they ruin’d all things, to no other end, but that the Enemy might call
home his Forces out of the _Netherlanders Brasile_, to defend the
Province _Todos los Sanctos_. But Captain _Brand_ going up too far into
the Countrey with his Army, was suddenly set upon, had a hundred of his
Men slain on the Spot, and was himself taken Prisoner, together with
many more. Also the Storming of the Town _Spirito Sancto_ by _Coin_
prov’d unsuccessful, because he led an undisciplin’d Company, and wanted
little Vessels to Land in on a sudden; for the Enemy having had timely
notice, immediately rais’d a Sconce about the Town, and with five Brass
Guns fir’d stoutly on him, who endeavor’d to climb up the Hill, but was
forc’d to sound a Retreat, his Men failing in their Courage; yet at last
breaking into the Town, he set some of the Houses on fire, which being
built of Stone, resisted the Flame; so burning onely four hundred and
fifty Chests of Sugar, he left sixty Men kill’d, and brought back eighty
wounded. _Lichthart_ in the mean time made great havock about St.
_Salvador_.
[Sidenote: Woods of _Brasile_ set on fire by _Peter Vist_.]
In this Conjuncture the _West-India_ Company suffer’d much by Robberies
and Spoils committed up and down the Countrey, by the setting their
Woods of _Brasile_ on fire by a company of _Negro_’s, the chief
Ring-leader of whom was one call’d _Peter Vist_, who from Caves and
almost inaccessible Ways came forth in the Night, and set fire on
whatsoever places he came to, notwithstanding a hundred _Negro_’s of his
crew were soon after caught, which he at several times had by force
taken out of their Masters Sugars-Mills; which _Grave Maurice_ prevented
as much as possible, by keeping Soldiers up and down in Arms. He also
us’d the _Portuguese_ very civilly, who though they promis’d Obedience,
because they liv’d under the Jurisdiction of the _West-India_ Company,
yet were ready on all occasions to shew the contrary; wherefore _Grave
Maurice_ sending for the chief of them to _Reciffa_ from _Pernambuco_,
_Itamaraca_, and _Parayba_, told them before the Privy Council, that
they might easily see how vainly they expected that the _Spanish_ Crown
should take _Brasile_ from the _Netherlanders_; that formerly they
depended on the _Spanish_ Fleet Commanded by _Mascarenhas_, but that
being destroy’d by a small Force, that hope was lost; therefore if
henceforward they would Trade on their own Accounts, they might be
assur’d they should not suffer in the least, either in their Goods,
Religion, or Persons.
[Sidenote: _Hector de Calce_ taken Prisoner.]
The _Neopolitan_ Field-Marshal _Hector de la Calce_, setting Sail from
the Haven _Todos los Sanctos_ with an old Ship carrying six hundred Men,
was forc’d to run aground in the Haven of _Parayba_, where he and the
chief Commanders were taken Prisoners, whilest the Common Soldiers by
reason of the scarcity of Provisions, were set at liberty.
_Houte-been_ and _Lichthart_ weigh’d Anchor with twenty four Ships,
carrying two thousand Soldiers and seven hundred Seamen to _Havana_, to
Cruise for the Plate-Fleet, but the _Spanish_ Ships keeping within their
Harbors, and their own being dispers’d and scatter’d by ill Weather,
their Voyage prov’d in vain.
Not long after _Grave Maurice_ sent some Ships under _Lichtharts_
Command to Cruise before the River _Januarius_, and others for the same
purpose to _Angola_; but he effected little, for he onely took two
Ships, one whereof being laden with Wine, was sold for 9400 l. _Sterl._
The news of the _Portuguese_ Crowning the Duke of _Bragancia_, and
casting off the _Castilian_ Yoke, which very much chang’d the face of
Affairs in _Brasile_, was about this time brought over by the Jesuit
_Francisco Vilhent_, and the Under-Field-Marshal _Peter Corera de Gama_,
who were by _Bragancia_ sent to St. _Salvador_, not onely to bring the
tidings of the _Portugueses_ Revolt, but also to take the Oath of
Allegiance from _Montalvan_ to the new King, which he made no scruple
of; so that from thenceforth all but the _Castilian_ and _Neopolitan_
Soldiers, cast off their Obedience to the Crown of _Spain_. Whereupon
_Montalvan_ desir’d _Grave Maurice_ to allow a Cessation of Arms, till
such time as they might both receive information what _Tristan Mendoza_,
in the new King of _Portugal_’s Name, had Treated with the _States_ of
the _United Netherlands_ about; and to make the Request seem the fairer,
several _Dutch_ Prisoners were set at liberty, and the Companies with
which _Paulo Acunhas_ was marching to _Pernambuco_, were call’d back.
[Sidenote: _Grave Maurice_ desir’d by the _States_ and _West-India_
Company to continue in his Government of _Brasile_.]
_Grave Maurice_ desiring in his Letters to be releas’d from his
Employment in _Brasile_, receiv’d for Answer from the _States_, “That it
would be very disadvantageous for the _States_ for him to come home, now
he throughly understood the Intreagues of the _New World_, in which he
might do much good, especially since the _Portuguese_ being revolted,
would in all probability assist them in destroying the King of
_Castile_’s Forces; therefore it was now the most proper time to prepare
for Action.”
To this Request of the _States_ was added that of the _West-India_
Company, who also sent earnest Letters to the same purpose; which made
_Maurice_ defer his Return, and prepare himself for some grand
Undertaking: And first he joyn’d the Province of _Seregippe Del Rey_ to
the _Netherland Brasile_, built a Fort and Armory in the same, and built
a Wall about the Town; which Work was the more follow’d, because
_Seregippe_, which border’d upon the Province of _Todos los Sanctos_,
fed abundance of Cattel, and gave great hopes of Silver-Mines.
[Sidenote: _Loando_ taken by _Houte-been_.]
_Grave Maurice_ likewise observing what great Profit proceeded from the
_Angolan Negro_’s, and that the _Spanish_ Sugar-Mills could not work
without them, undertook to ingross that Trade wholly into the
_West-India_ Companies hands; to which purpose _Loando St. Paulo_ being
judg’d a fit Place for a Factory, _Houte-been_ was sent thither with
twenty Ships, Mann’d with nine hundred Seamen, two thousand
Land-Soldiers, and two hundred _Brasilians_: the Land-Men were Commanded
by _Hinderson_, who arriving with the Fleet on the twenty fourth of
_August_ 1640. before _Loando St. Paulo_, ran in between the Enemy’s
Castles, St. _Crux_, _Bento_, _Sibylla_, _Vincent_, _Velho_, and against
five Batteries along the Water side, all full of Guns, and fir’d so
vehemently upon the Enemy, that being forc’d to leave his Works, he made
room for _Hinderson_ to Land; who immediately march’d to the Town, which
_Peter Cæsar Meneses_ defended with nine hundred _Portugueses_, and some
thousands of _Negro_’s, who stood the first Onset; but _Hinderson_
falling upon them again, so affrighted them, that they fled; which
_Meneses_ perceiving, soon follow’d, and left him Master of the City, in
which he found onely a few drunken Soldiers, decrepid old People, twenty
nine Brass Guns, besides several Iron ones, and great plenty of
Provisions and Ammunition. Mean while _Houte-been_ took thirty Ships
hal’d near the Shore.
[Sidenote: Description of the City.]
This City is built on a Hill, and hath several fair Buildings and
Cloysters, amongst which the _Jesuits_ and _Capuchins_ are the best.
Along the Sea-shore at the foot of the Mountain, stands also a long Row
of Houses, near which _Hinderson_ immediately cast up Bulwarks against
any Assault, and likewise two Sconces, the biggest whereof is on the
utmost Point of _Loando_ near the Fort _Sibylla_.
[Sidenote: _Meneses_ in vain Expostulates.]
Twelve companies being left here in Garrison, quite contrary to
_Meneses_ his expectation, who thinking that the _Netherlanders_ came
onely for Booty, and not to take or keep the City by force of Arms, made
his Complaints therefore by Letters to _Houte-been_, alledging, That
there was Peace made between the King of _Portugal_ and the _United
Netherlands_, and that the former Acts of Hostility were chang’d to
friendly Correspondencies. But _Houte-been_ answer’d, “That he knew not
of any such Agreement between _Portugal_ and the _Netherlands_; and if
he had known it, how should he be sure whether _Meneses_ held with the
_Castilians_ or _Portugueses_? If _Meneses_ knew of this Agreement, and
was of the _Portuguese_ Party, why did he receive those as Enemies, whom
he must acknowledge as Friends? His Complaints were now too late, since
the _Hollanders_ had obtain’d the Victory with the loss of their Blood.”
_Meneses_ therefore seeing no hopes to regain _Loando_, either by
Complaints or Force, desir’d eight days Cessation of Arms, that in that
time he might fit himself to go from thence to another Place; which the
_Netherlanders_ in Garrison would not hearken to, but commanded him to
march away immediately sixteen Leagues from _Loando_.
[Sidenote: Great Profit of the _Negro_-Trade.]
Mean while the _Angolan_ Princes joyning with the _Netherlanders_ fell
upon the _Portuguese_ where-e’re they met them. Moreover, several
Citizens return’d to _Loando_, and proffer’d half their _Negro_’s, if
they might but have liberty to be Transported to St. _Salvador_ with the
other half; but it was judg’d more convenient to keep them, and by fair
means also to invite the rest, because it appear’d by the _Angolan_
Accounts, that the profit of the _Negro_-Trade amounted yearly to sixty
six Tuns of Gold, the Charges of the Garrison, and fitting out of the
Ships being deducted from it. The _Spanish_ King had yearly above
fifteen thousand _Negro_’s from hence to employ in his _American_ Mines.
[Sidenote: The _Isle_ of St. _Thomas_ taken by _Houte-been_.]
[Sidenote: Great Mortality among the _Dutch_ on the Island _St. Thomas_,
by reason of the unwholsomness of the Place.]
_Houte-been_ Sailing over from _Loando_ to the Isle of St. _Thomas_,
Landed some of his Men over against the Sugar-Mills of St. _Juna_, and
ran with his Fleet to an Anchor near a square Castle, with intention to
use no Hostility, unless provok’d; which the _Portuguese_ did by firing
their Guns, and were answer’d by _Houte-been_, one of whose Ships call’d
the _Enchuisen_ was blown up; those that Landed also met with some
resistance from divers _Negro_’s; yet at last they gain’d the Fort, in
which they found six Guns, and soon after march’d into the Town
_Pavaosa_, where the Inhabitants had left nothing but empty Houses; the
great Castle they were forc’d to let alone, because the Scaling-Ladders
would not reach to the top of the Walls, which were twenty eight foot
high: But _Houte-been_ coming ashore, rais’d a Battery behind the
Church, from whence he fir’d with six Demi-Cannons, and threw sixty five
Granado’s amongst the Besieged, twenty whereof burst with such violence,
that all things about them were beaten to pieces; and those in Garrison
march’d out, notwithstanding they might easily have endur’d a long
Siege, having twenty Brass, and sixteen Iron Guns, besides all manner of
Ammunition. _Houte-been_ thus become Master of all things on the Island
of St. _Thomas_, sent for the fled _Portugueses_ into the City on
reasonable Proffers, embrac’d by many of the Inhabitants and _Negro_’s.
But whilest _Houte-been_ put all things in good order here, the Countrey
Disease began to rage amongst the Seamen, for those who but a little
before climb’d up the Walls couragiously, grew faint, and fell down in a
Swoon; those who fought valiantly against their Enemies, were now put
into their Graves; in short, of a thousand Men, a hundred were scarce
left in health, the rest being departed, or lying Bedrid: the unwholsom
Air without any difference infected both great and small; for the
Commanders _Mastmaker_, _Valett_, _Dammert_, _Claudius_, _Teer_, _Tack_,
and the chief in this Expedition, _Houte-been_, were all taken off, and
Interr’d in the chief Church of _Pavoasa_, after the finishing of so
much bloody Work. Most complain’d of intolerable Head-ache, even to
Distraction, others also of horrible Gripings; and all those who were
afflicted either of these two ways, most certainly dy’d in four days
time. The occasion of this deadly Distemper was by divers, according to
their different Judgments, imputed to several Accidents; but doubtless
it was chiefly to be ascrib’d to the poysonous Damps or Fogs, which
often rise in this Island, at which times every one us’d to keep close
in their Huts or Houses; which the _Netherlanders_ being ignorant of,
neglected.
[Sidenote: The first Colony sent thither by _John_ the Third, King of
_Portugal_.]
The _Portuguese_ that dwelt on this Island inform’d the _Netherlanders_,
that few liv’d above fifty years there, yet notwithstanding the great
Gain tempted them to tarry, several of them having two or three hundred
_Negro_’s that work’d in the Sugar-Mills; that _John_ the Third, King of
_Portugal_, sent a Colony thither above two hundred years before, whom
though the unwholsom Air destroy’d, yet the Place was not left desolate;
for he sent new Inhabitants, who first Setled in _Guinee_, next in
_Angola_, and lastly on the Island St. _Thomas_, that so they might be
the better us’d to the Air; that the said King sold all those _Jews_ for
Slaves that refus’d to embrace the _Roman_ Religion, and caus’d their
Children to be Baptiz’d, from whom (coming thither in great numbers)
most of the present Inhabitants were descended.
Twice a year, _viz._ in _March_ and _September_, the Sun is in the
_Zenith_ here, being right perpendicular, and by that means makes no
Shadow at Noon; but the Heat is somewhat mollifi’d in these two Moneths
by the Rains which fall, and in the Summer by a West, or South Wind; for
there never blow neither East nor Northerly Winds.
[Sidenote: The Description of the Island.]
The white People that dwell here have commonly a Feaver every eighth
day; first they grow chill, next cold, and at last very hot, which lasts
onely two hours. They commonly Let Blood four times a year to prevent
this Distemper. The _Negro_’s generally attain to a great Age, many
times to above a hundred years. The Island bears the Name of St.
_Thomas_ from the Saint on whose Day the _Portuguese_ discover’d the
same. From the middle of it rises a Hill, overgrown with Trees, and
cover’d on the top with Snow, which dropping down into certain Brooks,
runs through the Woods, and moistens the Cane-Fields. The Ground it self
is tough, and Ash-colour’d; in it breed blue Crabs like Moles, which
hurt all manner of Roots and Plants. The City of _Pavaosa_ is the
Metropolis of the Island, and a Bishop’s See; it lies near a clear and
pleasant Brook, and is flank’d on one side with Hills, fruitful in the
production of Sugar-Canes, but partakes of the unwholsom Air of the
Island, which therefore can scarce be defended by _Netherlanders_,
because they being unaccustom’d to the Climate, generally die: Wherefore
_Grave Maurice_ advis’d the _States_ to people this Place with
Malefactors, who might either live here to the Publick good, or die with
less Disgrace than in a Prison.
[Sidenote: The City _St. Lodowick_ taken by _Coin_.]
Towards the latter end of the Year 1641. _Lichthart_ and _Coin_ weigh’d
Anchor with eight great, and six lesser Ships, and Sail’d to the Island
of _Maragnon_; where _Coin_ Landing near the City St. _Lodowick_,
march’d immediately to the Fort, wash’d on both sides with one River,
which there divides it self into two Branches: the Governor of it being
too weak to hold out a Storming, sent two eminent Persons to _Coin_,
with Proffers that they would surrender on reasonable Articles:
whereupon _Coin_ granted them their Lives, and free possession of their
Goods, and gave leave to the Soldiers to stay in the City _St.
Lodowick_, provided they had no Arms, till Orders came from _Grave
Maurice_ and his Council at _Reciffa_. The _Hollanders_ entring the Fort
found fifty five great Guns, abundance of all manner of Provisions, and
left six hundred Men in Garrison. But the new King of _Portugal_
complain’d by his Agent _Mendoza_ to the _States_ of the _United
Netherlands_, concerning the Transactions of the _West-India_ Company,
who had taken the _Loando_, and the Isles St. _Thomas_ and _Maragnan_,
from him. But he was answer’d, That those Places were taken either
before the ten years Peace was concluded with the _Portuguese_, or
before the King approv’d of it, or at least before it was publish’d.
_Grave Maurice_ finding that he could not prevail by fair means with the
_Portuguese_ in _Brasile_, sought to do something by force of Arms,
because the welfare of the _West-India_ Company depended solely upon the
fortune of War; his Design lay towards the South Sea, whither the Ships
might the easier Sail from _Brasile_ through the _Straights_ of
_Magellan_ or _Le Maire_, because in the Summer there blow for the most
part Northern Winds along the Coast of _America_. There were likewise
many good Conveniences in the Southern Ocean, not onely to surprize the
rich _Manilha_ Traders but also to meet with the _Peruvian_ Plate-Fleet;
besides which, Enquiries might be made with little Charges, if any Place
were fit to Settle on for Trade in the unknown South Land.
[Sidenote: A great Deluge in _Brasile_.]
This Year 1641. was not onely remarkable for the _Portugueses_ revolting
from the _Spaniards_, but also for a great Deluge, which did much hurt
in _Brasile_; for the Rains fell so exceeding hard without ceasing, that
the swoln Rivers every where overflow’d their Banks and Dams; the Plants
were either wash’d away, or were eaten up by little Worms, which bred as
soon as the Water began to fall. Besides this Plague, the Small-pox also
rag’d amongst the People, of which many dy’d, and others lay lingring a
great while. The Sugar-Mills likewise stood still for want of _Negro_’s,
which the Distemper had for the most part destroy’d, and the Sugar-Canes
rotted in the Ground.
[Sidenote: A Peace agreed on between the _States_ of _Holland_ and the
King of _Portugal_.]
Man while _Grave Maurice_ receiv’d news of the Agreement between the
King of _Portugal_ and the _States_ of the _United Netherlands_,
according to which every one was to keep what they had gotten by the
War; Trading was free for all; against all the Castles and Fortresses in
_America_, under the King of _Spain_’s Dominion, Hostility was to be
acted alike by both; the Countrey which lay between the utmost Borders
of the _Portuguese_ and _Netherlanders_, were to be divided, that each
might know their just Limits; all manner of Trade to the _Spanish
America_ was forbidden to both; each Owner was to remain in possession
of the Goods which he had on the Day when this ten years Peace was
proclaim’d.
[Sidenote: _Tolner_ gives the _West-India_ Company an Account of the
state of Affairs in _Brasile_.]
_Grave Maurice_ seeing he could not get the _States_ Consent to return
home, sent his Secretary _Tolner_ to _Holland_, to inform the
_West-India_ Company of the Condition of _Brasile_, and to request such
things as were wanting there: _Tolner_ accordingly arriving in
_Holland_, acquainted them with the Extent of their Dominions in
_Brasile_, which reach’d from _Maragnan_ to the River _Real_; with the
necessity of keeping the Soldiery undisbanded, in regard the
_Portuguese_ were ready to take all advantages, notwithstanding the
Articles of Agreement; with the discontent of their own Men, and their
readiness to mutiny upon the report that they were to be Disbanded; with
the great Inconveniences of altering the Government of the _West-India_
Company; with the number of Soldiers wherewith every Place belonging to
the Company was at that present furnish’d, which amounted in all to near
five thousand Men; and with the impossibility of keeping those Places,
unless a speedy Supply of Men and Provisions were sent.
_Grave Maurice_ receiv’d a Letter from _Mascarenhas_, wherein he made
great complaint of the _Netherlanders_ Actions on _Loando_, St.
_Thomas_, and _Maragnan_, during the time of the Treaty, and us’d many
Arguments for the delivering back of the Places then taken; but
_Maurice_ took little notice of the said Letter, being busie about
setling all Affairs in this quiet Juncture of time: He freed all new
Planters from the paying of Tenths for seven years, sold several Fields
to be Cultivated, repair’d all decay’d Forts, kept the _Catholicks_ in
strict awe, ordain’d good Orders for Schools, Alms-houses, and payment
of Money, and gave particularly Liberty to the _Portuguese_ both in
Spiritual and Temporal Affairs.
[Sidenote: The Fort _Calvaria_ taken by the _Maragnans_ and others.]
In the mean time sad news was brought, _viz._ That the _Maragnans_,
assisted by the _Portugueses_ and _Brasilians_, had taken the Fort of
_Calvaria_ near the River _Tapicuru_, destroy’d all those that were in
Garrison, and Storm’d the City _Lodowick_: Whereupon _Hinderson_ was
dispatch’d thither immediately with three hundred _Netherlanders_, and
two hundred _Brasilians_ from _Siara_; which the Enemy hearing, though
there were seven hundred _Portugueses_, and three thousand _Brasilians_,
left the Island _Maragnan_, and went over to the Main Continent.
The occasion of this Plot was imputed to the fault of the sottish
Governor of St. _Lodowick_, and his Secretary _William Negenton_, who by
their Folly and Misgovernment provok’d the Natives to Rebellion.
[Sidenote: _Grave Maurice_ his Design upon _Buenos Aires_ diverted by
_Pirez_ his taking of _Pavaosa_.]
In the interim _Grave Maurice_ had a Design upon the City _Buenos Aires_
in the Southern parts of _Brasile_, near the River _La Plata_, where a
Way leads by Land to _Peru_; and whither the Silver and _Negro_’s were
often brought, especially when any Ships were suspected to block up the
Channel of _Panama_.
Whilest _Maurice_ was preparing for this Expedition, news was brought
that two Ships had Landed their Men on the Island St. _Thomas_, under
the Command of _Laurence Pirez_, who had driven the _Netherland_
Garrison out of _Pavaosa_, and Besieg’d the Fort, out of which many for
want of Water ran to the Enemy; and it was fear’d that the same
Misfortune would suddenly befall the City _Loando_ and _Seregippe del
Rey_; which prevented _Henrick Borer_’s Expedition to _Chili_, and
_Lichthart_’s to _Buenos Aires_, and so alarm’d _Grave Maurice_, that he
thought it expedient to give speedy notice thereof, to warn the
_Netherlanders_ on _Angola_, that they should keep strict Watches, and
beware of the treacherous _Portuguese_, who affirm’d, That it was lawful
for them during the ten years Peace, to re-take those Places which had
been taken from them during the Treaty of Peace in the _Hague_.
[Sidenote: Description of the _Palmares_.]
These Proceedings forc’d _Grave Maurice_ to Disarm most of them; and
because the _Negro_’s did much mischief from the _Palmares_, especially
to the Husbandmen in the _Alagoas_, _Maurice_ gave order to destroy
their Habitations. The _Palmares_ were two Villages, built along the
River _Gungohuby_ under close Woods, six Leagues Northwardly from
_Parayba_: The Inhabitants of them, being then about six thousand in
number, were most of them fled _Negro_’s, who gathering together in a
Head, destroy’d all the Countrey thereabouts: They dwelt in Huts of
Boughs and Straw interwoven; behind which were Gardens and Orchards of
Palm-Trees, and conform’d to the Religion and Government of the
_Portuguese_.
[Sidenote: _Grave Maurice_ countersollicited by Agents from the king of
_Congo_ and Duke of _Sonho_.]
Whilest three hundred Musquetteers, a hundred _Mameluks_, and seven
hundred _Brasilians_ were fitting to go to the _Palmares_, there arriv’d
_Agents_ at _Reciffa_ from the King of _Congo_, who brought as a Present
to _Grave Maurice_, two hundred _Negro_’s, a Golden Collar and Pot,
besides many _Negro_’s for the _West-India_ Company. These Agents
desir’d Aid against the Duke of _Sonho_, who treacherously Plotted to
drive the King out of _Congo_; which Plot was discover’d by scatter’d
Letters, Sign’d by the Governors and Bishop at _Loando_, a little before
_Loando_ was taken by the _Hollanders_. _Maurice_ courteously
Entertaining the Agents, proffer’d himself to be a Mediator to decide
the Difference, and gave them a long Velvet Coat Lac’d with Gold and
Silver Lace, a Silk Coat and Scarf, and a Beaver Hat with a Golden
Edging.
Not long after there came Agents from _Sonho_, to beseech _Grave
Maurice_ that he would not assist the King of _Congo_; one of whom went
to the _Hague_, and was follow’d by two from the King of _Congo_, who
open’d their Letters before the Prince of _Orange_.
[Sidenote: The Agents from _Congo_, what kind of Men.]