The Fort ofTamaricaassault’d by theDutchin vain.
But at the same time fourteen Ships, three Sloops, and seven great Pinnaces, weighed Anchor fromReciffawith a thousand two hundred and sixty Men, divided into twelve Companies, under the Command ofHartman GodefridandStein Callenfels; who Landing on the IslandTamarica, march’d along a bad and narrow Path, partly craggy and partly sandy, to a Fort built on a high Ascent overgrown with Brambles in such a manner, that it was impossible for them to break through, whilest they in the Fort fir’d continually uponStein Callenfels, who judg’d it convenient to draw off, and Storm the Castle on another side.
The AdmiralPaternewly come from theTexeltoOlinda, sent three Ketches, a Sloop, and two Pinnaces, beyond the TownTamarica, to prevent the Enemies crossing over to the Main, and keep off their Fire-ships. They also receiv’d Information from threePortugueseand fiveBrasilianPrisoners, That the Castle, surrounded with Fens and Brambles, had sixteen Guns; and thatAlbuquerquehad sent eight hundred Men to assist the three hundred that lay in Garrison there before. The CaptainsLe GrandandArcisseuskyfound two other Ways that led to the Fort, but altogether unfit to march along with their Men and Guns.Pateralso Row’d round the Island with Sloops, and fathom’d the Water, whilestArcisseuskySailing up the River toGarasi, suppos’d that he had found a much better place to make an Onset on the Castle in, than had been found out yet; but the Council ofOlindaandStein Callenfelslook’d upon it as too great a hazard to Storm a Fort, to which the Ways lay so much to the Enemy’s advantage, a small number in the same being able to beat off a considerable Party; therefore it was judg’d best, and concluded upon, to build a Fort on a little Isle nearTamarica, at the Mouth of the River; to which purpose the EngineerBuurencontriv’d a square Castle with a long Horn-work, which was call’dOrange; in which the CaptainsArcisseusky,Mellingen, andBeyer, were left in Garrison with their Companies, whilest the rest of the Regiment return’d toReciffa.
Mean whileAntonio de Oquendobrought a great Fleet toSt. Salvador; andCallenfelsdrew four Companies of Musquetteers, and a great company of Seamen with Pick-axes and Spades out of the FortFrederick Henrickinto the Field, and marching Southward along private Ways, he found the River strongly fortifi’d near the FortsAffogados, having above and below a row of strong Pallisado’s; yet thePortuguesethat guarded these Works after a small resistance fled, and left all: But because a general Alarm drew many People in Arms out ofReal, and several other places,Callenfelsdrew off in good order, and was inform’d by a Prisoner call’dPeter Alves, that the FortAffogadosreceiv’d that Denomination from the River on which it was built;that there lay generally a hundred and fifty Men in Garrison there; that about a Mile farther was the FortPirange. thatPeter de Acunhabore the chief Command next toAlbuquerqueover theMilitia, who us’d few Musquets but what had Fire-locks; and that they wanted no Ammunition, for six great Carvels loaden with the same had not long since stor’d them with great plenty thereof. TheNetherlandersalso understanding by Letters which they had taken, that theTapuyanswere very much incens’d against thePortuguese, who stood in great fear of these salvage People, it was judg’d convenient by the Council atOlinda, to invite theTapuyansto be their Friends.
Fight between theDutchandSpanishFleet.
AdmiralPaterdrown’d.
On the eleventh ofSeptemberAnno 1631. AdmiralPaterand Vice-AdmiralMartin Thyszoon, whose joint Forces were fifteen Men of War and three Ketches, carrying nine Companies of Foot, Commanded by CaptainEngelbert Schutte, descrying theSpanishFleet about an hour before Sun-set, animated all the Officers and Captains to regard their Honor and Oath which they had taken; telling them, That on this Engagement would depend the Welfare or Ruine of theWest-IndiaCompany. But his Men were not so much heartned by his Speech, as daunted at the sight of theSpanishFleet, which consisted of twelveCastilianand fivePortugueseGallions, and twenty six other Vessels, as Pinks, Fly-boats and Carvels, all well Mann’d and full of Guns, the Gallions carrying whole and Demi-Cannons; the Admiral, call’dAntonio de Oquendo, carrying forty eight great Guns in his Gallion, call’dSt. Jago; whereas they had receiv’d Information but of four Gallions and eighteen lesser Vessels; neverthelessPaterno whit discourag’d, boarded him about ten a Clock the next Morning, whilest CaptainJohn Mastboarded him on the other side, which occasion’d a bloody Engagement; and it would have prov’d fatal to theSpaniard, had notPater’s Stern taken fire, which he endeavoring in vain to put out, and none coming to his assistance, after he had hung a good while by a Rope at theSpanishAdmiral’s Bowe, he was forc’d through faintness to let go and fall into the Water, whilest his Ship was blown up, a few of his Men onely being sav’d byOquendo. In the mean timeMartin Thyszoonboarded the GallionAntonio de Padua, Commanded by the Vice-AdmiralFrancisco de Vallezillaon one side, and theUtrechtFrigat on the other, which after half an hours Engagement lost her Main-mast, and after a sharp Fight of four hours the Fire took hold of her Sails; which theNetherlandersnot being able to quench, leap’d desperately over into theSpanishVice-Admiral; but he having two hundred and sixty Men aboard, beat them off, forcing them to leap into the Water, or sell their Lives at a dear rate. But CaptainThyszoonhad better success, for he not onely sunk the Vice-Admiral, but took theBonaventuraGallion, and likewise gave the GallionJohn Baptistaso many shot under Water, that she sunk likewise. The Night approaching ended this bloody Engagement; and theNetherlandersFleet much damnifi’d stood Northwards, with intention to return toReciffa. The next MorningOquendohad lost sight of them, but descry’d them again on the fifteenth ofSeptember, and kept in view of them the six following days, five Leagues from him to the East, or East South-East,Martin Thyszooncoming to an Anchor beforeReciffaon the twenty second ofSeptember.
About the same time theAmsterdamFrigat set Sail from thence forSt. Salvador, with intention to joyn withPater’s Fleet there, but not finding the Admiral, return’d, and nearCape St. Augustinediscover’d theSpanishFleet; wherefore running close behind them she receiv’d four Guns fromOquendo, which she answer’d, and kept at a distance from them the whole Night, in hopes to meet with one single Vessel or other belonging to the Fleet; but theSpanishVice-Admiral bearing little Sail, guarded the Rere, and fir’d continually at theAmsterdamFrigat, who fearingan unlucky Bullet, made all the Sail she could possible, and brought news of the approach of theSpanishFleet toReciffa. Soon after which theElephantcame from theDutchFleet thither, with a full Account of the fore-mention’d Engagement,viz.That besides the AdmiralPater, there were slain CaptainThomas Sickes,Cormillion, and LieutenantSteenbergen, also that two Ships, thePrince Williamand theProvince of Utrecht, were sunk: In lieu of which they had taken the Gallion call’dThe Bonaventura, with twenty six Brass Guns, weighing above sixty four thousand Pound, two hundred and fortyCastilians, and a great parcel of Sugar and Tobacco; Amongst the Prisoners was one call’dFrancisco de Fuentes, who being Examin’d, gave this Information,viz.That the Fleet carry’d two Regiments ofSpaniardsand one ofItalians; in which three Regiments were four thousand Men, under the Command ofConde del Bangniola; and that upon the setting out ofFerdinand, the King’s Brother, to theNetherlands, all the chiefest Gallions andDunkirkShips were sent for, andEnglishVessels hir’d, to convey him safe to theFlemmishCoast, which madeOquendaset Sail with so much the lesser number toSt. Salvador; that the sunk Gallion, call’dAntonio de Padua, had fourteen Brass Guns in her Hold, besides twenty six that were mounted.
TwoTapuyanKings offer their Service to theHollanders.
Soon after aBrasilianthat had pass’d byAlbuquerque’s Army toOlinda, brought Information, That he was sent byJanduiandOquenou, two Kings belonging to theTapuyans, to enquire if theTopatingas(for so they call’d theNetherlandersthat belong’d to theWest-IndiaCompany) did yet reside inPernambuco, with Proffers to assist them with their Forces. Moreover, he inform’d them, That since his departure fromBoudewyn Henrickszoon, a great many of theTapuyans Petivareswere kill’d by thePortuguesenear the RiverGrandeand InletTrajiciaon, because they had assistedHenrickszoon, who had left them helpless at his departure. He added also, That if theWest-IndiaCompany would give the otherBrasiliansany assurance to assist theTapuyans, it would be necessary to Consult about it near the RiverGrande.
This Proposal was found to be of so weighty a Concern, thatEllert Smientbeing sent with the Ship call’dThe New Netherland, and a great Sloop, toSiara, to make farther enquiry into the Business, was accompanied by a RenegadoPortuguesecall’dSamuel Cochin, and severalBrasilians(whomHenrickszoonupon their Request carry’d with him from the InletTrajiciaontoHolland) who went, under pretence of visiting their Relations at the RiverGrandeandSiara, to invite their Countrey-men to joyn with theNetherlanders.
Olindadeserted and demolish’d by theHollanders.
DuringSmient’s absence many Consultations were held about the demolishing or defending of the CityOlinda, about which there had formerly been many Contests; but at last the Voices carry’d it, which were for the demolishing thereof, in regard it was of little Consequence; and could not be kept without many Men and great Charges, because of its bad Situation, whenas their Men might do greater Service in other places: Wherefore they began to carry all things necessary fromOlindatoReciffa, and on the twenty fourth ofNovemberthe City was set on fire with Barrels of Pitch and Tar, being in a light flame at every corner, whilestStein Callenfelsdrew off the Garrison in good order toReciffa; and immediately sixteen hundred Men under his Command were put aboard of sixteen Vessels, with intention to go toParayba; but the Enemy having a fortnight before had notice of this Design, had fortifi’d himself all along the River.Callenfelsapproaching, espy’d twelvePortugueseStandards, and the Men ready on the Breast-works to prevent his Landing; yet nevertheless he not regarding their Bullets, press’d in amongst them, and forc’d the Enemy from his Works.
Near the Water stood a Stone Castle, and on one side of it a large Store-house;on the Mountain near the City appear’d theFranciscanCloyster; the Fort rais’d of Earth had four Bulwarks, and twenty six Guns, according to the Information of the Eye-witnessesDrevisandBerster, who were sent thither as Spies.
Callenfelsattempts to take the City, but without success.
CallenfelsLanded not so carefully but that he lost forty Men, either kill’d from behind the Breastworks, or out of a neighboring Wood. Being inform’d by aPortuguesePrisoner, of the ill Condition of the Town, and how slenderly it was provided, he immediately rais’d a Sconce, two Watch-houses, and a Pallisado, from which he fir’d with two Guns on the Castle, and made several Trenches; but the Besieged were stronger in People and Guns than the Besiegers, who being scarce able, by reason of their small number, to keep Guards in all places, were also tir’d out under a hot Climate, and fainted for want of Provisions, insomuch that in two days there dy’d and fell sick above two hundred; whereforeCallenfelsjudg’d it best to draw off in time; which that they might do securely, they made a Redoubt, and the six Companies Commanded by the CaptainsRedincheven,Meppelen,Cloppenburg,Schenk,Byma, andCook, resolv’d upon a desperate Attempt, as followeth: Marching privately through a Wood behind the Enemy’s Works, they fell in at one side upon thePortugueseTrenches, from whence they drove them after a small resistance, and forc’d them to flie towards the Fort, whither they were pursu’d with such eagerness, that those who were in the Fort, lest theHollandersmight get in with them, lock’d up the Avenues against their own Men; at which they were so amaz’d, that some of them climb’d up by the Walls of the Fort, but were either kill’d by the Assailants, or knock’d on the Head by their own People, because severalHollanderswent to climb up amongst thePortuguese; the rest running about the Fort, fell into the midst of theNetherlanders, where they were all cut off, being in number above a hundred. TheHollandersalso in this resolute Design, had about twenty Men kill’d, and fifty wounded; after which they put lighted Matches on Sticks in their Enemy’s Works, as if they had never made any Attempt on the CityParayba.
Whilest this Expedition fell out so unfortunately,Smientperforming his Voyage, found in the InletTrajiciaonaPortugueseVessel hal’d near the Shore under the protection of two Pallisado’s; wherefore supposing it best not to make any Attempt on the same, he ran to an Anchor beforeUbranduba, twenty Leagues below the RiverGrande; where the NativesMarcial,Tacou,Ararova, andMatauwe, who had been inHolland, Landing, went to see, and speak with their Countrey-men to joyn with theNetherland West-IndiaCompany: and some days after the Seamen Landing again in the same place, met withTacou, together with eight more stout Men, and seventeen Women and Children, who carry’d a slainPortuguesecall’dJuan Perera, to the RiverGrande, about whom they had found Letters containing the whole Condition ofSiara; which theBrasiliansimparting toSmient, he sent a Ketch thither before, and follow’d after himself; they Steer’d along the Shore beyond the ShelvesGuamare, by the MountainsSailinasandPorto de Mel, the HavenDe Onces, and RiverJuaguarive, to theWhite Point, where theBrasiliansLanding spake with their People, and towards the Evening brought good tydings, and desir’d that they might be Landed atSiara, where they would put their Design in practice:Smientfollowing their Advice, receiv’d them aboard theNew Netherland, and Sail’d along by the square FortSiaratowards a smooth Shore on each side, hedg’d in by thick Woods, where theBrasiliansintended to Land; but thePortuguese, andBrasiliansbelonging to their Party, being gotten into the Wood before, fir’d so vehemently, that they were forc’d to Retreat, and Sail five Leagues farther beyond the CapeOpese, made dangerous by the many blind Cliffs that lie about the same.Smientanchoring here, Landed theBrasilians, on promise that they would return in two days; but the Seamen seeingsometimes ten, sometimes fifteen Arm’dPortuguesesashore, judg’d that theBrasilianshad been slain by them, and therefore weighed Anchor to the great dislike of theWest-IndiaCompany.
Since this unsuccessful Design onParayba, the Council atReciffawere no whit discourag’d, but resolv’d to make an Attempt on the RiverGrandewith twelve Ships and two Sloops, carrying ten Companies of Soldiers, besides Seamen; but by reason of the difficulty of Landing (because the Coast being very Rocky, makes the Sea go very hollow), the strength of the Place, both in respect of its Fortification and number of Defendants, and the joyning of theBrasilianswith them, they were forc’d to return without effecting their Design.
The Expedition ofNekker,Houte-been, and others.
The MarquessSalinasmurther’d for his Jewels.
About the same time eight Sail arriv’d atReciffafromHolland, andJonathan de Nekker,Cornelis Corneliszoon, aliasHoute-been, andReinier Peterszoon, set out with three Frigats from theTexelto the IsleVacca, where with Hunting, Fishing, and gathering of Fruit, they refresh’d themselves, and afterwards Steer’d to the RiverMagdalena, discernable at three Leagues distance by the thick yellow Water it discharges into the Sea through three Mouths. Between the Western and middlemost Mouth lies an Isle in the middle of the River, behind whichHoute-beencame to an Anchor, whilestNekkerandPeterszoonkept Guard nearPunto Verde; where though the Wind blew very fresh in the Night, yet the Water remain’d smooth: About Day-breakNekkerdiscovering a Sail, made chase after the same, but not able to come up with her, lost her the following Night, and in the Morning saw a Barque, which running ashore was set on fire byPeterszoon; after whichNekkerchased two other Ships, which likewise getting from him, he stood off at Sea out of sight of the IslesZamba, which are low on the West, and Hilly at the East-end, where the Sea beats vehemently against a Promontory, and chased a Barque ashore, whither he sent a Boat with eight Men; which being beaten to pieces by the Waves, drowned four of them, and the rest getting ashore were kill’d by theSpaniards. Soon after which fourSpanishShips set Sail afterNekkerandPeterszoon, and had not the Night favor’d them they had been but in a bad Condition; for they were not able to get their Sea-men aboard, who having taken some Wine ashore, had made themselves Drunk; about Day-break they descry’d the fourSpanishVessels, which were gotten so far from them, that they could but just discern them from the Main-top. Not long after they took two Barques, and came to an Anchor behindZambabyHoute-been, who being driven by a Storm out of the RiverMagdalenatoJamaica, had chased a Barque ashore there, and a Ship with four hundredNegro’s againstSt. Martha, and since took a rich laden Barque near the RiverMagdalena. In like mannerNekkerandPeterszoontook a Ship coming fromCaraques, leavingHoute-beenalone beforeMagdalena, who not long after discover’d eighteenSpanishShips near the High-landSt. Martha, which were Steering toCarthagena; one whereof belonging toCarthagenahe made Prize of, but was forc’d to forsake her in a great Storm; after the ceasing of which he took another Frigat, the Men whereof inform’d him, That the AdmiralThomas de Caspurewas going with eleven Ships fromCape AntoniotoPorto Belo, to lade thePeruvianSilver there. The Ship withAngolan Negro’s, taken byHoute-been, he set free, but kept a Frigat laden with Tallow, Hides, Tobacco, and Flesh, which he had taken just before the Coast ofRio Grande; and thus he went Privateering up and down, when the Plate-Fleet fromNew Spainweighed Anchor fromJuan de Lua, the like of which in Riches had never set Sail before, for it carry’d 2169340RyalsofEightfor the Merchants, an unvaluable Treasure for the King, besides many rich Commodities which several bought upon their own Accounts, that were not entred in the Custom-house: all which Treasure, laden in nine Gallions, besidesa considerable number of Frigats and small Vessels, was committed to the Charge ofMiguel de Echacareta; but he dying before the Fleet set Sail,Manuel Serano de Riberawas chosen Admiral; but a dreadful Storm arising as they were Sailing before the Coast ofCampechein their Way toHavana, the whole Fleet was in a manner utterly destroy’d, with a most unvaluable Treasure: The Admiral, Vice-Admiral, GallionTeresia, and several other Gallions, sunk, with at least two thousand Men, a great number of Persons of Quality, and amongst the rest the MarquessSalinas, who was most treacherously slain by thirty Persons, who made themselves Masters of a Sloop, into which he went for safety out of the sinking AdmiralJuseppe: That which instigated them to this horrid Act, was the sight of a small Trunk of Jewels which he carry’d into the Sloop: Not long after falling out amongst themselves about dividing the Spoil, several of them were discover’d, apprehended, and put to death.
This Fleet weighed Anchor the day after their AdmiralMiguel de Echacaretawas buried, who dy’d so suddenly that he could make no Will. A few days after the departure of the Fleet, a hundred and seventy Houses were burnt atJuan de Lua. It appears that theSpaniardsout of fear of theNetherlanders, set Sail on the tenth ofOctober, notwithstanding it was at an inconvenient time, because about that Season the Hurricanes rage most terribly in the Bay ofVera Crux.
By a Letter from the TreasurerFranciscus Suarezit appears, that the two Regiments in the CitySt. Salvador, the one Commanded byChristopher Mexia Bocanegra, consisting of nine Companies, each of sixty Men, and the other Commanded byVasco de Mascarennas, consisting of thirteen Companies, cost the King ofSpainyearly 21515l.to maintain them.
Walbeck’s Exploits.
TheNetherlandCouncil atReciffano way discourag’d by their successless Attempts made the last Year onRio Grande, sent thirteen Companies of Soldiers aboard of seventeen Vessels, to build a Fort at the RiverFormosa, where thePortuguesebeing too weak to resist them, set fire on a Store-house with three hundred Chests of Sugar, and fled:Walbeckwas Commander in Chief in this Design, who Landing onFormosafound no fit place to build a Fort in, because the Shore, not being above a Musquet-shot broad, was inclos’d with Woods, behind which lay high Mountains that Commanded the Shore; therefore marching toSerinhainhe burnt several Houses and a new Sugar-Mill, near which in a Store-house he took twelve hundred Chests of Sugar, which for want of Carts he could not carry to his Ships. Also beforePorto Calvohe burnt a Carvel, and took a great number of Cattel onCamarigibi, and return’d without any farther Exploits toReciffa, where the Cruisers had brought in several Prizes during his absence.
The Council resolving not to sit idle, set out another Fleet of eighteen Ships under the Command ofMartin Thyszoon, with a Regiment of fourteen Companies underStein Callenfels.
The Expedition ofMartin ThyszoonandStein Callenfels.
This Fleet approachingCape Augustin, they found a ridge of Rocks along the Shore, against which the Sea beat with great vehemency; at length they came before a small Inlet, at whose Mouth lay a small Fort from which the Enemy fir’d upon the Mann’d Boats which Row’d by the same: at some distance they discern’d two Breastworks, one rais’d above the other near the Shore; on which when theHollandersthought to Land, three hundredPortuguesesfir’d at once upon them; and on a Hill not far from thence appear’d more Men, which amaz’d the Council of War, for the Inlet was so narrow, that not above six Boats could Land at once; and it was evident, that though the Enemy should chance to be beaten from behind his Breastworks, yet theHollanderswould lie expos’d to the Enemy’s Guns from theFortNazarethbuilt on the Mountain; besides,Nazareth, if gain’d, could scarce be defended, unless the whole Mountain were Intrench’d round, which would not onely be very chargeable, but also impossible, because of the red Earth, altogether unfit for Fortifications; and the barren Mountain afforded neither Wood, nor any thing else; besides, the Storming of it would be very dangerous: The Entrance into the Haven was difficult, because a stonie Bank before the same suffer’d no Passage but betwixt small Openings; the chiefest whereof was guarded by a WaterCastle, and farther within by the FortPuntael. Along the Sea-shore their Landing was prevented by the violent beating of the Waves, and a great square Tower on the Way up to the FortNazareth, whose Church is seen at a great distance off at Sea. All which consider’d, they judg’d it best to draw off their Men again, and so they return’d without having effected any thing to the purpose, onely CaptainSchuppetook two Carvels with five hundred Chests of Sugar in the RiverFormosa.
The City ofGarasusurprised by theHollanders.
Soon afterMartin Thyszoonbeing sent out with twenty two Sail, sent four Ships forHollandwith the Lieutenant-ColonelStein Callenfels, and the CouncellorSerooskerken; yet thirteen Sail remain’d still before the Coast ofBrasile, under the Command of CaptainJohn Mast, who whilest he stood to and again from the Shore, and Cruising up and down, the Governor ofReciffaand ColonelRembachmarch’d with five hundred Men and fortyNegro’s, fromReciffaabout six a Clock at Night, byOlindaalong the Shore: Whereupon thePortugueseHorse-watch ran instantly toReal, two Leagues fromOlinda, to give notice thereof toAlbuquerque; but they surmounted all the Difficulties they met with by the Way (which were the greater in regard of the abundance of Rain that had lately fall’n,) and on the first ofMay1632, came to the CityGarasuabout Noon; where whilestRembachstood still in good order with three Companies, the Governor ofReciffafell upon the Town with three Companies. The Inhabitants had not the least thoughts of being molested by theNetherlandersthere, because they judg’d the Ways which led thither could not be pass’d in that rainy Season. In the first Onset a hundredPortugueses, most of them great Merchants, were slain, they being come thither with their Goods fromOlinda; and amongst the Prisoners which they took, were sixFranciscans.
This Victory theHollandersobtain’d with the loss but of eight Men, and twenty five wounded, besides CaptainRembach, who was also wounded. The Governor ofReciffaentering the City, stav’d two hundred Pipes of Wine, to keep his Soldiers from over-drinking; and because there were many fair Women there, he caus’d them all to be lock’d up in the Church ofSt. Cosmo, to preserve them from the Soldiers outrages.
Description ofGarasu.
The PriestDuarte Mendez Serraon(a Letter of whoseJohn de Laetquotes) values the Booty carry’d away by theHollandersfromGarasu, at 9000 l.Sterl.besides the damage which the Place suffer’d, being almost ruin’d. He relates farther, That the City call’dVilla de Santo Cosmo de Garasulay five Leagues to the Northward fromOlinda; and that in it were three Churches,viz.Cosmus,Misericordia, andHeremitage de Santa Crux; as also two Cloysters,viz.Invocation de Antonio, inhabited byCapuchins, and another dedicated toFranciscus, inhabited by Persons of his Order; That the chief ChurchCosmus, built like a flat-roof’d House, had a fair Entrance, before which stood two Turrets, and in them hung Bells; That theFranciscanCloyster was inclos’d within a great Wall in the middle of a pleasant Garden, and had on each side a Tower; That most of the People who kept the Feast ofSt. PhilipandSt. Jacob, were atMasswhen theHollanderscame thither, and though they saw the Soldiers out of their Windows, judg’d them to bePortugueses, who (as it was reported) had a Design uponTamarica.
The Governor ofReciffamarching with his Booty fromGarusa, set several Houses on fire, and march’d towards the FortOrange, on the IslandTamarica.Albuquerqueinform’d thereof, dispatch’d aSpanishRegiment, Commanded by ColonelFerdinand Ludovico Barbalho, andPaulo de Perado, with a considerable Body of Volunteers; but they all came too late: Whereupon thePortugueses, being thus kept in continual Alarms ashore, and sustaining every day more and more Losses at Sea, began to desire Peace, and the rather, because they could not hear of any Fleet coming fromSpainto their assistance; and hearing a Report, that theWest-IndiaCompany were making great Preparations. To which purposePeter Alvares(acquainted with theDutchCommanders, as having been their Prisoner) was sent byDuarte de Albuquerque(to whom the Lordship ofPernambucoproperly belong’d) and by his Brother (being General of all the Forces inBrasile) toReciffa, to Treat about the deciding of the Differences between them and theNetherland West-IndiaCompany: But the Council inReciffaweighing the many Disadvantages that would ensue, if they should upon easie Terms patch up a Peace with thePortugueses, return’dAlvaresthis Answer: “That theWest-IndiaCompany was resolv’d, to the utmost of their power, to keep all those Places which they had taken by force of Arms; but that if he could moveAlbuquerqueto deliver up the Countrey to them, he should be bountifully rewarded.”
After this theHollandersLanding atBarra Grande, took great quantities of Wine and Tobacco, and burnt two Villages; as also the Sugar-Cane Fields, and Sugar-Mills onCatuwanha, also one atBarra Grande, and three atPorto Francisco.
At the same time theHollandersalso scatter’d Letters amongst thePortuguese, signifying their trouble for the great effusion of Blood in those Parts, which was occasion’d by their own stubborn and unreasonable Proceedings; likewise intimating the great Preparations that were making on their own part, and on the other side the great unlikelihood, and indeed impossibility, as things then stood, of receiving farther Succors fromSpain.
TheHollandersCounsels betray’d to thePortuguesebyLeonard van Lom.
These things being powerfully urg’d, had perhaps taken greater effect with thePortugueses, had not the secret Counsels of theNetherlandersbeen betray’d byLeonard van Lom, Overseer of the Prizes, and Translater of thePortugueseLetters, who confess’d that he was perswaded to that villanous Action inAmsterdamby aPortugueseMerchant, call’dDuarte Rodrigues Delves, with whom he had made some Agreement; and for the better confirmation had receiv’d theSacramentupon it of anAmsterdamPriest: His Agreement was, “That he should go toReciffa, enquire after all Concerns, and give speedy advice thereof toRocque de Barros; which he did by aMulatto, who carry’d Letters between them.”
This Villain the Council judging worthy of Death, first caus’d his two fore-Fingers to be cut off, next his Head, and afterwards his Body to be divided into four Quarters. TheMulattowas likewise Beheaded.
About this time the TreasurerCeulenviewing the IsleMayo, found the same to be surrounded with steep Rocks, abounding with Horses, Asses, Partridges and Goats, besides two Salt-pans. The Inhabitants, which go Arm’d with Half-pikes and rusty Hangers, are said to be a sort of out-law’dPortugueses, to the number of thirty, amongst whom was one Woman. They had a Governor, call’dAmaro, to whom they gave yearly eight thousand Goat-skins.
CeulenSailing from hence Steer’d by the IslandDel Fogo, known by a great Mountain, whose high top vomits Fire. Not far from which he took the ShipSt. Peterladen with Wine, with which he return’d safe toReciffa, where a while afterGyssellingarriv’d also, and was no sooner Landed, but four Ships, two Sloops,six Cock-boats, a Barque and a Hoy, set Sail under the Conduct ofJohn Mastwith four or five Companies of choice Musquetteers, Commanded by ColonelSchuppe, who Landed behind the stonie Bank of the RiverAlexio, surpris’d somePortugueseandNegro’s in their Houses, and march’d in the Night so fast, that by Day-break they were got to the Shore of the RiverFormosa, where they took two rich laden Fly-boats and a Carvel; and afterwards Landing in the RoadCamarigibi, they took fiftyPortuguesein a Village, as also a Store-house full of Chests with Sugar and Tobacco, burnt all the Buildings thereabouts, and amongst others a brave Sugar-Mill: CaptainBymaburnt also an eminent Sugar-Mill near the BrookMaria Farinha.Martin Thyszoonlay a long time under theLine; but at last getting to the IsleVaccahe gave each Captain his Orders, and divided the Fleet, which joyn’d again beforeHavana, pass’d through the StraightsBahama(where he met with great Storms, and many other Inconveniences) toHolland. ButGaleyn van Stapels, who parted with a Frigat fromThyszoonsFleet nearBonaire, Steer’d by the PromontoryCotochetoSisal; which Village having plunder’d, he set it on fire, fetch’d a Barque in the Night from the Road ofCampeche(whose City is seen at a great distance off at Sea, by the white CloysterFrancisco) and so set Sail forZealand.Houte-beenarriv’d also about the middle ofJunewith a rich Booty in theTexel.
SchuppeandLichtharttake the FortFormosa.
Not long afterHoute-beenweighing Anchor with theOtterFrigat, return’d toReciffa, and in his Way thither took a Ship laden with Wine. ColonelSchuppeimmediately upon his arrival had a Command given him of five hundred Men, andJohn Lichthartof three Sail of Ships, a Pinnace and five Sloops; with which they set Sail to the RiverFormosa.SchuppeLanding his Men there, march’d up to the FortFormosa, fortifi’d with Moats, steep high Walls, and four Guns, Storm’d and took the same, killing all those that were in the Garrison, except the GovernorPeter Albuquerque: In which Victory nevertheless theHollanderslost the valiant CaptainPhilbert du Basson, who being shot in at the Throat with a Bullet, which came out behind the Ear, dy’d of the same, the Wound immediately festering, to which all Wounds are very subject inBrasile. TheHollandersalso burnt four laden Barques, a Store-house full of Sugar, and pull’d down the Fort they had taken.
Setting Sail again, they Landed to the Northward of the RiverAntonio Grande, where they gain’d a Platform with five Guns, destroy’d six Ships, and took two more in the HavenCamarigibi; from whence they return’d toReciffa, after having spoil’d and taken thirteen of thePortugueseShips, several Sugar-Mills, Store-houses, and a Castle.
TheSwolFrigat came also in a shatter’d condition toReciffa, having been Engag’d with aSpanishGallion carrying twenty eight great Guns, and full of Men, which nevertheless she would have master’d, had not an unfortunate Shot spoil’d all her Rigging.
About the same time the CaptainsByma,Everwyn, andRinking, set Sail with their Companies in three Ships toPorto Francisco, where Landing, they burnt three Sugar-Mills, besides several other brave Buildings, and brought away a rich Carvel, whilestLaurence van Rembachwas made Colonel inWaerdenberg’s place, andSigismond SchuppeLieutenant-Colonel.
The Proffers which theTapuyanAgent made to theHollandershad been very advantageous, had not the Summer Season been too far spent: for he had promis’d, That if they would Land a considerable Party of Men two Leagues Southward from the RiverGrande, all theTapuyansshould joyn with them, and assist them in driving thePortugueseout ofBrasile.
After thisSchuppeandLichthartwent with thirteen Companies of Soldiers, andtwo hundred Seamen, to fall upon the Enemy’s Camp at theAfogados, whereAlbuquerquehad rais’d several Works, partly for the securing ofVerga, the best Spot of Land in allPernambuco, where there are likewise more Sugar-Mills than in the whole Countrey, and partly to keep an open Way betweenArryaland the PromontorySt. Augustine: To which purpose they march’d by the FortÆmiliaalong the plain Countrey, to the StreamCapivaribi, which they had cross’d before thePortugueseknew any thing of their approach, who being but a hundred and thirty, forsook their Works and ran into the Woods; but assisted with four Companies ofItalians, they Sally’d out ofRealand fell with great eagerness on the Seamen, who being guarded by forty Musquetteers were raising of Works in the Road which leads toReal, and put them to flight; but being rally’d, and seconded by ColonelRedburgh, they drove the Enemy into a By-way, guarded byBymaandBongarson; where being stopt, and CaptainCloppenburghfrom another side falling in amongst them with his Musquetteers, they became encompass’d, and had been all slain, had notLe Grande, by making way forCloppenburgh, given them an opportunity of getting away between them.
The Council atReciffa, to secure the footing which they had got on the other side of the RiverCapavaribi, took order about the building of a Fort, which requir’d the greater Labor, because the Earth was very stonie: not far from whence CaptainJohn Smithwalking, was shot by a Party ofPortugueselying behind some Chests of Sugar; the Blow whereof giving notice to his Ensign, he speedily march’d thither, and surprising thePortuguese, kill’d most part of them. The like success hadLe Grande,Cloppenburgh, andBongarson, who marching out upon a Design, surpris’d unawares inJohn de Mendoza’s Sugar-Mill, two Companies ofPortuguese, who having watch’d there the whole Night, and composing themselves in the Morning to sleep, were set upon, and most of them kill’d, and the old CommanderAntonio Ortizo de Mendozataken, who not long before came thither with a Regiment ofPortugueses; the Sugar-Mill was also set on fire.
These successful Expeditions still adding to theHollandersfresh Courage, they follow’d the career of their Successes, and placing three Companies in the Works of theAfogados, drew their Army into three Divisions; ColonelRembachwas to Command the Forlorn;Schuppe, the main Body; andByma, the Reserve; in which Order they waded through the RiverCapivaribi, placing some Musquetteers in a House built near the High-way, to secure their Return that way, and came without any resistance to theArryal; where they found a long Street, with Shops on each side full of all sorts of Goods, which they pillag’d, notwithstanding the Enemy fir’d furiously from the Castle upon them, and wounded ColonelRembachand CaptainRedburgh. To the Northward before the Castle lay a Redoubt with two Guns, whichSchuppemastering, kill’d all that were in the same; but being too weak to carry away the Guns, he nail’d up the Touch-holes, and march’d off with his Men, but in such disorder, that thePortugueseSallying out of their Garrison, fell in amongst them in that manner, that they were not able to bring away their wounded Men, amongst whom was CaptainRedburgh; and it had been worse, had notRembach(who though he was shot in at the Shoulder, under the Blade-bone whereof lay the Bullet) kept them off till such time as theHollanderswere got over the RiverCapivaribi, near the fore-mention’d House, guarded by a Company of Musquetteers, who kill’d above fifty of thePortugueses, besides fifty that had been slain in the former Skirmishes; theHollandersthemselves also had lost a hundred and thirty Men: yet notwithstanding they ceased not, but march’d in Parties through all parts ofVerga, where they met with no opposition, but found the Sugar-Mills full of Sugar,left to be kept by a fewNegro’s.Rembachalso sent a Drummer toReal, to demand the Wounded, especially ColonelRedburgh, with a Letter from the PrisonerAntonio Mendoza, requesting the GovernorAlbuquerqueand Duke ofBagnola, that they would be pleas’d to release theHollanderson Exchange, or else upon Ransom. The Drummer being civilly Entertain’d byAlbuquerque, brought back with him a strange Oyl call’dAury, for the woundedMendoza; with which a Wound made by a Bullet being anointed about three fingers breadth, it draws out the same.Bagnolaafterwards sent it toRembach, in requital for his kindness in sendingMendozain a Hammock toReal. Mean while theHollandersstill fortifi’d their Works at theAfogadoswith Pallisado’s and Platforms, on which they put five Guns. They likewise work’d daily on the fore-mention’d Castle, whilestSchuppemarch’d with four hundred Men in the Night over the RiverJangadatoMoribeca; which approaching, he perceiv’d the Way stopt up with fell’d Trees; wherefore he march’d about to the Village, which he found forsaken by the Inhabitants, and all the Houses left empty, onely five hundred Chests of Sugar that had been brought thither fromVergawhichSchuppeCommanded to be set on fire with the Village, leaving onely the Church, and at his Return burnt also a Sugar-Mill.
Articles between theWest-IndiaCompany and the King ofSpain.
The GovernorAlbuquerquehaving formerly never spar’d anyHollanderswhich fell into his hands, began now to be better advis’d; and it was also Agreed upon between the King ofSpainandStatesof theUnited Netherlands, That they should burn no Church, unless the one, or the other Party made resistance in the same; That the Victor should be oblig’d, upon request of Quarter, to spare his Enemies, and release the Prisoners for an indifferent sum of Money; That both Parties should forbear to use chew’d or poyson’d Bullets.
Schuppebeing chosen Chief over theMilitiainRembach’s Place (who dy’d of his Wound,) lay not long still, but setting Sail with eleven Ships to the IsleTamarica, Landed seven Companies before the CastleNostra Sennora de Conception; which, though well provided and fortifi’d, the GovernorPigniorosurrendred, on Condition that he might depart with all his Men and the Church Ornaments.
Matthias Van CeulenandSchuppeRowing up the StreamGoianawith Sloops and Boats, put to flightLaurence Cavalcanti, burnt divers Sugar-Mills, and took abundance of rich Merchandize: Ten days they made havock in the middle of their Enemies Countreys without any resistance; for all of them fled to theAldas, (so they call theBrasilianVillages): At last they return’d home with great Booty, especially of Sugar andBrasileWood; whilest those atReciffawere not idle, doing thePortuguesegreat mischief by their continual Sallies,Tourlongburning a Fishers Village, andBongarsona stately Banquetting-house belonging toCavalcantnearArryal; as alsoPedro Acunha de Andada’s Sugar-Mill, from whence he took great Booty.
ThePortuguesebegin to fall off to theHollanders.
Jacob Huigenslain.
About the same time thePortugueseof several Parts, terrifi’d by continual Alarms and Losses, began to incline to theWest-IndiaCompany, believing that they should utterly be ruin’d, if they continu’d to joyn withAlbuquerque’s Party (who claim’dPernambucowholly to himself) and therefore car’d not whether he or theHollanderswere Masters, so they might live peaceably. Mean while theHollandersmarch’d from theAfogadostoArryal:Schuppemarching before with two hundred and fifty Seamen, was follow’d by the Lieutenant-ColonelDe Vries, and he by a Company ofNegro’s that carry’d Provisions; nextBymamarch’d with the Reserve. The TreasurerJohn Gyselingalso accompanied the Army, which Encamp’d nearFrancisco Brito Machado’s Wind-Mill, and Garrison’d the half-finish’d Fort near the Sugar-Mill belonging toMarcus Andre, whilest three Companies Commanded by CaptainDe Vriesmarch’d toMonteroos-Millsto take the same; but thePortugueselying in an Ambuscade had given them a shrewd Rebuke, had notSchuppe, hearing the Guns, sent away the CaptainsPicardandGarstman, who coming out from amongst the Sugar-Canes, put the Enemy to flight; yet thePortugueseto increase daily, insomuch that they got above two thousand Men together atArryal, whilest theDutchArmy began to want Provisions, whereforeJacob Huigenwas order’d to fetch a Supply fromReciffa; but as he was coming up the River with theExeterKetch, and a Boat hung about with Hides to secure his Men from the Bullets, and being within Musquet-shot from the Works where CaptainSchuppelay, the Enemy’s whole Power shot so vehemently upon him from the top of a Hill, that both the Ketch and Boat were sunk;Huigenhimself receiv’d two mortal Wounds, and most of his Men were kill’d, a few wounded onely escaping with Life.Schuppetherefore was forc’d to return for want of Provisions, and the rather, because he was inform’d thatBagnolawas coming with a Supply of seven hundred Men.
Mean while the two Captains,SmientandDunkirkenperform’d a valiant Exploit,viz.they went with a few Men in a Boat, and took a greatPortugueseVessel richly laden, having no more than four Blunderbusses and their Swords in the Boat with them.