and _Callenfels_ drew four Companies of Musquetteers, and a great
company of Seamen with Pick-axes and Spades out of the Fort _Frederick
Henrick_ into the Field, and marching Southward along private Ways, he
found the River strongly fortifi’d near the Forts _Affogados_, having
above and below a row of strong Pallisado’s; yet the _Portuguese_ that
guarded these Works after a small resistance fled, and left all: But
because a general Alarm drew many People in Arms out of _Real_, and
several other places, _Callenfels_ drew off in good order, and was
inform’d by a Prisoner call’d _Peter Alves_, that the Fort _Affogados_
receiv’d that Denomination from the River on which it was built; that
there lay generally a hundred and fifty Men in Garrison there; that
about a Mile farther was the Fort _Pirange_. that _Peter de Acunha_ bore
the chief Command next to _Albuquerque_ over the _Militia_, who us’d few
Musquets but what had Fire-locks; and that they wanted no Ammunition,
for six great Carvels loaden with the same had not long since stor’d
them with great plenty thereof. The _Netherlanders_ also understanding
by Letters which they had taken, that the _Tapuyans_ were very much
incens’d against the _Portuguese_, who stood in great fear of these
salvage People, it was judg’d convenient by the Council at _Olinda_, to
invite the _Tapuyans_ to be their Friends.
[Sidenote: Fight between the _Dutch_ and _Spanish_ Fleet.]
[Sidenote: Admiral _Pater_ drown’d.]
On the eleventh of _September_ Anno 1631. Admiral _Pater_ and
Vice-Admiral _Martin Thyszoon_, whose joint Forces were fifteen Men of
War and three Ketches, carrying nine Companies of Foot, Commanded by
Captain _Engelbert Schutte_, descrying the _Spanish_ Fleet about an hour
before Sun-set, animated all the Officers and Captains to regard their
Honor and Oath which they had taken; telling them, That on this
Engagement would depend the Welfare or Ruine of the _West-India_
Company. But his Men were not so much heartned by his Speech, as daunted
at the sight of the _Spanish_ Fleet, which consisted of twelve
_Castilian_ and five _Portuguese_ Gallions, and twenty six other
Vessels, as Pinks, Fly-boats and Carvels, all well Mann’d and full of
Guns, the Gallions carrying whole and Demi-Cannons; the Admiral, call’d
_Antonio de Oquendo_, carrying forty eight great Guns in his Gallion,
call’d _St. Jago_; whereas they had receiv’d Information but of four
Gallions and eighteen lesser Vessels; nevertheless _Pater_ no whit
discourag’d, boarded him about ten a Clock the next Morning, whilest
Captain _John Mast_ boarded him on the other side, which occasion’d a
bloody Engagement; and it would have prov’d fatal to the _Spaniard_, had
not _Pater_’s Stern taken fire, which he endeavoring in vain to put out,
and none coming to his assistance, after he had hung a good while by a
Rope at the _Spanish_ Admiral’s Bowe, he was forc’d through faintness to
let go and fall into the Water, whilest his Ship was blown up, a few of
his Men onely being sav’d by _Oquendo_. In the mean time _Martin
Thyszoon_ boarded the Gallion _Antonio de Padua_, Commanded by the
Vice-Admiral _Francisco de Vallezilla_ on one side, and the _Utrecht_
Frigat on the other, which after half an hours Engagement lost her
Main-mast, and after a sharp Fight of four hours the Fire took hold of
her Sails; which the _Netherlanders_ not being able to quench, leap’d
desperately over into the _Spanish_ Vice-Admiral; but he having two
hundred and sixty Men aboard, beat them off, forcing them to leap into
the Water, or sell their Lives at a dear rate. But Captain _Thyszoon_
had better success, for he not onely sunk the Vice-Admiral, but took the
_Bonaventura_ Gallion, and likewise gave the Gallion _John Baptista_ so
many shot under Water, that she sunk likewise. The Night approaching
ended this bloody Engagement; and the _Netherlanders_ Fleet much
damnifi’d stood Northwards, with intention to return to _Reciffa_. The
next Morning _Oquendo_ had lost sight of them, but descry’d them again
on the fifteenth of _September_, and kept in view of them the six
following days, five Leagues from him to the East, or East South-East,
_Martin Thyszoon_ coming to an Anchor before _Reciffa_ on the twenty
second of _September_.
About the same time the _Amsterdam_ Frigat set Sail from thence for _St.
Salvador_, with intention to joyn with _Pater_’s Fleet there, but not
finding the Admiral, return’d, and near _Cape St. Augustine_ discover’d
the _Spanish_ Fleet; wherefore running close behind them she receiv’d
four Guns from _Oquendo_, which she answer’d, and kept at a distance
from them the whole Night, in hopes to meet with one single Vessel or
other belonging to the Fleet; but the _Spanish_ Vice-Admiral bearing
little Sail, guarded the Rere, and fir’d continually at the _Amsterdam_
Frigat, who fearing an unlucky Bullet, made all the Sail she could
possible, and brought news of the approach of the _Spanish_ Fleet to
_Reciffa_. Soon after which the _Elephant_ came from the _Dutch_ Fleet
thither, with a full Account of the fore-mention’d Engagement, _viz._
That besides the Admiral _Pater_, there were slain Captain _Thomas
Sickes_, _Cormillion_, and Lieutenant _Steenbergen_, also that two
Ships, the _Prince William_ and the _Province of Utrecht_, were sunk: In
lieu of which they had taken the Gallion call’d _The Bonaventura_, with
twenty six Brass Guns, weighing above sixty four thousand Pound, two
hundred and forty _Castilians_, and a great parcel of Sugar and Tobacco;
Amongst the Prisoners was one call’d _Francisco de Fuentes_, who being
Examin’d, gave this Information, _viz._ That the Fleet carry’d two
Regiments of _Spaniards_ and one of _Italians_; in which three Regiments
were four thousand Men, under the Command of _Conde del Bangniola_; and
that upon the setting out of _Ferdinand_, the King’s Brother, to the
_Netherlands_, all the chiefest Gallions and _Dunkirk_ Ships were sent
for, and _English_ Vessels hir’d, to convey him safe to the _Flemmish_
Coast, which made _Oquenda_ set Sail with so much the lesser number to
_St. Salvador_; that the sunk Gallion, call’d _Antonio de Padua_, had
fourteen Brass Guns in her Hold, besides twenty six that were mounted.
[Sidenote: Two _Tapuyan_ Kings offer their Service to the _Hollanders_.]
Soon after a _Brasilian_ that had pass’d by _Albuquerque_’s Army to
_Olinda_, brought Information, That he was sent by _Jandui_ and
_Oquenou_, two Kings belonging to the _Tapuyans_, to enquire if the
_Topatingas_ (for so they call’d the _Netherlanders_ that belong’d to
the _West-India_ Company) did yet reside in _Pernambuco_, with Proffers
to assist them with their Forces. Moreover, he inform’d them, That since
his departure from _Boudewyn Henrickszoon_, a great many of the
_Tapuyans Petivares_ were kill’d by the _Portuguese_ near the River
_Grande_ and Inlet _Trajiciaon_, because they had assisted
_Henrickszoon_, who had left them helpless at his departure. He added
also, That if the _West-India_ Company would give the other _Brasilians_
any assurance to assist the _Tapuyans_, it would be necessary to Consult
about it near the River _Grande_.
This Proposal was found to be of so weighty a Concern, that _Ellert
Smient_ being sent with the Ship call’d _The New Netherland_, and a
great Sloop, to _Siara_, to make farther enquiry into the Business, was
accompanied by a Renegado _Portuguese_ call’d _Samuel Cochin_, and
several _Brasilians_ (whom _Henrickszoon_ upon their Request carry’d
with him from the Inlet _Trajiciaon_ to _Holland_) who went, under
pretence of visiting their Relations at the River _Grande_ and _Siara_,
to invite their Countrey-men to joyn with the _Netherlanders_.
[Sidenote: _Olinda_ deserted and demolish’d by the _Hollanders_.]
During _Smient_’s absence many Consultations were held about the
demolishing or defending of the City _Olinda_, about which there had
formerly been many Contests; but at last the Voices carry’d it, which
were for the demolishing thereof, in regard it was of little
Consequence; and could not be kept without many Men and great Charges,
because of its bad Situation, whenas their Men might do greater Service
in other places: Wherefore they began to carry all things necessary from
_Olinda_ to _Reciffa_, and on the twenty fourth of _November_ the City
was set on fire with Barrels of Pitch and Tar, being in a light flame at
every corner, whilest _Stein Callenfels_ drew off the Garrison in good
order to _Reciffa_; and immediately sixteen hundred Men under his
Command were put aboard of sixteen Vessels, with intention to go to
_Parayba_; but the Enemy having a fortnight before had notice of this
Design, had fortifi’d himself all along the River. _Callenfels_
approaching, espy’d twelve _Portuguese_ Standards, and the Men ready on
the Breast-works to prevent his Landing; yet nevertheless he not
regarding their Bullets, press’d in amongst them, and forc’d the Enemy
from his Works.
Near the Water stood a Stone Castle, and on one side of it a large
Store-house; on the Mountain near the City appear’d the _Franciscan_
Cloyster; the Fort rais’d of Earth had four Bulwarks, and twenty six
Guns, according to the Information of the Eye-witnesses _Drevis_ and
_Berster_, who were sent thither as Spies.
[Sidenote: _Callenfels_ attempts to take the City, but without success.]
_Callenfels_ Landed not so carefully but that he lost forty Men, either
kill’d from behind the Breastworks, or out of a neighboring Wood. Being
inform’d by a _Portuguese_ Prisoner, of the ill Condition of the Town,
and how slenderly it was provided, he immediately rais’d a Sconce, two
Watch-houses, and a Pallisado, from which he fir’d with two Guns on the
Castle, and made several Trenches; but the Besieged were stronger in
People and Guns than the Besiegers, who being scarce able, by reason of
their small number, to keep Guards in all places, were also tir’d out
under a hot Climate, and fainted for want of Provisions, insomuch that
in two days there dy’d and fell sick above two hundred; wherefore
_Callenfels_ judg’d it best to draw off in time; which that they might
do securely, they made a Redoubt, and the six Companies Commanded by the
Captains _Redincheven_, _Meppelen_, _Cloppenburg_, _Schenk_, _Byma_, and
_Cook_, resolv’d upon a desperate Attempt, as followeth: Marching
privately through a Wood behind the Enemy’s Works, they fell in at one
side upon the _Portuguese_ Trenches, from whence they drove them after a
small resistance, and forc’d them to flie towards the Fort, whither they
were pursu’d with such eagerness, that those who were in the Fort, lest
the _Hollanders_ might get in with them, lock’d up the Avenues against
their own Men; at which they were so amaz’d, that some of them climb’d
up by the Walls of the Fort, but were either kill’d by the Assailants,
or knock’d on the Head by their own People, because several _Hollanders_
went to climb up amongst the _Portuguese_; the rest running about the
Fort, fell into the midst of the _Netherlanders_, where they were all
cut off, being in number above a hundred. The _Hollanders_ also in this
resolute Design, had about twenty Men kill’d, and fifty wounded; after
which they put lighted Matches on Sticks in their Enemy’s Works, as if
they had never made any Attempt on the City _Parayba_.
Whilest this Expedition fell out so unfortunately, _Smient_ performing
his Voyage, found in the Inlet _Trajiciaon_ a _Portuguese_ Vessel hal’d
near the Shore under the protection of two Pallisado’s; wherefore
supposing it best not to make any Attempt on the same, he ran to an
Anchor before _Ubranduba_, twenty Leagues below the River _Grande_;
where the Natives _Marcial_, _Tacou_, _Ararova_, and _Matauwe_, who had
been in _Holland_, Landing, went to see, and speak with their
Countrey-men to joyn with the _Netherland West-India_ Company: and some
days after the Seamen Landing again in the same place, met with _Tacou_,
together with eight more stout Men, and seventeen Women and Children,
who carry’d a slain _Portuguese_ call’d _Juan Perera_, to the River
_Grande_, about whom they had found Letters containing the whole
Condition of _Siara_; which the _Brasilians_ imparting to _Smient_, he
sent a Ketch thither before, and follow’d after himself; they Steer’d
along the Shore beyond the Shelves _Guamare_, by the Mountains
_Sailinas_ and _Porto de Mel_, the Haven _De Onces_, and River
_Juaguarive_, to the _White Point_, where the _Brasilians_ Landing spake
with their People, and towards the Evening brought good tydings, and
desir’d that they might be Landed at _Siara_, where they would put their
Design in practice: _Smient_ following their Advice, receiv’d them
aboard the _New Netherland_, and Sail’d along by the square Fort _Siara_
towards a smooth Shore on each side, hedg’d in by thick Woods, where the
_Brasilians_ intended to Land; but the _Portuguese_, and _Brasilians_
belonging to their Party, being gotten into the Wood before, fir’d so
vehemently, that they were forc’d to Retreat, and Sail five Leagues
farther beyond the Cape _Opese_, made dangerous by the many blind Cliffs
that lie about the same. _Smient_ anchoring here, Landed the
_Brasilians_, on promise that they would return in two days; but the
Seamen seeing sometimes ten, sometimes fifteen Arm’d _Portugueses_
ashore, judg’d that the _Brasilians_ had been slain by them, and
therefore weighed Anchor to the great dislike of the _West-India_
Company.
Since this unsuccessful Design on _Parayba_, the Council at _Reciffa_
were no whit discourag’d, but resolv’d to make an Attempt on the River
_Grande_ with twelve Ships and two Sloops, carrying ten Companies of
Soldiers, besides Seamen; but by reason of the difficulty of Landing
(because the Coast being very Rocky, makes the Sea go very hollow), the
strength of the Place, both in respect of its Fortification and number
of Defendants, and the joyning of the _Brasilians_ with them, they were
forc’d to return without effecting their Design.
[Sidenote: The Expedition of _Nekker_, _Houte-been_, and others.]
[Sidenote: The Marquess _Salinas_ murther’d for his Jewels.]
About the same time eight Sail arriv’d at _Reciffa_ from _Holland_, and
_Jonathan de Nekker_, _Cornelis Corneliszoon_, alias _Houte-been_, and
_Reinier Peterszoon_, set out with three Frigats from the _Texel_ to the
Isle _Vacca_, where with Hunting, Fishing, and gathering of Fruit, they
refresh’d themselves, and afterwards Steer’d to the River _Magdalena_,
discernable at three Leagues distance by the thick yellow Water it
discharges into the Sea through three Mouths. Between the Western and
middlemost Mouth lies an Isle in the middle of the River, behind which
_Houte-been_ came to an Anchor, whilest _Nekker_ and _Peterszoon_ kept
Guard near _Punto Verde_; where though the Wind blew very fresh in the
Night, yet the Water remain’d smooth: About Day-break _Nekker_
discovering a Sail, made chase after the same, but not able to come up
with her, lost her the following Night, and in the Morning saw a Barque,
which running ashore was set on fire by _Peterszoon_; after which
_Nekker_ chased two other Ships, which likewise getting from him, he
stood off at Sea out of sight of the Isles _Zamba_, which are low on the
West, and Hilly at the East-end, where the Sea beats vehemently against
a Promontory, and chased a Barque ashore, whither he sent a Boat with
eight Men; which being beaten to pieces by the Waves, drowned four of
them, and the rest getting ashore were kill’d by the _Spaniards_. Soon
after which four _Spanish_ Ships set Sail after _Nekker_ and
_Peterszoon_, and had not the Night favor’d them they had been but in a
bad Condition; for they were not able to get their Sea-men aboard, who
having taken some Wine ashore, had made themselves Drunk; about
Day-break they descry’d the four _Spanish_ Vessels, which were gotten so
far from them, that they could but just discern them from the Main-top.
Not long after they took two Barques, and came to an Anchor behind
_Zamba_ by _Houte-been_, who being driven by a Storm out of the River
_Magdalena_ to _Jamaica_, had chased a Barque ashore there, and a Ship
with four hundred _Negro_’s against _St. Martha_, and since took a rich
laden Barque near the River _Magdalena_. In like manner _Nekker_ and
_Peterszoon_ took a Ship coming from _Caraques_, leaving _Houte-been_
alone before _Magdalena_, who not long after discover’d eighteen
_Spanish_ Ships near the High-land _St. Martha_, which were Steering to
_Carthagena_; one whereof belonging to _Carthagena_ he made Prize of,
but was forc’d to forsake her in a great Storm; after the ceasing of
which he took another Frigat, the Men whereof inform’d him, That the
Admiral _Thomas de Caspure_ was going with eleven Ships from _Cape
Antonio_ to _Porto Belo_, to lade the _Peruvian_ Silver there. The Ship
with _Angolan Negro_’s, taken by _Houte-been_, he set free, but kept a
Frigat laden with Tallow, Hides, Tobacco, and Flesh, which he had taken
just before the Coast of _Rio Grande_; and thus he went Privateering up
and down, when the Plate-Fleet from _New Spain_ weighed Anchor from
_Juan de Lua_, the like of which in Riches had never set Sail before,
for it carry’d 2169340 _Ryals_ of _Eight_ for the Merchants, an
unvaluable Treasure for the King, besides many rich Commodities which
several bought upon their own Accounts, that were not entred in the
Custom-house: all which Treasure, laden in nine Gallions, besides a
considerable number of Frigats and small Vessels, was committed to the
Charge of _Miguel de Echacareta_; but he dying before the Fleet set
Sail, _Manuel Serano de Ribera_ was chosen Admiral; but a dreadful Storm
arising as they were Sailing before the Coast of _Campeche_ in their Way
to _Havana_, the whole Fleet was in a manner utterly destroy’d, with a
most unvaluable Treasure: The Admiral, Vice-Admiral, Gallion _Teresia_,
and several other Gallions, sunk, with at least two thousand Men, a
great number of Persons of Quality, and amongst the rest the Marquess
_Salinas_, who was most treacherously slain by thirty Persons, who made
themselves Masters of a Sloop, into which he went for safety out of the
sinking Admiral _Juseppe_: That which instigated them to this horrid
Act, was the sight of a small Trunk of Jewels which he carry’d into the
Sloop: Not long after falling out amongst themselves about dividing the
Spoil, several of them were discover’d, apprehended, and put to death.
This Fleet weighed Anchor the day after their Admiral _Miguel de
Echacareta_ was buried, who dy’d so suddenly that he could make no Will.
A few days after the departure of the Fleet, a hundred and seventy
Houses were burnt at _Juan de Lua_. It appears that the _Spaniards_ out
of fear of the _Netherlanders_, set Sail on the tenth of _October_,
notwithstanding it was at an inconvenient time, because about that
Season the Hurricanes rage most terribly in the Bay of _Vera Crux_.
By a Letter from the Treasurer _Franciscus Suarez_ it appears, that the
two Regiments in the City _St. Salvador_, the one Commanded by
_Christopher Mexia Bocanegra_, consisting of nine Companies, each of
sixty Men, and the other Commanded by _Vasco de Mascarennas_, consisting
of thirteen Companies, cost the King of _Spain_ yearly 21515 _l._ to
maintain them.
[Sidenote: _Walbeck_’s Exploits.]
The _Netherland_ Council at _Reciffa_ no way discourag’d by their
successless Attempts made the last Year on _Rio Grande_, sent thirteen
Companies of Soldiers aboard of seventeen Vessels, to build a Fort at
the River _Formosa_, where the _Portuguese_ being too weak to resist
them, set fire on a Store-house with three hundred Chests of Sugar, and
fled: _Walbeck_ was Commander in Chief in this Design, who Landing on
_Formosa_ found no fit place to build a Fort in, because the Shore, not
being above a Musquet-shot broad, was inclos’d with Woods, behind which
lay high Mountains that Commanded the Shore; therefore marching to
_Serinhain_ he burnt several Houses and a new Sugar-Mill, near which in
a Store-house he took twelve hundred Chests of Sugar, which for want of
Carts he could not carry to his Ships. Also before _Porto Calvo_ he
burnt a Carvel, and took a great number of Cattel on _Camarigibi_, and
return’d without any farther Exploits to _Reciffa_, where the Cruisers
had brought in several Prizes during his absence.
The Council resolving not to sit idle, set out another Fleet of eighteen
Ships under the Command of _Martin Thyszoon_, with a Regiment of
fourteen Companies under _Stein Callenfels_.
[Sidenote: The Expedition of _Martin Thyszoon_ and _Stein Callenfels_.]
This Fleet approaching _Cape Augustin_, they found a ridge of Rocks
along the Shore, against which the Sea beat with great vehemency; at
length they came before a small Inlet, at whose Mouth lay a small Fort
from which the Enemy fir’d upon the Mann’d Boats which Row’d by the
same: at some distance they discern’d two Breastworks, one rais’d above
the other near the Shore; on which when the _Hollanders_ thought to
Land, three hundred _Portugueses_ fir’d at once upon them; and on a Hill
not far from thence appear’d more Men, which amaz’d the Council of War,
for the Inlet was so narrow, that not above six Boats could Land at
once; and it was evident, that though the Enemy should chance to be
beaten from behind his Breastworks, yet the _Hollanders_ would lie
expos’d to the Enemy’s Guns from the Fort _Nazareth_ built on the
Mountain; besides, _Nazareth_, if gain’d, could scarce be defended,
unless the whole Mountain were Intrench’d round, which would not onely
be very chargeable, but also impossible, because of the red Earth,
altogether unfit for Fortifications; and the barren Mountain afforded
neither Wood, nor any thing else; besides, the Storming of it would be
very dangerous: The Entrance into the Haven was difficult, because a
stonie Bank before the same suffer’d no Passage but betwixt small
Openings; the chiefest whereof was guarded by a WaterCastle, and farther
within by the Fort _Puntael_. Along the Sea-shore their Landing was
prevented by the violent beating of the Waves, and a great square Tower
on the Way up to the Fort _Nazareth_, whose Church is seen at a great
distance off at Sea. All which consider’d, they judg’d it best to draw
off their Men again, and so they return’d without having effected any
thing to the purpose, onely Captain _Schuppe_ took two Carvels with five
hundred Chests of Sugar in the River _Formosa_.
[Sidenote: The City of _Garasu_ surprised by the _Hollanders_.]
Soon after _Martin Thyszoon_ being sent out with twenty two Sail, sent
four Ships for _Holland_ with the Lieutenant-Colonel _Stein Callenfels_,
and the Councellor _Serooskerken_; yet thirteen Sail remain’d still
before the Coast of _Brasile_, under the Command of Captain _John Mast_,
who whilest he stood to and again from the Shore, and Cruising up and
down, the Governor of _Reciffa_ and Colonel _Rembach_ march’d with five
hundred Men and forty _Negro_’s, from _Reciffa_ about six a Clock at
Night, by _Olinda_ along the Shore: Whereupon the _Portuguese_
Horse-watch ran instantly to _Real_, two Leagues from _Olinda_, to give
notice thereof to _Albuquerque_; but they surmounted all the
Difficulties they met with by the Way (which were the greater in regard
of the abundance of Rain that had lately fall’n,) and on the first of
_May_ 1632, came to the City _Garasu_ about Noon; where whilest
_Rembach_ stood still in good order with three Companies, the Governor
of _Reciffa_ fell upon the Town with three Companies. The Inhabitants
had not the least thoughts of being molested by the _Netherlanders_
there, because they judg’d the Ways which led thither could not be
pass’d in that rainy Season. In the first Onset a hundred _Portugueses_,
most of them great Merchants, were slain, they being come thither with
their Goods from _Olinda_; and amongst the Prisoners which they took,
were six _Franciscans_.
This Victory the _Hollanders_ obtain’d with the loss but of eight Men,
and twenty five wounded, besides Captain _Rembach_, who was also
wounded. The Governor of _Reciffa_ entering the City, stav’d two hundred
Pipes of Wine, to keep his Soldiers from over-drinking; and because
there were many fair Women there, he caus’d them all to be lock’d up in
the Church of _St. Cosmo_, to preserve them from the Soldiers outrages.
[Sidenote: Description of _Garasu_.]