_Rebellino_ and _Lewis de Sosa_ falling upon the Councellor _Eyssens_,
Governor of _Parayba_, routed him, and set fire on the Sugar-Mills
belonging to _Emanuel Pirez_, which forc’d them with their Swords in
their Hands to break through Flame and Smoak upon the Enemy, who kill’d
nine of them upon the Spot (amongst whom _Eyssens_ and his Secretary)
the rest being either taken or fled.
[Sidenote: _Rebellino_ put to flight by _Arcisseusky_.]
Immediately after _Arcisseusky_ being inform’d by two Prisoners, that
the _Spanish_ Forces Commanded by _Sosa_, _Dias_, and _Rebellino_, were
all joyn’d together in the Wood _Antonio_, where _Camaron_ was also
expected, he march’d away presently with half his Army, and as soon as
the Captains _Metting_ and _Tourlon_, whom he commanded to follow him
the next day, were come up to him, he fell upon the Enemy, who lay on a
Hill, at whose Foot was a deep Valley, through which he climb’d to the
top; which valorous Attempt so amaz’d the _Spaniards_, that without
firing a Gun they fled into the Wood: After which _Metting_ and
_Tourlon_ went back to _Laurenzo_; and _Arcisseusky_ destroy’d the
_Rossas_, of which the _Farinha_ is made, that so by scarcity of
Provisions he might prevent the Enemy from so often joyning together in
Parties: In the mean time ten Ships from _Holland_ arriv’d with fresh
Forces, Ammunition, Provisions, and two taken Prizes, at _Reciffa_.
[Sidenote: Several Prizes taken by _Houte-been_ after his Releasement.]
[Sidenote: An unlucky Accident.]
_Houte-been_ being releas’d from his Imprisonment in _Dunkirk_, set Sail
from _Holland_ with three Ships, and took ten Iron Guns out of one Ship,
and several Pipes of Wine out of another before _Matanca_; after that a
_Tartan_ from _Havana_, two Frigats with Meal, one full of Wood with two
Guns, two Barques carrying _Bananas_, a rich laden Pink, two Ships with
Hides, and one with Sugar. Near the Island _Baru_ he heard several great
Guns shoot off, whereupon making thither, he found the _Zealand_
Privateer _Martman_ Engag’d with a Ketch carrying ten Brass and six Iron
Guns, which was run ashore; whereupon _Houte-been_ went to his
assistance with a well Mann’d Boat; which the _Spaniards_ seeing, set
fire on their Ketch and fled; but the Flame having onely hurt the Stern,
fifty Men were order’d to get her afloat, who having begun to unlade the
Tobacco, and to take out the Brass Guns, the Gun-Room took fire, and
blew up both Men and Goods; of which twenty four being sadly hurt, dy’d,
the rest escaping miraculously. Not long after _Houte-been_ took a Ship
with Hides, fraighted the _Alcmaer_ Pink with his Prizes for the
_Texel_, ran close by _Carthagena_, and kept a considerable time in
sight of the Plate-Fleet, of which he carry’d one of the heaviest
Sailers away with him; Being thus enrich’d, he return’d home.
[Sidenote: _Grave Maurice_ sent by the _United States_ to govern
_Brasile_.]
Whilest Businesses were carry’d on after this manner both by Land and
Sea in _Brasile_, the _West-India_ Company resolv’d to send some Person
of Quality thither as President or supream Governor; and after no long
Consultation who should be the Person, _Grave Maurice_ of _Nassaw_ was
pitch’d upon, as being not only eminent for his Noble Alliance by
Marriage to Emperors and Kings, but also for his excellent skill in
Martial Affairs, the proofs whereof were known to all Men, as his
marching to the _Paltz_ against _Spinola_, his being in the great Siege
of _Grol_, _Hertogen-Bosch_, _Maestricht_, _Venlo_, _Rhynberk_, and
_Schenkenschans_, at all which he receiv’d great Honor; all which
consider’d, they made him chief Governor of _Brasile_, giving him a
Commission Sign’d by the _States_ of the _United Netherlands_ and
_West-India_ Company, to Govern with absolute Power, as well in Civil as
Martial Affairs, to the best advantage of that _State_. At first they
resolv’d to send a Fleet of thirty two Sail thither, but they afterwards
reduc’d that number to twelve, which they Mann’d with two thousand seven
hundred Men. _Grave Maurice_ set Sail on the twenty fifth of _October_
1636. onely with four Sail, whereof the Admiral Ship call’d _The
Zutfen_, carry’d but three hundred and fifty Men: about the _Sorlings_
they met with blustering Weather, insomuch that the Fleet was forc’d to
put in at _Falmouth_, and after forty days stay there, weigh’d Anchor,
and Steer’d for _Cape Verd_, and refresh’d at the Isle of _May_, famous
for Salt-pans, and inhabited by a few _Negro_’s, and banish’d
_Portugueses_.
[Sidenote: He is joyfully receiv’d at _Reciffa_.]
On the twenty third of _January_ 1637. _Grave Maurice_ arriving at
_Reciffa_, was by every one receiv’d with great joy; as also _Adriaen
vander Dussen_: and soon after _Matthias van Ceulen_, _Servaes
Carpentier_, and _John Gysseling_, were chosen to be of his Privy
Council; whose first Work was exactly to know their Forces, which were
either Inhabitants that were to guard Towns and Fortresses, or Soldiers
that march’d into the Field, two thousand six hundred whereof were
appointed to defend _Reciffa_, the _Afogados_, the Promontory _St.
Augustine_, _Tamarica_, and _Parayba_: the greatest Party, which lay in
the Field, consisted of two thousand nine hundred Men, and another
lesser Party of six hundred; which last flying Regiment was to be
continually employ’d to make work for the Enemy. They also took an
Account of what Provision and Ammunition they had in store, and found
that there was want of both, especially of Match. Next he enquir’d after
the Enemy’s Condition and Power.
[Sidenote: He marches against the _Portugueses_.]
[Sidenote: _Povacon_ taken by the _Hollanders_.]
From _Porto Calvo_ the _Portuguese_ made continual Sallies out into the
Countrey, which they spoil’d and pillag’d, insomuch that the
_Brasilians_ being oppress’d by them, deserted their Villages, and came
for refuge to the _Hollanders_. The Garrison in _Serinhain_ was also
much too weak to withstand the Incursions of the Enemy, the rather,
because the _Portuguese_ came along private, and to the _Hollanders_
unknown Ways. All which _Grave Maurice_ considering, caus’d a Fast-day
to be proclaim’d, on which they desir’d Gods assistance in the carrying
on of their Designs. After which he march’d with the Army to
_Serinhain_, from thence cross the River _Una_ to _Barra Grande_, and
thence to meet with _Bagnola_, who though he was four thousand Men
strong, besides _Negro_’s and _Brasilians_, had stopt up all the Ways
with fell’d Trees, and fortifi’d others. On a Mountain, a League from
_Porto Calvo_, _Bagnola_ kept his Station. At the foot of the Mountain
flow’d a Brook, whose Shore was overgrown with Rice and young Trees,
before which lay a high Bank; opposite to which _Grave Maurice_ Encamp’d
himself towards the Evening, with intentions to fall upon him the next
Morning, notwithstanding his Army consisted not of above fifteen hundred
Men, of which there were six hundred _Brasilians_. _Grave Maurice_’s
Guard marching before were follow’d by _Schuppe_ and _Arcisseusky_, and
they by _Lichthart_, whose Men were all Seamen; all of them firing their
Guns amaz’d the Enemy, whilest two Companies of _Brasilians_, and three
of _Hollanders_ crept through the overgrown part on the right-hand of
the Mountain, and as many more on the left, fell unawares upon him; but
_Maurice_’s Guard Engaging with a thousand _Portugueses_, ran through
the Water up against the Works with such undaunted Courage, that
_Bagnola_ Retreated, leaving four hundred Men slain, besides three Brass
Guns, and a great number of Prisoners; those which escap’d fled to
_Porto Calvo_: But _Bagnola_ fearing to be Besieged there, left
_Povacon_, which Castle, built on one side of _Porto Calvo_, lies twenty
five Leagues from _Reciffa_, on a Plain, partly surrounded with
Mountains and Pastures. The River _Porto Calvo_ runs so crooked, that it
almost surrounds the Castle and Town. The Countrey hereabouts is full of
Pools. Two Forts, each built on a Hill near _Povacon_, _Bagnola_ had
caus’d to be undermin’d and fill’d up with Gun-powder; but they taking
fire, were blown up before the _Hollanders_ came thither, who found them
smoaking, and lying like a heap of Rubbish. _Maurice_ marching forward,
Besieg’d _Povacon_; and Encamping himself below the Hill where one of
the Forts had stood, he rais’d a Redoubt, and with a Trench approach’d
the Moat. Whilest _Schuppe_ lay along the Town from the Church,
_Lichthart_ made a Battery to the North, and somewhat farther
_Arcisseusky_ another; then firing from four Batteries on _Povacon_, the
Besieged answer’d them again from their Walls, and on the thirteenth day
the Governor _Michael Giberton_ surrendred the Castle upon honorable
Articles: for those in Garrison being _Italians_, _Portugueses_, and
_Castilians_, to the number of five hundred, besides the Wounded and
Sick, were to be Transported to _Tercera_. _Maurice_ entring the Castle,
took two and twenty Brass, and five Iron Guns, four Mortar-pieces, a
great many Bullets, Matches, Gun-powder, and other Ammunition, this
being the King of _Spain_’s Magazine.
Near _Moribeca_, and before _St. Laurenzo_, the Enemy receiv’d a shrew’d
Repulse by the flying Regiment, led by _Stackhower_; but Lieutenant
_Helmich_ obtain’d special Honor herein.
_Grave Maurice_ after these Exploits took Shipping in _Barra Grande_, at
a great Inlet near _Porto Calvo_, and Landed again at the Promontory
_Sergoa_, from whence he pursu’d the Enemy to the River _Francisco_; the
Inhabitants about which desir’d, and obtain’d free Conduct. _Bagnola_
lay on the other side of the River _Francisco_, in the Town _Openeda_;
wherefore _Schuppe_, who was sent to the _Afogados_ to be near the
Enemy, was afterwards commanded to go to _Openeda_ to secure _Grave
Maurice_’s Passage over thither; but he coming thither after him,
_Maurice_ cross’d to the Shore on which _Openeda_ lay with Boats, and
got great Booty; and the more, because the Natives had not secur’d any
thing, _Bagnola_ assuring them that the Castle _Povacon_ could endure at
least a Siege of four Moneths.
_Openeda_ belong’d properly to the Lord _Melchior Albes_. Near the Town
rose a stonie Rock out of the deep River _Francisco_, eighty Foot high;
from which Rock there jutted out like Redoubts five Points, and it was
call’d _Maurice Castle_. Along the Shore of the fore-mention’d Stream
lay several very pleasant Isles. _Bagnola_ escaping privately from
hence, was follow’d by his Men kneeling on floating pieces of Timber,
which with Sticks they Row’d over to the Northern Shore, notwithstanding
the Stream glides so swift, and is so broad, that a six-pound Bullet
cannot be shot over the same; at the Mouth thereof _Maurice_ built
another Castle. A League from his Camp seven hundred _Tapuyans_ (a great
salvage and strong People, whose Language the _Portuguese_,
_Brasilians_, and _Tapuyans_ that belong’d to _Jandui_, could not
understand) had Ambuscado’d themselves, and with signs and motions of
their Bodies they gave the _Hollanders_ to understand, that they would
kill the _Portuguese_ if they offer’d to cross the Rivers.
[Illustration]
_Maurice_ advising _Prince Frederick Henrick_ of his Transactions,
desir’d that he would send over Planters thither, whether they were
banish’d _Germans_ or Vagabonds, out of their Houses of Correction; for
without them the fruitful Countrey of _Brasile_ would render but a
slender Account to the _West-India_ Company, nor be able to prevent the
Invasions of the _Spaniards_.
[Sidenote: _Grave Maurice_ begins his Government with the making of good
Laws.]
The fruitfulness of this Tract of Land was not inferior to any Countrey
in the whole World, Cattel grazing up and down in Herds of five, six,
and seven thousand. Moreover, _Maurice_ advis’d them about the scarcity
of Provisions, without which they were not able to maintain War. He also
setled the Traders in a good Order, dividing all those free People which
bore no Offices, into four Companies, under Captains, Ensigns, and
Lieutenants. The Customs and Tributes were Farm’d, Marriages were
order’d to be perform’d by the _Netherland_ Priests, the Jews had leave
not to Watch on their Sabbath, all manner of Debosheries were strictly
forbid from being acted on the Lords-Day, and Punishments ordain’d for
Drunkards and other Deboshees; several Schools were also erected for
Youth, and for the instruction of the _Brasilians_ in the _Christian_
Religion; and lastly, it was permitted to any that would, to build in
the ruin’d City _Olinda_, or else to repair those Houses that were
fall’n to ruine.
Some of the _Portugueses_ fill’d _Maurice_ his Ears with a Report of the
Silver-Mines at _Couhaou_, _Copaou_, _Terra Nova_, and about _Cape St.
Augustine_; but he not regarding them, plac’d Sheriffs over the
Villages, and Overseers over the Alms-houses and Hospitals, issuing out
Orders also for the delivering of the Provisions, which being very
scarce, every Man had a certain Allowance, that so it might last the
longer; but when in this Distribution the meaner sort began to be
scanted, the Peoples Complaints were such, that an Insurrection was like
to ensue, if not carefully and speedily prevented: whereupon the decay’d
and deserted Sugar-Mills of the _Portugueses_ were put to Sale, and sold
some for three, others for six and seven thousand Pound, insomuch that
the _West-India_ Company got above 200000 _l._ for them all. Soon after
they fortifi’d their Castles and other strong Holds, and broke down
those that were judg’d useless. The _Brasilians_ obtain’d liberty also
to inhabit their Villages and till their Land, that they might make
Provision for themselves, and not oppress the Planters that liv’d near
them. The _Portuguese_ that had submitted themselves to the Government
of the _Hollanders_, had free leave granted them to exercise the
_Roman-Catholick_ Religion, onely they were not to send for any Priests
from _St. Salvador_, which if they did, they should be dealt with as
Plotters of Murders and Treasons; they had liberty also to re-build
their Houses in _Olinda_, paying Tribute with the _Hollanders_:
Moreover, they were promis’d that they should live free from all
Oppressions of the _Hollanders_. There was also order taken about paying
the tenth part of the Sugar and _Farinha_. The Income also of Fishing
and Fowling, amounted to a considerable sum of Money. And to prevent
deceit in Trade, Measures and Weights were made according to those of
_Amsterdam_. For the Converting of _Pagans_, _Jews_, and _Roman_
Catholicks, able Teachers were sent into the Countrey to promulgate the
Gospel.
[Illustration]
About this time there went a Report, as if the _West-India_ Company were
inclin’d to remove their Seat from _Reciffa_ to the Island _Tamarica_;
but _Maurice_ advising them that it would not be so convenient for them,
they chang’d their Resolution.
[Sidenote: _Isleos_ taken by _Lichthart_.]
Whilest _Lichthart_ Cruis’d a considerable time before the Haven _Todos
los Sanctos_, he Crain’d his Ship in the Bay of _Camaniu_, took the Town
_Isleos_, with a hundred and fifty Men. In the Town, which is built on a
Promontory, he took but little Booty, and sav’d the Houses, which were
built most of Stone, as also the four Churches and _Jesuits_ Cloyster,
and return’d to _Reciffa_.
[Sidenote: Colonel _Latan_ slain.]
About this time the invincible Castle _Mina_, afterwards call’d _St.
Joris_, was taken by the _Hollanders_, upon the Advice of _Nicholas van
Yperen_, Commander of _Guinee_, who sent word to _Grave Maurice_, that
the said Castle might easily be conquer’d, if any Forces could be sent
him from _Reciffa_: Whereupon _Maurice_ immediately sent _John Coin_
thither with nine Ships, which set Sail on the twenty fifth of _June_,
_Anno 1637._ who in the Road _Commendo_ joining with _Yperen_, soon
after he was set down before it, and was preparing to Storm, had it
surrendred to him upon Terms no less advantageous to the _Hollanders_,
than dishonorable to the Besieged, yet not without the loss of many Men;
for in their March thither they were fiercely set upon by the _Negro_’s
inhabiting the Village near the Castle; in which Conflict Colonel
_Latan_ amongst others was slain. The Fort might very well have endur’d
a longer Siege, it being surrounded with double Moats, each twenty five
Foot deep, and high Bulwarks, which could not be undermin’d because of
the Rocky Ground on which they were built; and to make it yet more
stronger, _Coin_ after he had taken it rais’d a Fort on the Hill, from
whence he had fir’d on the Castle, in which he found thirty Brass
Demi-Culverins; and leaving _Walraeven Malburg_ as Governor, he return’d
to _Reciffa_.
During these Proceedings of the _Dutch_ in _Guinee_, the Duke of
_Bagnola_ ransack’d the Countrey about _Seregippa del Rey_; _Maurice_
not able to go himself, having had a Feaver three Moneths, sent
_Schuppe_ and _Gyseling_ with two thousand three hundred Soldiers, four
hundred _Brasilians_, and two hundred and fifty Seamen, whilest
_Lichthart_ Steer’d to _Todos los Sanctos_, that so he might draw the
Enemy down to the Sea-Coast. _Bagnola_ flying to _Terra Gracia d’
Avila_, _Schuppe_ demolish’d the Town _Seregippa_, the Sugar-Mills, and
all manner of Fruit-Trees, and march’d with incredible speed to the
Stream _Francisco_; where Encamping on the Southern Shore, he drove
three thousand Head of Cattel before him, that so he might starve the
Enemy.
[Sidenote: The _Brasilians_ offer their assistance to the _Dutch_ for
the taking the Fort _Siara_.]
In the interim the _Brasilians_ in _Siara_ desir’d Aid against the
_Portuguese_, offering, That if the _Hollanders_ could conquer the Fort
there, they would soon destroy all the _Portuguese_; that the Charges of
the Siege might easily be made good, the Countrey producing abundance of
Amber-greece, Crystal, Cotton, Pearls, Salt, and other Merchandise. In
confirmation of this their Resolution, the _Brasilians_ left two eminent
Persons Children of _Siara_ in _Reciffa_: Whereupon _George Garstman_
being sent thither, was no sooner Landed, but he made his Arrival known
to the _Brasilian_ Governor _Algodoi_; who came to meet him with two
hundred Men, bearing white Flags in token of Peace: Thus assisted, he
set upon _Siara_, which is a square Fort, built at the foot of a Hill,
hath within its Walls six Houses, two Redoubts full of Port-holes, one
on the North, and the other on the South, jutting half way out from the
Wall; as also two Gates, secur’d with large Portcullises: without the
Fort appears the Governor’s House, about which were several Huts for
_Portugueses_.
This Lordship, already spoken of, is reckon’d amongst the Northern parts
of _Brasile_, and hath onely twelve Leagues in circumference. The Haven
before the Castle, which the River _Hacu_ makes, is of little
consequence: The Ground in some places rises with high Mountains, in
others, especially on one side, it is overgrown with Wood: hath also
several brave Pastures, especially along the River.
[Sidenote: The Fort taken by _Garstman_.]
_Garstman_ approaching the Castle _Siara_, found little resistance, so
that he took it with small expence of Blood, most of the _Portuguese_
being taken Prisoners, a few onely escaping by flight.
After this _Grave Maurice_ took great care of the Civil Affairs,
building a Guild-Hall at his own Cost and Charge; sent all manner of
Minerals, digg’d out of the _Brasilian_ Mines, to the _Netherlands_;
laid great Penalties on those that stole the Custom of Goods, and
punish’d with Death Murders, Robberies, and such like Capital Offences,
besides several wholsom Laws relating both to the Civil and
Ecclesiastical Government; and as soon as he was recover’d from his
tedious Sickness, he march’d up into the Countrey to the Rivers _Grande_
and _Parayba_, to take care to furnish the Forts with Provision and
Ammunition. Near the Castle _Ceulen_ he was receiv’d by the _Tapuyan_
Agents, and Presented by them with Bowes, Arrows, and brave Ostrich
Feathers, us’d by them when they go to the Wars: in return for which
they receiv’d Linnen Shirts, Knives, Shells, Bugles, Fishhooks, and
Nails. _Maurice_ caus’d a deeper and wider Moat to be digg’d about the
decay’d Castle _Cabo Dello_, rais’d the Works, and call’d it by the Name
of his Sister _Margareta_; he also pull’d down the Fort _Antonio_,
keeping onely a Tower to defend the High-way. _Restringa_ was likewise
strengthned with Pallisado’s, and the Cloyster near the Town _Parayba_
fortifi’d against an Assault, and _Elias Harkmans_ made Governor of the
same.
Whilest these things were transacted on the Land, Captain _Schuppe_ at
Sea Engaging alone between _Todos los Sanctos_ and _Terre Garcie d’
Avila_ with three _Spanish_ Ships, drove one of them aground, and
brought another away with him to _Reciffa_. The Letters found in the
taken Vessel made mention, that in the River of _Lisbon_ lay ten
Galleys, and twenty more before _Cales_, to which were to joyn thirty
Pinks; which Fleet some suppos’d was coming for _Brasile_; others, that
it was onely a Plot of the King of _Spain_ to get Money from his
Subjects, according to the Custom of several other Princes.
Hereupon _Maurice_ wrote to the _West-India_ Company, that they would
Rig out a Fleet with all possible speed, which might fall upon the
fore-mention’d _Spanish_ Fleet, and fetch those Sugars which lay ready
in _Brasile_ to be Laden.
About the same time a Party of the _Portugueses_ crossing the River
_Francisco_, came to the Stream _Miguel_, whither _Picard_ marching, put
them all to flight.
[Sidenote: _Grave Maurice_ sets forth with a Fleet for the re-taking of
_St. Salvador_.]
[Sidenote: _Grave Maurice_ is forc’d to leave the Siege of _St.
Salvador_.]