The Treasurer _Matthias van Ceulen_ weighed Anchor with four Ships and
seven Ketches, Mann’d with eight hundred Men, with which he set Sail to
_Rio Grande_, with intention to fall upon the Fort _Tres Reyes_. In the
River he took two Carvels, though they lay close under the Castle,
Landed a Company of Soldiers, and a hundred and fifty Seamen on the
Southern Shore, guarded the fresh River with Boats, march’d directly to
_Tres Reyes_, and Encamp’d himself near the Redoubt which lay before the
Castle, being follow’d by _Byma_, _Garstman_, and _Cloppenburgh_, who in
their Way took a House built on a Hill, and considerable Booty in it.
_Byma_ getting about Noon to the Village _Natall_, left some of his Men
there, whilest he march’d with the rest to the Castle _Tres Reyes_.
_Ceulen_ sending to demand the Castle, receiv’d at first a resolute
denyal from the Governor _Peter Mendez de Govea_; but when the Besieged
saw the _Hollanders_ resolutely bent upon a Storm, they sent to desire a
Treaty, and after some small Capitulation the Castle was surrendred upon
Articles. _Garstman_ being made Commander of the Castle, had a hundred
and fifty Soldiers allow’d him. The Fleet set Sail again, after they had
pull’d down and destroy’d all the Works which had been rais’d, and made
the Inhabitants take an Oath to be faithful to _Garstman_, who chang’d
the Name of the Castle from _Tres Reyes_ to that of _Ceulen_, being the
Name of the Treasurer, who bore the chiefest Command in the Siege, and
when the _Brasilian_ King _Jandui_ came with a great Train to
congratulate the Companies success, receiv’d him with great civility.
In the beginning of the Year 1634. twenty six Sail weighed Anchor from
_Reciffa_, to Cruise up and down in Squadrons before the Inlet _Todos
los Sanctos_, the Promontory _St. Augustine_, the Rivers _Francisco_ and
_Parayba_. _Schuppe_ and _Lichthart_ also set Sail with two Ships, a
Ketch, two Pinnaces, and a Sloop, carrying two hundred Soldiers besides
Seamen.
[Sidenote: _Lichthart_ drives the _Portuguese_ out of the _Puntael_.]
Mean while fresh Forces were sent from the _Texel_, the _Maes_ and
_Zeland_, to _Reciffa_, where the Council undertook another notable
Design, _viz._ to surprize the Forts along the River _Parayba_: whither
coming with twenty Sail, they divided themselves into two Squadrons
under the Command of the Treasurer _John Gyseling_, _Schuppe_, _Servaes
Carpentier_, and _Lichthart_. Having receiv’d some repulse at the Fort
_Nazaretta_, they resolv’d upon Action in some other place, and to that
purpose Steer’d towards the Point _St. Augustine_; by Day-break a part
of the Fleet ran into the Mouth of the Haven, notwithstanding the
_Portuguese_ fir’d upon them with great Guns from the Castle, and all
their Works, without doing any considerable damage, onely the
_Sea-knight_ Ketch running aground was Shatter’d all to pieces; whilest
the _Hollanders_ Commanded by Captain _Lichthart_ Landed near _Puntael_,
and fell upon the _Portuguese_ in such a manner, that they forc’d them
to forsake the Place, burnt above two thousand Chests of Sugar, several
Store-houses, and a great Ship, besides two Barques.
[Sidenote: They endeavor in vain to regain the _Puntael_.]
_Lichthart_ being Master of the _Puntael_, was very busie in finishing a
Stone Redoubt which the Enemy had begun, and secur’d it by a Wall and
Pallisado’s. Here he plac’d two Companies, and rais’d several Works,
whilest the _Portuguese_ receiving Aid from all the neighboring Places,
set upon the recovery of the _Puntael_, being the rather encourag’d
thereunto, in regard the _Hollanders_ Forces were still in their Ships.
Fifteen hundred _Portugueses_ were divided into two Parties, the
greatest of which came through behind the adjacent Morasses, and forc’d
in on the side of the place near which the fifteen Ships taken by
_Lichthart_ lay at an Anchor, whilest the other Party fell upon the
Out-works; where though the _Hollanders_ defended themselves valiantly
at first, yet they were forc’d to Retreat to the Redoubt, where both
Parties fought with great eagerness; but the _Hollanders_ Ketches haling
near the Shore, and firing in amongst the _Portuguese_ with their great
Guns, forc’d them to flye, and contrary to their Custom, to leave their
dead Bodies behind them.
Soon after, whilest _Gysseling_, _Schuppe_, and _Lichthart_ stay’d at
the _Puntael_, the _Portuguese_, designing to take _Reciffa_, kept the
_Afogados_ and the Fort on _Antonio Vaes_ in continual Alarm; which made
the _Hollanders_ send most of their _Militia_ thither, and to fortifie
yet more strongly than before. The Castle _De Bruin_ first discovering
the _Portuguese_ wading through the Water, fir’d great Guns at them,
upon the hearing of which _Waerdenburgh_ and _St. George_ fir’d also.
The Treasurer _Ceulen_ and Lieutenant-Colonel _Byma_ march’d with a
Company of Soldiers to the Stone Redoubt, from whence they fir’d stoutly
upon the Enemy; yet thirty of them got by the Pallisado’s and Stone
Redoubt: wherefore _Ceulen_ march’d in with some of his Men to assist
the Citizens, and keep the woodden Battery, where the _Portuguese_ were
stopt, and with great and small Shot put to flight. The Prisoners which
the _Hollanders_ took inform’d them, That _Martin Suares_, chief
Commander over the _Portuguese_ that made this Attempt, had divided his
Men into three Parties; the Reserve, which consisted of three hundred
Men, was to march on upon the making of a sign when the other Parties
were past, one along the River _Bibiriba_, and the other along the Shore
by the Stone Redoubt into _Reciffa_, to burn the Place, as also all
manner of Provision and Ammunition.
[Sidenote: _Byma_ attempts the taking of _Real_, but without success.]
Whilest this Design of the _Portuguese_ fell out so unfortunately, being
discover’d to _Ceulen_ by a Renegado, the _Hollanders_ at _Reciffa_
receiv’d two Companies from their Regiment at the _Puntael_, and a
considerable number of Men rais’d in _Holland_ by the _West India_
Company. _Ceulen_ and _Byma_ thus supply’d, went continually out in
Parties, burnt in view of the Garrison in _Arryal_ the Sugar-Mills
belonging to _Francisco Montero_ and _Lewis Ramires_, and were inform’d
by five _Italian_ Renegado’s, That there were not three hundred Men in
Garrison in _Arryal_; which so encourag’d _Byma_, that he resolving to
fall upon the same, march’d thither in the Night with a thousand Men
from _Reciffa_, and by Day-break shot sixteen Granado’s from a
neighboring Hill, of which seven fell into _Arryal_, but did little
Execution; besides, the Strength of the Place was such, and the number
of Men so considerable, that his Design had no other success, than that
a Hand-granado falling short amongst the Houses before the Fort, set
fire on them, and in a short time burnt a whole Street with rich Shops,
and the Habitations of the _Italians_.
The _Portuguese_ at the _Puntael_ being inform’d, that _Byma_ had
Besieg’d _Arryal_ with a thousand Men, judg’d that most of the
_Hollanders_ were gone thither from the _Puntael_; which they were the
apter to believe, because the _Hollanders_ coming but little abroad
stay’d within their Redoubts, which _Lichthart_ had joyn’d to a Battery;
wherefore they made another Attempt with a hundred and twenty Men on the
_Puntael_; but a Carvel with two Brass Guns, and a Company of Soldiers
lying at Anchor near the Place by which the _Portuguese_ were to pass,
and they not expecting to meet with any resistance there, they were, as
soon as they approached the Carvel, fir’d upon by the _Hollanders_, who
killing several of their Men, so affrighted them, that they return’d
without making any farther Attempt.
[Sidenote: Overtures of Peace from the _Portuguese_.]
Whilest every day more and more Prizes were taken by the _Hollanders_,
and brought into _Reciffa_, and fresh Supplies sent them from _Holland_,
there began to be some Overtures of Peace from the _Portuguese_; wherein
also the King of _Spain_, by reason of the several Damages he had
sustain’d from the _Dutch_, began to concern himself, and to menace them
with the great Forces he was able to raise, by reason of the late safe
arrival of two rich Plate-Fleets, if they came not to reasonable Terms.
But answer was return’d from _Byma_, “That if they were minded to Treat
about giving of Quarter, or any such like Point in difference between
them, they should find him ready; but that the _West-India_ Company
would never resign those Places taken in _Brasile_ with the Sword,
either for Money or Goods, but would defend them to the utmost of their
Power.”
The _Hollanders_ also chang’d the Names of several Places taken from the
_Portuguese_; for the Castle near the Promontory _St. Augustine_ was
call’d _Gysseling_; the Town on _Tamarica_, _Schuppen-stadt_; the Fort
at the _Afogados_, _Prince William_; and the _Puntael_, _The Fortress
Vander Dussen_.
[Sidenote: _Ceulen_ and _Gysseling_ return home.]
[Sidenote: _Jandur_’s great service to the _Netherlanders_.]
Notwithstanding the Requests of the _States_ of the _Netherlands_ and
_West-India_ Company, to the Commissioners _Ceulen_ and _Gysseling_, to
stay longer in the _West-Indies_, yet they prepar’d for their Voyage
home, and the speedier, because they expected great scarcity of
Provisions, unless a sudden Supply came from _Holland_. During their two
years Government here, they had taken five thousand five hundred and
nineteen Chests of Sugar, a hundred fifty nine thousand nine hundred
thirty and nine Pound of _Brasile_ Wood, one and thirty Ships laden with
several Goods, which amounted to 230000 _l._ besides the value of the
Ships and Guns, the taken Forts, destroy’d Sugar-Mills, and other
Buildings. They left at their going away above four thousand Soldiers,
divided into thirty two Companies, to guard _Brasile_, under the Command
of _Schuppe_ and _Arcisseusky_, and carry’d with them a hundred
Soldiers, besides one and fifty sick and maimed: Moreover, thirty two
Sail of Ships, Mann’d with a thousand and eighty seven Seamen, were
order’d to Cruise up and down before the Coast of _Brasile_, besides
four Ketches before the Promontory of _St. Augustine_, and six Ships in
the Haven of _Pernambuco_.
After _Ceulen_ and _Gysseling_ had set Sail for _Holland_, divers Prizes
were brought into _Reciffa_, as also several Ships arriv’d there from
the _Texel_ and the _Maes_. The _Hollanders_ went out continually in
Parties, whilest _Schuppe_ and _Lichthart_ set Sail also with eight
Ships, Mann’d with six Companies of Soldiers, besides Seamen, to plunder
and pillage all the Havens to the South, where several _Portuguese_
Vessels lay laden with Sugar. But _Janduy_, who with his Subjects the
_Tapuyans_, joyn’d with the Governor _Garstman_, kill’d at one time
thirty seven _Portugueses_, and not long after two hundred and sixty
more; taking his leave of _Garstman_, went home with six _Hollanders_,
leaving his Son, the young _Janduy_, and his Brother _Caracara_,
together with his Nephew _Copun_, to his care.
_Janduy_ made it his Business to perswade the adjacent _Tapuyans_ to
joyn their Forces with his, and so by the _Hollanders_ assistance to
fall upon the _Portuguese_. Mean while the young _Janduy_ and _Copun_
went to _Reciffa_, which was the rather permitted, that they might be
able to damp the Reports which the _Portuguese_ had spread amongst the
_Tapuyans_, _viz._ That the _Hollanders_ were very ill provided, and
therefore made all possible Preparations to defend _Reciffa_, and
consequently the whole Countrey of _Brasile_, and so leave those
_Tapuyans_ that joyn’d with them to the mercy of the _Spaniards_.
[Sidenote: Ambassadors sent to consult with him about carrying on their
Designs.]
Not long after were dispatch’d from thence the Councellors _Jacob
Stackhower_, and Colonel _Arcisseusky_, with the Interpreter _Antonio
Parapoavo_, to Treat with _Janduy_ about the Design which they had upon
the _Portuguese_, and also what Advantages he should receive, if he
would assist the _West-India_ Company with his Forces, whenever he
should be sent to.
[Sidenote: His Power, Enemies, and Allies.]
King _Janduy_ bore Command over sixteen hundred Men, whose Wives carry’d
their Hammocks after them to sleep on in the Night, having no setled
Habitations, but ranging in Parties up and down from place to place to
get their Food; the young People went commonly along with _Beretiawa_,
and the old with _Janduy_; round about whose Countrey dwelt the poor
Natives _Aciki_, as also _Juckerijou_, _Ocioneciou_, _Pajoke_, and
_Aponorijou_: the first are Commanded by King _Coctaculy_; the second,
by _Marakou_, a Friend of the _Portugueses_; the third, by _Nonhu_; the
fourth, by _Kidoa_; and the last, by _Jarepo_: which two last are no way
inferior in Power to _Janduy_, but the others much weaker.
Four sorts of People continually Warr’d against _Janduy_, _viz._ the
_Jenho_, who live so far up in the Countrey, that no _Christians_ ever
came to the knowledge of them; the other three are the _Woyana_,
_Carivy_, and _Caririwassu_, who assist the _Portuguese_.
The fore-mention’d Interpreter _Parapoavo_ was met in his Journey by a
Company of _Tapuyans_, led by _Commendaoura_, _Janduy_’s Sisters Son,
who was to succeed him after his death, according to the Custom of the
_Tapuyans_, whose Sons do not succeed their Fathers in the Throne, but
their Sisters Sons. _Commendaoura_ told him, That he was impower’d by
his Uncle to Treat with the _Hollanders_; to which purpose coming with
forty Men before the Castle _Ceulen_, he inform’d them, That _Jandouy_
could not come to them with his whole Power, because there was no fresh
Water in the Mountains _Mitiapa_ in the Summer; Moreover, that he
Mourn’d for his deceased Wife. _Janduoy_ was also requested to go to
_Parayba_, where he should get great store of Booty, and that the
_Hollanders_ would follow them with a considerable Power.
[Sidenote: The Fort _Conayou_ taken by _Arcisseusky_.]
_Arcisseusky_ being inform’d of the Condition of _Conayou_ by two, who
having been taken Prisoners by the _Portuguese_, leap’d over-board from
a Carvel, bound from thence to _Portugal_, and swam ashore, march’d from
the Fort _Ceulen_ in the Night with two hundred Men, besides forty
_Tapuyans_, who kill’d more Venison for the _Hollanders_ than they were
able to eat; and coming within two Cannons-shot of _Conayou_, he divided
his Men into four Parties, that so they might Storm the four Corners of
the Fort at once; which having done by swimming over the Moat, and
climbing up the Walls, which were a Pikes length, they got into the
Fort, in which they found eleven dead Bodies, ten Iron Guns, two Hooks,
and several Chests of Sugar; and amongst other Prisoners they took the
Captain _Alvares Fragoso d’ Albuquerque_.
_Stackhower_ also setting Sail when _Arcisseusky_ left the Castle
_Ceulen_, intending to meet him again at an appointed time before
_Conayou_, was kept back by contrary Winds.
After this _Arcisseusky_ set Sail to _Mongoangape_, where Rowing up the
River, he took a Ketch with two hundred Chests of Sugar, as also a
Carvel and a Boat, and Landed where the River bends about a Mountain,
which so affrighted the _Portuguese_, that they quitted _Antonio
Marino_’s Sugar-Mills. Soon after the Fleet took a Barque with Wine, and
return’d to _Reciffa_.
Mean while _Schuppe_ was not idle, for going up the River _Camarigibi_,
he burnt divers Houses, as also on each side of the River _Alagoa_;
where he also took four rich Sugar-Mills, whilest many Vessels from the
_United Netherlands_ brought several Ships into the Haven of
_Pernambuco_, which they had taken on the Coast of _Brasile_.
[Sidenote: The Fort _Santa Margareta_ attempted by the _Hollanders_.]
About the latter end of _November_ 1634. thirty two Sail, divided into
two Squadrons (the first carrying in one and twenty Ships, a thousand
nine hundred forty and five Soldiers, the second on eleven Ketches, four
hundred and nine) under the Command of _Schuppe_, _Arcisseusky_,
_Carpentier_, and _Stackhower_, weigh’d Anchor to go to _Parayba_; where
_Schuppe_ Landing first with six hundred Men, fell upon the Enemy in
such a manner, that he put them to flight, and forc’d them to leave a
great part of their Arms, Hats and Coats behind; and it wanted little
but the Governor _Antonio d’ Albuquerque_ had been taken in the pursuit:
Mean while the rest of the _Hollanders_ Landed, and _Casper Ley_ march’d
along a Cart-Road with three Companies directly to the Fort _Santa
Margareta_, and Encamp’d himself behind a Hill, about a Musquet-shot
from the Walls of the Fort: _Schuppe_ going along the Shore, found
divers forsaken Works, and Intrench’d along the River on the East-side
of the Castle. _Arcisseusky_ march’d on the Right-hand along the
Sea-shore in view of the _Portuguese_ in Garrison. In the River lay an
Isle, on which was built the Castle _Restinga_, which could receive
constant Aid from the Castle _Margareta_ on the Main.
[Sidenote: The Fort _Margareta_ taken by _Schuppe_.]
[Sidenote: The Fort _Antonio_ taken by _Lichthart_.]
_Lichthart_ going in between the Island and the Castle _Margareta_ with
six well Mann’d Boats, took two Barques and a Boat behind the Island,
and march’d through a Wood to _Restringa_; where he found that the Fort
separated from the Island, was surrounded with Water, wherefore he
withdrew into the Wood till the Water was fall’n down, and then Storm’d
the Fort _Restringa_, and notwithstanding the _Portuguese_ fir’d
continually upon him with two Brass Guns, he soon became Master of it,
and cut off all those whom he found had born Arms; whilest _Schuppe_
fir’d upon the Fort _Margareta_ from a Platform, and also threw
Granado’s into the same. _Arcisseusky_ likewise approach’d nearer and
nearer with his Trenches, on which the _Portuguese_ discharged many
Guns; but after the Breastworks were most of them spoil’d, the Governor,
_Simon de Albuquerque_, surrendred the Fort to _Schuppe_, who permitted
a hundred and fifty Men that were in Garrison there, to go to their
several Dwellings up in the Countrey, the rest were Transported to other
places, on promise that they would not bear Arms against the
_West-India_ Company during the space of six Moneths. In the Castle the
_Hollanders_ found six Brass Demi-Culverins and fifteen Drakes, besides
other Ammunition, with which the Victors pursu’d their Conquest, putting
themselves in a posture to go up a Creek which runs two Leagues along a
River to _Parayba_, and to fall upon that City, when two _French_
Renegado’s coming from the _Northern_ Fort _Antonio_ brought
information, That that Fort was guarded but by a few Men, and had but
little Gun-powder, and if the _Hollanders_ would but once make a shew of
Storming the same, it would soon be deliver’d to them, though for its
Situation it is invincible; but _Schuppe_ suppos’d that there might be a
Plot in this Information, and the rather, because he heard that the Duke
of _Bagnola_ was coming thither with six hundred Men; nevertheless, to
be better assur’d thereof, he sent a Drummer to demand _Antonio_: The
Governor thereof, call’d _Magaglianes_ desir’d three days time to
consider, which was utterly deny’d him, and he had onely leave to carry
away the King’s Standard, and his Request granted, That the _Hollanders_
should make a shew of Storming the Castle, that it might not be said he
had surrendred such a Fortress without a Gun being fir’d; after which
_Lichthart_ went into the Castle, wondring at such a Victory; for the
Fort, on which no Charges had been spar’d, lay upon an inaccessible
place, and had five Brass Culverins and nineteen Iron Guns.
[Sidenote: The City _Parayba_ deserted by _Bagnola_.]
The _Hollanders_ encourag’d by their good Success, went the same Night
up the River _Parayba_ to the Creek _Tambia Grande_; where Landing, they
found all the Works empty, three Iron Guns lying dismounted on the
Ground, the City _Parayba_ without People, and the Guns about the same
either made useless, or sunk in the Haven. A _Hamburgher_ that had liv’d
a considerable time in _Parayba_, otherwise call’d _Philippea_, inform’d
the _Hollanders_, That _Bagnola_ seeing no means to defend _Parayba_,
was gone to _Goyana_ with two Companies, one of _Italians_, and the
other _Spaniards_, who were march’d into the Woods, after they had burnt
three Ships, and two Store-houses full of Sugar, in which there were
consum’d near upon three hundred Chests.
Before this Design upon _Parayba_ was undertaken, the _West-India_
Company sent out four Vessels under the Command of _John Walbeek_, to
the Isle _Curacao_; the Situation of which _John Otzon_ knew exactly,
having been a long time a Prisoner there: _Walbeek_ getting through a
narrow Mouth between several Rocks into a convenient Harbor before
_Curacao_, Landed seventy five Musquetteers who were Encountred by
seventy _Brasilians_ Arm’d with Clubs, which the _Spaniards_ had
animated to fight, by making them half Drunk. The _Hollanders_ having
march’d all over the Island, burnt the Village _Maria_, and at last
agreed with the Governor _Alonso Lopes de Morla_ to leave the Isle.
_Schuppe_ chang’d the Name of _Parayba_, or _Nossa Sennora das Nieves_,
or _Philippea_, into _Frederick-Stadt_, in honor to the Prince of
_Orange_, nam’d _Frederick Henrick_.
[Sidenote: _Parayba_, or _Henrick-stadt_ describ’d.]
This City hath two great Market-places, twelve Streets, and a large
_Franciscan_ Cloyster, built near a Lake, and inclos’d within a Wall by
a broad Bay, which the River _Parayba_ makes before the City; the
Countrey about which is mountainous: In other places, especially along
the River, lie many fruitful Plains, abounding in some places with the
Grain _Mandihoca_, which is ground to Meal, Potato’s, Lemmons, Cabbages,
Cucumbers, _Bananas_, _Cocoa_-Nuts, Ginger, _Araba_, very delicious when
Preserv’d with Sugar, and _Cacious_, somewhat like Chesnuts, of which
the Natives make an intoxicating Liquor.
Whilest all things were put in good order at _Parayba_, Colonel _Picard_
march’d with eight Companies to the House _Validaris_, if possible,
there to take the Governor _Antonio Albuquerque_ Prisoner; but he being
forsaken by all the _Brasilians_ (who came back with _Picard_ and their
Commander, the Jesuit _Emanuel de Morais_) absconded himself; not long
before which a Proclamation had been publish’d in the Name of the
_States_ of the _United Netherlands_ and the _West-India_ Company,
promising great Civilities and Advantages to all the Inhabitants of
_Parayba_, whether Natives or others, that would come in and submit to
their Government.
This Invitation was so well receiv’d, that many who were kept back so
long as _Albuquerque_ appear’d, as soon as they heard of his obscuring
himself, came in to the _Hollanders_, as _Duarte Gomes_, and several
eminent _Portugueses_, with a considerable number of indifferent
quality; as also the Inhabitants of the Province of _Rio Grande_ came to
_Frederick-Stadt_, to claim the benefit of the Proclamation.
[Sidenote: _Rebellino_ forced to flye from place to place.]