sixty Fathom deep, and are taken in greater abundance than they are able
to spend; for they no sooner let down a Bait, cover’d with Feathers and
Tallow, but the Fish immediately swallowing the same, are taken.
Here are in the first place abundance of _Hays_, a Fish so rank and
oylie, that they are not eatable, but their Brains are accounted good
against the Stone.
There are also hereabouts a sort of flying Fish like Herrings, but not
so big; they have Wings like Bats, which carry them above Water whilest
they are wet; they swim in shoals, and are chased by all other Fishes,
which endeavoring to escape by flight out of the Water, they become a
prey to the Sea-pies.
The Sea-Breams are as well tasted as the flying Fish; the Mariners cover
them in Salt, or stuff them within full of Salt and Pepper, and so hang
them to dry in the Sun.
_Pernambuco_ it self lying in five Degrees Southward from the _Equinox_,
produces abundance of _Brasile_ Wood and Sugar-Canes, which last is no
proper _Brasilian_ Plant, for the first Plants thereof were by the
_Portuguese_ first transplanted thither from the _Canary_ Islands.
[Sidenote: First Discovery.]
This Countrey was first discover’d by _Americus Vesputius_, who being
sent thither by _Emanuel_, King of _Portugal_, to discover the Coast
between the Promontory before _Olinda_ and the Island _Itamaraca_, and
finding a split Rock and some _Brasilian_ Huts, Landed, and ask’d the
Denomination of the Coast, which he was inform’d was call’d
_Pernambuco_, which he found full of steep Mountains, inaccessible
Woods, and in some places Plains and pleasant Valleys; but the chiefest
thing he could find to lade his Ship with, was _Brasile_ Wood; but being
inform’d that the Soil would bear Sugar-Canes, he caus’d _Canary_
Sugar-Plants to be Set there.
[Sidenote: Chief Towns and Places of note.]
_Olinda_, formerly the chief City of _Pernambuco_, had (according to
_Lopez_) above three thousand Houses and seventy Sugar-Mills: It is
built on several Hills, which on the North-side are steep and overgrown
with Brambles; betwixt which in many places grow Orange-Trees. _John
Newhof_, who arriv’d at _Olinda_ Anno 1642. found a few _Netherlanders_
and _Spaniards_ there, who dwelt in the ruin’d Houses. The Land-side of
the City is strengthned by Hills overgrown with Brambles and Thorns, and
towards the Sea-side with Earthen Walls, fortifi’d by fourteen Bulwarks
and a Stone Castle, able to withstand a considerable force: The
Out-works towards the South were maintain’d by _Jews_, who from the
fore-mention’d Hills could see not onely a great way into the Ocean, but
also the River _Biberibi_, which hath a Stone Bridge leading to the
City, and Northerly and Westward the Way lies through great Woods and
Forrests. _Olinda_ it self is divided into twenty seven large Streets,
besides lesser Lanes and several Avenues, and five chief Churches,
_viz._ _Misericordia_, _Nostra Sennora del Emparo_, and _Nostra Sennora
de Guadalupe_, _San Salvador_, and _San Pedro_, besides two others of
lesser note. On the highest Hill stands the _Jesuits_ Cloyster, built
square and high, and surrounded with Walls, on which _Sebastian_ King of
_Portugal_, by the perswasion of his Uncle Cardinal _Henry_, spent a
great sum of Money, and endow’d it with annual Revenues, _Anno 1571._
The _Capuchins_ also built a stately Cloyster towards the East. The
_Franciscans_ moreover inhabited a magnificent Building, near which
stood the Governors Palace. The _Carmelites_ had also a stately Edifice,
whose former lustre still appears by the Ruines, where now Cattel graze;
from the Hills about which may be exactly discern’d _Reciffa_, the
Promontory of _St. Augustine_, and the Castle before the Road of
_Reciffa_: Along the Shore stood the _Dominican_ Cloyster, and in the
upper part of the City the Minster, Consecrated to _St. Bento_,
exceeding strong both by Nature and Art; near which stood _Conceptio de
nostra Sennora_. The Fort _Juan de Albuquerque_ stood on the South-side,
from whence a Way leads you along the Shore to _Reciffa_, where hard by
the Potter’s House stood a Beacon. But since _Olinda_ fell into the
hands of the _Netherland East-India_ Company, they built a strong
Fortress on the North near the Sea-side, where formerly a great Trade
was driven with Sugar, insomuch that forty Ships have been fraighted in
a day therewith from _Olinda_, and still as much more remain’d in the
Store-houses. The Sugar cannot be made without the help of _African_
Slaves, and that in great numbers; for _Angola_ alone provided fifteen
thousand four hundred and thirty _Moors_ for the Sugar-Mills about
_Olinda_.
[Sidenote: The Expedition of _Loncque_.]
[Sidenote: _Olinda_ taken by the _Hollanders_.]
[Sidenote: The Fort _St. George_ taken.]
In the Years 1601, 1602, and 1623. there was sent to surprize this City
_Henrick Loncque_, who a little before with _Peter Peterszoon Hein_ took
the _Spanish_ Plate-Fleet, and brought it away from _Matanca_. In the
middle of _June_, Anno 1629. _Loncque_ weighed Anchor from the _Goerean_
Road, and between great _Canary_ and _Teneriff_ he was Engag’d (having
but eight Sail) with forty _Spanish_ Ships, Commanded by _Frederick de
Toledo_, fought his way through the midst of them, and near _St.
Vincent_ (the rest of his Fleet being come up to him, which in all made
up twenty seven) he stay’d for a farther promis’d Supply of Ships to
assist him, and the longer, because the Men rais’d by the _Netherland
West-India_ Company were taken into the _States_ Service, to oppose the
_Spanish_ and Imperial Forces, who at that time had gain’d some
advantage upon them: But not long after _Hartogen-bosch_ being taken by
the _Hollanders_, the rest of the expected Fleet, with the promis’d Aid,
arriv’d at _St. Vincent_; from whence _Loncque_, after four Moneths
stay, set Sail with these additional Forces, his Fleet then consisting
of fifty Sail of Ships, which carry’d above seven thousand Soldiers,
besides Seamen; but he was forc’d to lie a considerable time under the
_Line_, being either becalm’d or beaten back by contrary Winds, insomuch
that many of his Men perish’d, or were disabled with the Scurvey: At
last his Fleet being come to an Anchor upon the Coast of _Pernambuco_,
the first that Landed about two Leagues Northward of _Olinda_, was
Colonel _Diederik van Waerdenberg_, who by Day-break divided his Men
into three Divisions, the Forlorn-Hope consisting of nine hundred and
thirty four Men, march’d towards _Olinda_ along the Shore, led by _Adolf
van der Eltz_; the second being a thousand and forty nine, by _Stein
Callenfels_; the third, consisting of nine hundred and sixty five, was
led by _Fouke Honx_: thus drawn out, and marching on, they met with no
resistance till they came to the River _Dolce_, where eight hundred
_Portuguese_ Charg’d on them from behind a new Sconce; but _Waerdenberg_
wading up to the Middle through the River with two Field-Pieces, the
Enemy left his Works and ran into the Wood; the Forlorn-Hope approaching
the City, march’d up towards the right side, up a Way through the Woods,
Scal’d the Walls, near which the _Jesuits_ Cloyster stood, over which he
got after some resistance. The second Party march’d in a narrow Path
along the Shore, and broke into the City between the _Franciscans_ and
_Jesuits_ Cloyster, towards the Cathedral _Salvador_, from whence they
discharg’d several Guns, as also from the Castle, which they had taken,
whilest _Fouke Honx_ Storm’d the Battlements towards the South; but
_Stein Callenfels_ and _Eltz_ being already Masters of _Olinda_, the
Defendants surrendred all. Mean while the Colonel’s Skiff brought five
hundred Men more ashore, with which he march’d without any hinderance
into the City, where the Conquerors, faint with excessive Heat and want
of Water, found but little Booty, because the Inhabitants having notice
of the _Hollanders_ coming, had convey’d all their Goods and Wealth to
_Reciffa_, which the Governor _Matthias Albuquerque_ (Brother to the
Lord _Duarte Albuquerque_, to whom _Pernambuco_ properly belong’d) burnt
with all the Store-houses, partly out of revenge to the Inhabitants, who
fled contrary to his Commands, and partly because he would not enrich
the _Hollanders_. The _Portuguese_ Captain, _Correa de Castel Blanco_,
in his Letter to the King of _Spain_, values the loss at twenty hundred
thousand _Ducats_. But still the _Portuguese_ had possession of several
Forts about the Countrey, whereof the most considerable was _St.
George_, whither _Stein Callenfels_ march’d in the Night with six
hundred Men, but his Ladders being too short, and the Hand-Granado’s not
easily taking fire, he was forc’d to Retreat; whereupon judging it most
convenient to besiege the Castle, he digg’d Trenches about the same; nor
was it long ere the Besieged desir’d Quarter, which being granted, they
march’d from thence with ninety Men. The Water Castle surrendring in
like manner, they found fifteen Brass Guns therein; and in that of _St.
George_ four thousand pound of Gun-powder, and twenty four Iron Guns.
When the _Netherland_ Forces Landed on _Pernambuco_, the _Portuguese_
inhabited eleven Towns, the chiefest whereof being _Olinda_, was
generally Garrison’d by four Companies of Armed Citizens, each
containing a hundred Men and three Companies of Soldiers: Amongst the
Citizens were two hundred Merchants, some of whom were judg’d to be
worth fifty thousand _Crusados_.
Southward from _Olinda_, between the River _Biberibe_ and the Ocean, was
a narrow Cawsey, at the end of which lay the populous Village _Reciffa_,
where the Ships lade and unlade. About the middle of the Cliff, being a
League long, is the Anchoring place for great Ships, call’d _Pozo_. At
the end of the fore-mention’d Cawsey against _Pozo_, appear’d a round
Tower of Fre-stone.
[Sidenote: The memorable Exploits of the _English_ under Captain _James
Lancaster_.]
The Journal kept by the _English_ Fleet that came hither under the
Command of Captain _James Lancaster_, Anno 1595. makes mention of a Fort
which lay at the Mouth of the Haven before _Reciffa_, which the
_English_ valiantly Storm’d, notwithstanding six hundred Men and seven
Brass Guns might easily have made it invincible: But they conquering the
same, march’d up to _Olinda_, took the Suburb, consisting of a hundred
Houses, without any resistance, as also a great Booty, and the greater,
because the Goods of a rich _Carak_ which had some few days before
suffer’d Shipwrack, were kept there; they also took fifteen laden Ships,
and for thirty days kept the whole Countrey about _Olinda_ restless with
continual Alarms. Since this Invasion the _Portuguese_ built a third
Fort on _Reciffa_, so that the Ships must pass in between two Forts,
where the Channel is also full of Rocks, and consequently the more
dangerous.
From _Reciffa_ the Goods are sent in Barques or Lighters to _Olinda_,
between which and _St. Salvador_ run the two great Rivers _Francisco_
and _Real_, the first whereof retains its freshness twenty Leagues into
the Ocean.
Along the River _Popitinga_ stand many Sugar-Mills; and five Leagues
farther Northward beyond _Olinda_ the _Portuguese_ inhabit these
Villages, _viz._ _Garasu_, _Reciffa_, _Moribeca_, _Antonio de Cabo_,
_Miguel de Poyuca_, _Gonsalvo de Una_, _Povacon de Porto Calvo_, _Alagoa
del Nort_, and _Alagoa del Zur_, besides other _Brasilian_ Hamlets, and
above seventy Sugar-Mills.
[Sidenote: The nature of the Soil in _Pernambuco_.]
The County of _Pernambuco_ hath for the most part a good Soil, several
Plains, low Hills, and fruitful Valleys, abounding with fair Canes,
which also grow on the Mountains _Masurepe_, _Zebaatan_, _Poyuca_, and
_Moribeque_.
The Wilds of _El Gran Matto_, afford the best Wood, with which they
drive the greatest Trade in the Village _Laurenzo_. Whilest _Matthias
Albuquerque_ Intrench’d himself a League and a half Westward from
_Olinda_, by the Sugar-Mills belonging to _Francisco Montero_, with a
hundred _Portuguese_, and three times as many Armed _Brasilians_,
_Loncque_ finding that he could not long keep the City _Olinda_ against
the Enemy, caus’d the same to be pull’d down and burnt.
[Sidenote: _Sergippo del Rey._]
Between the Rivers _Francisco_ and _Real_, lies the Town _Sergippo del
Rey_, up in the Countrey near a small Rivulet, which at Spring-Tydes
hath fourteen Foot Water. The Woods round about feed wild Cattel, and
the Mountains contain Mines of Gold and Silver.
The first Plantation in _Brasile_ was in the Island _Itamaraca_, three
Leagues long and two broad, but extends its Jurisdiction along the Main
Coast, from which it is separated by a narrow River, which runs betwixt
both thirty five Leagues. The Countrey is eminent for twenty
Sugar-Mills, and abundance of _Brasile_ Wood.
[Sidenote: _Villa de Conception._]
The chief Town of this Island is call’d _Villa de Conception_ near the
Sea, which round about the Island is full of Rocks. The _French_
settling themselves here at first, were driven from thence by the
_Portuguese_. The Town it self, built on a Rock, hath a strong Castle on
the one side, erected near a shrubby Moor; to the Northward of which
_Stein Callenfels_ found a little Isle, scarce a Musquet-shot long,
which at High-water is overflown, and being full of small Trees makes a
Receptacle for Sea-Fowl, which flock thither about six a Clock in the
Evening to Roost on the Boughs, from which, when once setled to take
their repose, they will not stir till six of the Clock the next Morning,
though you discharge Guns at them all Night; but since _Stein
Callenfels_ cut down the Wood to make Pallisado’s for the new Fort
against the Town _Conception_, they were never seen afterwards.
SECT. IX.
Parayba.
[Sidenote: Description of _Parayba_.]
Northward from _Itamaraca_ borders the County of _Parayba_, whence the
_French_ Ships carry’d yearly several Ladings of _Brasile_ Wood, till
_Anno 1585._ the _Portuguese_ General _Martin Leytam_ drove them from
all places, since when they never recover’d any part thereof.
[Illustration: OSTIUM FLUMINES PARAYBÆ]
This Territory of _Parayba_ borrows its Denomination from the chief
Town, lying five Leagues from the North Sea near the River _Parayba_,
which in the Summer Season hath but little Water, but in the Winter
Season increases to that heighth, that it oftentimes on a sudden
overflowing the Countrey sweeps away both People, Cattel, and Houses.
The City it self, though small, yet hath several fair Buildings, amongst
which three Churches and as many Cloysters, inhabited by _Franciscans_,
_Carmelites_, and _Benedictins_, are none of the meanest. The Countrey
thereabouts indifferently fruitful, hath twenty Sugar-Mills. The
Mountain _Cupaguao_, formerly very populous with Natives, being
exceeding fertile, produces all manner of Fruit; at present it lies
desolate, the _Brasilians_ being all destroy’d by the _Portuguese_.
These Mountains produce also curious green Stones, which the Inhabitants
wore in their Lips for an Ornament, and which also cures the Griping of
the Guts, by being laid upon the Belly.
[Sidenote: The Silver-Mine _Copaoba_.]
The _French_ under the Command of Captain _Dourmigas_, discover’d ninety
years ago the Silver-Mine _Copaoba_, and for considerable time carry’d
Silver and _Brasile_ Wood from hence, till the _Portuguese_ made
themselves absolute Masters.
Moreover, on the North-side of _Parayba_, the Salvages call’d
_Petiguars_ inhabit sixteen Villages.
[Sidenote: Strange Birds.]
Amongst the Birds of prey which breed here, are the _Ouyaourassou_,
twice as big as a Crane, with curious Feathers, and so bold and strong,
that it devours not onely Sheep, but Deer and Men.
The Bird _Mayton_ is no way inferior in beauty to the Peacock, his whole
Body being cover’d with white and black Feathers; on his Head grows a
Tuft; the Flesh is also very pleasant to the taste.
The _Toucan_, another Bird, resembles a Turtle-Dove in all parts, except
the Bill and Breast; for the Belly is ten Inches long and three broad,
the Breast of an Orange colour, mix’d with Crimson Spots; the remaining
part is white, the Back red, and the Tail and Wings Coal-black.
[Sidenote: The Plant _Yarammacarou_.]
The Plant call’d _Yarammacarou_ deserves also a peculiar observation,
_viz._ It is thicker than a Man’s Thigh, grows twelve Foot high, with
three Branches of equal length and thickness, which you may easily
break; it is green without, white within, and without Leaves, leaving
red Blossoms streak’d with blue, from whence grows a Fruit about the
bigness of an Apple, crimson without and white within, and tasting like
a Mulberry.
[Sidenote: The _Guara-tereba_, with other strange Fish.]
The River _Parayba_ produces amongst many other Fishes the
_Guara-tereba_, which hath a thick Body, flat Head, crooked Back, split
Tail, and triangular Scales, which laid in the Sun, shine like polish’d
Gold.
The Sea also hereabouts affords a strange Fish with a very long and thin
Tail, the Females whereof Lay every day Eggs like Hens: they are full of
poysonous Prickles, and divided into several sorts, amongst which the
chiefest are accounted the _Naainari_ and _Jabebara_.
[Sidenote: Description of the Sea Coast of _Brasile_.]
[Sidenote: Strange Tree.]
The Sea-Coast of _Brasile_ from _St. Vincent_ to _Spirito Santo_ appears
as followeth: Before the Coast of _St. Vincent_ lie the four little
Isles _Queimadas_, and on one side the _Alcatraces_ and _Busios_; East
North-East from which bears the Island _Sebastian_: Before the Inlet
_Ubatuba_ lies the Isle _Dos Porcos_, close under a high Shore, where
the Haven runs far up in the Countrey. Fourteen Leagues farther the
Island _Grande_, stor’d with fresh Water, with Fish-ponds, Woods, and
two good Havens. Before the Road of _Garatuba_ appear several broken
Isles, the chiefest whereof is _Morambaya_. The Ships Sailing along the
_Brasilian_ Coast view next the Mouth of the wide River _Jenero_,
without fear of Rocks or Shoals. Moreover, a sandy Ground extends from
the Western Point to _Cape Frio_, which rises out of the Sea like a
Rock, with white Streaks, and crack’d on the top, between both which the
high Island before _Frio_ makes a safe Harbor. Nine Leagues beyond
_Frio_ to the Northward, _St. Salvador_ opens a large Bay, hemm’d in on
the South by divers nameless Isles. Lastly, the several Salt-pans along
this Coast are very remarkable, as also the Promontory _St.Thoma_ and
_Parayba_, the Inlets _Manangea_ and _Itapemeri_, and the River
_Guarapari_, famous for the Mountain _Pero Cam_ towards the North, and
_Guapel_ to the South. The Island _Salvago_, round and mountainous, lies
before the Mouth of the River _Guarapari_, where the Main Coast grows
uneven and Hilly. On the North-East Point of _Spirito Santo_ a long
ridge of Rocks appears above the Sea; and near the Inlet rises three
black Hills on the South, and two Leagues up in the Countrey the broken
Mountain _Mestre Alvaro_, which extends along the Sea-Coast. The River
_Des Reyos Magos_ encompasses three Mountains severally, and makes three
Isles. The Coast on each side of the River _Dolce_ is very plain and
even, but _Cricare_ hath a mixture of high and low Lands. In the Mouth
of the River _Maranipe_ lies a great company of white Shelves near
together, appearing afar off as if all one. _Parairepe_ is remarkable by
the high Trees growing on it. The Mouth of the River _Caruvelas_ lies
full of Sand-plats. Near the Beacon _Tauhaen_ rises a red Cliff from
which a sandy Point reaches to the River _Curubabo_. Before _Porto
Seguro_ lie several dangerous Rocks in the Sea, to the Southward of
which rises the High-land _Cape Pasqual_. Not far from hence _Santa
Cruiz_ a good Haven for small Vessels, from whence the Coast extends
North North-East, and South South-West, to _Rio Grande_, where the
Shoals call’d _Baxos de St. Antonio_, making a dangerous Entry, force
the Ships for the most part to keep three Leagues from the Shore. Beyond
the Arm of _Rio Grande_ appear three high Mountains cover’d with Trees;
from whence to _Ilheos_ is a safe Passage free from Shelves. Eight
Leagues farther, the River _Dos Contas_ runs between two broken Cliffs
into the Sea: in the Mouth of it rises a Rock resembling a high Island.
Between _Ilheos_ and _Contas_ the Coast rises also, but falls low again
in a Bay, where white Sugar-Mills, formerly belonging to _Lucas
Giraldes_, are seen at a great distance. The Countrey on each side of
the River _Camanu_ is plain; the Stream it self hath a wide Mouth, and
respects with its Northern Shore the Isle _Cayepa_, dangerous for the
many Shelves which are about the same. The River _Tinhare_ is known by
the Mountain _Morro de Santo Paulo_, which rises like a Galley on the
Southern Shore. Twelve Leagues farther opens the Bay of _Todos los
Sanctos_, on whose Eastern Point stands the Castle _Antonio_, and before
the Northern Shore the Island _Topoam_, to the East and South-East low
and strong. The River _Das Pedras_ falls with a wide Mouth into the
Ocean. Next you pass by the Streams _Tapicuru_, _Real Vasabaris_ and
_Francisco_, known by a low Promontory. The Rivers _Miguel_, _Antonio_,
_Camaragili_, _Porto Calvo_, _Formoso_, and _Serinhaem_, disembogue also
into the Sea. Next the Stream _Das Pedras_ rises the Promontory _St.
Augustine_, all overgrown with Bushes and Brambles. Five Leagues
Southward lies the small Isle _Alexo_. The Coast from _St. Augustine_ to
_Pernambuco_ extends North and by East, and South and by West. The
Island _Tamaraca_ lies in the Mouth of the Stream _Gajana_; and fifteen
Leagues farther appears _Parayba_; between which two the Shelf _Pedra
Furada_ extends three Leagues along the Coast, and another from the
Shore of the Promontory _Blanco_, where the Road _Porto de Franeses_
affords Seamen secure Anchorage for Shipping. Next to _Parayba_ follow
the Havens _Treicaon_, _Pipa_, and _Basios_, the Stream _Siara_ and
_Maragnan_, which washes the Western part of _Brasile_, and is taken for
the Boundary between the _Spanish Indies_ and the _Portuguese_,
according to the Division by Pope _Alexander_ the Sixth, _Anno 1502._
Lastly, there belongs to _Brasile_ the Island _Fernando de Noronho_, in
three Degrees of Southern Latitude. The Capuchin, _Claude de Abbeville_,
going thither, found the same to be six Leagues in circumference, and
extraordinary fruitful; besides good fresh Water, Pease, Beans, _Maiz_,
Potato’s, Melons, Cotton, Cattel, wild Goats, and all sorts of Poultrey,
which this Island affords; but it chiefly abounds with great variety of
a sort of Birds which suffer themselves to be caught with the Hand.
There grows likewise a nameless Tree, not unlike the Laurel, being of a
strange Nature, for who e’re touches the Leaves, and afterwards rubs his
Eyes, loses his Sight for four hours, with exceeding pain; which pain
nevertheless another Tree growing in the same Island cures immediately.
The _French_, who Landed on _Noronho_ Anno 1613. found a _Portuguese_
there, with eighteen _Brasilians_, Men, Women, and Children, banish’d
thither from _Pernambuco_, whom Baptizing, they carry’d to _Maragnan_.
Near _Noronho_ lies the Isle _De Feu_.
SECT. X.
Maragnan.
[Sidenote: Situation.]
_Maragnan_, forty five Leagues in circumference, lies in two Degrees of
Southern Latitude, and a considerable distance from the Bay, which
appears between the Rivers _Aperegha_ and _Comajamu_.
The Eastern Entrance into this Bay hath before the Promontory _Arbres
Secs_, the Isle _St. Anna_, by the _Brasilians_ call’d _Upaonmiri_.
Opposite to _Maragnan_, about half way from the said Inlet, fall three
Rivers into the Sea, the most Easterly call’d _Mounin_, hath a Mouth a
Mile wide, and discharges its Water into the Sea; the middlemost
_Taboucourou_, is five hundred Leagues long, and ends with two Mouths,
half a League distant one from the other; the most Westerly, call’d
_Miary_, is about six Leagues broad, so falling into the Sea.