SchuppeandCochemiserably defeated as they were BesiegingGararapes.
On the seventeenth ofFebruary, Anno 1649. three thousand Soldiers that came over in the fore-mention’d Fleet, besides two hundredNegro’s, and as many Seamen, marching to BesiegeGararapesunder the Command ofSchuppeandCoche, were so furiously set upon by the Sallying Enemy, that they were forc’d to break up the Siege in great disorder, whilest thePortuguesebeing in number two thousand five hundred, fell upon the Rere; and though theDutchOfficers us’d all the care they could possible to bring their Men to face about, yet they were not able to keep them from running away; in which flight great slaughter of them was made by thePortugueseHorse, consisting of a hundred and thirty, Arm’d with Lances, insomuch that in the flight and the pursuit, a thousandNetherlanderswere slain, and nineteen Ensigns or Colours were left behind as Trophies for thePortuguese; the chief of the Slain were ColonelBrinkandHouteryve.
TheZealanderswere much concern’d at the improsperous Affairs ofBrasile, in regard a fifth part of theWest-IndiaCompanies Stock belong’d toMiddleburg,Flushing, andVeer, insomuch that the Complaints of Widows and Orphans that shar’d in the common loss, mov’d theStatesto fit out six great Ships, and as many Ketches, Mann’d with two thousand eight hundred Men, forBrasile, where all things ran to ruine, the Grandees both of the Council, Army, and Fleet, being at variance, and impeaching one another.
The rest of the Provinces, especiallyFriesland, being less inclin’d to theWest-IndiaCompany, were somewhat colder in the pursuit of this Business; nevertheless, upon a fresh Letter of Complaint fromWalter Schonenbergh, President of theBrasilianCouncil, they held a Consultation together, how to raise Moneys for the fitting out of twenty Ships and five Ketches for the Relief ofBrasile.
De Witreleas’d from Prison, justifies his Return.
The AdmiralDe Witreturning home, was, upon the accusation of the Council inBrasile, and the General,Sigismond Schuppe, made Prisoner in theHague; and together with him the other five Captains that went with him were Committed by the Admiralty, for returning without the Consent of the Council; but they were soon releas’d by the Magistrates ofAmsterdam, who upon the Admiralties refusing to deliver them, commanded their Provost-Marshal to break open their Prison Doors.De Witafter his Releasement justifi’d what he had done before a full Assembly of theStates, and alledg’d that it was according to the Orders he receiv’d when he undertook this Expedition.
ThePortugueseAgent,Sousa Macede, obtaining Audience of theStates, told them how ready the King his Master had been to come to a perfect Agreement of Peace with them, but that their own Acts of Hostility had been the occasion of the breach of that Treaty of Peace that had been concluded on; that the Robberies and Insolencies committed by thosePortuguesesunder their Jurisdiction, was not any wayauthoris’d or countenanc’d by him; lastly, he offer’d them free Trade toBrasileeighty Tun of Gold to theWest-India Company, 800000l.to the Orphans and Widows inZealand, and payment of all private Debts. But making no mention of restoring the Places inBrasile, he seem’d to mock theStates; who resented it so much, that they would admit of no farther Conference with him.
Schuppe,Haeks, andSchonenberghdeclare the Reasons of the loss ofReciffa.
Mean while theWest-IndiaCompanies Business inBrasilewent daily more and more to ruine, insomuch that in the Year 1654. they lost all their Forts and Places of Strength and Habitation, and amongst themReciffa, the chief Residence of the Council ofBrasile, who returning home, brought nothing but a doleful Relation of their unfortunate Proceedings.Schuppe,Haeks, andSchonenbergh, made each of them a long Oration, setting forth the sad Condition of the Place, and the Miseries they had endur’d a long time before they left it; also excusing their total quitting thereof to the Enemy by the great want of Provisions and other Supplies, which they so often had written for in vain, at least receiv’d short of what their Necessities requir’d, and by the Clamours of the Soldiers, who were ready upon all occasions to Mutiny or Revolt, as appear’d by their crying out upon the discovery of a Fleet ofPortugueseupon the Coast,Behold our Deliverers fromthe NetherlandersTyranny; lastly, by the growing Power of their Enemies, which they could not have resisted, though they themselves had been much stronger than they were.
They are try’d at a Council of War.
But theWest-IndiaCompany sensibly touch’d at the thoughts of their Losses, were not satisfi’d with the Relation ofSchonenbergh,Haeks, andSchuppe, but requir’d a Journal of every days Transactions, or Testimonies to confirm the truth of their Relation: They also demanded an Account of the Condition of the Store-houses whenReciffawas surrendred, and fell upon them with several Interrogatories,viz.Why the FortAfogadoswas forsaken? Why the Garrisons were not drawn in from the North toReciffa? Why they did not keep footing on the Land, and guard those Places they had left whenReciffawas lost? Why they made such ado for want of Provisions and Ammunition to dishearten the People? Why the Money proffer’d by several Citizens was not taken? Why they did not burn the Enemy’s Fleet, since, according to the opinion of several, it might easily have been done? How they could testifie the Sedition of the Soldiers, since none of their Commanders complain’d of it? Whether they us’d any Means to encourage the Besieged? Who did, and who did not consent to the Surrender? Whether no better Terms could have been made? In fine, they prevail’d with theStatesto secureSchonenbergh,Haeks, andSchuppe, in their Houses, and on the ninth ofSeptember, Anno 1654. brought them before a Council of War in theHague, where the chief things objected against them were, That thePortuguesehad gotten by the Conquest ofReciffa, above two hundred Brass Guns, most of them Demi-Culverins, and four hundred Iron Guns, valu’d together at ten hundred thousandRixdollars; That the Store-houses were sufficiently stock’d with Provision and Ammunition; That they took care to secure their own Goods, but left what belong’d to theWest-IndiaCompany as a Prey to the Enemy.
Their Pleas.
Schuppecondemn’d at a Council of War to lose his Salary.
Schuppeon his part alledg’d, that he could do nothing of himself, as being under the Command of theBrasilianCouncil.HaeksandSchonenberghpleaded the want of Men, by reason of the many that daily dropt from them, either by Death or Defection, to the Enemy, and those that remain’d, unsafe to be trusted, as consisting of so many different Nations, also their being block’d up at the Sea by thePortugueseFleet, the great want of Ammunition, especially Instruments of Fortification; lastly, the head-strong Resolutions of the Soldiers, to deliver up the Place, whatever their Officers should determine to the contrary; notwithstanding which,to shew that it was not quitted upon disadvantageous terms, they produc’d the Articles of Agreement upon which it was surrendred toFrancisco, Governor ofPernambuco. In conclusion, the Council of War pass’d their Sentence onSchuppe,viz.That he should lose all the Sallary that was due to him from theWest-IndiaCompany since the twenty sixth ofJanuary1654. when he Sign’d the Agreement withBarettofor the delivering up ofReciffa.
Thus thePortugueserecover’d full and absolute possession ofBrasile, yet not without fear of an afterclap of War; wherefore thePortugueseAgent, upon condition of an absolute Peace to be concluded, proffer’d theStates Generalin theHague, Satisfaction for the Damages which theWest-IndiaCompany had sustain’d inBrasile, eighty Tun of Gold, a free Trade toBrasile, and payment of the Debts due to them from severalPortuguesesinBrasile; but told them, that to surrender them any Places there, was not in the power of thePortugueseCrown. On the other side, theSpaniardproffer’d to assist them in the total Conquest ofBrasile, and to restore them those Places they formerly possess’d, as soon as they had subdu’d thePortuguese; to which theZealandersbegan to hearken, who being great Losers by thePortuguesesTreachery, wish’d for nothing more than Revenge; butHollandhaving a great Trade toPortugal, was more inclin’d to Peace: Whereupon His Majesty of greatBritainproffer’d himself to be Mediator between thePortugueseCrown and theUnited Netherlands; and accordingly on the sixth ofAugust, Anno 1661. a Peace was concluded withPortugalon these Terms:
Articles of Peace betweenPortugaland theUnited Netherlands.
I.ThatPortugalwas to pay to theUnited Netherlandseighty Tun of Gold, either in ready Money, Sugar, Tobacco, or Salt, or deduct the same out of the Customs payable in thePortugueseHarbors.
II.That the Guns onReciffawere to be restor’d to theWest-IndiaCompany.
III.That the Salt-Trade atSt. Uvesand other Places under thePortugueseJurisdiction, whether inAfricaorBrasile,should be granted to theNetherlands,paying the Customs as thePortuguesedo themselves.
IV.That the conquer’d Places gotten on both sides, should remain in the hands of the present Possessors.
V.That the King ofPortugalshould not lay an Embargo on anyNetherlandVessel, on any pretence whatsoever, though they should carry all manner of Ammunition to his Enemies, provided it were not out of any of thePortugueseHavens.
VI.That noNetherlandershould ever be call’d before any Judge about any Difference in Religion, but should have freedom thereof granted him, either in his House or Ship, and also a convenient Burying-place.
VII.That if any Difference should chance to arise betweenPortugaland theNetherlands,they should not extend it to prejudice the Trade, but every Merchant should be free to call in his Debts, and send Ships without hinderance.
VIII.That this present Agreement should not be broken by any Misdemeanors acted by any Subjects, either in theEastorWest-Indies,who were to be punish’d by their lawful Judges.
IX.That the Havens belonging to both Parties were to be free for either Men of War or Merchant-Men.
X.That theNetherlandersTrading inPortugal,might go Arm’d, take Houses and Store-houses.
XI.That the Goods laden in an Enemy’s Ship might be declar’d free Prize.
XII.That thePortugueseinBrasileshould pay their Debts which they ow’d to theWest-IndiaCompany, or any other Person or Persons; to which purpose three appointed Commissioners were to Sit atLisbon,to hear and determine the Causes that should be brought before them, andwithout the usual Circumstances, pass their Sentence, which was to be Executed by a higher Power.
A few days after this Agreement was concluded, thePortugueseAmbassador,Henrico Sousa Tovares, went forLisbon, where he arriv’d on the last day ofSeptember.
TheStatesofGroningenand others, disapprove the Peace withPortugal, and condemnSchulenbergh.
Not onelyGuelderlandandZealand, were much dissatisfi’d with this Agreement, but alsoGroningenaccus’d their DeputySchulenbergh, that contrary to Orders he had been too forward in concluding the Peace withPortugal, and that he had consented to that which theStatesofGroningenhad not permitted him; for they resolv’d to make Peace on no other account, but thatPortugalshould pay the eighty Tun of Gold in ready Money, and that in a short time; whenas on the contrary, he had allow’d of the payment in Merchandise, and that in a long time. Wherefore theStatesofGroningen(who for this Fact and several Accusations brought againstSchulenbergh, condemn’d him to be Beheaded, which Sentence had been Executed upon him, had he not made his Escape) together with those ofOmeland, and others, who disapprov’d of the Peace concluded withPortugal, drew up many Reasons why they dissented, and look’d upon it as both dishonorable and disadvantageous; however, the Articles being Sign’d, and theStates General, taking into consideration how impossible a Work it would have been to have gone about to renew a War with thePortugueseinBrasile, being at that time in firm possession of all, and that for the Interest of a few, in respect of the whole Common-wealth, they were forc’d to rest satisfi’d, and together with theWest-IndiaCompany, to sit down with the loss of those Places inBrasile, which had cost so much Blood and Treasure to gain.
TheWest-IndiaCompanies Memorial deliver’d in to theStates.
Nevertheless theWest-IndiaCompany put in a Memorial at theHague, of all that had been done them from time to time, wherein they themselves had been great Sufferers, and the Common-wealth very much advantag’d, as namely, That at first they put in a Stock of seventy four Tun of Gold, sent out divers Fleets under the AdmiralsWillekens,John Dirkszoon Lam,Boudewyn,Henrickszoon,Peter Hein,Adrian Pater,Henrick Lonk,Dirk Uitgeest,Peter Ita,Loos,Cornelis Houte-been,Lichthart,Bankert, and others, at several times, which had much weakned theSpanishPower, to the great advantage of theUnited Netherlands, because theSpaniardwas not onely forc’d to disperce his Power to defendAmerica, but also lost great Riches on the Coast thereof, which being the Sinews of his War, prevented him from oppressing thatState; That to their loss they suffer’d their Forces to stop the Enemy, when he broke into theVeluwe, at that time when theUnited Netherlandsseem’d to hang by a silken Thred; That it would probably have been the ruine ofHolland, if the mightySpanishFleet which Engag’d withMartin Trompin theDowns, had been assisted by sixty six Sail, whichLa Torrewas forc’d to send to the Coast ofBrasile, against theWest-IndiaCompany; That this Companies Concern was so great a Nursery of Mariners in the Year 1629. that they had above a hundred Ships at Sea, and fifteen thousand Men in their Service; which theUnited Netherlandsconsidering, and judging that Charge too great for the Company to maintain, had resolv’d to contribute a certain Sum towards it yearly, which had not yet been paid; which made them take up Money upon Interest, and put in a Supply of thirty Tun of Gold for the payment of the same; That the Expedition ofHenrick BrewertoChilihad put them very much behind-hand, because the Enemy having notice of it, secur’d himself, yet was often terrifi’d with it; forBrewerhaving found out a Way to go fromReciffato the Province ofChiliin two Moneths, and accordingly to do great mischief to theSpanishPower, whose Riches lay bare all along the South Sea; this andmany other things forc’d to make that honorable Peace with theNetherlands, concluded on inMunster, Anno 1648.; That their Losses, computed and deliver’d in to theStates General, amounted to sixty six Tun of Gold, and forty three thousand two hundred and ninetyGuilders, which forc’d them to take up Money to pay Interest for what they had before, yet that they still kept fifty great Ships at Sea, and were resolv’d to prosecute their Trade with fresh vigor, as soon as Satisfaction should be given from thePortugueseCrown, as was promis’d them in the Articles of Agreement, and they could obtain of their Lordships, to have their Patent prolong’d for a considerable time; That they were still indebted to those Orphans and Widows who furnish’d them with Money to set out their Forces, which in the first twelve years did theSpaniardso much hurt, that the Damage is reckon’d to amount to one thousand one hundred and eighty Tun of Gold.
These things being taken into consideration by theStates General, they granted the Company their Request, and gave them a new Patent, by virtue of which they now Trade toAfricaand theCaribbee-Islands, since they were forc’d to quit all they had possess’d inBrasile.
Rodulphus Baron, to make a Discovery of the Countrey, upon the Encouragement ofGrave Maurice, who allow’d him to that purpose a yearly Revenue, undertook a remarkable Journey, accompany’d with threeTapuyans; who going out of the VillageCaneriwithout any store of Provisions, left the MountainsCupaevaon the right-hand, and went seventy Leagues into the Countrey, without meeting with any People, onely he found one Mountain ofFossileGlass; from whence he went Southward to the Villages of theWaripebaresandCaripati, who having courteously Entertain’d him, appointed certain Persons to accompany him from one Village to another, with Orders to ComplementGrave Maurice, who sent them home with several Gifts.
TheWaripebaresandCaripatiinhabit fourteen Villages on the Mountains which BoundBrasileWestward, live by Hunting and Fishing, eat wild Honey and all manner of Fruit, and maintain continual Wars against a mighty People which inhabit the Western Plains.
The Customs and Manners of theTapuyans.
As for theTapuyans, they range up and down between the RiversGrande,Quoauguho,Ocioro,Upameoma, andVoiroguo, without having any setled Abodes; they are a strong People, stern of Countenance, and black Hair’d: In stead of Circumcising their Children, they cut them, which is done after this manner: The Priests stand on a row, Dancing and Singing, whilest one of them swings the Child round about his Head before all the Multitude, and then runs away with it; at last returning, sets it in his Lap, whilest another Priest cutting a Hole in the Ears and Lips thereof, puts little Bones into the same, and the Mother cries and howls after a terrible manner. At these Ceremonies, which end with Dancing and Singing, their King is always present.
The Virgins are kept by their Parents till the Mothers perceive them to have their Monethly Courses, which they immediately reveal to the Priests, who acquaint the King therewith, before whom the Maid, being Painted red, is brought; whom having smoak’d with Tobacco, he throws an Arrow at a Garland, whichshe wears on her Head, and if he chances to hit it, he gives her his Benediction, by licking certain parts of her Body, from which she hopes to receive long Life.
So soon as a Woman is gotten with Child by her Husband, she lies no more with him, but he is permitted to enjoy his other Wives, whose number is either more or less, according to every ones pleasure. The Women after Delivery eat their After-birth.
Adultery is free for Men, but if Women be taken in the Act, they are immediately put to Death.
After they have done Soweing and Planting, the King calls all his People and Subjects together, and appears to them hung round with Garlands; and all of them have their Bodies Painted and stuck full of divers colour’d Feathers.
Strange kind of Prognostication.
The Priests when they go about to foretel future Events, either Sing or Pipe, and at the same time hold up their Heads towards the Skie, and stand gazing, as if they saw some strange Vision in the Air; on some of their Backs hangs a Bundle of Ostriches Feathers; some throw Feathers in the Air, to see which way the Wind blows. When the Waters overflowingBrasiledid much harm,Anno 1641.the Priests being Consulted, brought forth the King’sCalabash, in which lay their sacred Stones call’dCohuterakandTitscheyouh, and began to Dance and Sing; next six Priests were plac’d in a row, which were to Prognosticate: whereupon the first taking up a Stone, said,TheNetherlandershave given Battel to those inSt. Salvador,but are now about an Agreement: The second held up a Blossom ofIndianWheat, and foretold that there would be plenty of that Grain: The third holding a white Pebble-stone, promis’d store of Milk: The fourth grasp’d a Stone like Bread, telling them that the Countrey should produce much Bread: The fifth holding up a Bowe and Arrow hung full of Feathers, cry’d aloud,This is a Gift of the Angels, Birds shall flie thicker than these Feathers hang together: The sixth, having a lump of Wax, foretold that there would be plenty of Honey made by the Bees that year.
They worship the ConstellationUrsa Minor.
They observe a very strange way of Purging; for with a Stick they thrust sharp Leaves down their Throats into their Stomach, which they turn so long till they vomit Blood.
Their manner of Wrestling.
In the Summer they have a general Meeting for Wrestling, and other Exercises, which lasts three days. The Wrestlers are strangely attir’d; for they are all over their Bodies beset with divers sorts of Feathers, and in stead of Boots or Buskins, wear the Barks of Trees about their Legs; their Hair besmear’d with Honey, and ty’d in a Tuft, hangs down behind; on their Crowns they wear a Plume of Feathers, about their Necks a Band or Gorget of Feathers; at their Arms they tie the Wings of the BirdsKohitub, and on their Backs a green Bough; their whole Bodies Painted with divers Colours, and their Hair all Red: Thus accoutred, they Engage one with another, and if there be an old Grudge between them, then they Fight in earnest, and often kill one another: The Victor with strange Actions upbraids the Vanquish’d with Cowardise, and ever after enjoys his Wife and Children.
They eat the SerpentManuah, being four Yards long, and on the Tail having a Horn, which with a push it thrusts into Man or Beast, as it lights, then winds it self about the Body, and sucks till it hath suck’d the last drop of Blood.
Here are also Serpents which are so poysonous, that the least Wound receiv’d by them is mortal, unless the part bitten be either immediately cut out, or off.
The Priests cut the deceased Bodies into pieces, which are roasted by old Women; the Bones are taken out, and at the next publick Feast are stamp’d, mix’d with Water, and Drank: But the Bodies of Noblemen are to be eaten by none but Persons of that Rank.
Their manner of Crowning their Kings.
They also Crown their Kings after a strange manner,viz.The Priests, who are beset with Feathers, anoint him with sweet-smelling Oyl, or Balsam, and put a Crown of divers colour’d Feathers on his Head, after which they all fall a Singing and Dancing; but if any one happen to speak a word of the deceased King, they all begin to howl and cry. The Kings Authority consists more in Advising than Commanding.
Their Opinions concerning the Soul.
They believe that the Souls of those who die a natural Death are immortal; but those that are kill’d by their Enemies, devour’d by ravenous Beasts, or poyson’d, are totally extinguish’d both Soul and Body for ever. They say likewise that Hell is Westward near a dark Pool, where the Devil Examines every Soul how they liv’d on Earth, and what Death they dy’d; the Good are Ferry’d over to a delightful Valley, where there is plenty of Fish, Honey, and Flesh; but the Wicked are miserably tormented.
The Natives live peaceably amongst themselves, their Law being for those that have not, to ask, and for those that have, to give.
They never Travel in the Night for fear of Serpents and other ravenous Beasts, neither do they go any whither till the Sun has dry’d up the Dew.
KingJanduyhis subtile Plot.
KingJanduybefore-mention’d, being above a hundred years of age, desir’d the Prince ofJuckersfair Daughter to Wife, but being deny’d, contriv’d a subtil Plot,viz.he invitedJucker, with his Courtiers, to a Wresting; whither he coming with his whole Train, was earnestly minding the Sport, when a considerable number ofJanduy’s Women falling uponJucker’s Men, destroy’d a great many of them, and got the desir’d Maid forJanduy, who at that time had fourteen Wives and sixty Children, but had formerly enjoy’d fifty Wives and Concubines.
Their Arms.
Not onely amongst theTapuyans, but generally amongst the rest of theBrasilians, their Arms are great Clubs call’dTacapes; also sharp Darts, and strong Bowescall’dOrapares, with Shields, which are made of the Skin of a Beast call’dTapiroussous.
The Women wear long Chains of Snail-shells, which hang down over their Shoulders; their Faces are Painted with divers colour’d Rings, surrounded with Specks; their Necks and Arms they adorn with Necklaces and Armlets of little Bones: They carry their Husbands Provisions in time of War.
Their Army they order by blowing on the HornInubia; others play on Mens Bones kill’d a little before: for going by Water they use Boats made of the Barks of Trees, each whereof being able to carry fifty Men, go exceeding swift: The strongest Men always march before, and as many as they take, whether Men, Women, or Children, they are all kill’d and roasted in theirBoucans.
Their manner of Fighting.
Their Villages consist of Houses of eighty, ninety, or a hundred Paces long; those that lie near the Enemy are fenc’d with Walls and Pallisado’s against any Attempt. Their Field-Battels are very terrible; for as soon as they get sight of one another, they howl like Wolves; which Tone they raise as they approach nearer and nearer, and with their Horns and Pipes make also a mighty sound; then shaking their former Enemies Teeth (which they wear about their Necks) at one another, they cry,That they shall immediately fall into each others hands for Food: whereupon they throw their Darts at one another, which are adorn’d with all sorts of Feathers, and if any one be wounded, he pulls out the Dart, and bites the same like a mad Dog; next falling to their Clubs, they knock one anothers Brains out: which manner of Fighting lasts commonly some hours before the one or other Party leave the Field. All their Prisoners they fatten, and eat them at a Merry-meeting; at which when they have Danc’d seven hours together, three Men lead the Prisoner, ty’d with a Rope made of the Bark of a Tree call’dJuira, through their Village, whilest the Prisoner looking to and again, saith in a scornful manner thus unto them,You, do ye hear? I have eaten your Fathers: and to others,I have roasted your Brother; your Nephew also tasted very well; my Death will be sufficiently reveng’d: Having carry’d him about for some time, they put the Rope so strait about his Middle,that he can neither stir one way nor other; then they give him Stones in his Hands, and lay others at his Feet, saying,Now take Revenge for your Death before you die: then he immediately throws at those who are nearest him; and when Stones are wanting, he throws with Earth: at last comes the Executioner, adorn’d with Feathers, with a black Club in his Hand, and asks,Have not you at several times eaten of our Relations?to which the Prisoner undauntedly answers,Pa che tan tan, ajouca, atoupave, that is,Yes, I am he that have eaten several of your People, and laying his Hands upon his Head, cries out,O how valiantly did I behave my self therein!The Executioner replies,And therefore shall you be kill’d by me, and serve for Food for these Spectators: Then the Prisoner answers again,What care I, since I know my Death will be reveng’d: which said, his Brains are dash’d out, and falling on the Ground, he is carry’d away by his Wife (for the Conqueror commonly betroths his Sister or Daughter to the Prisoner,) who seemingly bemoans the Body, of which she hath the first Cut when it is Dress’d; then the old Women put the Corps into scalding Water, in which they let it lie till the Skin comes off; then the Owner of the Prisoner quartering the Body, distributes it amongst the Guests; the pieces laid on their Gridirons call’dBoucans, are turn’d by the old Women, who lick up the Dripping, desiring the By-standers to bring more such Food, and with the Blood anoint the Childrens Faces; the Meat being broyl’d every one takes a piece, and eats it up to the Bones, which are kept as Trophies.
Brasiliansmolested by an evil Spirit.
TheBrasiliansdo not onely thus plague one another, but they are likewise tormented by an evil Spirit, which they callAygnanandCaagerrel, if credit may be given toJohn LeeriusaBurgundian, who relates, that he hath often seen them sweat out of fear; and striking their Hands upon their Thighs, cry out,Mair autourassap, acequerey, Aygnan atoupave, that is,O my Fool, my Companion, I fear the Devil above all Evils.
Diseases peculiar toBrasile.
Amongst several Diseases to whichBrasileis subject, there is one call’dPians, as malignant as theFrenchPOX, proceeding from libinousness, the whole Body being full of Carbuncles, each about the bigness of a Man’s Thumb.
Strangers inBrasileare also much troubled with a Giddiness, occasion’d by the extream Cold in the Night; as also with sore Eyes, which they get by going abroad before Sun-rising, or after Sun-setting.
The Palsie is also very common there, taking People so suddenly, that falling down stiff on the Ground, they are often in danger of losing their Breath.
Besides these there are several other Distempers that very much infestBrasile, as the Bloody-flux, Dropsie, Rising of the Gall, Worms, Meazles, and St.Anthony’s Fire.
Brasilianssuccess in curing of several Distempers by their knowledge in Herbs.
The agedBrasilianshave for the most part great skill in Herbs, which they gather in the Woods, and apply them to the Sick both inwardly and outwardly; and chiefly they know how to expel Poyson. None can perswade them against the Medicines which they have learn’d from their Predecessors; nay, they will rather chuse to lose their Lives than use any other: and indeed they do not always succeed amiss, but often manifest that they understand the Vertue of Herbs better than ourEuropeanPhysicians. The LearnedGuilielmus Pisorelates, That he hath seen several times in the Army whichGrave Mauricesent against thePortugueseinBrasile, that theBrasiliansin a short time cur’d those Wounds with fresh Gums and healing Herbs, which theNetherlandChirurgeons judging past Cure, presently advis’d the cutting off either the Arm or Leg of the wounded Person.Pisoadds moreover, That he himself us’d some ofHippocrates’s andGalen’s Prescriptions in Wine, for the curing of Cancers and Swellings, which theBrasilianshave made well onely with the Juice of Tobacco. They also in a moment recover’d a Person given over by allEuropeanPhysicians, with the Juice of the Root call’dJaborandi: Wherefore he always desir’d their Company when he went to visit sick or wounded Men.
Their manner of curing the Sick, and bewailing the Dead.
The Distempers inAmericadiffer much from theEuropean, not onely in the Signs of any Distemper, but also in the Cure; for when a Distemper cannot be cur’d by the prescribed Medicines, a Father or Mother sends for the Neighbors, to know if they can find any means to cure the Disease: Which Custom was anciently observ’d amongst theGreeks. They also strictly observe a Rule in their Diet, and take care to keep the Patient out of the Sun in the Day, and cold Winds in the Night: However, if their Fathers and Mothers be sick, nevertheless they leave not off their usual Dancing and Singing; but if the sick Person die, especially a Father, they lament and cry over the Corps like Wolves, calling to one another with a quavering Voice, and uttering these Expressions,The strong Man is deceas’d, who carry’d so many Prisoners for a brave Dinner to his House. Oh what a quick Hunter and subtil Fisher hath Death bereav’d us of! we shall see him no more till our Souls are carry’d beyond the high Mountains, where our valiant Predecessors Dance in Rings.The Women make the greatest noise, and in the midst of their howling embrace one another, which lasts six hours, and then they put the Body upright into a Grave made like a Hogshead, hanging about it divers colour’d Feathers, and other things in which the Deceased delighted most when living; upon the Grave the nearest Relations place Dishes of Meat, both Flesh and Fish, and the LiquorCauou-in, that their evil Spirit call’dAygnan, may be reconcil’d by these Offerings, and not carry away the Body; but when they remove from thence they cover the Grave with the HerbPindo. This Custom is not observ’d by allBrasilians, for some eat up their deceased Relations.
Brasile, so far as it concerns theWest-IndiaCompany, extends from the RiverReal, which dividesSeregippaand the Lordship of St.Salvador, toMaragnan:Seregippait self reaches along the Sea-Coast thirty two Leagues, and was first brought under the King ofSpain’s Jurisdiction byChristovan de Barros Cardoso, who being order’d by the King ofSpainto Plant this new Countrey, invited many People from St.Salvador, who built four Sugar-Mills, and a Town consisting of a hundred Houses, and four hundred Sheds for Cattel; but the Town being destroy’d, hath nothing left but Heaps of Rubbish; and the Cattel either fell into theNetherlandershands, or were devour’d by Tygers; the Inhabitants fled back to St.Salvador: Many troubles have prevented the re-building of it.
The fertility ofPernambuco.
Pernambucomay for its fruitfulness stand in competition with any Place in the World, except in those parts where the Soil is sandy and stonie. The Fields feed abundance of excellent Cattel; the Woods, Deer and Fowl; the Ocean and Rivers, all manner of good Fish. It is inhabited but eight Leagues into the Countrey, because the nearer the Sea, the more convenient it is for Importing and Exporting of Goods; neither could thePortuguese, by reason of their small number, spread themselves farther, as also in regard they found great resistance from theBrasilians. TheNegro’s that work in the Sugar-Mills between the RiverGrandeandFrancisco, amount to four thousand. The CapeVerde,Mina,Angola,Ardra, andCalabaria, generally provide three thousand in a year, to supply the number of the Sick, or those that run away.
Sect. XIV.The CouncellorDussen’s Relation of so much ofBrasileas concerns theWest-IndiaCompany.
That part ofBrasilewhich theWest-IndiaCompany have subdu’d by force of Arms on the Continent ofAmerica, is divided into six Counties,viz.Seregippa,Pernambuco,Itamarica,Parayba,Rio Grande, andSiara.
The Expedition undertaken byGysselingandSchuppemadeSeregippadesolate, the Inhabitants whereof remov’d to the CoastTodos los Sanctos.
AlsoSiara, which thePortugueseformerly possess’d, was thinly inhabited, and had a mean Fortress there, whither some fewBrasilianscame now and then to theNetherlandersassistance.
Pernambuco, lying between the RiversFranciscoandTamarica, excells the other Countrey in fruitfulness and pleasantness. TheBrasilianscompare it to a hollow Rock, under which fresh Water flows.
Havens ofPernambuco.
Moreover,Pernambucohath several Havens,viz.the outermost Road beforeReciffa, which being in the open Sea, is somewhat dangerous, but the innermost is secure against all Storms; also at the Promontory St.Augustine, where the Mouth of the Haven is narrow and dangerous, by reason of the Rocks and shallow Grounds; the IslandAlexiois very fit to Crain Ships in;Barra Grandehath a large and safe Inlet, convenient for all manner of Vessels, yet it is inferior toCororipa; lastly, the HavensJaragoaandFrancoare very eminent.
Rivers.
Amongst the Rivers, the chief areJangades,Serinhain,Formosa,Porto Calvo,Camarigibi,Antonio,Michael, andFrancisco.
Pernambucoalso is divided into six Jurisdictions; the first and most ancient isIgarazu; the second and biggest,Olinda; the third,Serinhain; the fourth,Porto Calvo; the fifth, theAlagoas; and the sixth,Rio Francisco, which is the Boundary ofPernambucoon the South.
Towns ofPernambuco.
Pernambucoalso boasts five Towns,viz.Garasu,Olinda,Maurice-stadt, to which also belongsReciffa,Bella Pojuca, andFormosa. The VillagesMoribeca,St. Laurence,Antonio,Amaro, and others are also not inferior to little Towns.
The Countrey is for the most part Hilly, but is exceeding fruitful in the Valleys, and near the Rivers, especially in Sugar-Canes.
Here are also a hundred and twenty Sugar-Mills, of which a great number stand still for want ofNegro’s.
NextPernambucoliesTamarica, which hath onely one Haven, one City, and twenty three Sugar-Mills, of which thirty are onely employ’d. This Island produces excellent Grapes and Melons, yet is for the most part barren, by reason of the Pismires.
The CountreyParaybahath its Denomination from the River which washeth it, being deep, and without any Rocks or Sands; on the Banks thereof stand twenty Sugar-Mills, two of which are still standing.
In the Lordship ofRio Grandestands the TownPuntael, whose Buildings were ruin’d in the Wars; after which the Inhabitants had leave to build them another City on a fruitful Soil.
The Countrey hereabouts us’d formerly to be very full of Cattel, but was not onely bereav’d thereof by theHollandersandPortuguese, but also for the most part made desolate.
The River which washes the Castle Ceulen, affords a convenient and safe Harbor for all sorts of Vessels.
This Lordship ofRio Grandeboasts onely two Sugar-Mills, of which one is decay’d; so that in all those Parts inBrasilewhich belong to theWest-IndiaCompany, are a hundred and sixty Sugar-Mills constantly employ’d, besides forty six which are about repairing. It is scarce to be reckon’d how much Sugar they make yearly, in regard, through the alterations of the annual Seasons, as also the more or less fruitful Fields, they produce one year, and in one place, more than in another.
The Inhabitants are of two sorts,viz.free People, and Slaves; the Slaves areAfrican Negro’s, and the others,Netherlanders,Portugueses, orBrasilians; which last came in of their own accords, or else were absolv’d from their Oaths, and acquitted from their Martial Offices; yet are ready to venture their Lives and Estates, and to Serve either on Foot or Horseback for their Freedom against their Enemies. Those that went from theNetherlandstoBrasileon their own Accounts, drive a Trade, or Serve the Traders, or else keep Inns, and follow Handicraft Faculties; some of which, when grown rich, buy Parts in Sugar-Mills; others live on Tilling: by all which several sorts of PeopleReciffais very well inhabited, and full of Houses, which yield great Rents, and are held at high Prices: whereforeGrave Mauricethought good to mark out pieces of Ground on the IsleAntonio Vaes, which were sold for a considerable Sum of Money, insomuch that in a short time a new City call’dMaurice-stadtwas built on the same, and inclos’d within strong Bulwarks; yea, notwithstanding the Rumor of a greatSpanishFleet in some measure abated the Courage of the Builders, yet the City was extended down to the FortFrederick Henrick, and a brave Bridge laid over the StreamBiberibi, cross which they go fromReciffatoAntonio Vaes, where no People were in greater esteem than Handicraftsmen, who could get their ten or twelve Shillings a day. The Labor which is requir’d in the Sugar-Mills, no Men are able to undergo but theNegro’s. Of thePortuguesesome have liv’d here a considerable time; others lately came hither, being most of themJews, of whom there live a great many atReciffa, and are very diligent in promoting of Trade: They possess several Sugar-Mills, and are kept very much under; their whole study and contrivance is for Gain; they conceal their Hatred against theChristians, as also their Covetousness, yet are mortal Enemies to theHollanders. TheBrasilians, who are the ancient Inhabitants, live apart from other People in their Villages, consisting of long Straw Huts, forty or fifty of them under one Roof sleeping on woven Hammocks; they esteem no Houshold-stuff but Nets andCalabashes, using the first to fish with, and the other to drink out of; about their Huts they plantMandihokaandBrasileTrees; when they are not employ’d in the Wars, they spend most of their time in Hunting, but many in Idleness; they esteem wild Fruits better than those which are Planted; they Drink night and day, making their Liquor of the chew’d RootMandihoka, or the ApplesTajovis; they esteem nothing so much as strong Drink, and to wear Linnen next their Skins; they would not value Money, could they but get Brandy andSpanishWine without it; if they are not promis’d a Reward, they will not work. Each Village, nay House, hath its peculiar Governor; but besides him there is aHollander, who stirs up the Idle to work, and takes care that the Owners of the Sugar-Mills do them no injury: They never suffer themselves to be Hir’d for above twenty days, at the end whereof they demand their Wages; they are commonly employ’d to chop Wood to boyl the Sugar with; but by reason of the scarcity ofNegros, they are often made use of for other Business, which to avoid they hide themselves; as also when they are to go to Fight; they are hard to be kept in Ranks, for they willrun out of their own Fyle into another on the least occasion; but if they put their Enemy to flight, they pursue him, and spare none alive. They little regard theChristianReligion, yet some of them have learn’d theLord’s-Prayerand theCreedof theRomanPriests. The MinisterDavilhaving learn’d theBrasilianTongue, Converted very many of them, and Baptiz’d them in their Villages.
TheBrasilianWomen and Children usually go to Wars with their Husbands and Fathers.
TheBrasilianSlaves were some years since bought of theTapuyans, or made Slaves, because they assistedBoudewyn Henrickszoon, when he Landed in the InletTraluson; but they have since obtain’d their Freedom of thePortuguese. TheAngolanSlaves can undergo greater Labor than any other.
TheBrasileWood grows generally ten or twelve Leagues up in the Countrey from the Sea, not in particular Woods, but amongst other Trees.
TheNegro’s, when the Sugar-Mills work not, are employ’d in pulling off the white Bark, three Fingers thick, from the Tree, which bears dark-green Leaves, small and prickly at the ends, and hanging on thin Stalks, but bearing neither Blossoms nor Fruit.
OsnabrigLinnen is highly esteem’d amongst theBrasilians, as also colour’d Wax, Copper, Tin, Wine, Beer, Butter, Cheese, Meal, Stock-fish, Pork, Hung-beef, and Gammons of Bacon.
ThePapistsTeach and observe their Religion in publick, their Spiritual Men being divided into Priests and Monks; the Monks consist ofFranciscans,Carmelites, andBenedictines; theFranciscansbeing the most eminent, possess six fair Cloysters, besides which they have neither Land nor other Revenues, but live on what is given them daily; their Cloysters stand inFrederick-stadt,Iguaraca,Olinda,Pojuca,Serinhain, andAntonio Vaes. But theCarmeliteshave three Structures atParayba, and as many more inFrederick-stadtandOlinda, where they live plentifully on what they reap from Tillage, Rents of Houses, and Legacies of deceased Persons. TheBenedictins, though they possess onely two Cloysters, one inFrederick-stadt, and the other atOlinda, yet they have the greatest Income from the Sugar-Mills ofMuserapa, and the Countrey aboutParayba, as also Cattel and Cane-Fields.
Reciffa, the Seat of War, hath two Horn-works towardsOlinda; the first rais’d with Stone, defends the Haven with seven Brass Demi-Culverins; the other lies opposite to the RiverBiberi, and hath five Brass and two Iron Guns.Reciffaalso hath a strong Rail about it, and many Guns plac’d in good order. Near the Powder-house stand two Batteries with Guns.
On the Shore towardsOlinda, lies the Stone CastleSt. Joris, on a Hill opposite to the Haven, fortifi’d with a Bulwark and thirteen Iron Guns.
The Water-Castle, built round, rises out of the Sea, and stands at the end of the Stone Cliff, which makes an Inlet, through which the Ships Sail that come to, and go fromReciffa.
The FortBruinehath four Points, seven Brass Guns, and Pallisados round about.
Somewhat farther is the Redoubt call’dThe Lady Bruine, which hath two Brass Guns.
The CastleWaerdenbergh, built before the Mouth of the RiverCapivaribi, in the Bay made by the RiverBiberibi, hath three Points, each rais’d square, because the fourth Bulwark towardsAntonio Vaes, cannot be finish’d, by reason the Earth is sunk away.
The FortErnestusstands on the North-side ofMaurice-stadt, on the IslandAntonioVaez. That part of the City which respects the Fort, lies open, with five Points and a double Horn-work; it is the more secure from any Invasion, because the Countrey round about is overflow’d at High-water. On the Horn-work stand eight Brass Guns; but the four Redoubts along the RiverCapivaribiare decay’d.
The square FortPrince William, standing in a low Ground not far from the RiverAfogados, hath four Bulwarks, and is inclos’d with a high Wall and strong Pallisado’s: the Church appearing above all other Houses in the Castle, may be seen atOlinda.