bonie Snout, the upper Jaw reaching over the other, no Teeth, a Tail
divided in the middle, sharp Fins on the Back, and a Skin full of
Silver-colour’d Prickles. This Monster not onely devours great Fishes,
but also Men; when it is hungry it often runs its Snout through the side
of a Ship.
But there is no Fish more deform’d than the _Abacatuaja_, which being
oval and flat, hath two long Fins underneath, and one on the top, a
divided Tail, green Fins, a smooth Skin, and fiery Eyes; as soon as it
is taken it cries like a Hog.
[Sidenote: The Serpent _Boiguacu_.]
In this County stands a Town of the same Denomination, which contains
two hundred Houses, a Sugar-Mill, and a Cloyster of _Jesuits_, and
drives a great Trade in Cotton and _Brasile_ Wood. Before the City lies
an Inlet full of Isles, the Mouth of which is guarded by a Castle. The
Natives, call’d _Maigaias_, are in League with the _Portuguese_, but the
_Tapuyans_ and _Apiapetangas_ do them all the mischief they can
possibly; so that the _Portuguese_ travel in great danger of their
lives, when any Business calls them, through the Countrey of these
salvage People. But besides these People, the Way is pester’d with
strange wild Beasts, especially on the Mountain _Mestre Alvaro_, which
is seen at a great distance off at Sea; on which, amongst other
Creatures, breeds the terrible Serpent _Boiguacu_, whose length is
generally twenty four Foot; it is of an Ash colour, with great and small
black Spots, with a little white Speck in the middle; when hungry, it
leaps out of the Hedges, or from the tops of Trees, raises it self
upright on its Tail, and winding about either Man, Beast, or whate’re it
be, squeezes it to death, or puts its Tail, which ends in a sharp Point
or Sting, in at the Fundament in such a manner, that it kills the
Creature on which it seizeth in a moment, and then swallows it up. This
Serpent hath strong Ribs inwardly, and more than seventy bonie Joynts;
wherefore it turns it self with great ease; the Joynt-bones near the
Head are the biggest, and grow smaller and smaller towards the Tail: It
also feeds on Pismires.
[Sidenote: The Bird _Jabicu-guacu_.]
This County also breeds the Bird _Jabicu-guacu_, which exceeds the Crane
in bigness, and hath a long thick Bill, but no Tongue; on his Head
appears a white grisly Crest or Mitre; the Wings and Tail are short, and
the Feathers most of them white, except the Pinions, which shine like
Rubies; their Flesh is of a good rellish, but somewhat dry.
Near the River which washes the City _Spirito Sancto_, the _Paraibes_
dwell in Huts, not unlike Ovens.
SECT. V.
Porto Seguro.
[Sidenote: Description of _Porto Seguro_.]
Next to the fore-mention’d County borders _Porto Seguro_, discover’d by
_Pedro Alvares Capralis_, who gave this Countrey the Name of _Terra de
Santa Cruiz_, but afterwards chang’d it to _Porto Seguro_, because he
found a secure Harbor there. The Town, built on the top of a white Rock,
gives its Denomination to the whole Countrey, and harbor’d long since
two hundred and twenty Families, and hath five Sugar-Mills. The Land on
the North side of the Rock rises high, but Southwardly a smooth Coast
runs along the Ocean, from which two Leagues off at Sea lie several
Cliffs, against which the Waves break with a great force.
The Towns _Santa Cruiz_ and _Amaro_ are left desolate, because the
_Portuguese_ were continually Invaded by the salvage _Aymures_, whom
they were not able by any means to repress.
Southward from _Porto Seguro_ appear the Shoals _Abrolhos_, twenty six
Leagues from the Coast; they are of one breadth, but one is longer than
the other.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: Remakable Wreck of the Ship _Batavia_.]
[Sidenote: _Corneliszoon_: his villainous Attempt.]
On this Coast the Ship _Batavia_ was cast away _Anno 1629._ which
Accident is the more remakable for the Murders committed by the Factor,
_Hieronymus Corneliszoon_, who with some Confederates resolv’d to run
away with the Ship, and to Sail to some _Spanish_ Haven, or _Dunkirk_,
and so to pillage the _Netherland_ Vessels; but their Design was
frustrated by the Ships running against the _Abrolhos_: _Francis
Pelsaert_, chief Commander, first caus’d the Sick, with the Women and
Children, to be put on an Island, or else on two Rocks about three
Leagues distant from the place where the Ship lay, in which remain’d
seventy Men, whom _Pelsaert_ in vain endeavor’d to carry away; for the
Sea was so rough that a Boat was not able to abide in the same, and also
the Storm beginning to increase, beat the Ship more and more against the
Sands, and the Seamen venturing towards the Isle on pieces of Timber,
were some drown’d, others by the Waves, were driven ashore, amongst whom
was _Hieronymus Corneliszoon_, who preserv’d his Life twenty four hours
on the Boltsprit after the Ship was stav’d; but not terrifi’d with such
an Accident, he continu’d in his fore-mention’d Resolution. On one of
the Cliffs were forty Persons with eighty Cans of Water, but on the
Island a hundred and eighty with much less; upon which _Pelsaert_, who
when the Storm ceas’d, thought to save somewhat more out of his Wrack,
was necessitated to seek for fresh Water on one of the said Cliffs, but
not finding enough, trimm’d up his Boat and set Sail homeward, from
thence to fetch a new supply of People: During which time
_Cornelisszoon_ perform’d his Vilany; for he chose _David_ of _Zeevang_,
_Gysbrecht Welderen_, _Coenraed Huissen_, _Cornelis Pieterszoon_,
_Rutger Frederickszoon_, and _Hans Heilwerk_, for his Assistants,
besides several others, and destroy’d all the People on the Island,
except five, who escap’d on pieces of Timber to the Rock where _Weyber
Hays_ resided with forty Men, who being inform’d what the aforesaid
Villains had done, prepar’d for resistance with sharp-pointed Sticks,
those People on the second Rock being also slain by _Zeevang_, who
spared onely some Women and seven Boys; after which _Hieronymus
Corneliszoon_ took _Lucretia Jans_ for his Wife; in like manner
_Huissen_ took _Judith Sebastiaens_; the remaining Women serv’d the rest
for Concubines. Not long after twenty of them going in Sloops, fell upon
_Weiber Hays_, who valiantly resisted them: but because _Hays_’s Life
was of great consequence, by reason he might give notice of their
Actions to the Ship which was expected from _Holland_, and which they
design’d to run away with, therefore they renew’d their Assault with
fifteen Men more, and were again beat off; wherefore they resolv’d to
make a Peace, which _Hieronymus Corneliszoon_ promis’d to ratifie the
next day; nevertheless this Peace was but feigned, for under pretence
thereof they deliver’d Letters to several _French_ Soldiers that were
under _Hays_’s Command, promising each six thousand _Guilders_ if they
would joyn with them; but they shew’d the Letters to _Hays_, who keeping
it secret, that he might draw on _Hieronymus Corneliszoon_, not
mistrusting the Discovery, to come thither at the appointed time, took
him Prisoner, and caus’d _Zeevang_, _Huissen_, _Welderen_, and _Cornelis
Pieterszoon_ to be put to death; but _Wouter Loos_ making his escape,
was chosen chief of the Rebels, who ventur’d a fourth Assault, but
returning without any effect left off making any farther Attempt. Mean
while _Pelsaert_ arriving with the _Sardam_ Frigat from _Holland_, sent
a Boat ashore, which by a little Skiff dispatcht by _Hays_, was inform’d
of all the Passages; whereupon the Boat returning, _Pelsaert_ as he was
putting himself into a posture of Defence, espy’d a Sloop coming about
the Southern Point of the Island, in which were eleven of the Rebels
clad in Scarlet with Silver Lace, which making directly towards the
Ship, as soon as they came up, were commanded to throw away their Arms
over-board; which having done, and coming aboard the Frigat, they were
all put in Irons, as also their remaining Party, and condemn’d to die.
Opposite to the _Abrolhos_ on the Main Coast, a plain Countrey extends
it self thirty Leagues in length, inhabited by the _Ouetacates_, a cruel
People, who continually either destroy one another, or else make sad
slaughters amongst their Neighbors.
The County _Porto Seguro_ belongs to the _Spanish_ Duke of _Avero_, but
is very much decay’d.
[Sidenote: The Beast _Capybara_.]
The Rivers _Moucuripe_, _Caruvelas_, and _Lucuru_, breed abundance of
Water-Hogs call’d _Capybara_, which have short Feet, Bristles and Ears,
a thick Body and Head, with a bearded Snout, besides two Tusks, and
twenty four lesser Teeth in each Jaw, but no Tail; they feed on Grass
and Bushes in whole Herds on the Shore, and make a terrible noise; and
though they cannot run fast, yet they dive and swim extraordinary quick.
[Sidenote: The _Tapiirete_.]
The _Tapiirete_ also resembles a Hog, especially in its Head and Feet,
but is as big as a Heifer of six Moneths old, hath a Snout hanging over
its under Lip, a Mouth full of Teeth, and on its Skin short and dark
colour’d Hair. This Beast is very libidinous, and in the Nights spoils
the Fruit-Trees, especially the Sugar-Canes, but in the Day-time it
sleeps in Thickets. The Flesh of a young _Tapiirete_ tastes like Beef.
Lastly, the Inhabitants of _Porto Seguro_ are plentifully supply’d with
Rabbets, and the more, because there being divers sorts of them, (some
say five) they are taken in great abundance, either in Traps, Snairs, or
Gins, or by discovering their Holes; for the Hunters stopping the
entrance of them, dig a Hole directly over the place where the Coneys
lodge, and so kill them with long Pike-staves in the Ground.
[Sidenote: Five sorts of Rabbets in _Brasile_.]
Of these five sorts of Rabbets in _Brasile_, the chiefest, call’d
_Paca_, hath a thick Head, little Ears, their fore-Feet bigger than
their hind-Feet, short, hard, and brown Hair, speckled grey on the
Sides, but no Tail: The Flesh of this sort of Rabbets is very delicate.
The second sort is the _Tupesi_, which being like a Hare amongst us, may
as well be accounted of that kind.
The _Aguti_ resembles our Rabbets, onely it hath harsh brown Hair, round
Ears, bald Feet, gruntles like a Hog, hath two Toes more on their
hind-Legs than on the foremost.
The _Cavia Cobaya_, though less than the _European_ Rabbets, excell them
in soft and divers-colour’d Hair, distinguish’d by white, red, and black
Spots; their Head and Teeth resemble those of a Rat, but it hath no
Tail: No Rabbets can be made tamer than these, and if carry’d to any
remote Countrey, breed as well there as in _Brasile_.
The last of all is the _Aparea_, which differs little in running from a
Hare, as also in respect of the Head and Beard, harbors more in rent
Cliffs than in sandy Ground.
[Sidenote: The Tree _Tucum_.]
The Soil of _Porto Seguro_ bears two sorts of Palm-Trees, _viz._ the
_Tucum_ and _Airi_; the _Tucum_ hath small Boughs full of prickly
Leaves, and a fruit not unlike the Damask Prune, hanging in Clusters of
three or four hundred together; and being excellent Food to fatten Hogs
and Apes; also when press’d yielding a clear Oyl, which is highly
esteem’d: the Fruit when ripe grows black without, and within hath a
white Kernel: of the Leaves the _Brasilians_ spin fine and strong Thred.
[Illustration]
The _Airi_ grows much higher than the _Tucum_, and hath also longer
Leaves, a Body full of sharp Thorns, and a round Fruit full of white and
oylie Pulp, but not eatable; the Wood hard, heavy and black, sinks in
the Water, and the _Brasilians_ make their Clubs of the same.
[Sidenote: The Bird _Cocoi_.]
Along the Rivers flie the Birds _Cocoi_, resembling Herons, though in
beauty they far exceed them; they have but little Flesh, long sharp
Bills, of a yellowish green colour, and curious Crests of Feathers on
their Heads, which fall back over their Necks; their Flesh when young is
delicate.
SECT. VI.
Los Isleos.
[Sidenote: Situation and Description of _Los Isleos_.]
Next _Porto Seguro_ borders the Countrey _Los Isleos_, so call’d from
its chief Town, which consists of a hundred and fifty Houses, (or
perhaps by this time many more) eight Sugar-Mills, a Cloyster for the
_Jesuits_, and a Church. The Inhabitants live by Tillage, and
Transporting of Provisions in little Barks to _Pernambuco_.
Seven Leagues farther in the Countrey, beyond the Town of _Isleos_, lies
a nameless Lake three Leagues long, as many broad, and above ten Fathom
deep, and full of the Fish _Manati_, which are very large and well
tasted, besides abundance of Crocodiles; and in windy Weather the Water
is as rough as if it were in the Ocean. Out of this Lake flows a River
by a Passage so narrow, that a Boat can scarce pass through the same.
Round about this River live the _Guaymures_, the most salvage People of
all _America_; they are of a Gigantick size, have white Skins, carry
exceeding great Bowes and Arrows, live without Houses like Beasts,
devour Mans-flesh like Tygers, never Fight in Companies or Armies, but
watch to surprize a single Man or Beast; they also eat their own
Children, and possess’d formerly all the Land from the River _St.
Francisco_ to the Promontory _Frio_; but beaten from thence by the
_Tupinambas_ and _Tupinachias_, they went to the County _Los Isleos_,
which they Invaded in such a manner, that the _Portuguese_ were not
onely forc’d to leave several Sugar-Mills, but also the whole Countrey.
SECT. VII.
Bahia de Todos los Sanctos.
[Sidenote: Situation and Description of _Todos los Sanctos_.]
Next to _Isleos_ borders _Bahia de Todos los Sanctos_, belonging to the
_Portuguese_. The Inlet which borrows its Denomination from all the
Saints, gives Name to this eminent County. The Bay great and wide, and
in the middle from twelve to eighteen Fathom deep, lies in thirteen
Degrees Southward of the _Equinoctial Line_. The Coast rises white along
the Sea side. The Current according to the course of the Sun runs six
Moneths towards the South, and as many towards the North. The opening of
the Inlet is on the South, but it flows up Northerly, and contains two
Leagues and a half in breadth; several fresh Rivers discharge their
Waters into the same: The utmost and biggest Island _Taperica_ breaks
off the Waves which come rowling in from the Ocean. Those that Sail into
the same must have the Island on their left Hand, and the Main Coast on
their right, which is known by a Promontory, on which the Fort
_Antonio_, and the old City _Villa Veja_ are built, near a little Bay
with a Foreland on the North, from which the Main Coast circling like a
Half-Moon ends near the Point _Tapagipe_, which juts out from _Bahia
Todos los Sanctos_. The Castle _Tapesiepe_ stands on the utmost Point,
where the Countrey winding towards the East makes the Inlet larger, from
whence a narrow Channel runs up into the Countrey, and there makes a
Lake which extends North and South: from the Mouth of the Lake the Coast
reaches Northward to the River _Pitanga_, which comes gliding out of the
East, and in its Passage receives several Streams, on whose Banks stand
divers Sugar-Mills. From _Pitanga_ the Coast extends a League Northward,
then Westerly with a crooked Elbow, in whose circumference lie two
nameless Isles close under the Shore; this Elbow ends in a blunt Point,
about half a League from which lies the Island _Mare_, a League long, in
the Mouth of the River _Pitanga_. To the Northward from hence a River
disembogues in the said Inlet. More Southerly appears _Monks-Isle_, from
whence the Coast extends it self Northerly, where several Islands appear
at an exact distance from the Coast; the first beyond the fore-mention’d
blunt Point, is _Birapebiara_; the next, which lies closer to the Shore,
_Porto Madero_; next comes in view a long Island in the Mouth of a
River, from whence the Countrey extends Westward, and fronts the Island
_De Fuentes_, as doth also the River _Tambaria_, which comes out of the
North, but empties it self with a crooked Arm near the rest; from hence
the Coast with two little Bays runs North-West to the Stream _Geresipe_,
in whose Mouth, which is pretty large, appear three Isles on a row, the
utmost whereof is call’d _Caraibe_, the middlemost _Pycca_, the
innermost hath no Name, but divides the River into two Channels; from
hence the Coast bends with several Inlets, into which fall divers
Rivulets towards the South, from the River _Cachoera_, full of little
Isles, opposite to which stand several Sugar-Mills. Against _Cachoera_
appears the Island _Meve_, and more Southerly _Taperica_, between the
sharp Point _Tapagipe_ and the Castle _Antonio_. Near the fore-mention’d
the City _St. Salvador_ was built by _Thomas de Sosa_, who weighing
Anchor from _Lisbon_, _Anno 1549._ Landed safely near _Villa Veja_, and
about half a League from thence pitch’d upon a Hill, and took order
forthwith for the erecting of his new City there, giving to each of his
Followers a place to build on: the _Jesuits_ chose the large Plain where
at present stands the Church Consecrated to the Virgin _Mary_; the Names
of the said _Jesuits_ were _Juan Azpilcueta_, _Antonio Pireo_, _Leonardo
Nonnio_, _Didaco Jacobeo_, _Vincentio Roderigo_, and _Emanuel Nobrega_;
whilest the common People set themselves to the building of
Dwelling-houses: But when _John_ the Third, King of _Portugal_, sent a
Priest thither to Teach in the new Church of _Maria_, the fore-mention’d
_Jesuits_ remov’d from thence to a high Hill, which they call’d _The
Mountain Calvarien_, whither divers _Brasilians_ came flocking, and
pitch’d their Tents about the Cloyster, admiring their strange
Neighbors.
[Illustration: SINUS OMNIUM SANCTORU]
When _Sosa_ Landed on the fore-mention’d Shore, the _Portuguese_ had but
little footing on _America_; for their Plantations at _Isleos_, _St.
Vincent_, _Pernambuco_, _Villa Veja_, _Itamaraca_, and _Porto Seguro_,
discover’d by _Pedro Alvares Capralis_, _Anno 1500._ were run all to
ruine.
Beside the City _St. Salvador_ and the decay’d Town _Villa Veja_, the
City _Paripe_ lies three Leagues farther into the Countrey, consisting
of three thousand Families, and eighteen Sugar-Mills: The Countrey about
the same produces plenty of Cotton.
The Island _Taperica_, which is pretty large, hath a fertile Soil for
the production of Tobacco, and Grass to fatten Cattel: The Inhabitants
boyl much Train-Oyl of the Whales, which come ashore there in
considerable numbers.
Twelve Leagues Southward from _St. Salvador_ appears the Village
_Cacocheira_, formerly belonging to a rich _Portuguese_, who took great
pains in reforming the salvage People _Guaymures_ to a civil Life; but
seeing he profited but little, he caus’d great Companies of them to be
remov’d to _Taperica_, that they might do less mischief, where the
unusual and unwholsom Air kill’d them all in a short time.
The Lordship _Bahia_ hath abundance of Sugar-Mills, which are either
turn’d by the Water, or drawn by Oxen.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: The manner of Planting Sugar-Canes.]
[Sidenote: The Worm _Guirapeacopa_.]
[Sidenote: The manner of making Sugar in the Sugar-Mills.]
The Sugar-Canes, by the _Brasilians_ call’d _Viba_ or _Tacomaree_, grow
better in a clayie and fat Soil, over which the Rivers flowing leave
their Mud, than on High-lands, Hills, or Mountains; they are Planted
after this manner: They first plough their Fields, weed them, and make
Holes at an exact distance one from the other, into which they plant
their Canes in such a manner, that the tops touch one another. The Holes
before mention’d require more Earth to fill them in Summer than in
Winter, that the violent Heat of the Sun may not dry up the Root, and
that the Rain may the freelier come at them to moisten them, for the
more moisture they have, the better they grow; they attain to their full
ripeness in ten, or at most in twelve Moneths; _February_ and _March_
being the two last Winter Moneths, are accounted the best to Plant in,
because the Earth softned by Rains, suffers the Root to shoot forth the
better. The ripe Canes being cut off, are left in the Field till the
following Year; during which time new Canes growing, are often ground in
the Mill with the old ones; but if they stand two years, then the sweet
Liquor dries up, and the Cane withers. The young Plants carefully
planted in good Ground may last forty, nay fifty years; but in a barren
Soil they set new every five years. Sometimes in great Droughts and
extraordinary hot Seasons, the Canes are scorcht to nothing, which being
burnt in the Winter, the Ashes serve to Dung the Ground; and so in like
manner when the Water, overflowing the Fields, drowns the young Plants.
In moist Grounds the black-wing’d Worm, call’d _Guirapeacopa_, (by the
_Portuguese_ nam’d _Pao de Galeuba_) gnaws the Roots in such a manner,
that the Canes die; and sometimes it happens also that the Weeds choak
the young Plants; wherefore the Ground is to be weeded four times a
year, till such time as the Canes are strong enough to bear against the
Weeds: they cut off the ripe Canes at the lowermost Joynt, and, all the
Leaves being first pull’d off, tie them up in Bundles, and bring them to
the Mills, which consist of three great Iron Bars, between which the
Canes are squeez’d. The Water-Mills are turn’d by the force of the
Water, which in great Gutters led from high Mountains falls with
exceeding force into Pools made for that purpose; after which manner,
though they wind the Canes much faster, yet they get not so much Sugar
as when they grind them in the Mills turn’d by Cattel: The places
through which the Juice runs must be cleans’d twice in twenty four
hours; the Canes put in behind between the first Bar, are turn’d into
the second, and thence into the third, which successively squeezes out
all the remaining Juice: The Canes thus press’d, serve for Fewel to
burn; but they constantly keep such a great Fire both Night and Day,
that besides those press’d Canes, they burn forty Fathom of Wood in
twenty four hours, insomuch that whole Woods are consum’d in a short
time: The Liquor, nam’d _Caldo_, runs along woodden Gutters into great
Kettles, in which it is boyl’d, but if it happen to be over-boyl’d they
put Water amongst it, whereby it becomes excellent Food for Horses; then
they put the Liquor into a second Kettle, where it is boyl’d afresh, and
also scumm’d; and for the better cleansing of it, Lime-Juyce and other
things are put amongst it; then they strein it through Clothes, and give
the Dross which remains in the same to the Slaves, which work for half a
year together Night and Day like Horses. The Dross mix’d with Water
makes also good Wine. Out of the great Kettles, by the _Portuguese_
call’d _Caldero de Mellar_, the _Caldo_ runs into the lesser nam’d
_Tachas_, where it is boyl’d a third time, and continually stirr’d till
it comes to be thick like a Syrrup, and at last to the consistence of
Sugar: It may be accounted amongst the Mysteries of Nature, that while
the Sugar boyls in the _Tachas_, which are the little Kettles, they must
drop Oyl amongst the Liquor, which if they should do whilest it is in
the great Kettel, the Liquor would not turn to the consistence of Sugar;
as on the contrary, if they should put their Lye into the little Kettles
as they do into the great, the Liquor would be quite spoil’d. In their
Boyling-houses stand several hundreds of Earthen Pots one by another on
Planks full of Holes; which Pots they cover with moist clay, and after
fourteen days knocking it out of the Pots, they separate the brown Sugar
from the white, both which are laid to dry in the Sun, and put into
Chests.
[Illustration: OLINDA DE PHERNAMBUCO]
SECT. VIII.
Pernambuco.
[Sidenote: Description of _Pernambuco_.]
Northward from _Bahia de Todos los Sanctos_ lies _Pernambuco_, which
extends along the Coast above seventy Leagues, between the River _St.
Francisco_ and the Countrey of _Hamaraca_.
_Pernambuco_, which signifies _Hells-Mouth_, is on the East wash’d by
the Northern Ocean; in which grows a Weed much like an Oaken Leaf, and
so thick, that unless it be cut to make their Way, impedes the Sailing
of Ships.
[Sidenote: Several sorts of Fish.]