TheSpaniardsunderRebellinorouted byStackhowerandLitchthart.
This raging Army, led by ColonelRebellinoandMadurera, march’d toLaurenzoandMassiapi, whither there resorted daily more Men to them, which put the Council atReciffato a great Dilemma, foreseeing, that if they should send forSchuppefromSerinhain, the Enemy fromUnaandPorto Calvowould hem him in, neither had they sufficient Forces to withstandRebellino; therefore it was judg’d convenient to send toArcisseuskyto joyn withSchuppe’s Army, that they might both unawares fall upon the Enemy. In the interim a hundred and twentyTapuyans, sent byJanduy, came toReciffa, with information thatJanduywas coming himself, with several other neighboring Kings, to their Assistance.Schuppe, according to the Councels Order, march’d in the Night through the Sugar-Mills ofRio Formoso, rested the next day in the ValleyOrekinda, and guarded all the Avenues: Whilest he went about to Storm the VillageUna,Mansveldwas to Engage with a hundredSpaniardson one side ofIletta’s Sugar-Mills, andArcisseuskywas to fall upon the Village; whither marching early in the Morning, they saw onely a few of the Inhabitants, the Enemy being gone with his Forces over toManbucava, nor could they pass any farther, finding the River too deep to wade through: But it had like to have gone worse withStackhowerandLitchthart, who withMaulpasmaking twelve hundred Men, were surpris’d byRebellino, rushing forth of an Ambuscade nearLaurenzo, whereMaulpasreceiving a Wound dy’d of the same. This rough Entertainment at first much daunted theHollanders; but regaining their Courage, they press’d upon theSpanishArmy in such a manner, thatRebellinobeing wounded in his Shoulder, fled in great disorder through the Sugar-Fields toPorto Calvo, and of fifteen hundred Men sav’d not above four hundred, the rest being either kill’d, or scatter’d up and down the Countrey; twelve takenHollanderswere also released by this means. ThePortugueseDesign onParipueraalso succeeded not much better.
Cameronput to flight byArcisseusky.
Arcisseuskyreceiving Letters of Advice from the CouncellorSerooskerken, thatCamaronlay Encamp’d with fifteen hundred Men about the FortressCapavaribiinGoyana, and that the Besieged could not hold out above four days longer, and that the Enemy had also taken two Barques full of Provisions and Ammunition, sent thither to relieve the Besieged, march’d with excessive toyl through uncouth and intricate Ways, which were rendred unpassable by the great Rains that had lately fall’n, and came about an hour after Sun-set toCapavaribi; from whenceCamaronbeing fled two hours before, had left Ammunition in three Carriages, secur’d from small Shot by thick Planks, which were drawn close under the Walls; also aBurgundianFlag, two Field-pieces, and two Barques which he had taken with Provisions. The Enemy fled toTapiserica, and from thence toTerra Nova. WhilestArcisseuskyview’d the Works, and his Men stood in good order, great numbers ofBrasiliansSally’d out of the Redoubt, took the Provisions whichCamaronhad left, spread themselves up in the Countrey, robb’d thePortugueseHouses, and kill’d the People. As soon asArcisseuskyhad put all things in good order, he left theBrasiliansinGoyanaunder the Command of the CouncellorEyssens, and pursu’d the fledEnemy, notwithstanding there fell great Showers of Rain, rested a little in the deserted VillageTapiserica, formerly inhabited by three thousand People, who possess’d several fair Structures, brave Walks, a largeJesuitsCloyster, and a Church. The sweet Water and pleasant Pastures invited theHollandersto stay here a Night. The next Morning marching forward toTerra Firma, they saw a strong Fortification newly rais’d, but without People, and heard the Enemy’s Sentinels fire; whereuponArcisseuskyappointing part of the Army to follow at a distance, march’d before with the rest, and being fir’d upon from an Ambuscade byCamaron’s Party, he order’d CaptainTalibonto press in upon the Ambuscade; but because it was perform’d in great disorder, he fell in himself on the right-hand of the Enemy, whilestLichthart’s second Division stood still; which so affrighted the Enemy, that without making the least resistance he fled into the Woods, leaving many dead behind him. The next day CaptainBohart’s Party tracking the flying Enemy, fell in amongst them, and gave them a total Rout.
Arcisseuskyresolv’d to stay some time inTerra Firmato wait forCamaron, but he not appearing, he laid waste the Countrey thereabouts.
Eyssens: slain in a great Fight withRebellino.
RebellinoandLewis de Sosafalling upon the CouncellorEyssens, Governor ofParayba, routed him, and set fire on the Sugar-Mills belonging toEmanuel Pirez, which forc’d them with their Swords in their Hands to break through Flame and Smoak upon the Enemy, who kill’d nine of them upon the Spot (amongst whomEyssensand his Secretary) the rest being either taken or fled.
Rebellinoput to flight byArcisseusky.
Immediately afterArcisseuskybeing inform’d by two Prisoners, that theSpanishForces Commanded bySosa,Dias, andRebellino, were all joyn’d together in the WoodAntonio, whereCamaronwas also expected, he march’d away presently with half his Army, and as soon as the CaptainsMettingandTourlon, whom he commanded to follow him the next day, were come up to him, he fell upon the Enemy, who lay on a Hill, at whose Foot was a deep Valley, through which he climb’d to the top; which valorous Attempt so amaz’d theSpaniards, that without firing a Gun they fled into the Wood: After whichMettingandTourlonwent back toLaurenzo; andArcisseuskydestroy’d theRossas, of which theFarinhais made, that so by scarcity of Provisions he might prevent the Enemy from so often joyning together in Parties: In the mean time ten Ships fromHollandarriv’d with fresh Forces, Ammunition, Provisions, and two taken Prizes, atReciffa.
Several Prizes taken byHoute-beenafter his Releasement.
An unlucky Accident.
Houte-beenbeing releas’d from his Imprisonment inDunkirk, set Sail fromHollandwith three Ships, and took ten Iron Guns out of one Ship, and several Pipes of Wine out of another beforeMatanca; after that aTartanfromHavana, two Frigats with Meal, one full of Wood with two Guns, two Barques carryingBananas, a rich laden Pink, two Ships with Hides, and one with Sugar. Near the IslandBaruhe heard several great Guns shoot off, whereupon making thither, he found theZealandPrivateerMartmanEngag’d with a Ketch carrying ten Brass and six Iron Guns, which was run ashore; whereuponHoute-beenwent to his assistance with a well Mann’d Boat; which theSpaniardsseeing, set fire on their Ketch and fled; but the Flame having onely hurt the Stern, fifty Men were order’d to get her afloat, who having begun to unlade the Tobacco, and to take out the Brass Guns, the Gun-Room took fire, and blew up both Men and Goods; of which twenty four being sadly hurt, dy’d, the rest escaping miraculously. Not long afterHoute-beentook a Ship with Hides, fraighted theAlcmaerPink with his Prizes for theTexel, ran close byCarthagena, and kept a considerable time in sight of the Plate-Fleet, of which he carry’d one of the heaviest Sailers away with him; Being thus enrich’d, he return’d home.
Grave Mauricesent by theUnited Statesto governBrasile.
Whilest Businesses were carry’d on after this manner both by Land and Sea inBrasile, theWest-IndiaCompany resolv’d to send some Person of Quality thither as President or supream Governor; and after no long Consultation who should be the Person,Grave MauriceofNassawwas pitch’d upon, as being not only eminent for his Noble Alliance by Marriage to Emperors and Kings, but also for his excellent skill in Martial Affairs, the proofs whereof were known to all Men, as his marching to thePaltzagainstSpinola, his being in the great Siege ofGrol,Hertogen-Bosch,Maestricht,Venlo,Rhynberk, andSchenkenschans, at all which he receiv’d great Honor; all which consider’d, they made him chief Governor ofBrasile, giving him a Commission Sign’d by theStatesof theUnited NetherlandsandWest-IndiaCompany, to Govern with absolute Power, as well in Civil as Martial Affairs, to the best advantage of thatState. At first they resolv’d to send a Fleet of thirty two Sail thither, but they afterwards reduc’d that number to twelve, which they Mann’d with two thousand seven hundred Men.Grave Mauriceset Sail on the twenty fifth ofOctober1636. onely with four Sail, whereof the Admiral Ship call’dThe Zutfen, carry’d but three hundred and fifty Men: about theSorlingsthey met with blustering Weather, insomuch that the Fleet was forc’d to put in atFalmouth, and after forty days stay there, weigh’d Anchor, and Steer’d forCape Verd, and refresh’d at the Isle ofMay, famous for Salt-pans, and inhabited by a fewNegro’s, and banish’dPortugueses.
He is joyfully receiv’d atReciffa.
On the twenty third ofJanuary1637.Grave Mauricearriving atReciffa, was by every one receiv’d with great joy; as alsoAdriaen vander Dussen: and soon afterMatthias van Ceulen,Servaes Carpentier, andJohn Gysseling, were chosen to be of his Privy Council; whose first Work was exactly to know their Forces, which were either Inhabitants that were to guard Towns and Fortresses, or Soldiers that march’d into the Field, two thousand six hundred whereof were appointed to defendReciffa, theAfogados, the PromontorySt. Augustine,Tamarica, andParayba: the greatest Party, which lay in the Field, consisted of two thousand nine hundred Men, and another lesser Party of six hundred; which last flying Regiment was to be continually employ’d to make work for the Enemy. They also took an Account of what Provision and Ammunition they had in store, and found that there was want of both, especially of Match. Next he enquir’d after the Enemy’s Condition and Power.
He marches against thePortugueses.
Povacontaken by theHollanders.
FromPorto CalvothePortuguesemade continual Sallies out into the Countrey, which they spoil’d and pillag’d, insomuch that theBrasiliansbeing oppress’d by them, deserted their Villages, and came for refuge to theHollanders. The Garrison inSerinhainwas also much too weak to withstand the Incursions of the Enemy, the rather, because thePortuguesecame along private, and to theHollandersunknown Ways. All whichGrave Mauriceconsidering, caus’d a Fast-day to be proclaim’d, on which they desir’d Gods assistance in the carrying on of their Designs. After which he march’d with the Army toSerinhain, from thence cross the RiverUnatoBarra Grande, and thence to meet withBagnola, who though he was four thousand Men strong, besidesNegro’s andBrasilians, had stopt up all the Ways with fell’d Trees, and fortifi’d others. On a Mountain, a League fromPorto Calvo,Bagnolakept his Station. At the foot of the Mountain flow’d a Brook, whose Shore was overgrown with Rice and young Trees, before which lay a high Bank; opposite to whichGrave MauriceEncamp’d himself towards the Evening, with intentions to fall upon him the next Morning, notwithstanding his Army consisted not of above fifteen hundred Men, of which there were six hundredBrasilians.Grave Maurice’s Guard marching before were follow’d bySchuppeandArcisseusky, and they byLichthart,whose Men were all Seamen; all of them firing their Guns amaz’d the Enemy, whilest two Companies ofBrasilians, and three ofHollanderscrept through the overgrown part on the right-hand of the Mountain, and as many more on the left, fell unawares upon him; butMaurice’s Guard Engaging with a thousandPortugueses, ran through the Water up against the Works with such undaunted Courage, thatBagnolaRetreated, leaving four hundred Men slain, besides three Brass Guns, and a great number of Prisoners; those which escap’d fled toPorto Calvo: ButBagnolafearing to be Besieged there, leftPovacon, which Castle, built on one side ofPorto Calvo, lies twenty five Leagues fromReciffa, on a Plain, partly surrounded with Mountains and Pastures. The RiverPorto Calvoruns so crooked, that it almost surrounds the Castle and Town. The Countrey hereabouts is full of Pools. Two Forts, each built on a Hill nearPovacon,Bagnolahad caus’d to be undermin’d and fill’d up with Gun-powder; but they taking fire, were blown up before theHollanderscame thither, who found them smoaking, and lying like a heap of Rubbish.Mauricemarching forward, Besieg’dPovacon; and Encamping himself below the Hill where one of the Forts had stood, he rais’d a Redoubt, and with a Trench approach’d the Moat. WhilestSchuppelay along the Town from the Church,Lichthartmade a Battery to the North, and somewhat fartherArcisseuskyanother; then firing from four Batteries onPovacon, the Besieged answer’d them again from their Walls, and on the thirteenth day the GovernorMichael Gibertonsurrendred the Castle upon honorable Articles: for those in Garrison beingItalians,Portugueses, andCastilians, to the number of five hundred, besides the Wounded and Sick, were to be Transported toTercera.Mauriceentring the Castle, took two and twenty Brass, and five Iron Guns, four Mortar-pieces, a great many Bullets, Matches, Gun-powder, and other Ammunition, this being the King ofSpain’s Magazine.
NearMoribeca, and beforeSt. Laurenzo, the Enemy receiv’d a shrew’d Repulse by the flying Regiment, led byStackhower; but LieutenantHelmichobtain’d special Honor herein.
Grave Mauriceafter these Exploits took Shipping inBarra Grande, at a great Inlet nearPorto Calvo, and Landed again at the PromontorySergoa, from whence he pursu’d the Enemy to the RiverFrancisco; the Inhabitants about which desir’d, and obtain’d free Conduct.Bagnolalay on the other side of the RiverFrancisco, in the TownOpeneda; whereforeSchuppe, who was sent to theAfogadosto be near the Enemy, was afterwards commanded to go toOpenedato secureGrave Maurice’s Passage over thither; but he coming thither after him,Mauricecross’d to the Shore on whichOpenedalay with Boats, and got great Booty; and the more, because the Natives had not secur’d any thing,Bagnolaassuring them that the CastlePovaconcould endure at least a Siege of four Moneths.
Openedabelong’d properly to the LordMelchior Albes. Near the Town rose a stonie Rock out of the deep RiverFrancisco, eighty Foot high; from which Rock there jutted out like Redoubts five Points, and it was call’dMaurice Castle. Along the Shore of the fore-mention’d Stream lay several very pleasant Isles.Bagnolaescaping privately from hence, was follow’d by his Men kneeling on floating pieces of Timber, which with Sticks they Row’d over to the Northern Shore, notwithstanding the Stream glides so swift, and is so broad, that a six-pound Bullet cannot be shot over the same; at the Mouth thereofMauricebuilt another Castle. A League from his Camp seven hundredTapuyans(a great salvage and strong People, whose Language thePortuguese,Brasilians, andTapuyansthat belong’d toJandui, could not understand) had Ambuscado’d themselves, and with signs and motions of their Bodiesthey gave theHollandersto understand, that they would kill thePortugueseif they offer’d to cross the Rivers.
MauriceadvisingPrince Frederick Henrickof his Transactions, desir’d that he would send over Planters thither, whether they were banish’dGermansor Vagabonds, out of their Houses of Correction; for without them the fruitful Countrey ofBrasilewould render but a slender Account to theWest-IndiaCompany, nor be able to prevent the Invasions of theSpaniards.
Grave Mauricebegins his Government with the making of good Laws.
The fruitfulness of this Tract of Land was not inferior to any Countrey in the whole World, Cattel grazing up and down in Herds of five, six, and seven thousand. Moreover,Mauriceadvis’d them about the scarcity of Provisions, without which they were not able to maintain War. He also setled the Traders in a good Order, dividing all those free People which bore no Offices, into four Companies, under Captains, Ensigns, and Lieutenants. The Customs and Tributes were Farm’d, Marriages were order’d to be perform’d by theNetherlandPriests, the Jews had leave not to Watch on their Sabbath, all manner of Debosheries were strictly forbid from being acted on the Lords-Day, and Punishments ordain’d for Drunkards and other Deboshees; several Schools were also erected for Youth, and for the instruction of theBrasiliansin theChristianReligion; and lastly, it was permitted to any that would, to build in the ruin’d CityOlinda, or else to repair those Houses that were fall’n to ruine.
Some of thePortuguesesfill’dMauricehis Ears with a Report of the Silver-Mines atCouhaou,Copaou,Terra Nova, and aboutCape St. Augustine; but he not regarding them, plac’d Sheriffs over the Villages, and Overseers over the Alms-houses and Hospitals, issuing out Orders also for the delivering of the Provisions, which being very scarce, every Man had a certain Allowance, that so it might last the longer; but when in this Distribution the meaner sort began to be scanted, the Peoples Complaints were such, that an Insurrection was like to ensue, if not carefully and speedily prevented: whereupon the decay’d and deserted Sugar-Mills of thePortugueseswere put to Sale, and sold some for three, others for six and seven thousandPound, insomuch that theWest-IndiaCompany got above 200000l.for them all. Soon after they fortifi’d their Castles and other strong Holds, and broke down those that were judg’d useless. TheBrasiliansobtain’d liberty also to inhabit their Villages and till their Land, that they might make Provision for themselves, and not oppress the Planters that liv’d near them. ThePortuguesethat had submitted themselves to the Government of theHollanders, had free leave granted them to exercise theRoman-CatholickReligion, onely they were not to send for any Priests fromSt. Salvador, which if they did, they should be dealt with as Plotters of Murders and Treasons; they had liberty also to re-build their Houses inOlinda, paying Tribute with theHollanders: Moreover, they were promis’d that they should live free from all Oppressions of theHollanders. There was also order taken about paying the tenth part of the Sugar andFarinha. The Income also of Fishing and Fowling, amounted to a considerable sum of Money. And to prevent deceit in Trade, Measures and Weights were made according to those ofAmsterdam. For the Converting ofPagans,Jews, andRomanCatholicks, able Teachers were sent into the Countrey to promulgate the Gospel.
About this time there went a Report, as if theWest-IndiaCompany were inclin’d to remove their Seat fromReciffato the IslandTamarica; butMauriceadvising them that it would not be so convenient for them, they chang’d their Resolution.
Isleostaken byLichthart.
WhilestLichthartCruis’d a considerable time before the HavenTodos los Sanctos, he Crain’d his Ship in the Bay ofCamaniu, took the TownIsleos, with a hundred and fifty Men. In the Town, which is built on a Promontory, he took but little Booty, and sav’d the Houses, which were built most of Stone, as also the four Churches andJesuitsCloyster, and return’d toReciffa.
ColonelLatanslain.
About this time the invincible CastleMina, afterwards call’dSt. Joris, was taken by theHollanders, upon the Advice ofNicholas van Yperen, Commander ofGuinee, who sent word toGrave Maurice, that the said Castle might easily be conquer’d, if any Forces could be sent him fromReciffa: WhereuponMauriceimmediatelysentJohn Cointhither with nine Ships, which set Sail on the twenty fifth ofJune,Anno 1637.who in the RoadCommendojoining withYperen, soon after he was set down before it, and was preparing to Storm, had it surrendred to him upon Terms no less advantageous to theHollanders, than dishonorable to the Besieged, yet not without the loss of many Men; for in their March thither they were fiercely set upon by theNegro’s inhabiting the Village near the Castle; in which Conflict ColonelLatanamongst others was slain. The Fort might very well have endur’d a longer Siege, it being surrounded with double Moats, each twenty five Foot deep, and high Bulwarks, which could not be undermin’d because of the Rocky Ground on which they were built; and to make it yet more stronger,Coinafter he had taken it rais’d a Fort on the Hill, from whence he had fir’d on the Castle, in which he found thirty Brass Demi-Culverins; and leavingWalraeven Malburgas Governor, he return’d toReciffa.
During these Proceedings of theDutchinGuinee, the Duke ofBagnolaransack’d the Countrey aboutSeregippa del Rey;Mauricenot able to go himself, having had a Feaver three Moneths, sentSchuppeandGyselingwith two thousand three hundred Soldiers, four hundredBrasilians, and two hundred and fifty Seamen, whilestLichthartSteer’d toTodos los Sanctos, that so he might draw the Enemy down to the Sea-Coast.Bagnolaflying toTerra Gracia d’ Avila,Schuppedemolish’d the TownSeregippa, the Sugar-Mills, and all manner of Fruit-Trees, and march’d with incredible speed to the StreamFrancisco; where Encamping on the Southern Shore, he drove three thousand Head of Cattel before him, that so he might starve the Enemy.
TheBrasiliansoffer their assistance to theDutchfor the taking the FortSiara.
In the interim theBrasiliansinSiaradesir’d Aid against thePortuguese, offering, That if theHollanderscould conquer the Fort there, they would soon destroy all thePortuguese; that the Charges of the Siege might easily be made good, the Countrey producing abundance of Amber-greece, Crystal, Cotton, Pearls, Salt, and other Merchandise. In confirmation of this their Resolution, theBrasiliansleft two eminent Persons Children ofSiarainReciffa: WhereuponGeorge Garstmanbeing sent thither, was no sooner Landed, but he made his Arrival known to theBrasilianGovernorAlgodoi; who came to meet him with two hundred Men, bearing white Flags in token of Peace: Thus assisted, he set uponSiara, which is a square Fort, built at the foot of a Hill, hath within its Walls six Houses, two Redoubts full of Port-holes, one on the North, and the other on the South, jutting half way out from the Wall; as also two Gates, secur’d with large Portcullises: without the Fort appears the Governor’s House, about which were several Huts forPortugueses.
This Lordship, already spoken of, is reckon’d amongst the Northern parts ofBrasile, and hath onely twelve Leagues in circumference. The Haven before the Castle, which the RiverHacumakes, is of little consequence: The Ground in some places rises with high Mountains, in others, especially on one side, it is overgrown with Wood: hath also several brave Pastures, especially along the River.
The Fort taken byGarstman.
Garstmanapproaching the CastleSiara, found little resistance, so that he took it with small expence of Blood, most of thePortuguesebeing taken Prisoners, a few onely escaping by flight.
After thisGrave Mauricetook great care of the Civil Affairs, building a Guild-Hall at his own Cost and Charge; sent all manner of Minerals, digg’d out of theBrasilianMines, to theNetherlands; laid great Penalties on those that stole the Custom of Goods, and punish’d with Death Murders, Robberies, and such like Capital Offences, besides several wholsom Laws relating both to the Civil and Ecclesiastical Government; and as soon as he was recover’d from his tedious Sickness, he march’d up into the Countrey to the RiversGrandeandParayba, to take care tofurnish the Forts with Provision and Ammunition. Near the CastleCeulenhe was receiv’d by theTapuyanAgents, and Presented by them with Bowes, Arrows, and brave Ostrich Feathers, us’d by them when they go to the Wars: in return for which they receiv’d Linnen Shirts, Knives, Shells, Bugles, Fishhooks, and Nails.Mauricecaus’d a deeper and wider Moat to be digg’d about the decay’d CastleCabo Dello, rais’d the Works, and call’d it by the Name of his SisterMargareta; he also pull’d down the FortAntonio, keeping onely a Tower to defend the High-way.Restringawas likewise strengthned with Pallisado’s, and the Cloyster near the TownParaybafortifi’d against an Assault, andElias Harkmansmade Governor of the same.
Whilest these things were transacted on the Land, CaptainSchuppeat Sea Engaging alone betweenTodos los SanctosandTerre Garcie d’ Avilawith threeSpanishShips, drove one of them aground, and brought another away with him toReciffa. The Letters found in the taken Vessel made mention, that in the River ofLisbonlay ten Galleys, and twenty more beforeCales, to which were to joyn thirty Pinks; which Fleet some suppos’d was coming forBrasile; others, that it was onely a Plot of the King ofSpainto get Money from his Subjects, according to the Custom of several other Princes.
HereuponMauricewrote to theWest-IndiaCompany, that they would Rig out a Fleet with all possible speed, which might fall upon the fore-mention’dSpanishFleet, and fetch those Sugars which lay ready inBrasileto be Laden.
About the same time a Party of thePortuguesescrossing the RiverFrancisco, came to the StreamMiguel, whitherPicardmarching, put them all to flight.
Grave Mauricesets forth with a Fleet for the re-taking ofSt. Salvador.
Grave Mauriceis forc’d to leave the Siege ofSt. Salvador.
Grave Mauricehaving a Design onSt. Salvador, thePortugueseMetropolis inBrasile, formerly taken byPeter HeinandJacob Willekens, and not long after lost by the faint-heartedness ofWilliam SchoutenandHans Kyf, though in all likelihood not strong enough to undertake so weighty a Design, yet considering if he should stay longer, the Season would not permit him, therefore he went aboard, hoping that he should receive some Aid from theNetherlands; his Army consisted of three thousand four hundredNetherlanders, and a thousandBrasilians. He had the greater hopes of Victory, because he receiv’d information fromSt. Salvador, that the Soldiers in Garrison there mutiny’d for want of Pay, and that the Governor and Duke ofBagnolawere at difference concerning the management of the War. But before he set Sail he had secur’d all Places against any Invasion, and got ready twenty two Sail, furnish’d with Ammunition and Provision, with which on the eighteenth ofAugustAnno 1638. he weigh’d Anchor, and met with six Ships at Sea, which he took, and arriv’d on the sixth day following before the Mouth of the InletTodos los Sanctos, which he could not enter by reason of contrary Winds, but Cruis’d up and down before the RiverVermelhoand the IsleTapoam; whereupon the Governor ofSt. SalvadorandBagnoladrew thePortugueseForces down thither to prevent his Landing: About Noon the Wind coming about fair for theHollanders, broughtMauricewithin Shot of the Ships, Forts, Walls and Batteries of the CitySt. Salvador, so that he thundred with his Cannon against them, and Landed on a Promontory near the SconceBartholomew, without the least resistance, in a convenient place about a League and a half from the City; where Encamping himself, he was inform’d by the Prisoners which he had taken, that about half a League farther was a narrow Bank, border’d with Morasses, so that none could pass along the same but at Low-water, and then onely at a certain time.Tourlonbeing sent before with three hundred Musquetteers to discover the Place, found the Way not onely as the Prisoners had inform’d, but also fortifi’d by the Enemy; against whomMauricedrew out his Men, ordering CaptainJohn vander Mastin the mean time to run with tenSail directly upon the City, and to drop his Anchors just without shot of it. Having beaten the Enemy from his Works, he broke through all the Paths, Hedges and Banks, till at last he came and Intrench’d himself near the Out-works of the City, by which his Army was secur’d from any Assaults from the Sea-side. ColonelBrandalso with little trouble took the FortPhilippo, built on the Shore, and fortifi’d with five Guns. The next dayMauriceStorming the CastlePhilippo, soon became Master of it, notwithstanding it was well Garrison’d, and had thirteen Brass Demi-Culverins. The taking of this Castle afforded the Besiegers a free Passage to their Fleet. They also rais’d two Batteries, from one of which they shot night and day with seven great Guns, and from the other with the like number of Field-pieces, on the CastleRosario, which thePortugueseforsook; but going about to take a Horn-work on the top of theCarmelitesCloyster, he lost many Men in the Attempt, and amongst the rest the CaptainsHowin,Echbrecht,Boward,Hollinger, and the EngineerBerchem; and in the end, after many bold and resolute Attaques, what with the strength of the Place, both for number of Defendants, and well fortifi’dness thereof, and what with the want of his expected Supplies, and lastly the sickliness of his Army, by reason of the extraordinary Rains that fell, to the loss of many Officers of note as well as common Soldiers, besides what were slain by the Enemy, he made as honorable a Retreat as he could, so that this Expedition prov’d altogether unsuccessful.
Mean while the ProvincialStatesofHollandandZealanddiffer’d about allowing of a free Trade toBrasile, and sending of Colonies thither: WhereuponGrave Mauricewriting to them his Opinion, demonstrated with good Reasons, that a free Trade, and fresh Colonies, would be much to the Companies advantage; which was approv’d of by theStatesof theUnited NetherlandsandWest-IndiaCompany, who onely engross’d the Trade ofNegro’s andBrasileWood; and on the Imported and Exported Goods they put a certain Custom.
Houte-beenEngages theSpanishFleet.
TheWest-IndiaCompany considering what TreasurePeter Heinhad brought fromMatancatoHolland, they resolv’d to venture another Expedition thither; and to that purpose set out fourteen Sail under the Command ofCornelis Houte-been, who weigh’d Anchor out of theTexelon the fourteenth ofAugustAnno 1638. and arriv’d safe atReciffa; whereHoute-beenhaving spent some days in Consulting withGrave Maurice, went aboard again, and at his entring into the Ship, bruis’d his Leg between the Boat and the sides thereof, which some superstitious Persons look’d upon as very ominous; but this Wound was not so great as to keep him back from whatsoever Service came in his way: for discovering theSpanishFleet fromTerra FirmanearCuba, before the Rocky IsleOrganes, which consisted of eight great Gallions, and six lesser Ships, whose Lading was valu’d at two hundred Tun of Gold, and Commanded byCarel Dievaro, he clapt the Admiral aboard, threw in his Grapling-Irons, and made him self fast, with a Resolution either to take him or die, whilest theDutchVice-AdmiralAbraham Michaelzoon Roosendaelboarded theSpanishVice-Admiral, and the Rere-AdmiralJohn vander Mastthe Enemy’s Rere-Admiral; and doubtless, had not the Vice-Admiral and Rere-Admiral been slain, together withVerdoost, Captain of theOrange-Tree, and other eminent Officers, and those that surviv’d fail’d in their Duty to him for want of Courage, he had given them a signal Overthrow; but whilest with much ado he had prevail’d with his Captains to renew the Combat (having been forc’d by the coming on of theSpanishVice and Rere-Admirals to quit his hold) and was preparing for a second Onset, the Sea began to be rough, and the Enemy was gotten to the Windward. Some few days after being inform’d, that theSpanishFleet lay before the Flats ofCubaand the RockyOrganes, Steer’d thither, resolving to venture once more; but when he came there, theSpaniardswere gone; whereupon he sent some of his Ships toBrasile, others to Cruise beforeCuba, whilest he himself went for theNetherlands.
Whilest this Expedition fell out so unfortunately,Cameron, General of theBrasilians, sent three Agents toGrave Maurice, desiring to enter into League with theWest-IndiaCompany, upon some Differences that were risen between him and the Duke ofBagnola.Grave Mauriceseeming much inclin’d to his Offer, treated the Agents very nobly; who not long after, oblig’d by his Civility, inform’d him, thatCameron, an inconstant Man, had made Peace again withBagnola. But that which chiefly obstructedGrave Maurice’s Designs, was the want of Provisions, Ammunition and Men, notwithstanding his continual Complaints to the Company.
About the beginning of the Year 1639. theSpanishFleet, consisting of twenty eight Sail, most of them Gallions, appear’d in sight ofReciffa, but Steer’d Southwardly;Grave Mauricehereupon sent out the best Sailers to follow them, and see whither they were bound, or if they intended to Land, whilest himself march’d along toPorto Calvo; but inform’d that they were gone into the InletTodos los Sanctos, he return’d toReciffa, after he had stor’d the FortsPorto Calvo,Una,Serinhain, and that at the PromontorySt. Augustine, with all Necessaries.
ArcisseuskyImpeachesGrave Mauriceand his Council.
Is sent back intoHolland.
About the same timeArcisseuskyarriving fromHollandwith a Commission to be General over the Forces there, imparted to some Friends the Copy of a Letter that he intended to send to theAmsterdamBurgomasterAlbert Coenraedszoon vander Burgh, containing many Accusations againstGrave Mauriceand his Council; of which he being inform’d, call’d a general Assembly, to whom he makes a large Speech, wherein he declar’d how faithful a Servant he had been to theStatesof theUnited Netherlandsfor the space of twenty years, complain’d of the malice ofArcisseuskyin wrongfully aspersing him, both in the aforesaid Letter and otherwise, answer’d particularly to every thing which was laid to his Charge, (as he did afterwards in a Letter also from himself toVander Burgh) and lastly made it his peremptory Request, that he might return home, and leaveArcisseuskyin Power, or thatArcisseuskymight be sent home, and he remain undisturb’d in his Government; and so withdrew, leaving them to their own Consultations. It exceedingly perplex’d them, and took up a long Debate what Judgment to give in this Matter, which before they concluded on, they propos’d several Expedients of Reconciliation between them; but seeing it was all in vain, they unanimously judg’d it convenient, thatArcisseuskyshould return; who not long after accordingly weigh’d Anchor fromParaybaforHolland.
Several Judgments concerning him.
Arcisseuskyarriving inHolland, appear’d unexpectedly before theStatesof theUnited NetherlandsandWest-IndiaCompany, where several Judgments were pass’d upon him; some said he deserv’d severe punishment, for his misbehavior toGrave Maurice; others seem’d to have compassion of him, because he had done so many noble Exploits; most laid the blame on the Company, who rashly sent him with a Commission as Chief over theMilitia, not without impairingGrave Maurice’s Power; but these Discourses fell amongst those who were not call’d to give their Opinion of this Case.
Coinsent Field-Marshal in his stead.
John Coinwas chosen Field-Marshal inArcisseusky’s stead, whilest the CouncellorsMatthias Ceulen,Adrian vander Dussen,John Guiseling, andServaes Carpentier, were ready to come forHolland, and on the twenty ninth ofOctober1639. they set Sail fromParayba,Vander Dussenbringing with him an exact Relation of the Condition ofBrasile, so far as concerns theWest-IndiaCompany, which being material, we shall reserve it for a more fit place.
It being fear’d that theSpanishFleet in the Harbor ofTodos los Sanctosmightundertake some Design or other against theHollanders,Grave Mauricekept a watchful Eye upon them, repair’d all decay’d Forts, rais’d new Forces, sent out some Vessels to watch the Fleet, and prohibited the Transporting of Provisions, animated theBrasilianCommanders to fight against thePortuguese, and forc’d the Owners of Sugar-Mills to Plant store ofMandihoka, that so his Provisions might last the longer.
A Party of the Enemy, consisting of about twelve hundred Men, having pass’d the RiverFrancisco, was soon after oppos’d by ColonelDonker.
ASpanishFleet lies beforeSt. Salvador.
TheSpanishFleet having lay’n a whole Year beforeSt. Salvador(because they had lost near three thousand Men, who on the Coast ofAfricady’d of several Distempers, and therefore waited for a fresh Supply) set Sail on the ninteenth ofNovember Anno 1639.with eighty seven Sail, carrying sixteen thousand Men, of which thirty seven were great Gallions.Ferdinand Mascarenhas, Duke ofTorre, being chief Admiral, carry’d the Flag and sixty Brass Guns in the ShipDomingo; thePortugueseAdmiral,Roderigo Lobo, carry’d fifty two Guns in the GallionBernardo; of all which, with the number of the Enemy’s Forces,Grave Mauricewas inform’d by a Letter taken out of a Pink laden with Sugar; and also that theSpaniardswere in great hopes of thePortuguesedeserting theWest-IndiaCompany, with whom they were forc’d to joyn; that this great Fleet was order’d to Cruise two years before the Coast ofBrasile, and to Land divers Men under the Command ofBagnola,Francisco de Moro,Antonio Roderigo,Nunno de Mello,Jacob Pirezio,Francisco Pezam, andLopes Barbalio; all which madeMauricewrite continually for Aid, “Which theWest-IndiaCompany must send speedily, unless they were resolv’d to lose what they had gotten inBrasile, as also the People, who had hitherto defended the same with the loss of their Lives and Fortunes.”
ANegrothat serv’d aSpanishCaptain, call’dHenrick Dias, being taken, inform’d theHollanders, That theSpanishFleet was much weakned by a poysonous Air on the Coast ofAfrica; and that they had left a considerable number of their Men in the Hospital atSt. Salvador; that the Admiral was resolv’d with divided Forces to burn all Places he came at, and to receive theNegro’s,Mamolucks,Mulatto’s, andBrasilians, under his Jurisdiction. ButGrave Mauricegave little credit to this Relation, because theSpaniarddoubted not in the least, but that he should takeBrasilefrom theNetherlanderswith his fore-mention’d Forces, why then should he ruine what he hop’d to possess? None knew whither theSpanishFleet intended to go; for setting Sail under the Command ofAntonio Oquendo, under pretence of falling upon theNetherlands, they Steer’d their Course toBrasile, and at last from the InletTodos los SanctostoGoyana; but four days before they weigh’d Anchor,William Corneliszoon Loos, who had some time been Cruising before the said Inlet, came back toReciffawith thirteen Sail of Ships, which wanted all manner of Necessaries.
Corneliszoon Looswith his small Power sets out to Engage the greatSpanishFleet.
AdmiralLoosslain.
Huigenschaseth theSpanishFleet.
Alderick’s valiant Exploit.
TheWest-IndiaCompany had now been in a mean Condition, had there not happily arriv’d first eight, next two, and at last nine Ships from theTexel, theMaes, andZealand, with Provisions, and a Supply of Men; whichMauricehad no sooner taken out, and unladen the Ships, but he fitted them for an Engagement, and made up the number of forty one Sail, who yet were not to be compar’d to theSpaniards, whose smallest Vessels carry’d more Men and Guns than the biggest of theHollanders, which in all had but two thousand one hundred and ninety six Men, and one Ship with another under twenty Iron Guns: With this small Power the AdmiralWilliam Corneliszoon Looswent to meet the Enemy, and before the RiverMichaeltook fourSpanishShips, which carry’d Ammunition and Provisions for the Army, whichLopes Barbaliocommanded ashore. On the twelfth ofJanuary, Anno 1640.he descry’d theSpanishFleet betweenItamaracaandGoyana; not far from whichMascarenhasthought to Land seven thousand Men atPaomorello; and they were already gotten into little Vessels when theHollandersFleet made towards them, and about three a Clock in the Afternoon began a bloody Engagement for four hours, in whichLoosEngaging with theSpanishAdmiral and four Gallions, was kill’d in the middle of the Fight, which ended in the Evening.Jacob Huigenscarrying the Flag the next day in sight of the PromontoryBlanco, chearing up his Men, went to renew the Fight withMascarenhas, and with a few small Ships Engag’d several great ones, of which they had an advantage onely in their nimble turning and winding. In this EngagementHuigenslost the Ship call’dThe Sun, which sunk with ColonelMortimerand forty four Men, thirty four being sav’d in the Boat. TheHollandersLoss was the less, because theSpanishgreat Gallions fir’d overHuigens’s Ships, which fir’d in the midst of theSpaniardsVessels.Huigensnot being tir’d with two days Engagements, fell upon them a third time beforeParayba, and firing at theSpanishandPortugueseAdmirals, pursu’d their Fleet to the Northermost Coast ofBrasile, where by a strong Current they were driven Westerly; and theSwan, Commanded byJacob Alderick, losing her Main-mast, was cut off from the Fleet by twelve Gallions; and three hundredSpaniardswere already Masters of the Deck, whenAlderickbreaking from the Enemy, drove towards the Shore, and either kill’d theSpaniardsthat were in his Ship, or forc’d them to leap overboard, whilestAntonio Cunha de Andrada, not knowing thatAlderickwas aground, making up to him, ran also aground, which occasion’d a new Fight, and at lastAndradawas made to surrender his Gallion, and with it three thousand Pound of coin’d and uncoin’d Silver, besides other rich Goods, and two hundred and thirty Men, who were all sent Prisoners toReciffa.