having grim Countenances; they Danc’d after a strange manner; and
showing the Picture of their King sitting in great State, acted the
Postures in which his Nobles and other Subjects shew’d him Reverence:
their Strength was such, that they were able with ease to carry each of
them two hundred thirty five Pound weight: their Ornamentals consisted
of _Elephants_ Tails.
[Sidenote: _Meneses_ surpris’d by _Niewland_ after they were come to
terms of Agreement.]
[Sidenote: _Alvares de la Benho_ his Complaint to _Grave Maurice_ of his
Country-men.]
In _Loando_ the Governor for the _Dutch_, nam’d _Cornelis Niewland_, and
the _Portuguese_ Governor _Peter Cæsar de Meneses_, came to this
Agreement, That since the ten years Peace was concluded on between the
_Portuguese_ and _Netherlanders_, _Meneses_ should possess the Countrey
wash’d by the River _Bengo_, and call in the ancient Natives to live and
Trade as formerly; all which was faithfully perform’d: nay, _Meneses_
furnish’d _Niewland_ with as much Meal as he requir’d, towards the
maintaining of a thousand _Negro_’s, whom he had bought; and the
_Hollanders_ and _Portugueses_ began now to be every day more and more
friendly and familiar with each other, when on a sudden _Niewland_ not
onely remembring what was done lately on the Islands _Maragnan_ and St.
_Thomas_, but also stirr’d up by other later Actions, which gave him
occasion of jealousie, sent two hundred Musquetteers in the Night from
_Loando_, to take the Governor _Meneses_, with some others, who he
fear’d might make an Insurrection. The Soldiers accordingly about
Day-break fell unawares upon the sleeping _Portugueses_, kill’d forty of
them, and carry’d _Meneses_ and many other Persons of Quality away
Prisoners, together with a Booty valu’d at above ten thousand _Ducats_,
and sent a hundred and sixty _Portugueses_ in an old leaky Vessel to St.
_Salvador_; but they being toss’d to and again at Sea for a considerable
time, eight of them dy’d, the rest almost starv’d, Landed on
_Pernambuco_; where _Simon Alvares de la Benho_ being amaz’d to see his
Countrey-men thus hardly dealt with, complain’d of _Niewland_, _Mols_,
and _Cross_, who were the chief of _Loando_, that they had broke the
Laws, and the sworn Articles of Peace; urging that it would be very
unjust that the poor _Portugueses_ should not have Satisfaction for the
Wrong which they had sustain’d, as also for the loss of their Goods. To
which _Grave Maurice_ answer’d, “That _Loando_ belong’d to the
_West-India_ Company, and that for his part he had nothing to do with
that City, but that if the _States_ were acquainted therewith, they
would without doubt be highly concern’d at it.”
_Christopher Santches_, a free _Negro_, gave information of the sad
Condition of the Island St. _Thomas_, _viz._ That the greatest part of
the _Hollanders_ that had been left upon that Island being dead, _Pirez_
hereupon with the King’s Consent fitted out two Ships, and setting Sail
from _Lisbon_ about the beginning of _July_ 1642. first refus’d to pay
the usual Custom at the Island St. _Thomas_, afterwards fell upon the
_Hollanders_, whom he Besieg’d in the Castle, and against the Law of
Arms poyson’d all the Waters.
To prevent the future Inconveniences that were likely to arise from a
Famine which about this time afflicted the whole Countrey of _Brasile,
Grave Maurice_ judg’d it convenient to sell the Lands in the _Alagoas_
to new Planters; to which purpose _Henrick Moucheron_ was chosen
Overseer, to take care that all the Fields about _Porto Calvo_, and
along the River _Francisco_, as also in the _Alagoas_, should be Sow’n
with Bread-Corn.
[Sidenote: _Grave Maurice_ takes his leave of the several Governors in
_Brasile_.]
_Grave Maurice_ obtaining leave at last to go home, took Leave by
Letters of the Governors of _Serinhain_, _Porto Calvo_, _Iguarazua_,
_Itamaraca_, _Parayba_, _Rio Grande_, and in Person of the Council at
_Reciffa_, who all thank’d him for his prudent Government, manifesting
their hearty sorrow for his departure, _Which without doubt would
produce many Inconveniences_. But though the Council of the _West-India_
Company had order’d him to return home about the beginning of _March_
1643. yet he went not so soon, because he was to reduce the number of
_Militia_ to eighteen Companies, and also to settle the Revenues, and
dispose of Offices, in which he found much trouble; wherefore before his
departure he wrote to the _States_ of the _United Netherlands_, assuring
them how impossible it was to defend _Brasile_, which extended some
hundreds of Leagues, with so small a number of Men, since the
_Portuguese_ cover’d inward malice under a feigned shew of kindness, and
at the same time watch’d all opportunities to drive the _Netherlanders_
from their Plantations, being very much exasperated by the priviledge of
Religion granted to the _Jews_, whilest their Monks and Jesuits were
banish’d. Moreover, in regard they ow’d the _West-India_ Company above
fifty nine Tuns of Gold, they sought to cancel that Obligation, by
making themselves Masters of whatsoever their Creditors had in
_Brasile_, so that there was no way but to keep them under by force of
Arms.
[Sidenote: He leaves the Government and returns home.]
After _Grave Maurice_ had sent this Letter to _Holland_, he left the
Government of _Brasile_ to the chief Council, the _Militia_ to _Henrick
Hoes_, Captain of his Life-guard, with Directions for Governing after
his departure. Having setled all things in good order, he went from
_Maurice-stadt_ through _Paratibi_ and _Iguarazu_ to _Parayba_; where
_Janduy_ sent him three of his Sons, with twenty _Tapuyans_, desiring
him not to go away; two of them with several _Carapates_ and
_Waypebarans_, (a People who made themselves Masters of the great
_Palmares_) and five other _Brasilians_ went aboard with him on the
twentieth of _May_ 1644.
The Fleet, consisting of thirteen Ships, and Mann’d with fourteen
hundred Men of all sorts, was laden with so many Merchandizes as were
valu’d at twenty six Tuns of Gold; with which _Grave Maurice_ arriving
at the _Texel_, Landed at the _Helder_, and gave an Account of his
Government in _Brasile_, and of the then present state of that part of
it which belong’d to the _West-India_ Company.
[Sidenote: Ill management of Affairs after _Maurice_ his departure.]
[Sidenote: _Viera_’s Treachery.]
After _Grave Maurice_’s departure, _Hamel_, _Bassi_, and _Bullestraet_,
bore the chief Command in _Brasile_: The Charges made by the War were
mitigated, and the number of the Soldiers in Garrison reduc’d to sixteen
hundred; some Forts lay without a Man in them, whilest the King of
_Portugal_ watch’d for such an opportunity; for he seem’d to be as much
concern’d for that Countrey, as for his Kingdom of _Portugal_, and the
rather, because his Predecessor _Sebastian_ receiv’d above forty hundred
thousand _Ducats_ yearly out of the same, besides the Presents and other
Gains made by the _Portuguese_; wherefore he gave order to the Governor
of St. _Salvador_ to be very vigilant, and assur’d him, that in a short
time he would send him both Men and Provisions. A _Mulatto_ call’d _John
Fernandes Viera_, did not a little assist the _Portuguese_ in their
Design; for he having liv’d a considerable time in a Councellors House
in _Reciffa_, had narrowly observ’d all Passages, and insinuated himself
into several Statesmens Affairs, by Presenting them now and then with
some Rarities, insomuch that he came in time to Farm the Rents which the
_West-India_ Company receiv’d from the Sugar-Mills; but at length being
discontented because the Council would not make any abatement upon the
same, when he complain’d that he lost by Farming the fore-mention’d Tax,
he held private Correspondence with _Andreas Vidal_, that when a
convenient opportunity presented it self for the _Portuguese_ to fall on
the _Hollanders_, he might be assisting; to which end he had gotten
several Arms and Ammunition together.
In this Plot a _Jew_ nam’d _Moses Accoignes_, living in _Viera_’s House,
a League from _Reciffa_, to keep him from Arrests, was perswaded to
joyn, which he seemingly promis’d to do; but went away by Day-break, and
discover’d the Design to the Privy-Council, who being rock’d asleep by
the _Portugueses_ fair Pretences, gave no credit to the Relation.
[Sidenote: A Plot against the _Netherlanders_ to be carry’d on by a
Wedding.]
[Sidenote: The Plot discover’d by some of the Conspirators.]
For the better carrying on of this Design, _Cavalcantelca_,
Provost-Marshal in _Maurice-stadt_ made a great Wedding for his Daughter
in _Viera_’s House, to which the chiefest Persons of Quality, both of
the _Portuguese_, and also all the Privy-Councellors and Military
Officers belonging to the _West-India_ Company were invited: and the
Plot was so contriv’d, that whilest they were all at Dinner, the
_Portuguese_ were suddenly to fall upon the _Netherlanders_ and kill
them, both Servants and Masters; this done, some were to go to _Reciffa_
or _Maurice-stadt_, with news that the Wedding People were coming;
whereupon part were to press into the City, others to keep the Gates,
till all their Forces were come thither, which then might easily secure
and seize upon the Magazine: some Barques also under pretence of loading
Sugar, were in the mean time to set upon the Haven and Fort near the
Shore. All things were accordingly prepar’d for the Wedding, nothing
being wanting that could be purchas’d with Money, and near the Forts of
_Rio Grande_ and _Parayba_ were Stage-plays to be Acted in publick, it
being concluded that the Soldiers in Garrison would certainly be there
to see them; the Actors being privately Arm’d with Pistols and Ponyards.
And to oblige one another the more for the carrying on of this bloody
Design, _Viera_ had caus’d the chief Conspirators to take an Oath before
the high Altar. The twenty fourth of _June_ 1645. was the Day on which
this Tragedy was to be acted; but a few days before two _Portugueses_
and five _Jews_, who had been sworn Confederates, their Consciences
checking them for so villanous an Undertaking, made an ingenuous
Discovery of the Plot. The Councellor _Moucheron_ was also inform’d,
that the _Portuguese_ Colonel _Camaron_ and _Diez_ were coming with
great Forces from St. _Salvador_.
[Sidenote: _Viera_ flies into the Wood.]
The Council when they might easily have apprehended _Viera_, sent for
him by a _Jew_ call’d _Abraham Coing_, under pretence of Treating about
some Business concerning the _West-India_ Company; he promis’d to come
in the Evening, but suspecting he was betray’d, fled into the Woods, and
gave speedy notice to all his Accomplices, who follow’d him in great
numbers. The Soldiers sent to search _Viera_’s House, found none but old
Men and Children.
The Councellor _Van Houten_ went immediately with seven Sugar-Vessels to
_Parayba_, fortifi’d the Forts _Margareta_, _Restringa_, and _Antonio_,
and made room for the _Brasilians_ that had remov’d thither from their
Villages, in the Houses deserted by the _Portuguese_ in
_Frederick-stadt_. On the other side, _Amador da Rouge_, one of the
Conspirators, went with a Company from _Poiouca_ through the Countrey,
kill’d seven _Dutch_ Seamen, with three _Jews_, and erected Gibbets, on
which he threatned to hang all those who did not take up Arms for the
King of _Portugal_. Colonel _Hous_ inform’d hereof march’d with five
hundred Men to _Poiuca_ to meet the _Portuguese_, who were scatter’d up
and down the neighboring Woods. He also publish’d an Edict, in which
every one was Licens’d to return to their Habitations, with promise of
pardon for their Rebellion, if they would take the Oath of Allegiance
anew, onely _Viera_, _Cavalcantelca_, and _Da Rouge_, were excluded, and
nine thousand _Guilders_ promis’d to those that brought them dead or
alive, which made two hundred Inhabitants in _Reciffa_ march into the
Countrey under the Command of Captain _Blar_, to find the fore-mention’d
Traitors; and at last joyning with _Hous_, they pursu’d the fled
_Portuguese_.
[Sidenote: _Hoogenstraet_ sent to Treat with _Antonio Silva_, is
privately tempted by him to deliver up the Fort _St.
Augustine_.]
In the mean time the Council sent the Captains _Vander Voort_ and
_Hoogenstraet_, to _Antonio Silva_, Governor of St. _Salvador_, to
acquaint him with the treacherous Insurrection of the _Portuguese_, and
of _Camaron_ and _Diez_ coming from St. _Salvador_ to their assistance,
urging, that these treacherous Proceedings and breach of Oath, could not
but redound to the dishonor of the Crown of _Portugal_. Whereto _Silva_
answer’d, “That _Camaron_ and _Diez_ were not under any Obligation of
Oath, but that he would check the Insurrection in _Pernambuco_, and take
care that the Authors thereof should make Satisfaction to the
_West-India_ Company.” Notwithstanding which fair Pretences, he so
wrought with _Hoogenstraet_, that after a private Conference between
them it was agreed, that for a certain sum of Money he should surrender
him the Promontory of St. _Augustine_, of which he was Governor; but at
his Return to _Reciffa_ being made chief Commander of the Castle there,
and being jealous what might follow his private Treating with _Silva_,
he declar’d to the Council, that _Silva_ had desir’d him to surrender
the Fort St. _Augustine_, which he had granted, for no other end, but to
catch the false _Portuguese_ in their own Nets, and to trapan all such
as should be sent to take possession of it; and that if the Council had
any suspicion of him, they might make use of his Service in some other
place.
About this time a hundred and fifty _Tapuyans_, led by a _German_
Soldier call _Jacob Rabbi_, Sallying out of their Woods, fell upon the
great Village _Conyahou_, under the Jurisdiction of _Rio Grande_, broke
into the Church, murder’d all the _Portuguese_, and eating their raw
Flesh, demolish’d the Place.
_Hous_ also unfortunately Storm’d the Mountain _Santantan_, where the
Enemy lay Intrench’d, being forc’d to Retreat with the loss of above a
hundred Men, amongst whom was Captain _Lo_.
[Sidenote: _Grave Maurice_ his stately Palace demolish’d.]
The Privy Council caus’d a part of _Maurice-stadt_ to be pull’d down, as
also the stately Palace _Freyburgh_, for which the _Jews_ proffer’d
_Grave Maurice_ 6000 _l._ together with the stately Garden, which were
thought to exceed the famous Gardens in _Thessalia_; but on the other
side they kept Men at work Night and Day in repairing the decay’d Castle
at _Reciffa_.
[Sidenote: _Bonavides_ appears with a great Fleet before _Reciffa_, but
pretends Friendship.]
About the same time the Admiral _Salvador Correo de Bonavides_, brought
thirty four great Sail of Ships to an Anchor before _Reciffa_, the
Gallion which he Commanded carrying sixty Brass Guns. The Admiral
_Lichthart_ ran to meet him with five Vessels, and sent him word, that
if he fell down to Leeward, since he was got to the Windward, he should
soon find, that five Ships durst Engage with a Fleet six times as
strong. Whereupon _Bonavides_ sent two Messengers to _Lichthart_ to tell
him, that he came as a Friend to damp the _Portuguese_ Insurrection in
_Pernambuco_; to which purpose he had already Landed some Companies at
_Tamandera_. _Lichthart_ sending the two Messengers to the Council at
_Reciffa_, they sent two of their own Members to _Bonavides_, desiring
to know of him what call’d him thither with so great a Fleet, and
without giving the least notice, contrary to the concluded Peace of ten
years?
[Illustration: SERINHAIM.]
[Illustration:
_The Names of the Ships both of the_ Dutch _and_ Portuguese _Fleet_.
_A._ The _Portuguese_ Admiral.
_B._ Their Vice-Admiral.
_C._ The rest of their Ships.
_D._ Three of their Barques.
_E._ Three Carvels, which lay to watch in the Bay.
_F._ The Enemy’s Battery.
_G._ The _Utrecht_, being the _Dutch_ Admiral.
_H._ The _Ter Veer_.
_I._ The _Zealand_ Vice-Admiral.
_K._ The _Over-Ysel_.
_L._ _Salt-Land_ Pink.
_M._ The _Golden Deer_ Frigat.
_N O._ The _Leyden_ Pink, and _Unicorn_ Frigat.
_P Q._ A Dogger and three _Netherland_ Barques.
]
Whilest the two Commissioners went with the fore-mention’d Orders to the
_Portuguese_ Fleet, a _Netherland_ Vessel endeavor’d, notwithstanding
the Wind was contrary, to get out to _Lichthart_’s assistance; which
_Bonavides_ observing, stood away Northerly before the Wind: but
_Lichthart_ overtook a Ketch belonging to the _Portuguese_ Fleet.
[Sidenote: _Serinhain_ taken by _Vidal_ and others.]
Mean while the _Portuguese_ upon Land being two thousand strong, under
the Command of _Vidal_, _Diez_, _Camaron_, and _Acoignes_, Storm’d the
Fort _Serinhain_, where the _French_ Captain _Montagne_ could make but
little resistance, not having above forty Men, and being unprovided of
Ammunition and Provision; yet he resisted nine days, and at last got two
Barques to convey him to _Reciffa_.
Soon after this the _Portuguese_ Fleet falling out amongst themselves,
_Bonavides_ Steer’d back for _Lisbon_ with a few Ships, the rest coming
to an Anchor again near _Reciffa_; where the Seamen whom _Lichthart_ had
taken inform’d him, that their Fleet came the first time to _Reciffa_
for no other end, but to stir up the _Portuguese_ by their Presence to
take up Arms, according to a private Contract, having to that purpose
Landed twelve hundred Men at _Tamandera_, besides the Army led by
_Camaron_ and _Diez_ from St. _Salvador_ to _Pernambuco_.
Colonel _Hous_ about this time being sent for back to _Reciffa_, and
staying with five hundred Men for Captain _Blaek_’s coming, who was sent
to fetch all the _Portuguese_ Women within three Leagues about
_Reciffa_, was set upon in the Night by _Vidal_ with two thousand
_Portugueses_; the _Brasilians_, who were above half his Forces, flying
into the Woods, leaving onely two hundred _Netherlanders_ to fight with
_Vidal_, by whom being so much over-power’d, they were forc’d to submit
to his mercy, and suffer themselves to be all carry’d Prisoners to St.
_Salvador_.
By this time at _Reciffa_ all things were in a confusion, the Pits
digg’d about _Maurice-stadt_ afforded nothing but brackish Water, which
occasion’d Sickness.
[Sidenote: The Fort St. _Augustine_ treacherously surrendered by
_Hoogenstraet_ to the _Portuguese_.]
_Vidal_ encourag’d by his Victory, march’d to St. _Augustine_, where
without doubt he had stopt, if _Hoogenstraet_, who had the chief Command
of the Fort, had not been Disloyal; for this Traitor thought it not
enough to surrender this invincible Fort to the Enemy, but also bereav’d
_Reciffa_ of Provisions and Ammunition, which he did very subtilly,
sending earnestly thither for Souldiers, Bullets, Powder and Shot, in
lieu whereof he sent thither two Barques full of old Men, Women and
Children, that so he might deprive _Reciffa_ of stout Men, and supply
their room with unable People. For this treacherous and villanous Act
the _Portuguese_ were to give him 1800 _l._ and make him a Colonel:
Moreover, all the Soldiers in Garrison, consisting of three hundred Men,
receiv’d 3 _l._ a Man, and were sent to joyn with a Regiment of six
hundred and fifty Men, over which _Hoogenstraet_ was made chief
Commander.
[Sidenote: _Lichthart_ gains a noble Victory over the _Portuguese_
Fleet.]
The day before this eminent Castle was to be deliver’d up to the Enemy,
Admiral _Lichthart_ obtain’d a brave Victory at Sea; for the
_Portuguese_ Fleet (consisting of seventeen Sail, the rest being gone
with _Bonavides_ to _Portugal_) anchoring before _Tamandera_, were
valiantly set upon by _Lichthart_, who Engag’d with them on the ninth of
_September_ 1645. with the _Utrecht_, being the Admiral Ship, the
_Zealand_, _Ter Veer_, _Over-Ysel_, the Pinks _Salt-Land_ and _Leyden_,
a Dogger and three Barques. In the Hole of the Haven _Tamandera_ three
_Portuguese_ Carvels kept Watch, and near a Battery full of Guns lay
three Barques, and the other Ships a little farther nigh the Shore. The
Enemy at first shot very fiercely from the Battery, whilest the Ships
drove to the Shore, and the Men leaping overboard swam ashore, onely the
Admiral _Jeronymo Serao de Payva_ made some resistance, but at last
surrendred up his Ship, the _Netherlanders_ in their Barques killing
above seven hundred _Portugueses_ in the Water. _Lichthart_ burnt the
whole Fleet, except the Admiral and Vice-Admiral, which he carry’d to
_Reciffa_.
But this Victory was not comparable to the Loss which the _East-India_
Company sustain’d by the selling of the Promontory of St. _Augustine_,
and the taking of the Forts _Porto Calvo_ and _Rio Francisco_; to the
last whereof the Barques coming too late to carry the Soldiers off, they
were all made Prisoners by the _Portuguese_, as also the Planters, in
all to the number of five hundred.
[Sidenote: _Bouilloux_ put to Death by the Governor of _Parayba_.]
_Vidal_ marching to _Tamarica_, Storm’d _Schuppen-stadt_, but found such
resistance from _George Garstman_ (who supply’d the Prisoner _Hous_ his
Place) that he lost three hundred Men: After which he endeavor’d by
means of _Fernandes Bouilloux_, to purchase the Fort _Margareta_ for
1500 l. _Sterl._ of the Governor of _Parayba_, who immediately without
any farther Examination, caus’d _Bouilloux_ that proffer’d the Money to
be put to death.
A _Dutch_ Sergeant in _Olinda_ dealt very treacherously; for he sold the
Fort to a _Portuguese_ Ensign for 100 _l._ and also most basely betray’d
all his Soldiers Lives to the merciless Enemy.
[Sidenote: The distressed Condition of _Reciffa_.]
By these means _Reciffa_ was round about in jeopardy, as also within;
for the great Thirst of the Inhabitants under a scorching Climate,
augmented by the _Hollanders_ salt Meat, could not be quench’d with
brackish Water, for fresh was not to be had; Famine also increas’d
daily, insomuch that the Poor threatned to fall upon the Rich, which
made the Magistrates go Arm’d from House to House, to enquire what Store
every one had, which being writ down was carry’d away and put into the
Store-houses, where each receiv’d alike share, without respect of
Persons. Fewel also grew very scarce, which made many eat their Meat
raw, or half dress’d. In the interim every one that was able, was forc’d
to work at the Forts of _Reciffa_, which were beaten down by the Rains;
and the Soldiers continually alarm’d by the Enemy, were forc’d to be
Night and Day up in Arms. The People dy’d more and more daily, when two
Fly-Boats arriv’d there with Provisions, and News, that a Fleet was
coming to their assistance.
The Captains _Rhynbag_ and _Montagne_ went in the Night, each with a
Company, to fall upon the Enemy, who being two thousand five hundred
strong, drove them back, and pursu’d them within shot of the _Afogados_,
where forty _Portugueses_ were kill’d.
About the same time a _Terra Neuf_ Sailor, laden with the dry’d Fish
_Bocraillo_, came to _Reciffa_.
In _Parayba_ three hundred _Netherlanders_ Sallying out of the Forts,
fell so valiantly upon nine hundred _Portugueses_, that they forc’d them
to flye, not without a considerable loss. After which a Party of
_Brasilians_ surpris’d eighty _Portugueses_, as they were at _Mass_ in
_Andreas Diez de la Figuereda_’s Sugar-Mills, where they spar’d none but
_Figuereda_’s Daughter, whose Beauty so charm’d them, that they
comforted her mourning for her Father’s Death, and deliver’d her
undefil’d to the Governor of _Parayba_.
[Sidenote: The barbarous Cruelty of _Vidal_.]
_Vidal_ raging for madness because now and then some of his Prisoners
escap’d, caus’d several of them to be cruelly murder’d, tying some of
them Back to Back, and then cutting them in pieces; others he threw with
Stones ty’d about their Necks into the Rivers; others he ty’d by their
Privities, and hung them upon Trees; and also knock’d out the Brains of
others.
[Sidenote: The Soldiers at _Reciffa_ mutiny for want of Provision.]