to Hunt, and to gather as many Oranges and Lemmons as they pleas’d, with
which the Seamen were so refresh’d, that they set Sail again, and
amongst many other things carry’d a Baboon with them from _Sierra
Leona_, which so exactly resembled a Man, that it was wonderful to
behold, having a Body, Hands, Eyes, Ears, Feet, and Actions like a Man,
smoak’d Tobacco amongst the Seamen, made a noise like a Child when
beaten. The Inhabitants of _Sierra Leona_, where these Monsters run in
great Companies through the Woods, believe that the Souls of the
Deceased reside in them.
_John de Laet_, in his annual Journal of the Transactions of the
_West-India_ Company, affirms, That he saw a Female of these monstrous
Creatures, which usually had her monethly Flowers.
[Sidenote: The _Hollanders_ ill success before the Castle _Del Mine_.]
The Fleet, as is before mention’d, Sailing from _Sierra Leona_, came to
an Anchor at _Commany_, and Landed twelve hundred Men at _Poquena_,
besides a hundred and fifty _Negro_’s; which Regiment _Andries Veron_
and _Arend Jacobszoon_ carry’d to the Castle _Del Mine_, whither they
before sent a Company, Commanded by _Hans Gryf_, to prevent the Sallies
of the Enemy. The _Hollanders_ tir’d and thirsty, Encamp’d themselves
near the Fort, and whilest some of the Men were seeking for Water,
others smoaking Tobacco, and lying without their Arms and in disorder on
the Ground, and the Commanders were taking a view of the Fort from a
neighboring Hill, two hundred _Negro_’s fell upon the scatter’d Army
with great rage and fury, and so much the greater, in regard the
_Portuguese_ had promis’d them great sums of Money for every _Hollander_
they kill’d: never any Army was in such a distraction, they being
dispers’d and kill’d like so many Sheep, the Admiral _Veron_ and all the
Officers slain, and in a short time four hundred and forty Men cut off;
and had not Captain _Arend Jacobszoon_ been in League with the
Inhabitants of _Commany_, whither the routed Regiments fled, not one Man
had escap’d that bloody Slaughter: Nor was it to much purpose to Besiege
the Castle _Del Mine_, because the Bullets hitting against the Walls of
the Castle, built all of Rock-stones, did no Execution. But the four
Ships inform’d of this miserable destruction, fell down to _Commany_, to
fetch those that were left alive, and return’d home with the other
eleven.
During the unfortunate Expedition of this Fleet, the _West-India
Company_ fitted out nine great Ships and five Ketches in the beginning
of the Year 1626. under the Command of _Peter Peterszoon Hein_, to
Cruise for the _Spanish_ Ships that were expected from _New Spain_ and
_Honduras_.
The _Fox_ Frigat being sent before to inform _Henrickszoon_ of _Heyn_’s
coming, reach’d about the latter end of _May_ beyond the Isles
_Dominico_, _Guadalupa_, _Mevis_, _St. Christophers_, and by _Santa
Crux_; there not finding a Harbor on the South-side, because of the
Rocks, she Sail’d from _Mona_ over to the Main Coast, where seven
Leagues Westward of _Carakess_, he discover’d a high broken Land, whose
Mountains seem’d to reach to the Clouds; from thence she steer’d to the
Promontory _Caldera_, the Isles _Margareta_ and _Coche_, on which last
he took abundance of Goats, not without the loss of forty six Men,
kill’d by the _Spaniards_ and _Indians_.
Mean while the Admiral _Peter Heyn_, in the beginning of _June_, Sail’d
to the Southward of _Barbados_, an Island pretty mountainous, as hath
been formerly mention’d, and full of Woods, and by _Martinino_, whose
Hills are very high and overgrown with Trees. Here _Peter Heyn_ could
get nothing else but sweet Water, and a Fruit resembling a green Grape,
which grew on a round Leav’d Tree, whose Juice cur’d the Scurvey.
Sailing from hence, and Landing on _Guadalupa_, he found a _Canoo_ seven
Fathom long and one broad, and cut out of one Tree. The Inhabitants, a
well timber’d People, went stark naked, and desir’d to be excus’d, that
they could not furnish the _Hollanders_ with more Provisions, because
the _French_ and _English_, Inhabitants of _St. Christophers_, had
pillag’d them.
[Sidenote: Success of the _Dutch_ against the _Portuguese_ Fleet.]
Near _Mona_ the _Fox_ Frigat joyn’d with the Fleet, with information,
that he could hear no tydings of _Henrickszoon_; wherefore _Peter Heyn_
judg’d it convenient to Sail along the South-Coast of _Hispaniola_ with
a separated Fleet, which was to joyn again near the great _Caiman_. Near
_Cape de Corientes_ the _Dutch_ took a _Spanish_ Ship laden with
_Sarsaparilla_; after that another with Salt and Fish, and on the
Shelves before _Coche_ before the Promontory _Antonio_, a Fly-boat with
Tallow and Hides, and at the same places two Vessels more with Ballast,
the Men whereof inform’d him, that the Fleet from _New Spain_ had about
a Moneth before weigh’d Anchor from the Haven _Juan de Ulva_, and set
Sail to _Havana_, so that without doubt they were arrived there;
wherefore _Peter Heyn_ steer’d towards _Tortugos_, in hopes, if he
could, to overtake some of the heavy Sailers. Before the Promontory _De
Florida_ he discover’d seven Sail, and coming up nearer, above thirty,
which, had _Henrickszoon_ been united with _Peter Heyn_, had without
doubt fallen into the hands of the _Netherlanders_; but it being judg’d
a madness to set upon so great a Fleet with so small a number of Ships,
they Sail’d away undisturb’d. _Peter Heyn_ steer’d his Course along
_Florida_, where he met three _Canoos_ with strange Men in them, who
came aboard of him, their Bodies being naked, were painted with several
colours, onely Mats of Rushes about their Middle, and on their Backs
long Tassels hanging down: their Merchandise consisted of a sort of Gum
of little value. The _Netherlanders_ in this Place took also a Vessel
with _Sina_ Leaves, and some pounds of Ambergreece: but the Scurvey
increasing daily amongst them, they Tack’d about, and ran to an Anchor
at _Sierra Leona_, where they stay’d till the latter end of _January
1627._ and then set Sail to _Brasile_, and overtook a Vessel from
_Madera_ laden with a hundred and fifty Pipes of Wine, and other rich
Goods, and ran into the Inlet _Todos los Sanctos_ with undaunted
courage, not regarding the Guns that were fir’d from the Fort and
Battlements of the City _St. Salvador_, near which lay thirty Sail of
Ships, to which he making up, steer’d between the _Portuguese_ Admiral
and Rere-Admiral, whom sinking, he forc’d the Admiral to surrender,
whilest the _Hollandia_ and _Gelria_ Frigats fell upon the rest, which
were forsaken by the Seamen, who leap’d over-board; then several Mann’d
Boats of the _Hollanders_ (notwithstanding the Enemy’s continual firing)
went and fetch’d off twenty two Sail of the _Portuguese_ Vessels; all
which they did in three hours time, onely with the loss of fifty Men,
besides some that were wounded, amongst whom was the Admiral, being shot
with a Bullet through the Arm, and wounded in the Legs with a Splinter;
his Ship also was, with the _Gelria_ Frigat, driven with the Spring-Tide
on a Bank, whence, after the _Gelria_ had receiv’d above sixty Shot from
the Enemy, they both got off at last; but the Admiral’s Frigat being
shot in a manner to a Wreck, was set on fire, which Misfortune ended not
there, for the _Orange-tree_ Frigat blew up, with sixty Men, fourteen
whereof, though miserably scorch’d, had their Lives sav’d. Soon after
which the Admiral sent into _Holland_ the Ship _St. Peter_, the _Hoop_,
_Nostra Sennora de la Vittoria_, and the _Black-Lyon_, which besides
their Lading of Hides, Silver, Gold, and Precious Stones, were most of
them full of Sugar; which safely arriving, did not a little encourage
the _West-India_ Company. After this _Heyn_ took two Ships with Slaves
from _Angola_, which because the Governor of _St. Salvador_ would not
redeem, were put ashore on _Taperica_. On the last of _March_ he set
Sail from the Inlet _Todos los Sanctos_, pass’d by _Morro Pablo_, and on
_Easter_ Eve with a strong Gale by the _Abrolhos_: before the Highland
between _Cape Frio_ and the River _De Jenero_, he discover’d two Sail,
one whereof being laden with Sugar was taken, but the other escap’d in
the Night; then Sailing on to the meandring Stream _Spirito Sancto_, he
digg’d Pits on some of the River-Isles to get fresh Water, because it
was not safe to Land on the Continent on each side, because the
Inhabitants shot frequent showers of Arrows from the Thickets, in which
they lay ambuscaded. Moreover the Town _Spirito Sancto_ sent off several
Fire-ships at the time of Flood, but they being easily quench’d did no
harm. Here also a Vessel laden at _Lisbon_ with Wines and Piece-Goods,
was taken by _Heyn_, who setting Sail again divided the Fleet into three
Squadrons, the Vice-Admiral _Cornelis Oole_ keeping three Ships to
Cruise withal before the River _La Plata_, _Henrick Best_ had one
Frigat, a Ketch, and a Carvel, to guard the Mouth of the Stream
_Jenero_, whilest the Admiral himself Sail’d with four Frigats, three
Ketches, and a Barque, towards the Inlet _Todos los Sanctos_, where two
Ships riding near the Shore by the Fort _Tapecipe_, were by him set on
fire. Also taking a Barque he was inform’d, that six laden Vessels lay
in the River _Tapecipe_, whither he sending some Boats to explore the
truth, they found a great Ship without Men in the Mouth of the Stream,
and half a League farther six _Portuguese_ Vessels lying near the Shore;
bringing back news thereof to the Admiral, he went aboard of the _Fox_
Ketch the next Morning, and taking two Ketches and several Boats with
him, Sail’d up the River, and perceiv’d that the fore-mention’d six
Ships were gotten up higher, and were Mann’d with a hundred and fifty
Soldiers, Commanded by Captain _Padilha_; the _Portuguese_ Admiral lying
in Ambuscade, no sooner perceiv’d the _Netherlanders_ Boats, but he let
flie a whole Volley of small Shot at them, insomuch that it made them
Retreat, and their whole Design had been fruitless, had not _Heyn_
animated his Men to board the Vice-Admiral; which encouragement prov’d
so successful that they master’d the same, killing all those that fell
into their hands; which so amaz’d the two Vessels that lay by, that all
the Men swam ashore, and left their rich Lading to the disposal of the
_Hollanders_, besides which the vanquish’d Party lost above a hundred
and fifty Men, and the Conquerors but fifteen. Somewhat farther up lay
three Ships more, but the River being dry there at Low-water, and so
narrow that the Trees on each Shore could touch one another, _Heyn_
judg’d it convenient to prosecute the Design no farther, but to return
with the three fore-mention’d Prizes, which he did not without great
difficulty; for the _Portuguese_ had rais’d Battlements on each side of
the Mouth of the River _Tapecipe_, and stopt the same with a sunk
Vessel, which _Heyn_ himself set on fire at Low-water, and return’d
untouch’d through thick Volleys of Shot, which flew about his Ears to
the Fleet, leaving the three Ships to be fetcht off afterwards; to which
end he commanded that they should hang some of the taken Hides about the
_Fox_ Ketch’s Pinnace, the Carvel and Boats, that so the Men which were
in them might stand secure from the small Shot, and the rather, because
the Ships could not be got out of the shallow and narrow River but by
Toeing. Mean while the Governor of _St. Salvador_ lay with a
considerable number of Citizens and Soldiers behind the fore-mention’d
Battlements, not doubting but to take revenge for the Losses sustain’d
by _Heyn_; who nevertheless coming down thither Toed out the three
Prize-ships with Boats hung about with Hides, firing into the Enemies
Battlements with his great Guns, which he had put aboard of the _Fox_
Ketch. About the middle of _June_ he took in the Prize-goods in view of
the City _St. Salvador_, where seven _Netherland_ Ships from several
places lay at an Anchor. Setting Sail from hence on the fourteenth of
_July_, and reaching _Noronho_, known by a Mountain which appears like a
Steeple, he met with _Cornelis Oole_’s Fleet, (who had been Cruising
before _La Plata_) with whom he arriv’d safe in the _Texel_, having in
their Way thither from _Noronho_ taken a Prize, laden with Sugar,
Tobacco, and _Brasile_ Wood.
[Sidenote: _Thomas Sickes_ his Expedition.]
[Sidenote: _Henrick Lucifer_ set out by the _West-India_ Company.]
During _Peter Heyn_’s Expedition _Thomas Sickes_, fitted out by the
_West-India_ Company, weighed Anchor out of the _Texel_ with two Sail,
and coming to _St. Vincent_ he found a _Spanish_ Vessel burnt down to
the Hulk, took a _Portuguese_ Pink with Slaves from _Angola_: Near the
Inlet _Todos los Sanctos_ he sunk a Barque, having first taken several
Pots of Oyl and Packs of Linnen out of the same: Before _Pernambuco_ he
took a Carvel with a hundred and eighty Pipes of Wine, and a Vessel with
Sugar and Hides, and drove another ashore against the Promontory _St.
Augustine_. But _Sickes_ being supply’d and strengthned by three Ships
from the _Texel_, and four taken Vessels, ran with four to _Todos los
Sanctos_, sent two to Cruise about _Cape St. Augustine_, and two more to
the North of _Pernambuco_; At the Isle _Noronho_ they were order’d to
stay a Moneth one for another, from whence, after much hardship, they
return’d home with so many rich Prizes, that they pay’d their Charges
ten times double; which so encourag’d the Adventurers, that the Chamber
of the _West-India_ Company in _Zealand_ fitted out three Sail under the
Command of _Henrick Lucifer_, who weighing Anchor from _Flushing_ Anno
1627. steer’d along the Coast of _Africa_ to the _Amazone_ River, and
from thence North North-West to the Stream _Wiapoco_, to settle a Colony
there; to which purpose Rowing up the River with Sloops, they came in
the Night to two empty Houses, built at a place call’d _Wacogenive_,
which they judg’d fit for their purpose; wherefore they carry’d all
things ashore which they had brought out of _Zealand_ with them for the
new Planters, who while they were all busie building of Huts, a _Negro_
was taken Prisoner, who being ask’d why the Inhabitants fled? reply’d,
That it was occasion’d from a guilty Conscience; for two years before a
Barque and two Sloops with _Christians_ coming thither from the
_Amazone_ River, had stay’d thirty days on _Wacogenive_, when unawares
they were set upon by the Natives, and all kill’d except three, who were
yet living. Upon which _Lucifer_, having four _Indians_, three Men and
one Woman, aboard of his Vessel, threatned to put them all to the Sword,
unless they would produce the three foremention’d _Christians_:
Whereupon the next day a _German_ came to the Water side, of whom they
could get little Information, he having in a manner forgot his native
Tongue; but at length the other two coming thither, the eldest of them,
nam’d _John Hendricszoon_, related to him, That the _Portuguese_ in
great numbers fell upon the Plantations near the _Amazone_ River,
Govern’d by Captain _Oudaen_, who after he had fought valiantly a whole
day, being overpower’d by number, retreated to his Barque, and Sail’d
into the Creek inhabited by the _English_, whither the _Portuguese_
following in _Canoos_, cut off not onely _Oudaen_, but the _English_
also, forty six Men onely escaping in a Barque under the Command of
Lieutenant _Peter de Bruine_ to the River _Wiapoco_; where they had
stay’d about three days, when Sergeant _Matruit_ treacherously shot
Lieutenant _Bruine_: after which the forty six divided themselves into
four Parties; but the Inhabitants to rid themselves of these Strangers,
under the shew of great friendship, made them Drunk with the Liquor
call’d _Pernau_, and then murder’d them all, except himself and two
_Germans_. Which villanous act _Lucifer_ judg’d worthy of punishment;
but his Orders being to shew Kindness and Civility to the Inhabitants,
he suffer’d the Murder to go unpunish’d, but built a triangular Fort
near the River _Wiapoco_, on a Hill eight Fathom above the Shore, to
prevent the passing by of Sloops; which done, he went to visit the
Island _Blanco_, where he caught three hundred Goats. From thence he
went to the Bay of _Honda_, the Inhabitants whereof are a valiant
People, tall of Stature, having long Beards, and wearing Copper Rings
through their Ears. Near the Sea-side is a Salt-pan, of which the
Inhabitants make great benefit. _Lucifer_ setting Sail again from hence,
met with three Ketches sent out by the _West-India_ Company at
_Amsterdam_, before _Corientes_. The Commander _Dirk Simonszoon van
Uitgeest_, steering his Course towards the Promontory _St. Anton_, took
a Frigat laden with Meal, Silk, and other rich Goods, and within view of
_Cuba_ near the River _Poros_, descrying two brave Gallions from
_Honduras_, bore up to them with his three Ketches; one of which, call’d
_The Lyon_, being got betwixt both the Gallions, was in no small danger,
the _Netherlanders_ not being able to get up out of their little Vessel
into the high Gallions, in which the _Spaniards_ stood pushing them down
with their Pikes; but no sooner did the _Netherlanders_ throw their
Hand-Granado’s amongst them, but _Uitgeest_ got aboard of the Gallion,
and carry’d her off, whilest the other by nimble Sailing got away. With
this Prize _Uitgeest_ thinking himself sufficiently enrich’d, steer’d
homewards.
_Joost Johnson_ and _Claes Henrickszoon_, Commanding each of them a
Ketch, took a Ship coming from _Lisbon_ before _Pernambuco_, laden with
Meal, Salt, Wine, and thirty Monks; and not long after a Pink with six
hundred _Negro_’s, a Barque with Salt and Iron, a Ketch with Wine, and a
Frigat with _Brasile_ Wood, Sugar and Tobacco: Before _Itamerica_ they
took two Prizes more; with all which they return’d to the _Texel_.
[Sidenote: _Peter Adrianszoon_’s Expedition.]
The _West-India_ Company thus enrich’d by the Spoil taken from their
Enemies, fitted out twelve Ships again under the Command of _Peter
Adrianszoon Ita_, which set Sail in the beginning of the Year 1628. and
anchor’d first before _Blanca_, an Isle abounding with Goats, the Ground
stonie, and in some places Rocky, and having a small, but very
convenient Haven, from whence _Ita_ ran beyond _Porto Rico_, where he
took a Vessel with seven thousand weight of Ginger, and Landed opposite
to _Hispaniola_ on the stonie Isle _Catalina_, where he took in fresh
Water, and then Cruis’d to and again before _Cuba_, took six Barques,
the Prisoners whereof inform’d him, That the _Honduras_ Traders were on
their Way coming thither, and that they had two small Men of War for
their Convoy: Not long after _Ita_ discover’d them Sailing along the
Shore towards the Haven of _Havana_, but before they could get in,
Captain _John Peters_, whose Ketch carry’d two Brass, and fourteen Iron
Guns, boarded the Vice-Admiral, but having no Graplings to take hold
with, the _Spanish_ Ship ran aground, as likewise _John Peterszoon_ in
the pursuit of him; which the Admiral seeing, came to assist his
Vice-Admiral, and ran aground on one side of _John Peters_, which drove
the _Netherlanders_ Ketch in great danger, she not being able to do
Execution with her small Guns, whilest the _Spaniards_ with their
Demy-Cannon play’d vehemently upon her; neither was _Ita_, by reason of
calmness and contrary Tide, able to come up with them, but was forc’d to
stand Northerly, that so he might get an Easterly Wind, which about Noon
always blows fresh here, and so by degrees got near the _Spanish_ Fleet,
till at last coming up with the Vice-Admiral, call’d _St. Jago_, he
threw Fire-pots into her, and presently after boarding her, enter’d with
that Valor, that of three hundred _Spaniards_ above a hundred and fifty
were slain; for those that leapt over-board were kill’d in the Water,
whilest _Joachim Guyszoon_, _John Braems_, and _Anthony Gonde_ fell upon
the Admiral _Sennora de los Remedios_, and took her. In both these Ships
_Ita_ took Two thousand five hundred Chests of Indigo, above Six
thousand Hides, Two thousand five hundred Packs of _Sarsaparilla_,
several Pots of Balsam Oyl, Seventy thousand Pound of Ginger, One and
twenty Bars of Silver, Twelve Brass, and Twenty eight Iron Guns; all
which having taken out, he set fire in both the Ships.
A little before this Victory, the _Fortune_ Frigat weighed Anchor from
_Flushing_, with sixty three Men of War, to be Landed on the Island
_Tabago_. At _St. Vincent_ they found two Men that were left of seven,
who having setled along the River _Wiapow_, under Captain _John Van
Ryen_, were forc’d by the salvage Natives to remove, two whereof dyed by
the way, the remaining five landing on the Isle _Trinidad_, had three of
their Companions kill’d by the _Indians of Granada_, they being
_French-men_, to whom the Natives bore an inveterate Hatred, so that
they left onely the two _Hollanders_ alive. The _Fortune_ assisted by
the _South-star_ Ketch, took a rich Barque near the _Isles des
Virgines_.
[Sidenote: _Vitgeest_’s Exploits.]
Not long after the _West-India_ Company set out twelve Ships more, under
the Command of _Derick Simonszon Uitgeest_, (who had the year before
brought home the two fore-mention’d great Prizes,) who setting Sayl and
getting into the large Bay of the Rocky Island _Vincent_, catch’d
several Goats and Tortels. Before the Coast of _Brasile_ he took two
rich _Carvels_, one from _Pernambuco_, and another from the Inlet _Todos
los Sanctos_; which Prizes having sent home with three Ketches, he
sayl’d towards _Sierra Leona_, known by high and thick Woods, which grow
on a high Coast; from whence returning again to _Pernambuco_, he took
six rich laden Vessels, amongst which was one Gallioon from _Goa_, with
a great Treasure of Diamonds.
[Sidenote: _Peter Hein_’s Expedition.]
[Sidenote: He gives chace to the _Spanish_ Plate-Fleet, & takes several
of them.]