TheSpanishFleet again put to flight byHuigens.
Januarythe seventeenthHuigensventur’d a fourth Engagement betweenRio GrandeandConyaou, where approaching theSpanishFleet, a sudden Calm prevented him from coming within shot of them, till against the Evening the Wind began to rise, but the Night approaching, it was not judg’d worth while to Engage for so few hours, therefore they referr’d the bloody work till the next day; when about DaybreakHuigensran through the midst of the Enemy’s Fleet, and fir’d so fiercely onMascarenhas, that he Tacking about, stood away right before the Wind, and not being able to get beyond the ShelvesBaxios de Rochas, nor to get Water on the Coast, because theHollandersKetches guarded the same, he Sail’d into the Offin towards theLinewith a South-East Wind. After whichHuigenslay eight days beforeRio Grandeto refresh and rest himself, and on the first ofFebruaryhe arriv’d atReciffa, whereMauricecaus’d a Thanksgiving Day to be kept for this wonderful Victory, whilest the Enemy was exceedingly abash’d.
Several Disadvantages occurr’d towards the overthrow of theSpanishFleet; for first it was much weakned by the Disease which rag’d in the same on the Coast ofAfrica, insomuch that it lay still a whole year inTodos los Sanctosto gather fresh Forces, whilestMauriceput himself in a posture of Defence: Secondly, they lay becalm’d, and met with contrary Winds for several Moneths, whenas the Voyage betweenSt. SalvadorandPernambucois commonly not above twelve days; which tedious Passage occasion’d also a Distemper and faint-heartedness amongst theSpaniards, whilest divers Ships arriv’d atReciffafrom theNetherlands, without which it had been impossible to have Engag’d with the Enemy, in regard till then all manner of Ammunition and Provisions were wanting.Huigensalso had continually the advantage or benefit of the Wind, and lost in the Engagement but two Ships, a hundred and twenty four Men, besides twelve wounded: Moreover, but twelveShips onely of theDutchEngag’d with this greatSpanishFleet, the rest never coming within shot; wherefore the two Commanders,John Coopman Ryk, andPeter Jacob, were condemn’d to be Beheaded;Cornelis JohnszoonandPeter Dirkszoonhad their Swords broke over their Heads by the common Hangman;Cornelis Lucifer,Dirk Eger, andJacob Clavor, were banish’d; and others came off by paying great Fines: but theSpanishFleet lost in the four Engagements twenty Ships, and some thousands of Men, theJosephalone having four hundred slain in her. Lastly, anchoring near the IslandMargareta, thePortugueseAdmiralCosmo de Couto, and the Captain-GeneralFrancisco Pimentello, falling out, theSpaniardsSteer’d toTercera, and from thence toCales, where there Landed but few Men, most of them dying of Hunger and Thirst in their Return home: Four Gallions, with two Pinks, got into theSpanishHarbors, the rest being either stranded beforeNew Spain, sunk, or return’d to the InletTodos los Sanctos.
Cameron’s Forces andBarbalio’s put to flight byCoin.
PortuguesesPlot against theNetherlandersdiscover’d.
Before the foremention’d Fleet weigh’d Anchor fromSt. Salvador, two thousandPortugueses, besidesTapuyansand otherBrasilians, march’d under the Command ofCameron,Vidal, andBarbalio, with divided Forces into the Countrey, partly to get Provision, and partly to do what mischief they could to theHollanders, far and near: their Orders were to joyn in the VillageSt. Laurence, seven Leagues beyondPaomarello, that there they might make way for the Seamen to Land, if theNetherlandForces should chance to guard the Sea-Coast thereabouts, and to joyn with them as soon as they were Landed. ButGrave Mauriceencourag’d by his late Victory at Sea, immediately sent the Field-MarshalCoinagainstCameron, who dividing his Army into small Companies, had distributed them through the Woods; in whichCoinfollow’d his Example, and with divided Forces pursu’dCameron’s Army, and overtook his CaptainTakand two hundred Men atPoyuca, (whereofLopes Barbaliowas Governor) who fled, notwithstanding he Commanded six hundred Men. Soon after which the Muster-masterMansveldmet him near the VillageSt. Laurence, Engag’d him, and putting him to flight, found several Papers of Concern that he had left behind, and amongst others a Letter, in whichBarbaliowas commanded to spare neitherBrasiliansnorNetherlandersalive, but to kill all, without regard either to their Age or Quality, except thePortuguese. Moreover,Andries Vidalurg’d the Owners of the Sugar-Mills in theNetherlanders Brasile, immediately to take up Arms, to regain their ancient Freedom, as soon asMascarenhasappear’d with theSpanishFleet on the Coast ofBrasile: ThusVidal, by Letters and private Conferences, prevail’d so much, that most of thePortuguesewere ready against their Oaths to root out theNetherlanders: The sign when they should be ready, was the burning of some Sugar-Mills,Vidalimagining thereby to have drawn theNetherlandersfrom the Sea-side, and so made the Sea-Coast free for theSpaniardsto Land securely in. But the Garrison underCoinalong the Sea-shore nearAlexis, not ignorant of the Enemy’s Plot, kept their Stations, and suffer’d the Mills to burn. The like didCraeyat the Promontory of St.Augustine,PicardatPaomarello, CaptainDayatCantolaria, andDonkeronGoyana;Hoogstraetkept Guard up in the Countrey;Tourlonalso sent out byMauriceagainstFrancisco SosaandHenrick Dias, who had pillag’d all the Countrey about the RiverConajou, fell upon them in such a manner, that he destroy’d eighty seven of them, and wounded a considerable number more of them, made the rest flie to St.Salvador.
Two Moneths before theSpanishFleet set Sail fromTodos los Sanctos, three thousandTapuyanscame toRio Grandewith their Wives and Children, from an unknown Countrey remote from the Sea.Grave Mauricerequested their KingJohn de Wy, that he would please to keep Watch along the Sea-Coast, and prevent the Landing oftheSpanishSeamen: WhereuponDe Wysent his Son to the CastleCeulen, making solemn Protestations, that he was ready to lose his Life and Fortune for theNetherlanders, in helping them to drive thePortugueseout ofBrasile.Mauricealso joyn’d two thousandBrasilians, and ColonelGarstmanwith sixtyNetherlanders, to theTapuyans, that so he might train them up in Martial Discipline, whilest theTapuyansWives and Children were plac’d on the IslandTamarica.
About the beginning of the Year 1640.Houte-beenandLichthartbrought a considerable Fleet from theNetherlandsto an Anchor atReciffa, where a Consultation was held, whither these Ships might be sent to do most Service: every one had an Eye on St.Salvador, not long since Storm’d in vain; butMauricejudg’d that they had not Forces enough to undertake so grand a Design, but thought it would be better to Land some fresh Forces near St.Salvador, that there they might burn the Sugar-Mills, and destroy all things they could find, in revenge of what the Enemy had done atParayba. WhereuponTourlonandLichthartset Sail with twenty Ships, Mann’d with two thousand five hundred Men, to the InletTodos los Sanctos, where they burnt all thePortugueseSugar-Mills, Houses and Villages; neither did their Swords spare any alive but Women and Infants: The Cattel which they found they carry’d aboard of their Ships, and burnt all other Provisions.
Capt.Brandtaken Prisoner.
Coinunsuccessfully StormsSpirito Sancto.
In the mean timeHoute-beenandCoinfell uponPorto Franco, where they ruin’d all things, to no other end, but that the Enemy might call home his Forces out of theNetherlanders Brasile, to defend the ProvinceTodos los Sanctos. But CaptainBrandgoing up too far into the Countrey with his Army, was suddenly set upon, had a hundred of his Men slain on the Spot, and was himself taken Prisoner, together with many more. Also the Storming of the TownSpirito SanctobyCoinprov’d unsuccessful, because he led an undisciplin’d Company, and wanted little Vessels to Land in on a sudden; for the Enemy having had timely notice, immediately rais’d a Sconce about the Town, and with five Brass Guns fir’d stoutly on him, who endeavor’d to climb up the Hill, but was forc’d to sound a Retreat, his Men failing in their Courage; yet at last breaking into the Town, he set some of the Houses on fire, which being built of Stone, resisted the Flame; so burning onely four hundred and fifty Chests of Sugar, he left sixty Men kill’d, and brought back eighty wounded.Lichthartin the mean time made great havock about St.Salvador.
Woods ofBrasileset on fire byPeter Vist.
In this Conjuncture theWest-IndiaCompany suffer’d much by Robberies and Spoils committed up and down the Countrey, by the setting their Woods ofBrasileon fire by a company ofNegro’s, the chief Ring-leader of whom was one call’dPeter Vist, who from Caves and almost inaccessible Ways came forth in the Night, and set fire on whatsoever places he came to, notwithstanding a hundredNegro’s of his crew were soon after caught, which he at several times had by force taken out of their Masters Sugars-Mills; whichGrave Mauriceprevented as much as possible, by keeping Soldiers up and down in Arms. He also us’d thePortuguesevery civilly, who though they promis’d Obedience, because they liv’d under the Jurisdiction of theWest-IndiaCompany, yet were ready on all occasions to shew the contrary; whereforeGrave Mauricesending for the chief of them toReciffafromPernambuco,Itamaraca, andParayba, told them before the Privy Council, that they might easily see how vainly they expected that theSpanishCrown should takeBrasilefrom theNetherlanders; that formerly they depended on theSpanishFleet Commanded byMascarenhas, but that being destroy’d by a small Force, that hope was lost; therefore if henceforward they would Trade on their own Accounts, they might be assur’d they should not suffer in the least, either in their Goods, Religion, or Persons.
Hector de Calcetaken Prisoner.
TheNeopolitanField-MarshalHector de la Calce, setting Sail from the HavenTodos los Sanctoswith an old Ship carrying six hundred Men, was forc’d to run aground in the Haven ofParayba, where he and the chief Commanders were taken Prisoners, whilest the Common Soldiers by reason of the scarcity of Provisions, were set at liberty.
Houte-beenandLichthartweigh’d Anchor with twenty four Ships, carrying two thousand Soldiers and seven hundred Seamen toHavana, to Cruise for the Plate-Fleet, but theSpanishShips keeping within their Harbors, and their own being dispers’d and scatter’d by ill Weather, their Voyage prov’d in vain.
Not long afterGrave Mauricesent some Ships underLichthartsCommand to Cruise before the RiverJanuarius, and others for the same purpose toAngola; but he effected little, for he onely took two Ships, one whereof being laden with Wine, was sold for 9400 l.Sterl.
The news of thePortugueseCrowning the Duke ofBragancia, and casting off theCastilianYoke, which very much chang’d the face of Affairs inBrasile, was about this time brought over by the JesuitFrancisco Vilhent, and the Under-Field-MarshalPeter Corera de Gama, who were byBraganciasent to St.Salvador, not onely to bring the tidings of thePortuguesesRevolt, but also to take the Oath of Allegiance fromMontalvanto the new King, which he made no scruple of; so that from thenceforth all but theCastilianandNeopolitanSoldiers, cast off their Obedience to the Crown ofSpain. WhereuponMontalvandesir’dGrave Mauriceto allow a Cessation of Arms, till such time as they might both receive information whatTristan Mendoza, in the new King ofPortugal’s Name, had Treated with theStatesof theUnited Netherlandsabout; and to make the Request seem the fairer, severalDutchPrisoners were set at liberty, and the Companies with whichPaulo Acunhaswas marching toPernambuco, were call’d back.
Grave Mauricedesir’d by theStatesandWest-IndiaCompany to continue in his Government ofBrasile.
Grave Mauricedesiring in his Letters to be releas’d from his Employment inBrasile, receiv’d for Answer from theStates, “That it would be very disadvantageous for theStatesfor him to come home, now he throughly understood the Intreagues of theNew World, in which he might do much good, especially since thePortuguesebeing revolted, would in all probability assist them in destroying the King ofCastile’s Forces; therefore it was now the most proper time to prepare for Action.”
To this Request of theStateswas added that of theWest-IndiaCompany, who also sent earnest Letters to the same purpose; which madeMauricedefer his Return, and prepare himself for some grand Undertaking: And first he joyn’d the Province ofSeregippe Del Reyto theNetherland Brasile, built a Fort and Armory in the same, and built a Wall about the Town; which Work was the more follow’d, becauseSeregippe, which border’d upon the Province ofTodos los Sanctos, fed abundance of Cattel, and gave great hopes of Silver-Mines.
Loandotaken byHoute-been.
Grave Mauricelikewise observing what great Profit proceeded from theAngolan Negro’s, and that theSpanishSugar-Mills could not work without them, undertook to ingross that Trade wholly into theWest-IndiaCompanies hands; to which purposeLoando St. Paulobeing judg’d a fit Place for a Factory,Houte-beenwas sent thither with twenty Ships, Mann’d with nine hundred Seamen, two thousand Land-Soldiers, and two hundredBrasilians: the Land-Men were Commanded byHinderson, who arriving with the Fleet on the twenty fourth ofAugust1640. beforeLoando St. Paulo, ran in between the Enemy’s Castles, St.Crux,Bento,Sibylla,Vincent,Velho, and against five Batteries along the Water side, all full of Guns, and fir’d so vehemently upon the Enemy, that being forc’d to leave his Works, he made roomforHindersonto Land; who immediately march’d to the Town, whichPeter Cæsar Menesesdefended with nine hundredPortugueses, and some thousands ofNegro’s, who stood the first Onset; butHindersonfalling upon them again, so affrighted them, that they fled; whichMenesesperceiving, soon follow’d, and left him Master of the City, in which he found onely a few drunken Soldiers, decrepid old People, twenty nine Brass Guns, besides several Iron ones, and great plenty of Provisions and Ammunition. Mean whileHoute-beentook thirty Ships hal’d near the Shore.
Description of the City.
This City is built on a Hill, and hath several fair Buildings and Cloysters, amongst which theJesuitsandCapuchinsare the best. Along the Sea-shore at the foot of the Mountain, stands also a long Row of Houses, near whichHindersonimmediately cast up Bulwarks against any Assault, and likewise two Sconces, the biggest whereof is on the utmost Point ofLoandonear the FortSibylla.
Menesesin vain Expostulates.
Twelve companies being left here in Garrison, quite contrary toMeneseshis expectation, who thinking that theNetherlanderscame onely for Booty, and not to take or keep the City by force of Arms, made his Complaints therefore by Letters toHoute-been, alledging, That there was Peace made between the King ofPortugaland theUnited Netherlands, and that the former Acts of Hostility were chang’d to friendly Correspondencies. ButHoute-beenanswer’d, “That he knew not of any such Agreement betweenPortugaland theNetherlands; and if he had known it, how should he be sure whetherMenesesheld with theCastiliansorPortugueses? IfMenesesknew of this Agreement, and was of thePortugueseParty, why did he receive those as Enemies, whom he must acknowledge as Friends? His Complaints were now too late, since theHollandershad obtain’d the Victory with the loss of their Blood.”
Menesestherefore seeing no hopes to regainLoando, either by Complaints or Force, desir’d eight days Cessation of Arms, that in that time he might fit himself to go from thence to another Place; which theNetherlandersin Garrison would not hearken to, but commanded him to march away immediately sixteen Leagues fromLoando.
Great Profit of theNegro-Trade.
Mean while theAngolanPrinces joyning with theNetherlandersfell upon thePortuguesewhere-e’re they met them. Moreover, several Citizens return’d toLoando, and proffer’d half theirNegro’s, if they might but have liberty to be Transported to St.Salvadorwith the other half; but it was judg’d more convenient to keep them, and by fair means also to invite the rest, because it appear’d by theAngolanAccounts, that the profit of theNegro-Trade amounted yearly to sixty six Tuns of Gold, the Charges of the Garrison, and fitting out of the Ships being deducted from it. TheSpanishKing had yearly above fifteen thousandNegro’s from hence to employ in hisAmericanMines.
TheIsleof St.Thomastaken byHoute-been.
Great Mortality among theDutchon the IslandSt. Thomas, by reason of the unwholsomness of the Place.
Houte-beenSailing over fromLoandoto the Isle of St.Thomas, Landed some of his Men over against the Sugar-Mills of St.Juna, and ran with his Fleet to an Anchor near a square Castle, with intention to use no Hostility, unless provok’d; which thePortuguesedid by firing their Guns, and were answer’d byHoute-been, one of whose Ships call’d theEnchuisenwas blown up; those that Landed also met with some resistance from diversNegro’s; yet at last they gain’d the Fort, in which they found six Guns, and soon after march’d into the TownPavaosa, where the Inhabitants had left nothing but empty Houses; the great Castle they were forc’d to let alone, because the Scaling-Ladders would not reach to the top of the Walls, which were twenty eight foot high: ButHoute-beencoming ashore, rais’d a Battery behind the Church, from whence he fir’d with six Demi-Cannons, and threw sixty five Granado’s amongst the Besieged, twenty whereof burst with such violence, that allthings about them were beaten to pieces; and those in Garrison march’d out, notwithstanding they might easily have endur’d a long Siege, having twenty Brass, and sixteen Iron Guns, besides all manner of Ammunition.Houte-beenthus become Master of all things on the Island of St.Thomas, sent for the fledPortuguesesinto the City on reasonable Proffers, embrac’d by many of the Inhabitants andNegro’s. But whilestHoute-beenput all things in good order here, the Countrey Disease began to rage amongst the Seamen, for those who but a little before climb’d up the Walls couragiously, grew faint, and fell down in a Swoon; those who fought valiantly against their Enemies, were now put into their Graves; in short, of a thousand Men, a hundred were scarce left in health, the rest being departed, or lying Bedrid: the unwholsom Air without any difference infected both great and small; for the CommandersMastmaker,Valett,Dammert,Claudius,Teer,Tack, and the chief in this Expedition,Houte-been, were all taken off, and Interr’d in the chief Church ofPavoasa, after the finishing of so much bloody Work. Most complain’d of intolerable Head-ache, even to Distraction, others also of horrible Gripings; and all those who were afflicted either of these two ways, most certainly dy’d in four days time. The occasion of this deadly Distemper was by divers, according to their different Judgments, imputed to several Accidents; but doubtless it was chiefly to be ascrib’d to the poysonous Damps or Fogs, which often rise in this Island, at which times every one us’d to keep close in their Huts or Houses; which theNetherlandersbeing ignorant of, neglected.
The first Colony sent thither byJohnthe Third, King ofPortugal.
ThePortuguesethat dwelt on this Island inform’d theNetherlanders, that few liv’d above fifty years there, yet notwithstanding the great Gain tempted them to tarry, several of them having two or three hundredNegro’s that work’d in the Sugar-Mills; thatJohnthe Third, King ofPortugal, sent a Colony thither above two hundred years before, whom though the unwholsom Air destroy’d, yet the Place was not left desolate; for he sent new Inhabitants, who first Setled inGuinee, next inAngola, and lastly on the Island St.Thomas, that so they might be the better us’d to the Air; that the said King sold all thoseJewsfor Slaves that refus’d to embrace theRomanReligion, and caus’d their Children to be Baptiz’d, from whom (coming thither in great numbers) most of the present Inhabitants were descended.
Twice a year,viz.inMarchandSeptember, the Sun is in theZenithhere, being right perpendicular, and by that means makes no Shadow at Noon; but the Heat is somewhat mollifi’d in these two Moneths by the Rains which fall, and in the Summer by a West, or South Wind; for there never blow neither East nor Northerly Winds.
The Description of the Island.
The white People that dwell here have commonly a Feaver every eighth day; first they grow chill, next cold, and at last very hot, which lasts onely two hours. They commonly Let Blood four times a year to prevent this Distemper. TheNegro’s generally attain to a great Age, many times to above a hundred years. The Island bears the Name of St.Thomasfrom the Saint on whose Day thePortuguesediscover’d the same. From the middle of it rises a Hill, overgrown with Trees, and cover’d on the top with Snow, which dropping down into certain Brooks, runs through the Woods, and moistens the Cane-Fields. The Ground it self is tough, and Ash-colour’d; in it breed blue Crabs like Moles, which hurt all manner of Roots and Plants. The City ofPavaosais the Metropolis of the Island, and a Bishop’s See; it lies near a clear and pleasant Brook, and is flank’d on one side with Hills, fruitful in the production of Sugar-Canes, but partakes of the unwholsom Air of the Island, which therefore can scarce be defended byNetherlanders, because they being unaccustom’d to the Climate, generally die: WhereforeGrave Mauriceadvis’d theStatesto people this Place with Malefactors, who might either live here to the Publick good, or die with less Disgrace than in a Prison.
The CitySt. Lodowicktaken byCoin.
Towards the latter end of the Year 1641.LichthartandCoinweigh’d Anchor with eight great, and six lesser Ships, and Sail’d to the Island ofMaragnon; whereCoinLanding near the City St.Lodowick, march’d immediately to the Fort, wash’d on both sides with one River, which there divides it self into two Branches: the Governor of it being too weak to hold out a Storming, sent two eminent Persons toCoin, with Proffers that they would surrender on reasonable Articles: whereuponCoingranted them their Lives, and free possession of their Goods, and gave leave to the Soldiers to stay in the CitySt. Lodowick, provided they had no Arms, till Orders came fromGrave Mauriceand his Council atReciffa. TheHollandersentring the Fort found fifty five great Guns, abundance of all manner of Provisions, and left six hundred Men in Garrison. But the new King ofPortugalcomplain’d by his AgentMendozato theStatesof theUnited Netherlands, concerning the Transactions of theWest-IndiaCompany, who had taken theLoando, and the Isles St.ThomasandMaragnan, from him. But he was answer’d, That those Places were taken either before the ten years Peace was concluded with thePortuguese, or before the King approv’d of it, or at least before it was publish’d.
Grave Mauricefinding that he could not prevail by fair means with thePortugueseinBrasile, sought to do something by force of Arms, because the welfare of theWest-IndiaCompany depended solely upon the fortune of War; his Design lay towards the South Sea, whither the Ships might the easier Sail fromBrasilethrough theStraightsofMagellanorLe Maire, because in the Summer there blow for the most part Northern Winds along the Coast ofAmerica. There were likewise many good Conveniences in the Southern Ocean, not onely to surprize the richManilhaTraders but also to meet with thePeruvianPlate-Fleet; besides which, Enquiries might be made with little Charges, if any Place were fit to Settle on for Trade in the unknown South Land.
A great Deluge inBrasile.
This Year 1641. was not onely remarkable for thePortuguesesrevolting from theSpaniards, but also for a great Deluge, which did much hurt inBrasile; for the Rains fell so exceeding hard without ceasing, that the swoln Rivers every where overflow’d their Banks and Dams; the Plants were either wash’d away, or were eaten up by little Worms, which bred as soon as the Water began to fall. Besides this Plague, the Small-pox also rag’d amongst the People, of which many dy’d, and others lay lingring a great while. The Sugar-Mills likewise stood still for want ofNegro’s, which the Distemper had for the most part destroy’d, and the Sugar-Canes rotted in the Ground.
A Peace agreed on between theStatesofHollandand the King ofPortugal.
Man whileGrave Mauricereceiv’d news of the Agreement between the King ofPortugaland theStatesof theUnited Netherlands, according to which every one was to keep what they had gotten by the War; Trading was free for all; against all the Castles and Fortresses inAmerica, under the King ofSpain’s Dominion, Hostility was to be acted alike by both; the Countrey which lay between the utmost Borders of thePortugueseandNetherlanders, were to be divided, that each might know their just Limits; all manner of Trade to theSpanish Americawas forbidden to both; each Owner was to remain in possession of the Goods which he had on the Day when this ten years Peace was proclaim’d.
Tolnergives theWest-IndiaCompany an Account of the state of Affairs inBrasile.
Grave Mauriceseeing he could not get theStatesConsent to return home, sent his SecretaryTolnertoHolland, to inform theWest-IndiaCompany of the Condition ofBrasile, and to request such things as were wanting there:Tolneraccordingly arriving inHolland, acquainted them with the Extent of their Dominions inBrasile,which reach’d fromMaragnanto the RiverReal; with the necessity of keeping the Soldiery undisbanded, in regard thePortuguesewere ready to take all advantages, notwithstanding the Articles of Agreement; with the discontent of their own Men, and their readiness to mutiny upon the report that they were to be Disbanded; with the great Inconveniences of altering the Government of theWest-IndiaCompany; with the number of Soldiers wherewith every Place belonging to the Company was at that present furnish’d, which amounted in all to near five thousand Men; and with the impossibility of keeping those Places, unless a speedy Supply of Men and Provisions were sent.
Grave Mauricereceiv’d a Letter fromMascarenhas, wherein he made great complaint of theNetherlandersActions onLoando, St.Thomas, andMaragnan, during the time of the Treaty, and us’d many Arguments for the delivering back of the Places then taken; butMauricetook little notice of the said Letter, being busie about setling all Affairs in this quiet Juncture of time: He freed all new Planters from the paying of Tenths for seven years, sold several Fields to be Cultivated, repair’d all decay’d Forts, kept theCatholicksin strict awe, ordain’d good Orders for Schools, Alms-houses, and payment of Money, and gave particularly Liberty to thePortugueseboth in Spiritual and Temporal Affairs.
The FortCalvariataken by theMaragnansand others.
In the mean time sad news was brought,viz.That theMaragnans, assisted by thePortuguesesandBrasilians, had taken the Fort ofCalvarianear the RiverTapicuru, destroy’d all those that were in Garrison, and Storm’d the CityLodowick: WhereuponHindersonwas dispatch’d thither immediately with three hundredNetherlanders, and two hundredBrasiliansfromSiara; which the Enemy hearing, though there were seven hundredPortugueses, and three thousandBrasilians, left the IslandMaragnan, and went over to the Main Continent.
The occasion of this Plot was imputed to the fault of the sottish Governor of St.Lodowick, and his SecretaryWilliam Negenton, who by their Folly and Misgovernment provok’d the Natives to Rebellion.
Grave Mauricehis Design uponBuenos Airesdiverted byPirezhis taking ofPavaosa.
In the interimGrave Mauricehad a Design upon the CityBuenos Airesin the Southern parts ofBrasile, near the RiverLa Plata, where a Way leads by Land toPeru; and whither the Silver andNegro’s were often brought, especially when any Ships were suspected to block up the Channel ofPanama.
WhilestMauricewas preparing for this Expedition, news was brought that two Ships had Landed their Men on the Island St.Thomas, under the Command ofLaurence Pirez, who had driven theNetherlandGarrison out ofPavaosa, and Besieg’d the Fort, out of which many for want of Water ran to the Enemy; and it was fear’d that the same Misfortune would suddenly befall the CityLoandoandSeregippe del Rey; which preventedHenrick Borer’s Expedition toChili, andLichthart’s toBuenos Aires, and so alarm’dGrave Maurice, that he thought it expedient to give speedy notice thereof, to warn theNetherlandersonAngola, that they should keep strict Watches, and beware of the treacherousPortuguese, who affirm’d, That it was lawful for them during the ten years Peace, to re-take those Places which had been taken from them during the Treaty of Peace in theHague.
Description of thePalmares.
These Proceedings forc’dGrave Mauriceto Disarm most of them; and because theNegro’s did much mischief from thePalmares, especially to the Husbandmen in theAlagoas,Mauricegave order to destroy their Habitations. ThePalmareswere two Villages, built along the RiverGungohubyunder close Woods, six Leagues Northwardly fromParayba: The Inhabitants of them, being then about six thousand in number, were most of them fledNegro’s, who gathering together in a Head, destroy’d all the Countrey thereabouts: They dwelt in Huts of Boughs and Strawinterwoven; behind which were Gardens and Orchards of Palm-Trees, and conform’d to the Religion and Government of thePortuguese.
Grave Mauricecountersollicited by Agents from the king ofCongoand Duke ofSonho.
Whilest three hundred Musquetteers, a hundredMameluks, and seven hundredBrasilianswere fitting to go to thePalmares, there arriv’dAgentsatReciffafrom the King ofCongo, who brought as a Present toGrave Maurice, two hundredNegro’s, a Golden Collar and Pot, besides manyNegro’s for theWest-IndiaCompany. These Agents desir’d Aid against the Duke ofSonho, who treacherously Plotted to drive the King out ofCongo; which Plot was discover’d by scatter’d Letters, Sign’d by the Governors and Bishop atLoando, a little beforeLoandowas taken by theHollanders.Mauricecourteously Entertaining the Agents, proffer’d himself to be a Mediator to decide the Difference, and gave them a long Velvet Coat Lac’d with Gold and Silver Lace, a Silk Coat and Scarf, and a Beaver Hat with a Golden Edging.
Not long after there came Agents fromSonho, to beseechGrave Mauricethat he would not assist the King ofCongo; one of whom went to theHague, and was follow’d by two from the King ofCongo, who open’d their Letters before the Prince ofOrange.
The Agents fromCongo, what kind of Men.
The two Agents fromCongowere strong and black Men, very active, and having grim Countenances; they Danc’d after a strange manner; and showing the Picture of their King sitting in great State, acted the Postures in which his Nobles and other Subjects shew’d him Reverence: their Strength was such, that they were able with ease to carry each of them two hundred thirty five Pound weight: their Ornamentals consisted ofElephantsTails.
Menesessurpris’d byNiewlandafter they were come to terms of Agreement.
Alvares de la Benhohis Complaint toGrave Mauriceof his Country-men.
InLoandothe Governor for theDutch, nam’dCornelis Niewland, and thePortugueseGovernorPeter Cæsar de Meneses, came to this Agreement, That since the ten years Peace was concluded on between thePortugueseandNetherlanders,Menesesshould possess the Countrey wash’d by the RiverBengo, and call in the ancient Natives to live and Trade as formerly; all which was faithfully perform’d: nay,Menesesfurnish’dNiewlandwith as much Meal as he requir’d, towards the maintaining of a thousandNegro’s, whom he had bought; and theHollandersandPortuguesesbegan now to be every day more and more friendly and familiar with each other, when on a suddenNiewlandnot onely remembring what was done lately on the IslandsMaragnanand St.Thomas, but also stirr’d up by other later Actions, which gave him occasion of jealousie, sent two hundred Musquetteers in the Night fromLoando, to take the GovernorMeneses, with some others, who he fear’d might make an Insurrection. The Soldiers accordingly about Day-break fell unawares upon the sleepingPortugueses, kill’d forty of them, and carry’dMenesesand many other Persons of Quality away Prisoners, together with a Booty valu’d at above ten thousandDucats, and sent a hundred and sixtyPortuguesesin an old leaky Vessel to St.Salvador; but they being toss’d to and again at Sea for a considerable time, eight of them dy’d, the rest almost starv’d, Landed onPernambuco; whereSimon Alvares de la Benhobeing amaz’d to see his Countrey-men thus hardly dealt with, complain’d ofNiewland,Mols, andCross, who were the chief ofLoando, that they had broke the Laws, and the sworn Articles of Peace; urging that it would be very unjust that the poorPortuguesesshould not have Satisfaction for the Wrong which they had sustain’d, as also for the loss of their Goods. To whichGrave Mauriceanswer’d, “ThatLoandobelong’d to theWest-IndiaCompany, and that for his part he had nothing to do with that City, but that if theStateswere acquainted therewith, they would without doubt be highly concern’d at it.”
Christopher Santches, a freeNegro, gave information of the sad Condition of the Island St.Thomas,viz.That the greatest part of theHollandersthat had been leftupon that Island being dead,Pirezhereupon with the King’s Consent fitted out two Ships, and setting Sail fromLisbonabout the beginning ofJuly1642. first refus’d to pay the usual Custom at the Island St.Thomas, afterwards fell upon theHollanders, whom he Besieg’d in the Castle, and against the Law of Arms poyson’d all the Waters.
To prevent the future Inconveniences that were likely to arise from a Famine which about this time afflicted the whole Countrey ofBrasile, Grave Mauricejudg’d it convenient to sell the Lands in theAlagoasto new Planters; to which purposeHenrick Moucheronwas chosen Overseer, to take care that all the Fields aboutPorto Calvo, and along the RiverFrancisco, as also in theAlagoas, should be Sow’n with Bread-Corn.
Grave Mauricetakes his leave of the several Governors inBrasile.
Grave Mauriceobtaining leave at last to go home, took Leave by Letters of the Governors ofSerinhain,Porto Calvo,Iguarazua,Itamaraca,Parayba,Rio Grande, and in Person of the Council atReciffa, who all thank’d him for his prudent Government, manifesting their hearty sorrow for his departure,Which without doubt would produce many Inconveniences. But though the Council of theWest-IndiaCompany had order’d him to return home about the beginning ofMarch1643. yet he went not so soon, because he was to reduce the number ofMilitiato eighteen Companies, and also to settle the Revenues, and dispose of Offices, in which he found much trouble; wherefore before his departure he wrote to theStatesof theUnited Netherlands, assuring them how impossible it was to defendBrasile, which extended some hundreds of Leagues, with so small a number of Men, since thePortuguesecover’d inward malice under a feigned shew of kindness, and at the same time watch’d all opportunities to drive theNetherlandersfrom their Plantations, being very much exasperated by the priviledge of Religion granted to theJews, whilest their Monks and Jesuits were banish’d. Moreover, in regard they ow’d theWest-IndiaCompany above fifty nine Tuns of Gold, they sought to cancel that Obligation, by making themselves Masters of whatsoever their Creditors had inBrasile, so that there was no way but to keep them under by force of Arms.
He leaves the Government and returns home.
AfterGrave Mauricehad sent this Letter toHolland, he left the Government ofBrasileto the chief Council, theMilitiatoHenrick Hoes, Captain of his Life-guard, with Directions for Governing after his departure. Having setled all things in good order, he went fromMaurice-stadtthroughParatibiandIguarazutoParayba; whereJanduysent him three of his Sons, with twentyTapuyans, desiring him not to go away; two of them with severalCarapatesandWaypebarans, (a People who made themselves Masters of the greatPalmares) and five otherBrasilianswent aboard with him on the twentieth ofMay1644.
The Fleet, consisting of thirteen Ships, and Mann’d with fourteen hundred Men of all sorts, was laden with so many Merchandizes as were valu’d at twenty six Tuns of Gold; with whichGrave Mauricearriving at theTexel, Landed at theHelder, and gave an Account of his Government inBrasile, and of the then present state of that part of it which belong’d to theWest-IndiaCompany.
Ill management of Affairs afterMauricehis departure.
Viera’s Treachery.
AfterGrave Maurice’s departure,Hamel,Bassi, andBullestraet, bore the chief Command inBrasile: The Charges made by the War were mitigated, and the number of the Soldiers in Garrison reduc’d to sixteen hundred; some Forts lay without a Man in them, whilest the King ofPortugalwatch’d for such an opportunity; for he seem’d to be as much concern’d for that Countrey, as for his Kingdom ofPortugal, and the rather, because his PredecessorSebastianreceiv’d above forty hundred thousandDucatsyearly out of the same, besides the Presents and other Gains made by thePortuguese; wherefore he gave order to the Governor of St.Salvadorto bevery vigilant, and assur’d him, that in a short time he would send him both Men and Provisions. AMulattocall’dJohn Fernandes Viera, did not a little assist thePortuguesein their Design; for he having liv’d a considerable time in a Councellors House inReciffa, had narrowly observ’d all Passages, and insinuated himself into several Statesmens Affairs, by Presenting them now and then with some Rarities, insomuch that he came in time to Farm the Rents which theWest-IndiaCompany receiv’d from the Sugar-Mills; but at length being discontented because the Council would not make any abatement upon the same, when he complain’d that he lost by Farming the fore-mention’d Tax, he held private Correspondence withAndreas Vidal, that when a convenient opportunity presented it self for thePortugueseto fall on theHollanders, he might be assisting; to which end he had gotten several Arms and Ammunition together.
In this Plot aJewnam’dMoses Accoignes, living inViera’s House, a League fromReciffa, to keep him from Arrests, was perswaded to joyn, which he seemingly promis’d to do; but went away by Day-break, and discover’d the Design to the Privy-Council, who being rock’d asleep by thePortuguesesfair Pretences, gave no credit to the Relation.
A Plot against theNetherlandersto be carry’d on by a Wedding.
The Plot discover’d by some of the Conspirators.
For the better carrying on of this Design,Cavalcantelca, Provost-Marshal inMaurice-stadtmade a great Wedding for his Daughter inViera’s House, to which the chiefest Persons of Quality, both of thePortuguese, and also all the Privy-Councellors and Military Officers belonging to theWest-IndiaCompany were invited: and the Plot was so contriv’d, that whilest they were all at Dinner, thePortuguesewere suddenly to fall upon theNetherlandersand kill them, both Servants and Masters; this done, some were to go toReciffaorMaurice-stadt, with news that the Wedding People were coming; whereupon part were to press into the City, others to keep the Gates, till all their Forces were come thither, which then might easily secure and seize upon the Magazine: some Barques also under pretence of loading Sugar, were in the mean time to set upon the Haven and Fort near the Shore. All things were accordingly prepar’d for the Wedding, nothing being wanting that could be purchas’d with Money, and near the Forts ofRio GrandeandParaybawere Stage-plays to be Acted in publick, it being concluded that the Soldiers in Garrison would certainly be there to see them; the Actors being privately Arm’d with Pistols and Ponyards. And to oblige one another the more for the carrying on of this bloody Design,Vierahad caus’d the chief Conspirators to take an Oath before the high Altar. The twenty fourth ofJune1645. was the Day on which this Tragedy was to be acted; but a few days before twoPortuguesesand fiveJews, who had been sworn Confederates, their Consciences checking them for so villanous an Undertaking, made an ingenuous Discovery of the Plot. The CouncellorMoucheronwas also inform’d, that thePortugueseColonelCamaronandDiezwere coming with great Forces from St.Salvador.