to mutiny, crying, _They should be all starv’d_; and saying, _They had
better be slain in the Field fighting against the Enemy, than die of
Hunger in the City_. They also complain’d, _The Commissioners themselves
betray_ Brasile; and threatned by force to fetch the Provisions out of
the publick Stores, saying, _They had long enough endur’d Thirst and
Hunger_.
[Sidenote: A new Fleet sent by the _States_ to _Brasile_.]
[Sidenote: The _Dutch_ Fleet set out for _Brasile_.]
These Transactions in _Brasile_ were very ill resented in _Holland_, the
common People in the _Hague_ being ready to pull down the _Portuguese_
Ambassador’s House, in revenge of the Cruelties exercis’d upon the
_Netherlanders_ in _Brasile_, had they not been hindred by the Prudence
of Prince _Henrick_. The Ambassador pretending to be ignorant of the
fore-mention’d Passages, proffer’d to make what Satisfaction the
_West-India_ Company should require. But the _States_ not satisfi’d with
Excuses, when the Actions plainly manifested what their Intentions were,
Complain’d to the _French_ King of the unthankful and malicious Dealings
of the _Portuguese_ Crown; and meeting but with small Redress, they
prepar’d to right themselves by force of Arms, and to that end rais’d
several Regiments of Land-Soldiers, besides Seamen, to send to
_Brasile_. The Fleet design’d thither, consisting of twenty two Sail,
after it had been frozen up before _Flushing_ three Moneths, set Sail at
last in the beginning of _February_, Anno 1646. with the Lord
_Schonenburgh_, a Member of the _States_, the Councellor _Goch_, and
Treasurer _Beaumond_, Men very well experienc’d in Governing of
Countreys: To these were added the eminent Merchants of _Amsterdam_,
_Haeks_ and _Trovire_, to keep the _West-India_ Companies Accounts, and
_Le Heremiet_ for their Secretary. _Sigismond Schuppe_ bore the chief
Command over the _Militia_, and the Admiral _Bankert_ over the Fleet,
which suffer’d the greatest hardship imaginable; for being driven by
tempestuous Winds into the _Downs_, two of them driving from their
Anchors were cast away on the _Flats_. The Fleet getting out again, was
once more forc’d by a Storm to put in at the _Isle of Wight_; from
whence by reason of continual Gusts they could not stir in nine Weeks
time. During this tedious waiting for a fair Wind, the _Brasile_ Frigat,
valu’d at 20000 _l._ was split in pieces against a Rock of the Island,
and of three hundred Men thirty onely were sav’d. A Pink, which came in
two Moneths from _Reciffa_, brought also sad tydings to the Fleet,
_viz._ That the Town was in such a Condition, that without doubt the
Fleet would come too late to their assistance: whereupon they making the
more haste, endeavor’d, not without great trouble, to weigh Anchor
again, whilest the Wind rose higher and higher, and the Waves going very
hollow, drove the Ships down towards _Portland_ Coast, full of Rocks, to
which they were so near, that they saw a _Scotch_man split in pieces
against them; and had not the Wind come about, and abated of its fury,
the Fleet had undoubtedly perish’d. No sooner was this Danger past, but
another succeeded; for the Soldiers in the Admirals Ship complaining of
the small allowance they had of Cheese, Brandy, and Tobacco, had made
themselves Masters of the Store-room, and threatned to kill the Lords
_Goch_ and _Beaumond_; but they, assisted with Men from the other Ships,
who came in at the Cabbin Windows, so order’d the Mutineers, that they
ask’d forgiveness, which for many Reasons was granted, onely they were
distributed by seven in a Ship throughout the whole Fleet. After a great
Contest between _Goch_ and _Beaumond_ about carrying the Flag, which
could not be decided, _Goch_ was left by the rest of the Fleet, who
Steer’d another Course, and getting near the _Line_, lay becalm’d six
days; in which time he lost very many of his Men by a strange kind of
_Scorbute_ which rag’d amongst them; at last Sailing along the
Promontory of St. _Augustine_, he came to an Anchor before _Reciffa_,
which he found in the greatest Exigency imaginable, insomuch that it was
resolv’d upon, the next day to surrender the Place up to the
_Portuguese_, on promise of Quarter onely: which Resolution none oppos’d
more than the _Jews_; for the _Portuguese_ swore that they would burn
them alive, if ever they became Masters of _Reciffa_, which made them
resolve to die with the Sword in their Hands, and sell their Lives at a
dear rate. Six Weeks after _Gochs_ Arrival, the remaining part of the
Fleet, escaping many dreadful Storms, in which, besides the two that
were lost in the _Downs_, they lost five Ships and five hundred Men,
arriv’d also at _Reciffa_; where the Commissioners appointed Officers to
distribute to every one their certain allowance of Victuals. The prime
Councellor _Schonenburgh_ also decided the Difference between _Beaumond_
and _Goch_, as also between _Haeks_ and _Trovire_, about their Places in
the Assembly, _viz._ that they should sit above one another by Turns.
The old Governors, _Hamel_, _Bassi_, and _Bullestraet_, were blam’d by
every one for the decay of _Brasile_; and being sent to _Holland_, were
receiv’d with frowning Looks, and rail’d against in Pamphlets as
faithless Persons, who sought nothing but their own advantage, and were
threatned to be call’d to an Account. It was also laid to their charge,
that they had not given a true Account of the State and Condition of
_Brasile_; that the State was much more decay’d than they had made
known, by which means the present Power prov’d too weak to do any thing
to the Enemy.
[Sidenote: _Garstman_ Fin’d and Disgrac’d upon King _Dary_’s Complaint.]
Amongst other Misfortunes which befell the _West-India_ Company, the
Revolt of the _Tapuyans_ and other _Brasilians_ was not the least, which
hapned upon the occasion of _Garstman_’s putting to Death of _Jacob
Rabbi_, a _German_, and indeed their chief Ringleader in all Robberies
and Villanies; but _Dary_ their then King alledging that _Rabbi_ was
wrongfully Executed by _Garstman_, and that his Tryal belong’d to him as
King, prosecuted _Garstman_ so vigorously, that he and his Ensign _Jacob
Boulan_, his Accessory in the Fact, had their Goods and Salary
confiscated, and they themselves were sent home in disgrace.
[Sidenote: The _Portuguese_ Invitation prevails above the
_Netherlanders_.]
Mean while the Council seeing that there was not much good to be done by
force of Arms, endeavor’d by mild ways to invite the revolted
_Portugueses_, who were all promis’d Pardon for their Insurrection in an
Edict which was publish’d in all places, onely _Viera_, _Almado_, _De
Rouche_, _Antonio Calvantelca_, and _Hoogenstraet_, for whom great sums
of Money were offer’d, were excepted. The _Portuguese_ on the contrary
publish’d, That they would receive all those _Netherlanders_ into favor
that would come over to them, and pay the Debts which they ow’d to the
_West-India_ Company, and also Transport them whither they pleas’d.
These Promises, written in _English_, _Dutch_, _French_, and
_Portuguese_, and hung every where on the Boughs of Trees, and other
publick Places, operated much more than the Privy-Councils Edicts; for
in stead of one _Portuguese_ that came to them, several ran to the
_Portuguese_ from _Reciffa_, notwithstanding a strict Guard was kept to
prevent them, besides the great mortality amongst the Soldiers and
Inhabitants through several raging Distempers, and want of fresh
Provisions: Which general Calamity, it seems, very much cow’d the
Spirits of those that were left; for in a Sally meeting with five
hundred _Portugueses_, notwithstanding they were equal in number, yet
they made a shameful Retreat; yea, though _Schuppe_ came with eight
hundred Men to their assistance, yet he could not prevail with them to
face about either by fair means or foul, for with his own hand he
Ran-through an Ensign, Sergeant, and two Soldiers, who ran away first.
Yet notwithstanding this base and cowardly Retreat, it was resolv’d on
to set upon _Olinda_ and the Promontory St. _Augustine_; and at the same
time _Hinderson_ was sent to make himself Master of _Rio Francisco_ with
fifteen hundred Men, and to harrase all the Countrey thereabouts with
Fire and Sword, that so he might force the _Portuguese_ to leave
_Reciffa_.
[Sidenote: Revolt of the _Tapuyans_.]
Though _John Dary_, King of the _Tapuyans_, seem’d well enough contented
with the punishment of _Garstman_, yet a great Party of his Subjects
were not satisfi’d, but went and joyn’d with the _Portuguese_, because
_Garstman_ had not been deliver’d to them in _Siara_, where they kill’d
all the _Netherlanders_ they could meet with, and sent Presents to their
King _Dary_, if possible, to oblige him to joyn with the _Portuguese_:
But he reply’d, _That he had more reason to punish them for their ill
usage of the Inhabitants in_ Siara, _than to have any thing to do with
the_ Portuguese.
The Council inform’d hereof, sent the Interpreter _Ralph Baron_, who had
a long time Convers’d with the _Tapuyans_, with a Present of Axes,
Knives, Looking-glasses, Shirts, Combs, and the like Trifles, to King
_Dary_, desiring him to continue his former kindness towards the
_Hollanders_; which _Dary_ promis’d, provided he might receive
Assistance from _Reciffa_ against those whom he had made his Enemies for
the _Netherlanders_ sake; which _Baron_ promis’d should be done as soon
as the fresh Forces which were daily expected from the _Texel_, _Maes_,
and _Zealand_, came to _Brasile_.
[Sidenote: The Fort of _Rio Grande_ taken by _Hinderson_.]
[Sidenote: Capt. _Montagne_ overpower’d by the Enemy, and slain.]
_Hinderson_ Landing at _Rio Grande_, took the Fort without firing a Gun,
the _Portuguese_ at his first coming flying into the Woods. He found
here abundance of Cattel; for no place in the World breeds more than
this, several Husbandmen having fifteen thousand Head of Beasts, of
which many were taken to supply the want of Provisions at _Reciffa_. As
soon as he had taken the Fort, he caus’d it to be pull’d down to the
Ground, because it stood in an inconvenient place, and immediately
rais’d another, which was much better to be defended, by reason of the
rising Ground; but he could neither bring that Work, nor any other
Design to any perfection, because of the treachery of his Soldiers, who
being most of them _Roman-Catholicks_, were so inclin’d to the
_Portuguese_ Interest, that they daily more and more deserted the
Companies Service, and gave Intelligence to the Enemy of their
Transactions. Amongst others, an _Antwerper_ was apprehended for an
Intelligencer, and being Hang’d on a Gibbet, fell three times one after
another on his Feet, the Halter breaking like a burnt Thred, which gave
him so many times of respit and opportunity of supplicating for Life;
but his Crime was too hainous to admit of Pardon. Mean while the fled
_Portugueses_ being supply’d with fresh Supplies from all Places,
especially from St. _Salvador_, to the number of twelve hundred Men,
they kill’d the Out-watches, consisting of twenty Men: The next Sentinel
being warn’d by the noise, alarm’d the new Fort, which was scarce
finish’d, because a mighty Shower of Rain had wash’d away the Walls.
_Hinderson_ being wounded in the Leg, sent Captain _Montagne_ against
the Enemy, of whose Power he was sensible; yet going to the place where
the Watch that was kill’d had kept their Station, he met with two
hundred _Portugueses_, divided into three Companies, and drawn out for
Battel, who running away were pursu’d by _Montagne_, till coming up to
their Regiment, which consisted in all of a thousand Men, divided into
five Companies, they fell on all sides upon _Montagne_, who fighting
valiantly, was overpower’d and kill’d, with three hundred of his Men,
and almost as many more taken Prisoners; amongst whom was the Minister
_Astette_, four hundred onely escaping into the Fort, where _Hinderson_
stay’d expecting the event of _Montagne_’s Exploits.
This Defeat spoil’d _Schuppe_’s Design, who by his marching to _Rio
Francisco_ thought to draw the Enemy from _Reciffa_; but now being
forc’d to think of some other way, he thought it convenient to invade
St. _Salvador_ by Sea, as the Enemy had done _Reciffa_ by Land.
Wherefore _Hinderson_ receiv’d order to stay with six hundred Men (being
all that were left of fifteen hundred,) on _Rio Grande_, whither a
Barque with Provisions being sent, was taken, and the Men in cool Blood
kill’d by the _Portuguese_.
[Sidenote: _Schuppe_’s Victory on the Island _Taperica_.]
[Sidenote: _Lichthart_’s Death.]
At the same time it was given out, that _Schuppe_ was going with the
Admiral _Bankert_ to _Hinderson_’s assistance; and to delude the
_Portuguese_ the more, _Schuppe_ went with two thousand five hundred Men
to _Rio Francisco_, where he lay some days at an Anchor; upon which the
Governor of St. _Salvador_ sending several Companies thither, _Schuppe_
Sail’d with all speed to St. _Salvador_, and Landing on the Island
_Taperica_, four Leagues in circumference, he got a rich Booty, and
spar’d none whome’re he met with, insomuch that two thousand were
destroy’d, some by the Sword upon the place, others by their haste to
get over to St. _Salvador_; for most of the Vessels being too full, sunk
with them. Amongst the Prisoners that were taken and sent to _Reciffa_,
were two Monks, who were design’d the same Entertainment as the Minister
_Astette_ should receive in St. _Salvador_; whereupon they immediately
wrote to their Fraternity, to take care that _Astette_ should not be
burnt alive, as the _Portuguese_ had threatned, because they were to
expect the same usage: whereupon _Astette_ was set at liberty, and had
leave to walk up and down the Streets of St. _Salvador_. _Schuppe_
fortifi’d himself on _Taperica_, near an Inlet under the new Works, and
together with _Lichthart_ watch’d for all _Portuguese_ Vessels: But
_Lichthart_ dying here, was carry’d to _Reciffa_, and there bury’d. On
the other side, the Governor of St. _Salvador_ sent fifteen hundred Men
in the Night to the other side of _Taperica_, where with all speed they
Intrench’d themselves, and Sally’d daily out of their Works upon
_Schuppe_, so that many Men were lost on both sides; but _Schuppe_ was
in the worst Condition, in regard his Soldiers ran over in great numbers
to St. _Salvador_, where they were well Entertain’d; of which he
advertis’d the Privy-Council, who were the less able to give him
Redress, as having the same cause of Complaint.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: A pitiful Example of a young Soldiers Execution.]
Amongst others there hapned a sad Accident of a young Soldier, scarce
sixteen years old, and born at _Roan_, who having robb’d his Father’s
Cash, went in a Ship to _Holland_; where he lavishly spending the Money,
was forc’d at last to List himself in the _West-India_ Companies
Service, and coming with the fore-mention’d Fleet to _Reciffa_,
endeavor’d with two Companies to run to the _Portuguese_; but overtaken,
was Try’d for the Fact, and Condemn’d to be Hang’d, for none of his
Excuses which he made, of going over the River onely to fetch some
Oranges and Lemmons to refresh himself, would save him, nor his
protesting that he had no intention of going to the Enemy, nor the
Promise that his Father should release him for ten thousand Crowns, nor
his Minority, which ought chiefly to have been consider’d, but that
Necessity stopt the Ears of the Compassionate; so that his Execution
drew pity from the Beholders a few Weeks after.
[Sidenote: A notable Passage of a _Portuguese_, Executed for Treason.]
A very astonishing Passage hapned at _Reciffa_ upon another Sentence of
Death pronounc’d against a _Portuguese_, who after the publication of
the Act of Pardon came to _Reciffa_, and there hir’d a Seaman for two
hundred Crowns, to carry a Letter, made up in a Leaden Box, to the
Governor of the Promontory of St. _Augustine_, with order that if he was
set upon any where, he should throw the Box into the Water. The Letter
written in strange Characters, contain’d a Declaration of the small
number of Men in _Reciffa_, most of the _Netherlanders_ Forces lying on
the Island _Taperica_, so that if _Reciffa_ were Storm’d along the Bank,
and from _Maurice-stadt_, it might easily be taken. This Letter being
intercepted, the _Portuguese_ was taken and Condemn’d, and as he was
carrying to the Place of Execution cry’d aloud, _You People take delight
in my Death, but you shall be interrupted_; and indeed it hapned
accordingly: for when the Executioner began to scorch the half-strangled
Criminal with Straw, there sprung up a strange Spirit of Contention
amongst the Spectators, who began to justle and strike one another; and
soon after a Whirlwind rose in the midst of the Market-place, which in a
moment caus’d them all to stagger like drunken People, their Hats and
Caps were blown up into the Air, the whole multitude tumbling confusedly
on the Ground, the Arm’d Soldiers flying to the next Houses, and the
Executioner falling down in a Trance from the Scaffold: A full quarter
of an hour this Confusion had lasted, when the People came to themselves
again, and the Hangman return’d to his Business, cutting off the
_Portuguese_’s Nose, Ears, Privy-Members, and tearing out his Heart,
which he threw to two Dogs, who devour’d the same; then dividing the
Body into Quarters, which were set up at the four Corners of the City
for an Example.
The same Punishment receiv’d a _Mulatto_, who endeavor’d to fire two of
the _Hollanders_ best Ships in the Haven.
Notwithstanding these Punishments, the Soldiers ran away daily; the
blame whereof might justly be laid on the Magistrates, who took no
notice of the Soldiers just Complaints of their Officers, cheating them
of a third part of their Provision, and inflicting severe Punishments
upon them as Mutineers, when they had real cause of Complaint.
_Schuppe_ was at the same time shrewdly put to it for want of Men, who
either dy’d of the then reigning Disease, or ran away to the Enemy; so
that he was forced to leave the Island _Taperica_, and inclose himself
within his new rais’d Sconce.
[Sidenote: Admiral _Bankert_ gains a great Victory over the _Portuguese_
Fleet.]
The Admiral _Bankert_ had better success; for Cruising up and down
before the Inlet _Todos los Sanctos_, after the taking and sinking of
several Ships as they came in his way, he at last set upon the
_Portuguese_ Fleet, consisting of seven great Ships, of which one got to
St. _Salvador_, another was sunk, and the other five were taken, being
valu’d at twenty Tuns of Gold, or 200000 l. _Sterl._ In this Engagement
were kill’d above four hundred _Portugueses_, besides two hundred and
fifty who were taken Prisoners, and sent Shackled to _Reciffa_. Amongst
them was the new Vice-Roy of _Brasile_, the Admiral, Vice-Admiral, three
Monks, and several other Persons of note.
[Sidenote: Marshal _Hous_ arrives at _Reciffa_ with a fresh Supply.]
This Victory began to give some Breath to _Reciffa_, when at the same
time Marshal _Hous_ arriv’d there with seven Ships, Mann’d with five
hundred Soldiers. This _Hous_ on the seventeenth of _August_, Anno 1645.
had been taken Prisoner at the _Engenho_ having fought so long till all
his Powder was spent, so that he was forc’d to surrender himself upon
promise of Quarter to _Vidal_, who after he had taken an Oath upon the
_Bible_, to spare the Lives of all the _Hollanders_ and _Brasilians_
fell upon the _Brasilians_ and slew them, being a hundred in all, in
Cold-blood, who yet sold their Lives at no easie rate. Being carry’d
Prisoner, together with Captain _Bristow_, _Listry_, _Wildschut_,
_Blar_, and two hundred more, by _Viera_ to _Casa de Prugar_, he was
thence sent to _Portugal_, where being releas’d, he brought News to the
_States_ of the mean Condition of the _West-India_ Company, and that all
things must needs be lost, if they did not speedily take the Business
into Consideration: Whereupon he was furnish’d with a Supply of Ships
and Men, with which he set Sail for _Brasile_; where being arriv’d, most
part of the Soldiers he brought with him were Transported to _Taperica_,
to assist _Schuppe_; who as soon as they came to him, march’d into the
Countrey; where being set upon by a thousand _Portugueses_, he lost
sixty Men.
Soon after _Hoogenstraet_ receiving Orders from the Governor of St.
_Salvador_, who was inform’d by some Prisoners, that _Schuppe_ had not
above twelve hundred fighting Men, to fall upon him with three thousand,
made a furious Assault upon the Sconce in two places, and Storming the
same for two hours together, lost four hundred Men, which made him draw
off a little before Day-break.
In the interim nine Privateers, fitted out by several Merchants of
_Holland_ and _Zealand_, came to Cruise up and down before the Coast of
_Brasile_; which the _States_ the rather allow’d of, because the
_West-India_ Company was not able to send any more Supplies thither: Nor
was it long ere they took five _Portuguese_ Prizes, and afterwards
(joyning with _Bankert_) four more laden full of Sugar, in the Haven
_Todos los Sanctos_, where they threw a hundred and twenty _Portuguese_,
and fifty revolted _Hollanders_ overboard.
[Sidenote: The Council of _Reciffa_ send over Messengers to represent
the sad condition of the Place.]
[Sidenote: _Bankert_’s Death and Character.]