hitherto had Traded to _Guinee_; and the rather, because _Guinee_
brought them but little Profit. But to set upon the _Spanish_ Power, was
a Business of no small Consequence; nevertheless they undertaking it,
obtain’d Letters Patents from the _States_ of the _United Netherlands_,
Anno 1621. for erecting of a _West-India_ Company, in which it was
declar’d, That none without the said Companies leave should drive any
Trade to _Africa_ from the Northern _Tropick_, to the Cape _Bonne
Esperance_; nor to _America_ from _Terre-Neuf_ to the _Straights_ of
_Magellan_, or _Le Maire_; nor in the South Sea to _Anian_; which if any
attempted, they should forfeit Ship and Goods; besides several other
Priviledges and Immunities granted towards the promoting and
establishing of the said Company. After a long Consultation which way to
steer their Course, it was concluded upon in the Council for the Affairs
of the Company, to Invade _St. Salvador_ in the Inlet _Todos los
Sanctos_, whether they sent twenty Men of War and three Ketches,
Commanded by _Jacob Willekens_, and _Peter Peterszoon Hein_; the Land
Forces being under the Command of Colonel _John van Dorth_. In the
beginning of the Year 1624. the Fleet set Sail out of the _Texel_ and
the _Maes_, and in five Moneths arriv’d at _St. Salvador_. As soon as
the _Portugueses_ discover’d the _Dutch_ Fleet, they shot without
ceasing from the Fort _Philippo_ with three Brass Guns, as also from the
Castle _Tapagipe_, with four Demi-Canons, but chiefly from the
Battlement rais’d threesquare out of the Water before _St. Salvador_,
from whence they play’d at them with twelve great Guns, whilest the
Vice-Admiral ran within Musquet-shot of the said Battlement with three
Ships, and found fifteen _Portuguese_ Vessels lying near the Shore not
far from the Castle _Philippo_, where there began a sharp Conflict, to
the no small advantage of _Peter Hein_; who thereupon ventur’d with
three Boats to Board the fifteen Ships: which resolute Attempt of the
_Dutch_ Seamen so amaz’d the _Portuguese_, that they set their biggest
Ships on Fire, and fled ashore: Those Ships that escap’d, being in all
ten, the _Hollanders_ took and brought them to the Fleet. This flight of
the _Portuguese_ encouraging _Peter Hein_, he went with fourteen Boats,
each Mann’d with two hundred Arm’d Men upon the very Mouths of the
Cannons to the fore-mention’d Battlement and took the same,
notwithstanding the Stone Wall rose eight Foot out of the Water, and
above a hundred _Portuguese_ defended it, whilest the Admiral
_Willekens_ sent twelve hundred Soldiers, and two hundred and forty
Seamen ashore with Field-Pieces. The Forlorn-Hope consisted of sixty
Musquetteers, led by Captain _Helmond_, who was seconded by Lieutenant
_La Main_, all the Seamen following with Spades and Pick-axes; the
Reserve was brought up by Captain _Kyf_, _Ysenach_, and _William
Schouten_; thus drawn out, they were led towards the City by the Guides
_Dirk Colver_ and _Dirk de Ruiter_, along a narrow Way, which the
_Portuguese_ might have guarded with a few Men, had they not been all
struck with a pannick fear, and making use of the dark Night, fled into
the Woods. The _Dutch_ found in the City an incredible Booty, because
the Governor _Diego Mendoza de Furtado_ had forbid the carrying away of
any Goods, that so the Citizens might be the easier perswaded to defend
the City; which they might well have done, had they not been surpris’d
with the suddenness of the Action; for when _Willekens_ Anchor’d here,
there were above sixteen hundred Soldiers, besides a considerable number
of Arm’d Citizens in _St. Salvador_; besides, in the Forts about the
City on the Walls lay twenty three Brass, and twenty six Iron Guns.
[Illustration: Urba SALVADOR]
This Victory was scarce obtain’d, when Colonel _Dorth_, who had lost the
Fleet at _Point Vincent_, arriv’d here after all was done, and caus’d
Edicts to be publish’d, in which the fled Citizens were promis’d greater
Priviledges under the _Netherlanders_ Protection, than ever they had
under the King of _Spain_. Whereupon a few _Portuguese_ return’d to the
City; but the greatest part of them, and those the most considerable,
were partly kept back by Command of the Bishop _Teixera_, who laid the
fault concerning the loss of the City on the Governor _Furtado_, and
partly because they judg’d the _Netherlanders_ unable to defend them
against the _Spanish_ Power.
About the same time several rich laden Vessels arriv’d there from
_Lisbon_, _Janeiro_, _Spirito Santo_, _Angola_ and other Places, all
ignorant of the Conquest of _St. Salvador_.
[Sidenote: Col. _Dorth_ kill’d by an Ambuscade.]
Whilest _Dorth_ and _Willekens_ were ordering all things within the
City, the outstaying _Portuguese_ at last taking courage, Storm’d the
City from Midnight till the next day in the Afternoon, but fearing they
should be set upon behind unawares, Retreated; after which _Dorth_
thinking he had been free from all fear of Enemies, and with a small
Guard riding out of the City to take a view of the adjacent Countrey,
was scarce got a Bowe-shot from the Walls, when a great Body of
_Brasilians_ rush’d forth unexpectedly from an Ambuscade, and wounded
him so mortally, that he fell dead from his Horse, and had his Head
suddenly chopt off, and his Body mangled very terribly.
_Allart Schouten_ being chosen Governor in _Dorth_’s stead, took no care
to fortifie the City; and after his Decease his Brother _William
Schouten_ succeeding him, regarded it less, so that all things went to
ruine, every one striving onely to enrich themselves. Amongst other
Booties, they took the rich laden Vessel which _Francisco de Sarmiento_,
Governor of _Chili_, brought to _St. Salvador_, with fifty eight
thousand _Guilders_, and a much greater sum of Gold and Pearls, all
which was imbezled away.
[Sidenote: Description of _St. Salvador_.]
This City _St. Salvador_, built by _Thomas de Sosa_ along the Sea-side,
runs up broad at the Suburb _Carmo_, hath four Market-places, into the
biggest whereof, being of a long square, run nine Streets, the chief of
which being very broad, hath many stately Houses. The second
Market-place is of like form, onely it winds a little towards the Right,
and at the Entrance stands a strong Prison. The Cloyster _St. Francis_,
inhabited by _Jesuits_, stands in a Park near the Wall by which the Moat
runs. Towards the Sea-side they have a second Structure, much statelier
than the _Franciscan_ Cloyster. Near the Prison stands the Armory, and
somewhat farther the great Church, which _Anno 1624._ was not quite
finish’d. The Church dedicated to the Virgin _Mary_ appears with a high
Spire near the Gate _Bento_, without which the great Cloyster _Bento_ is
built; but the chief Church is _St. Salvador_. On the utmost Point
towards the South-West of the City lies the Fort _Antonio_, between
which and the City stands a very neat Pleasure-house, belonging to the
Bishop. Besides _Antonio_ there are four other considerable Forts,
_viz._ _Diego_, _St. Maria_, _De Gracia_, and _Vittoria_. About half way
between _Vittoria_ and the Cloyster _Bento_, stands the Castle with four
Bulwarks; but on the North-side the City is guarded by the Forts _St.
Peter_, _Philippo_, and _Tapecipe_.
[Sidenote: A great Fleet set out by the King of _Spain_ for the recovery
of _St. Salvador_.]
The _Spanish_ King seeming exceedingly concern’d at the loss of so
eminent a Place, fitted out a great Fleet for the recovery of what had
been taken from him; but the _Netherland West-India_ Company having
notice of it, put themselves into a posture of Defence, and in a short
time made ready eighteen Men of War and seven Ketches, Mann’d with a
thousand six hundred and ninety Seamen, and a thousand three hundred and
fifty Land-Soldiers, _John Dirkszoon Lam_ being Admiral: But news coming
day after day of the extraordinary Preparations in _Spain_, it was
judg’d convenient to strengthen the Fleet with fourteen Ships and two
Ketches more, carrying a thousand four hundred and thirty Seamen, and
five hundred eighty Soldiers, under the Command of General _Boudewyn
Henrickszoon_, and Admiral _Andries Veron_. Moreover, the _West-India_
Company fitted out a third Fleet, consisting of four Frigats and three
Ketches, Commanded by _Henry Kat_, with Orders to Cruise along the
_Spanish_ Coast.
In the beginning of the Year 1625. _Frederick de Toledo_ weighed Anchor
from _Cales_ with one and thirty Gallions, four Pinnaces, three Tartans,
and a Carvel, all carrying seventy five hundred Men. The Soldiers were
divided into three Regiments, Commanded by the Colonels _Pedro Osorio_,
_Juan Orellana_, and the Marquess _De Torreclusa_.
[Sidenote: _St. Salvador_ re-taken by the _Spaniards_ from the
_Hollanders_.]
Near _St. Jago_ at the _African_ Cape _Verde_, _Toledo_ joyn’d with the
_Portuguese_ Fleet, consisting of twenty one Gallions and fourteen
Carvels and Barques, Mann’d with four thousand Seamen, two Regiments of
Soldiers, Commanded by _Antonio Nunnez Barreio_, and _Francisco de
Almeida_; but the chief Commander of this Fleet was _Emanuel Meneses_.
Which great Fleet being arriv’d at _St. Salvador_, _Toledo_ himself
Landed at the Fort _Antonio_, leaving the Command of the Fleet to _Juan
Fajardo_: The first thing he did, was to set upon the Cloyster _Bento_;
which having gain’d, he left Serjeant _Troppani_ with two Regiments in
the same, whilest he went and Storm’d the _Carmelites_ Minster, and at
last took it; but in the mean time four hundred _Hollanders_ Sallying
out, made a furious Onset upon the two Regiments, who had possession of
the Cloyster _Bento_, where the _Spaniards_ sustain’d considerable
damage; for besides the wounding of three Captains, and the loss of a
great number of Soldiers, there were slain the Commanders _Emanuel
Aquitara_, _Alonso de Gana_, _Pedro San Stevan_, _Diego Espinosa_, and
Colonel _Pedro Osorio_; But _Toledo_ no whit dismay’d hereat, but taking
fresh courage, brought twenty nine Demi-Culverins ashore, which fir’d so
vehemently out of the _Carmelites_ and _Bento_’s Cloysters, on the
seventeen _Dutch_ Ships that lay near the Shore, that several of them
were sunk, and others shatter’d beyond hopes of ever being repair’d.
After this the _Spanish_ Army was divided into three several Parties,
which continually fir’d on the City from three new rais’d Works; the
chiefest Party, which was in the _Carmelites_ Minster, had twenty three
Brass Guns; the second, plac’d on the great Wall of the Cloyster
_Bento_, fir’d Night and Day with eight Demy-Cannons on the City, in
which all things were in a confusion, whilest the Governor _William
Schouten_ went unconcern’d from one Tavern to another railing at the
Soldiers, who thereupon mutinying and deposing him, chose Serjeant _Hans
Ernst Kyf_ in his room, who, as he was calling a Council of War,
receiv’d a Summons from _Toledo_ to deliver up the City; at which _Kyf_
being much surpris’d, sent a Drummer with a Letter to _Toledo_, desiring
him to grant the Besieged three Weeks time to repair and make fit their
batter’d Vessels to carry them back for _Holland_; and also that they
might, according to Martial Custom, march out with lighted Matches,
flying Colours, Bullets in their Mouths, and with Bag and Baggage. To
which _Toledo_ return’d Answer, That he was now in his own Countrey, and
had gotten possession of four Fortifications about _St. Salvador_, on
which he had planted thirty seven Cannons, and therefore saw no such
necessity to grant the Besieged (who could not possibly expect any fresh
Supplies) such advantageous and bold Demands; and onely promis’d them
their Lives should be at his discretion. Yet at last _William Stoop_,
_Hugh Antoniszoon_, and _Francis du Chesne_ being sent to the
_Carmelites_ Cloyster, agreed with _Toledo_ on these Conditions: _That
the_ Hollanders _should surrender_ St. Salvador _in the Condition it was
then in, march out unarm’d, but with Baggage, and have a free Passage
with Provisions and all things necessary allow’d them for their
Transportation for_ Holland. Whereupon on the first of _May_ the City
was deliver’d up to the _Spaniards_ in such disorder, that some of them
had taken possession of the Gate _Bento_, before those on the other side
of the City knew of any Agreement that was made between _Toledo_ and
Colonel _Kyf_. And thus the Place which had a whole year been under the
Jurisdiction of the _Netherlanders_, fell again under the possession of
the _Spanish_ Crown, onely through the indiscreet management of the
Commanders; for otherwise it was sufficiently strong, and well stor’d
with Ammunition and Men, being able to make out two thousand. Moreover,
the Ketch _De Haes_, was set out before from the _Holland_ Fleet, and
brought news of the Forces that were sent from the _Netherland_ Havens
to their assistance: But the Ships under Admiral _Lam_, as also those
under _Boudewyn Henriczoon_, were stay’d a considerable time in their
Harbors by contrary Winds, and at last reaching the _Line_ were
becalm’d, and through the excessive heat of the Climate many Men lost by
raging and mortal Distempers, insomuch that they reach’d not the Bay
_Todos los Sanctos_ before the twenty sixth of _May_, on which they saw
the _Spanish_ Flag streaming from the Walls of _St. Salvador_, and fifty
great Ships riding at an Anchor near the Shore.
[Sidenote: The City _Porto Rico_ surpriz’d by _Henrickszoon_.]
[Sidenote: Capt. _Uzeel_ slain.]
The _Netherland_ Fleet, divided into four Squadrons, consisted of thirty
four Sail, amongst which _Lam_ carry’d the Flag on the Main-top, the
Vice-Admiral _Adrian Cheszoon_ on the Fore-top, the Rere-Admiral
_Andries Veron_ on the Main-mast, and the Commander of the fourth
Squadron on the Mizne-top: All of them seeing the _Spaniards_ absolute
Masters, judg’d it most convenient to put to Sea; but standing a pretty
while to the South, they found that the strong Current drove them to the
Shelves on the West-side of the Inlet; wherefore Tacking about, they
made towards the Enemy, who at first seem’d to meet them with twenty
eight great Ships, but returning towards the City, the _Hollanders_ also
stood to Sea again, Steering Southerly, though without making much
advantage in their Way, the Sea going very hollow, and the strong
Current setting them towards the Shore, by which means they were in no
small danger before the River _Francisco_, where many of the Men dy’d
for want of fresh Provisions, and the number of the Sick increas’d
daily, insomuch that some of the Ships were like to perish for want of
Men to guide them: It was also judg’d dangerous to lie longer with such
a great Fleet near a Lea-Shore, therefore they put into the Inlet
_Trayciaon_, which lies a League to the Northward of the River
_Monguapigape_, from whence a ridge of Rocks extends to _Trayciaon_, and
being overflow’d at High-water, hath three Openings or Entrances, two
for great Ships, and one, the most Northern, for small Vessels to pass
through: The Sea also breaking against this Cliff never molests the
Ships whatever Winds blow. The Countrey is overgrown with Brambles, and
hath a Lake two Leagues long, and a quarter broad, on the opposite Shore
of which stood a Village, inhabited by _Portugueses_ and _Brasilians_;
but the _Portugueses_ flying from thence left the _Brasilians_ in
absolute possession: The _Hollanders_ going thither found thirty Chests
of Sugar in one Hut; after which the Admiral _Lam_ caus’d his sick Men
to be brought ashore, whilest the Captains _Boshuisen_, _Swart_, _Dyke_,
_Stapels_, and _Uzeel_, march’d up into the Countrey, where they got
plenty of Oranges and Cattel. In the mean time the Ketch _Vosken_,
Mann’d with thirty six Seamen, Cruising along the Sea-Coast of
_Brasile_, took three Ships, one out of the Inlet _Todos los Sanctos_,
laden with Sugar and Tobacco, another with the same Merchandise from
_Pernambuco_, and the third laden with Wines from _Madera_. On the first
of _August_ the Fleet set Sail again, to the great sorrow of the
_Brasilians_, who out of hopes of being protected by them against the
_Portuguese_, had joyn’d their Forces with theirs; but now being
forsaken, they expected nothing but utter Ruine; which to escape, many
of them desir’d to be admitted to go along with the Fleet, which had
been granted them, had not the _Hollanders_ wanted Provisions for
themselves. The Fleet getting off at Sea, the Admiral _Veron_ ran with
twelve Sail to the Coast of _Africa_; and _Boudewyn Henrickszoon_ kept
eighteen Ships under his Command, the rest returning home with Admiral
_Lam_: and thus the Fleet left the unfortunate Haven _Trayciaon_, where
above seven hundred _Dutch_ Seamen were bury’d. _Boudewyn Henrickszoon_
refreshing at _Cape St. Vincent_, steer’d Westerly, when a Storm (which
in twenty four hours blew from all Points of the Compass) surprising
him, broke his Main-mast, separated the whole Fleet, and sunk the
_Flushing_ Frigat; at last getting beyond the Isle _Virgin Gorda_, the
Fleet meeting again, got to _Juan de Porto Rico_ about the latter end of
_September_; into whose Haven _Henrickszoon_ Sail’d with great courage,
notwithstanding the narrow Mouth thereof was guarded by a strong Fort
full of Brass Guns, which fir’d very fiercely upon him, who on the other
side was not idle in discharging his Guns on the Fort; and had not the
shallow Water before the City prevented his Landing that day, he had
gotten a far greater Booty than afterwards he met with; for the
Inhabitants had, during the Low-water, remov’d all their best Goods: but
the next Morning before Sun-rising, the Admiral Landed with eight
hundred Men, march’d into the City without any resistance, pitch’d the
_States_ Flag on the Governor’s House, guarded all Avenues, unhoop’d all
the Wine-Casks which he found there, for fear his Men should make
themselves Drunk therewith, and so neglect their Duty, fir’d from the
Land-side towards the Castle with three Brass Guns, gain’d the Redoubt,
built for the security of the Bridge, which unites the small Isle on
which _Porto Rico_ is built with the great, rais’d a Platform, from
whence he fir’d Day and Night with six Cannons, guarded by Captain
_Thyene_, whilest the Commander _Uzeel_ kept Watch near the Fort; but
his Men being most of them sick, he could not do any great Exploits,
especially since the _Spaniards_ Sallying out, as they did daily, kill’d
many of the _Hollanders_, and amongst them Captain _Uzeel_, after he had
shot down two Turrets from the Castle, which damage the Enemy repair’d
by taking several of the _Hollanders_ Boats; by which means they could
not prevent fresh Supplies from going to the Castle; the Besiegers in
the mean time beginning daily to be in greater want for Ammunition and
Provisions: whereupon _Henrickszoon_ judg’d it convenient to sound a
Retreat, after he had set the Ships belonging to the City _Porto Rico_
on fire in four places. In which Retreat he receiv’d so many farewel
Shots from the Fort, that they were forc’d to go to the Leeward to stop
their Leaks, and leave one of their Ships to the Enemy, in lieu whereof
the _West-Capel_ Frigat took a Barque with four Brass Guns, in the
little Haven _Sierra Gorda_; from whence the Fleet ran into the Western
Bay of the Island _Porto Rico_, where whilest they repair’d and took in
fresh Provisions, _Henrickszoon_ sent the Ships _Hester_ and _Jonas_
richly laden for _Holland_; the remaining part of the Fleet meeting with
strong contrary Tydes at _Porto Rico_, were necessitated to put into the
Inlet _Francisco_, where they made several Marches up into the Countrey,
to the loss of many of their Men, which were kill’d by the _Spaniards_,
lying in Ambuscade amongst the Brambles that grew along by the Ways.
[Sidenote: The Fort of _Margarita_ taken by _Henrickszoon_.]
[Sidenote: _Henrickszoon_ dying, is succeeded by _Adrian Cheszoon_.]
In the middle of _January_, Anno 1626. _Henrickszoon_ Sailing about the
North of _Porto Rico_, steer’d to _Dominico_, and from thence along the
Isles _Martinigo_, _Luzia_, and the Promontory _De tres Puntas_, towards
the Island _Margarita_, where Landing, and Storming the Castle on the
Land-side with fifteen Men, he gain’d the first Breastworks; but the
_Spaniards_ stopping up the Way along which they were to return, they
had without doubt been all slain, had not the Captains _Stapel_ and
_Estienne_ come to their assistance; for the _Spaniards_ seeing them
climbing up the Bulwarks, betook them to their Heels, after they had
kill’d nine of the fore-mention’d fifteen, amongst whom were the
Captains _Urk_ and _Molkman_: of those that leap’d over into the Ditch
most part escap’d; those few that were taken inform’d the _Hollanders_,
That the Way towards the Village, inhabited by _Spaniards_, was every
where stopt up with Barricado’s, through which none were able to pass.
_Henrickszoon_ thus become Master of the Fort, sent the Booty which he
had gotten there, together with three Brass, and five Iron Guns, aboard
of his Ship, blew up the Fort, burnt all the Houses, and ran into the
Haven _Muchina_, to which he gave the Denomination of _Port Maurice_;
where, besides a great number of dry’d Fish, he took forty Tun of Salt
out of one Salt-pit. After this he taking in fresh Provisions at _St.
Fe_, discover’d _Aves_, a low Isle full of high Trees, took above two
hundred Sheep, and abundance of red Wood on _Bonaire_, and before the
Coast a _Spanish_ Frigat richly laden, made Inspections into the Havens
of _Hispaniola_ and _Jamaica_; from whence he fell back on the Coast of
_Porto Rico_, about the Island _Mona_, where discovering four _Spanish_
Ships, he took three of them, and burnt the fourth; he also got
abundance of Tortoises and Crocodiles on the great _Caiman_, and took a
new Ship between the little sandy Isles _Caios_, as also before _Cuba_ a
Barque, which inform’d him, That the Fleet from the _Honduras_, as also
that from _New Spain_, was daily expected at _Havana_: Thence Sailing
into the Haven _Cabannas_, he took a new Vessel of a hundred Tun, and
abundance of Timber and Carpenters Tools on the Shore; he Landed also
with seven hundred Men on the East-side of the Haven, from whence he
march’d along a narrow Path a League up into the Countrey, where he
found a running Stream, Pastures full of Cattel, and a Village, the
Inhabitants whereof being warn’d by the Barking of their Dogs, fled, and
left all manner of fresh Provisions to the _Hollanders_, viz. above two
thousand Oranges, abundance of Lemmons, _Bananas_, Hogs, Calves, and
Bacon; all which having sent aboard, they burnt the Village: After this
they took a _Spanish_ Barque before _Havana_, as also a Ship laden with
Timber, another Barque with Poultry, _Cochenile_, Money, and
Haberdashery Ware, one Vessel with live Tortoises, and another, full of
Salt, dry’d Fish, and some Merchandise. While the Fleet was thus
Cruising up and down before _Havana_, the Admiral _Henrickszoon_ dy’d; a
Man of most approv’d Valor, and of great Conduct: After which _Adrian
Cheszoon_ carry’d the Flag; but the Men mutinying about the dividing of
the Provisions, which began to grow very scarce, all things fell into
great disorder; the Seamen rebell’d against their Commanders, saying,
_That they had been out long enough, and that they would not stay
waiting any longer for the Fleet from_ New Spain _or_ Honduras:
Wherefore steering Home, they all arriv’d safe at the _Texel_ and other
places in _Holland_.
In our foregoing Relation we have given you an Account of the Fleet
which came to assist the City of _St. Salvador_, divided into two
Squadrons; eighteen Sail _Boudewyn Henrickszoon_ kept under his Command,
and twelve Sail remain’d in the Admiral _Veron_’s Squadron, who Sail’d
to the Inlet _Serre Leona_, where he found the Admiral _John Dirkszoon
Lam_ with three Ships, which had lay’n there above two Moneths, by
reason of the Sickness amongst the Seamen.
[Sidenote: A strange kind of Baboon.]