_BRAZIL; ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FRENCH IN SOUTH AMERICA._
1657-1696.
[Sidenote: 1657.]
On the termination of the war which liberated _Pernambuco_, Barreto, who
it will be remembered shared with Fernandes and Vidal the command of the
Portuguese troops, was rewarded with the post of Governor-General of
_Brazil_; and upon him fell the task of raising the proportion of the
annual sum which, according to the treaty, was to be paid to the Dutch.
The amount which was to be levied on _Brazil_ for this purpose was
120,000 _cruzados_[4] yearly, for sixteen years, being nearly half of
the whole contribution. For this purpose Barreto convoked the Senators,
who replied that they would propose the matter to the Chamber, which
body readily consented to the assessment. Of the amount to be raised,
the province of _Bahia_ took more than one-half upon itself.
[Sidenote: 1660.]
About this time _Rio de Janeiro_, together with the provinces to the
south of that city, was separated, as was _Maranham_, from the general
government, and was confided to Salvador Correa, who had recovered
_Angola_ from the Dutch. He was member of the distinguished family
through whose means the French had been expelled from the city which is
now the capital of _Brazil_. Correa was, from family associations,
attached to the Jesuits, and thus became an object of dislike to the
inhabitants of _Santos_ and of _St. Paulo_, from which communities the
Jesuit Fathers were expelled. Having exerted himself successfully in
re-establishing them, his conduct was so strongly resented by the
_Paulistas_ that, when he had set out on an expedition in search of
mines, an insurrection was raised during his absence.
Correa received whilst at _Santos_ the news of the arbitrary proceedings
of his enemies; whereupon he issued a proclamation, containing offers of
pardon on the one hand, and threats of punishment on the other. He then
proceeded to _St. Paulo_, where in a short time he so won the good-will
of the people that he had soon sufficient force at his command to enable
him to regain his government.
[Sidenote: 1665.]
After a term of office of six years, Barreto was succeeded by the Count
of Obedos, in whose time the Carmelites of S^{ta.} Teresa came to
establish themselves in _Brazil_, where, in the province of _Bahia_,
they ere long erected one of the most sumptuous convents in the
possession of their order. The term of office of the same Governor was
likewise noted for the occurrence of a dreadful outbreak of small-pox
along the coast, from _Pernambuco_ to _Rio de Janeiro_, which gave
occasion for the display of the most heroic devotion on the part of the
members of the Church of Rome, amongst whom are especially mentioned the
Brethren of the _Misericordia_. So dire was the mortality that there
were not sufficient hands left for agriculture; and thus the pestilence
was followed by famine.
It has been mentioned that Vidal, formerly the colleague of Joam
Fernandes, had been promoted from the government of _Maranham_ to that
of _Pernambuco_; in which post, however, he had the disadvantage of not
being independent, being under the orders of the Governor-General at
_Bahia_. His straightforward, impartial conduct procured him many
enemies, who were not unsuccessful in prejudicing the mind of Barreto
against him. He was thus placed under arrest, but was subsequently
permitted to retain his government until its expiry. The inhabitants of
_Pernambuco_, however, had no reason to congratulate themselves upon the
governor who was sent to replace him, and whose grasping disposition
made him so intolerable that he was at length seized by stratagem and
sent prisoner to Lisbon, where, on his arrival, he was condemned to
perpetual imprisonment in a fortress in India.
[Sidenote: 1668.]
[Sidenote: 1673.]
The struggle with Spain was now terminated by a treaty which recognised
the independence of Portugal; but _Brazil_, though having nothing to
fear from external enemies, was troubled with foes from within its own
borders, who attacked the interior settlements of _Bahia_ and the
islands. Whole families were cut off before succour could reach them;
whilst many slaves were killed at their field-work. As a remedy, guards
of troops were assigned to the outlying colonists; but, whilst the
soldiers were often transfixed by arrows coming from invisible enemies,
they for years never once had an opportunity of returning the injury.
Such settlers as did not take refuge in the islands were compelled to
convert their settlements into small forts. At length the death at the
hands of the savages of Manoel Barbosa, who was in command of the
garrison at _Cayru_, induced the governor of _Bahia_ to complete the
conquest of the country in the interior, a task which was confided to a
body of _Paulistas_ under Joam Amaro.
This war having been pronounced just and lawful, all prisoners taken in
its course became slaves. The expedition under Amaro is said to have
been composed of such a body of experienced man-hunters as, happily, no
other locality in the world could supply, many of his men being trained
Indians. They proceeded westward to the _San Francisco_ river, turning
then to the northward. The prisoners captured were sent to the capital
in such numbers that their price fell to twenty _cruzados_ each;[5] but
the greater number were so short-lived that they were considered dear
even at that price. Amaro did his work thoroughly, exploring the country
in all parts, and so clearing it of savages that they were not again
heard of for many years. He was rewarded with the lordship of a town
which he founded, and which took his name.
It was at this time that the fertile province of _Piauhi_ first became
known. Its discovery was due to the possessor of a grazing estate to the
north of the _San Francisco_, called after Domingos Affonso. As the
interior of _Pernambuco_ is subject to droughts, this settler sent out
his people to explore more desirable grazing regions inland. In _Piauhi_
he found a territory abounding in the richest pasture, and not subject
to a like visitation. Whilst exploring the interior, Affonso met with a
party of _Paulistas_, who engaged with him in completing the conquest of
the country, which was of so inviting a nature that it was soon covered
with settlers.
[Sidenote: 16676.]
The growing importance of _Brazil_ was now shown by the elevation of
_Bahia_ to the rank of a Metropolitan See, which should comprise the
three bishoprics of _Pernambuco_, _Rio de Janeiro_, and _Maranham_. A
Franciscan convent was, in the following year, established at _Bahia_, a
movement which did not fail to elicit the disapprobation of the thinking
portion of the community; since it is evident that in a new country of
such immense extent any institution calculated to diminish the spread of
the ruling race was opposed to the first principles of political
economy. An establishment of Italian Capuchin monks at _Bahia_ likewise
dates from this period.
[Sidenote: 1682.]
The city of _Bahia_ was in the year 1682 thrown into a violent state of
commotion by the assassination of Francisco Telles de Menezes, the
_Alcaide Mar_, who had used his position in so tyrannical a manner as to
incur general odium. The assassin, Brito de Castro, who had to avenge an
attempt upon his own life, took refuge in the Jesuits’ College. The
governor, enraged at what had occurred, ordered the Secretary of State,
Bernardo de Vieyra, brother to the celebrated missionary, to be thrown
into prison. In vain his venerable relative pleaded for his release. The
Jesuits’ College was, by the governor’s orders, surrounded by a _cordon_
of soldiers; and so intolerable was the state of things that one of the
chief inhabitants of _Bahia_ was deputed to proceed to Portugal to make
representations to the Crown, the result of which was that the _Marquez_
Das Minas was sent out to supersede the aged governor. The Secretary of
State was declared innocent, and his brother, who was now between
seventy and eighty years of age, was appointed Visitor of the province.
[Sidenote: 1686.]
Bahia was in this year visited by a fearful pestilence, of so virulent a
nature that of two hundred persons attacked in one day only two
recovered. It is remarked that the ravages of this disease were
exclusively amongst the Portuguese, the natives escaping unharmed. It
gave an opportunity for the display of much benevolence, one opulent
widow, _Donna_ Francisca de Saude, opening her house as a hospital when
the _Misericordia_ could no longer contain the sick, and providing for
the patients at her own expense. All medicine having proved unavailing,
recourse was had to the mediation of a saint, and to _Francis Xavier_ is
ascribed the staying of the plague.
To turn to the north:--The Jesuits had indeed been once more admitted to
_Maranham_, but merely to the performance of their spiritual functions.
The slave-party and the clergy who sided with them had influence enough
to cause the Jesuits to be deprived of temporal authority over the
Indians, whilst their spiritual management was to be divided amongst the
different orders. Vieyra was expressly prohibited from residing in the
province. Slave-hunting again ran riot, and was even carried on under
the auspices of the governor, under the disguise of missionary
expeditions. The _Paulistas_ being at this time unable to pursue their
attacks on the “Reductions” in _Paraguay_, in consequence of the latter
being in a state of defence, turned their attention to the north,
obliging the tribes upon the _Tocantins_ to apply to _Belem_ for
protection. The officer sent for this purpose received from the
_Paulista_ leader a reply stating that, if any one should oppose him in
his plans, he would meet with armed resistance, upon which the officer
thought it better to return to _Belem_.
The proportions to which the slave-trade became developed, and the utter
disregard which was paid to the restrictions on the subject, did not
escape notice at Lisbon; and in the year 1680 some new edicts were
promulgated on the subject. By one of these, governors were prohibited
from engaging in trade, and from raising produce; nor were their
servants to be permitted to do so. Another decree abolished Indian
slavery, which experience had proved could not be modified or restricted
by regulations, and the cruelties connected with which were so
notorious. It was enacted that any person thenceforward transgressing
this law should be sent home by the first vessel, thrown into prison,
and proceeded against. The superintendence of the _Aldeas_, or Indian
communities, should be again transferred to the Jesuits.
These laws, it is needless to say, were most unpopular. It was
represented that the term of labour of the free Indians in the _Aldeas_,
which was to be restricted to two months at a time, was so short as to
be useless; and the Chamber of _Belem_ sent a procurator to Lisbon to
solicit an amendment of this law in particular, and to do his best to
procure the repeal of the others. The Portuguese Ministry had granted to
some merchants of Lisbon the exclusive privilege of trading with
_Maranham_ and _Pará_ for a term of twenty years--a measure which was
strongly resented by the inhabitants of _Belem_. Amongst the
stipulations to which the contractors were bound was one requiring them
to import five hundred negroes yearly; but during the first year no
negroes were imported. Great discontent resulted both at _Belem_ and at
_Maranham_.
[Sidenote: 1684.]
The Portuguese in _Brazil_, although they preferred to depute their
labour to slaves, showed themselves eager to engage in the pursuits of
trade--the governors of provinces, and even many of the clergy,
embarking in such operations. It naturally followed that there was a
great outcry against the monopoly which had been issued, all parties
being interested in fanning the flame. The malcontents found a leader
and exponent of their wrongs in one Manoel Beckman, a native of Lisbon,
but of foreign extraction. The cry was against the monopoly and against
the Jesuits, whose restoration had coincided with it in point of time.
Beckman, inviting some kindred spirits to his _Engenho_, pointed out to
them that, if they would obtain their rights, they must act in defiance
of the Governor. A conspiracy was formed, of which Beckman was appointed
chief, and he was aided by a friar who preached in the cathedral against
the monopoly. The conspirators soon numbered sixty, and the people were
summoned to a secret meeting within the premises of the Franciscan
convent at _S. Luiz_. They were harangued by Beckman, who pointed out
that two things were necessary for the good of the State--namely, the
abolition of the monopoly and the expulsion of the Jesuits, and he
added, that if those present would consult their own safety, not to
mention their interests, they would carry out those measures forthwith.
One of the leading conspirators drew his sword and convinced his
audience that their only safety was to proceed in their enterprise. The
assembly accordingly hastened to the town, where some murders and other
outrages were naturally committed, the authorities being unable to stem
the torrent of violence. The _Capitam Mor_ was told to consider himself
a prisoner in his house; whilst the soldiers submitted themselves to the
orders of Beckman, who thereupon convoked a _junta_ of the three
estates, namely, clergy, nobles, and people. Resolutions were passed
deposing the Governor and the _Capitam Mor_, abolishing the monopoly,
and expelling the Jesuits. The Chamber ratified the resolutions which
had been taken. The late authorities having been confined, Beckman now
notified to the Jesuits their banishment from the State, and that until
means for transporting them were provided they must remain prisoners in
their college. The multitude, under their self-constituted leader, next
proceeded to the cathedral, where _Te Deum_ was performed in honour of
their exploits.
Three persons were appointed to administer the government, pending a
reference to Lisbon. The next step was to despatch agents to _Belem_, to
invite the people of that place to join the insurrectionary movement;
but the only person who could be induced to accept this service was a
friar. He was received at _Belem_ in a manner which fully justified the
reluctance of his colleagues to accompany him. The Chamber carried his
papers to the governor, offering their service to inflict chastisement
upon the rebels. Francisco de Sa was at a loss how to act, not knowing
how far he might depend upon his own people, and yet feeling it
incumbent upon him to take some measures for suppressing the
insurrection. Meanwhile, the Chamber of _Belem_ sent a reply to the
insurrectionary leaders, exhorting them to submission. Beckman, however,
showed no inclination to recede from the position he had taken; and Palm
Sunday was distinguished by the expulsion of the Jesuits from their
college; each of them, bearing the emblem of the festival, embarked
under a guard in two vessels. One of the two reached _Pernambuco_; the
other fell into the hands of pirates.
Antonio de Albuquerque, who was the bearer of the reply from _Belem_,
was refused permission to address himself to the people. It is to be
remarked that this insurrection at _St. Luiz_ was kept to a certain
extent within bounds; two vessels belonging to the monopolist company
arrived at this time with goods and negroes, the sale of which was
conducted on behalf of the Company by its agents. The governor now
thought fit to offer a full pardon to all persons concerned in the
insurrection, together with a large gratuity to Beckman; the latter,
however, rejected the offer, whilst professing his readiness to submit
to the orders of his sovereign when they should arrive; and the
Governor’s agents returned to _Belem_ to report the fruitless result of
their errand.
Beckman, however, was by no means in an enviable position. He was
compelled by the wish of the people to send his brother to Lisbon as
their representative; and as those who had flocked to his help gradually
broke away from him to attend to their own affairs, he saw himself
without the means of supporting his usurped authority. In fact he only
maintained his position in virtue of the weakness of Francisco de Sa.
Beckman had grievances of his own to complain of against the local
authority, which, perhaps, originally urged him to make himself the
mouthpiece of the legitimate public outcry against the monopoly. He may
also have been stimulated by the impunity which had attended the
proceedings of the people of _Maranham_, on the occasion of the
expulsion of the Jesuits. It is rash, however, for any one heading a
revolt against constituted authorities to found himself upon precedent.
In this instance, the insurgent leader soon went beyond the limits which
had been reached in the preceding case. Indeed he commenced by
imprisoning the _Capitam Mor_ and deposing the Governor. He may likewise
not have foreseen that as the previous insurrection had been allowed to
pass with impunity to its leaders and had been followed by another, the
court of Lisbon would consider it the more necessary to be severe on
this occasion.
The leader of the revolt took a singular course with the object of
making his position more secure. This was to ally himself with Joam de
Lima, a well-born Portuguese, who commanded a piratical squadron. This
buccaneer now received the offer, on the part of the insurgents, of the
port of _Maranham_ as a harbour of refuge from which he and they might
defy the Portuguese authority.
Meanwhile the news of the insurrection had been received with concern at
Lisbon. In the case of the former outbreak, the Portuguese Government
had perceived how difficult it would be for them to re-establish royal
authority in so distant and extensive a province as _Maranham_ by force
of arms, and had therefore had recourse to policy. They likewise feared
lest the French from _Cayenne_ should renew their attempts at making a
settlement on the _Amazons_ and revive their claims on _Maranham_. It
was of the utmost importance that a suitable man should be found for the
purpose of suppressing the insurrection in _Maranham_, and the royal
choice fell upon Gomes Freyre, an officer whose qualities eminently
fitted him for the task before him.
[Sidenote: 1685.]
After having encountered not a few difficulties in the way of making
preparation for a successful discharge of his mission, Gomes Freyre set
out on his voyage, the King accompanying him on board ship to take
leave, and, on the 15th of May, he arrived on the coast of _Brazil_.
Thomas Beckman, who had been sent to Portugal, was sent back to
_Maranham_ a prisoner. The new Governor was received with due submission
on the part of the Senate and the people. Beckman, indeed, endeavoured
to induce the people to oppose his landing; but the measures of Freyre
were so decided that there was no time to carry his evil intentions into
effect. Having taken possession of the government without opposition, he
issued a proclamation granting pardon to all persons, excepting such as
had instigated, or had taken a leading part in, the rebellion. Beckman
took refuge on his estate sixty leagues distant, whilst his brother was
lodged in prison. The reward offered for the former tempted a young man
to effect his capture, and he was treacherously apprehended.
By the capture of the ringleader the revolt was at an end; but it was
with the utmost reluctance that the Governor could bring himself to
condemn him to the penalty which he had incurred. His reluctance was no
doubt increased owing to the circumstances of Beckman’s base betrayal by
a youth whom he had befriended; and it was only upon an attempt being
discovered to escape from prison that Gomes Freyre yielded to the
representations which were made to him that it was his duty to the
public to sign his death-warrant. In doing so, together with that of
another ringleader, he at the same time took upon himself the charge of
providing for his two unmarried daughters. Beckman’s brother received
the milder punishment of banishment for ten years; whilst the friar who
had incited the people to insurrection was sentenced to be imprisoned in
his convent.
The first measure of Gomes Freyre, after seizing the ringleaders of the
rebellion, had been to restore all such persons as had been deprived of
their offices. He likewise temporarily re-established the monopoly,
whilst he recalled the exiled Jesuits. Having convened the Chambers of
_Belem_ and _St. Luiz_, and received their representations upon the
state of the country, he came to the conclusion that the monopoly must
be abolished. In his reports to Portugal he found great fault with the
conduct of a portion of the clergy who had betaken themselves to trade,
and were foremost in inciting discontent. The condition of the people he
represented as deplorable; and he advocated, on the plea of necessity,
the introduction of negroes for agricultural labour. The Indians he
desired to be domesticated as far as might be possible, in order that
they might afford to their countrymen an example of submission. But at
the same time he pointed out that the same principle which authorized
the Portuguese to purchase negroes in Africa was applicable to the
savage _Tapuyas_, who granted no quarter in war.
In order to relieve the distress at _St. Luiz_, he took from its
population the materials for a new settlement between the rivers _Itacú_
and _Mony_. The two streams in question approach each other so nearly at
one point in the interior that it was thought that two forts might
suffice for the protection of the delta thus formed against the Indians.
In furtherance of this plan, an expedition was despatched against the
savages of the _Meary_, who had destroyed the _engenhos_ formerly
existing in this district. The Governor, having accordingly erected a
fort upon the _Meary_, saw the importance of establishing communication
overland with _Bahia_; and an enterprising Portuguese, named Joam do
Valle, boldly undertook to proceed thither by land. He succeeded in the
attempt; but the fatigues which he had undergone proved fatal to his
life.
Gomes Freyre found it necessary to despatch another expedition, under
Sousa, against the savages of the _Amazons_. After a severe campaign,
which lasted over six months, this officer effected the object entrusted
to him. The lower valley of the great river was pacified; a number of
dangerous chiefs, together with more than a thousand Indians, had
fallen; whilst half of that number were brought back in chains.
[Sidenote: 1687.]
At this period the position of the French in the north of _Brazil_
became a subject of disquietude to the authorities at _Pará_. Although,
in virtue of the line of demarcation by Pope Alexander VI., Portugal
claimed the entire Brazilian coast, from the _Plata_ in the south to the
_Oyapok_ in the north, the maritime powers declined to admit her title.
As early as the year 1608, the country between the _Amazons_ and the
_Orinoco_ had been taken possession of by Robert Harcourt in the name of
James I. for England, and that King had made him a grant of the
territory lying between the former river and the _Essequibo_, which
falls into the sea about the centre of what is now British _Guayana_.
The scheme, however, was frustrated, as were all attempts on the part of
adventurers of different nations to establish themselves about the
_Cabo do Norte_ and up the _Amazons_. It was during one of the
expeditions of Raleigh that the harbour of _Cayenne_ had first been
noticed, and it subsequently attracted the attention of Harcourt. Some
French adventurers settled at this locality about the year 1631. They
had no commission from the Crown nor from any company; and, being left
to their own resources, such of them as survived the hostilities between
the native tribes in which they took part, gradually became mixed with
the savages.
A few, however, had escaped to France; and it was on their
representations that an expedition was sent out under Charles Poncet,
who was appointed Lieutenant-General of the country of the _Cabo do
Norte_, a district which was not too minutely defined, and which he
interpreted generally to include the whole coast between the _Amazons_
and the _Orinoco_. This officer took out with him some four hundred men,
with whom he attempted to form settlements at _Cayenne_, _Surinam_, and
_Berbice_, which three places now form settlements in French, Dutch, and
British _Guayana_ respectively. Owing to his cruelty, however, he
himself fell a victim to the vengeance of the savages, whilst the
various settlements were attacked and cut up. About forty survivors made
their escape to _St. Kitts._
The disasters, however, of _M._ Poncet _de_ Bretigny did not deter the
company at Rouen from pursuing the enterprise in which they had
embarked; and they continued for eight years after his death to maintain
a fort at _Cayenne_. At this date a new company was formed, on the plea
that the previous one had failed in fulfilling its conditions to the
Crown. The chief of the next expedition, which consisted of seven
hundred men, was the _Sieur de_ Royville. But _De_ Royville was no more
fortunate than his predecessor, being murdered on the outward voyage.
The twelve associates who had accompanied him lost no time upon their
arrival in quarrelling amongst themselves and in beheading one of their
number, whilst three others were deported to an island, where they soon
fell victims to the savages. The colony was not successful; some of its
members perished from disease, and others from hunger; whilst others
again were brought to the _boucan_.[6] The survivors were glad to seek
the protection of the English, who were by this time established at
_Surinam_.
[Sidenote: 1656.]
[Sidenote: 1676.]
A few years after this occurrence, the Dutch, finding _Cayenne_
forsaken, occupied it in the name of the West India Company. This
settlement promised favourably; its commander, named Guerin Spranger,
fulfilled all the conditions required for forming a profitable colony;
but Louis XIV., at this period, gave to a new French company the country
between the two great rivers, appointing _M._ le Hevre _de la_ Barre
governor of _Cayenne_. Five vessels were sent out, having on board a
thousand persons, and Spranger had no alternative but to submit. His
country was not then at war with France, but high-handed proceedings
were the order of the day. The French were so fortunate as to find
themselves in possession of a ready-made colony. Two years later it was
laid waste by the English; but it was immediately re-occupied by the
French. In the war which succeeded the peace of Breda, _Cayenne_ was
again taken by the Dutch; but in 1676 it was once more captured by the
French under the _Comte_ d’Estrees.
_Cayenne_ once more a French settlement, its guiding spirits lost no
time in directing their attention towards the possessions of their
neighbours. Their attempt to enter the _Amazons_ was forbidden by the
captain of _Curupá_, whilst five Frenchmen were found by the Jesuits
trading for slaves in the interior.
[Sidenote: 1687.]
About the year 1687 the province of _Ceará_ was so infested by the
neighbouring savages that it was declared lawful and necessary to make
war against them; and the hostilities were prosecuted with such vigour
as to free the province from their presence for the future.
[Sidenote: 1688.]
[Sidenote: 1694.]
In proof that the trade of _Brazil_ was steadily increasing, it is
stated that, in 1688, the fleet which sailed from _Bahia_ was the
largest which had ever left that port, and yet that it did not contain
tonnage sufficient for the produce. A trade had sprung up between
_Buenos Ayres_ and _Brazil_, and when it was prohibited, alike by the
Spanish and by the Portuguese Governments, goods to the amount of three
hundred thousand _cruzados_ were left on the merchants’ hands at _Nova
Colonia_, and of double that amount at _Rio de Janeiro_. The Government
showed their appreciation of the importance of _Bahia_ by putting its
forts in a proper state of defence. Three additional settlements in the
_Reconcave_ were now large enough to be formed into towns; and the
currency in _Brazil_ was now put upon a proper footing by a regulation
which permitted only milled pieces to pass, the practice of clipping
having been hitherto prevalent.
The escaped negroes who had taken refuge in the _Palmares_ or palm
forests, in the interior of _Pernambuco_, have already been mentioned.
In the course of threescore years they had acquired strength and daring.
Not contented with being left unmolested, they infested several
Portuguese settlements; one of their chief reasons being to carry off
women. They were under the government of a chief who was elected, and
who listened to such whose experience gave them the right to counsel
him. He was obeyed implicitly. His people did not abandon the sign of
the cross. They had their officers and magistrates; and the greater
crimes were punished with death. As they carried on a regular
intercourse with the Portuguese settlements by means of their slaves,
the evil arising from them as a place of refuge became so great that it
was necessary to make an effort to put an end to it.
The negro settlement in the _Palmares_ was reputed to be so strong that
the authorities of _Pernambuco_ long hesitated to attack it; but at
length Caetano de Mello determined to make a vigorous effort with the
object of exterminating this formidable organization. With this end he
solicited from the Governor-General the aid of the camp-master of a
regiment of _Paulistas_, and that officer was accordingly directed to
proceed to join him. On his way, however, at the head of a thousand men,
he unwarily resolved to reconnoitre the _Palmares_, and found himself in
front of a double palisade of hard wood, enclosing a circle four or five
miles in extent, and within which were some twenty thousand persons. The
enclosure contained a rock which served as a look-out station; and it
was surrounded by a number of smaller settlements, in which were
stationed selected men.
[Sidenote: 1665.]
In front of this strong position the _Paulista_ leader pitched his camp.
On the third day the negroes sallied forth; and so fierce a conflict
ensued that more than eight hundred persons were killed or wounded, with
the result that the assailants were glad to retreat to _Porto Calvo_. At
that point a force of six thousand men was assembled, which had been
gathered from _Olinda_, _Recife_, and elsewhere. The retreat gave the
negroes time to prepare for the attack which they awaited. Their
fighting strength is said to have amounted to ten thousand men. The
Portuguese army advanced without delay, and encamped in front of the
fortifications. The negroes, not having anticipated an attack of this
nature, were unprovided with sufficient powder. On the other hand, the
Portuguese had neglected to bring artillery.
Under these circumstances, the struggle between the two parties became
one of endurance. Any attempt to cut a way through the palisade was
easily foiled; but the negroes not only felt the want of weapons, but
likewise that of provisions. The Portuguese, too, were for some time on
short allowance; but they were reinforced by large convoys of cattle
from the _San Francisco_, and the despair which this sight occasioned to
the besieged deprived them of the courage to withstand the attack which
was simultaneously made. The gates were hewn down; and the chief and
some of his followers, preferring death to renewed slavery, threw
themselves down from the rock. The survivors of all ages were brought
away as slaves.
About this time the question was formally raised as to the limits of the
territory claimed by the French and by the Portuguese, respectively,
_M._ de Ferrol, the Governor of _Cayenne_, claiming for France the whole
to the north of the _Amazons_. He received for reply that it was the
duty of the Portuguese governor to maintain possession of that which had
been entrusted to his predecessors and to himself, and which included
both sides of the river, together with the whole of the interior. _M._
de Ferrol, after some time, sent an expedition against the fort of
_Macapá_, which had lately been erected at the _Cabo do Norte_, and
which surrendered to him. In writing to the governor of _Maranham_, _M._
de Ferrol justified this expedition on the ground that the place was
within the limits of the French colony. Three hundred men were at once
sent to recover the fort, which was thereupon put into a state of
defence, pending a reference to Europe; but, owing to complications in
European policies, it was allowed to remain in the hands of Portugal
without further demur on the part of France.
[Sidenote: 1696.]
Meanwhile the condition of the Indians throughout _Brazil_ had gradually
improved. For this they were indebted chiefly to the importation of
negroes, but partly also to legislation. Throughout all the old
captaincies, with the exception of _St. Paulo_, a pure Indian--that is
to say one without negro blood--was declared free on demanding his
freedom. This consummation must have gladdened the closing days of
Vieyra’s life. His memorable existence was prolonged to the age of
ninety; he having been for seventy-five years a member of the Order of
Jesus. His brother Gonçalo survived him by one day.