AdmiralJohn Dirkszoon Lamwith three Ships, which had lay’n there above two Moneths, by reason of the Sickness amongst the Seamen.