The Third Book, CONTAINING A DESCRIPTION OF PERUANA OR, Southern America. (continued 6)

Thomas Sickes his Expedition.

Henrick Lucifer set out by the West-India Company.

During Peter Heyn’s Expedition Thomas Sickes, fitted out by the West-India Company, weighed Anchor out of the Texel with two Sail, and coming to St. Vincent he found a Spanish Vessel burnt down to the Hulk, took a Portuguese Pink with Slaves from Angola: Near the Inlet Todos los Sanctos he sunk a Barque, having first taken several Pots of Oyl and Packs of Linnen out of the same: Before Pernambuco he took a Carvel with a hundred and eighty Pipes of Wine, and a Vessel with Sugar and Hides, and drove another ashore against the Promontory St. Augustine. But Sickes being supply’d and strengthned by three Ships from the Texel, and four taken Vessels, ran with four to Todos los Sanctos, sent two to Cruise about Cape St. Augustine, and two more to the North of Pernambuco; At the Isle Noronho they were order’d to stay a Moneth one for another, from whence, after much hardship, they return’d home with so many rich Prizes, that they pay’d their Charges ten times double; which so encourag’d the Adventurers, that the Chamber of the West-India Company in Zealand fitted out three Sail under the Command of Henrick Lucifer, who weighing Anchor from Flushing Anno 1627. steer’d along the Coast of Africa to the Amazone River, and from thence North North-West to the Stream Wiapoco, to settle a Colony there; to which purpose Rowing up the River with Sloops, they came in the Night to two empty Houses, built at a place call’d Wacogenive, which they judg’d fit for their purpose; wherefore they carry’d all things ashore which they had brought out of Zealand with them for the new Planters, who while they were all busie building of Huts, a Negro was taken Prisoner, who being ask’d why the Inhabitants fled? reply’d, That it was occasion’d from a guilty Conscience; for two years before a Barque and two Sloops with Christians coming thither from the Amazone River, had stay’d thirty days on Wacogenive, when unawares they were set upon by the Natives, and all kill’d except three, who were yet living. Upon which Lucifer, having four Indians, three Men and one Woman, aboard of his Vessel, threatned to put them all to the Sword, unless they would produce the three foremention’d Christians: Whereupon the next day a German came to the Water side, of whom they could get little Information, he having in a manner forgot his native Tongue; but at length the other two coming thither, the eldest of them, nam’d John Hendricszoon, related to him, That the Portuguese in great numbers fell upon the Plantations near the Amazone River, Govern’d by Captain Oudaen, who after he had fought valiantly a whole day, being overpower’d by number, retreated to his Barque, and Sail’d into the Creek inhabited by the English, whither the Portuguese following in Canoos, cut off not onely Oudaen, but the English also, forty six Men onely escaping in a Barque under the Command of Lieutenant Peter de Bruine to the River Wiapoco; where they had stay’d about three days, when Sergeant Matruit treacherously shot Lieutenant Bruine: after which the forty six divided themselves into four Parties; but the Inhabitants to rid themselves of these Strangers, under the shew of great friendship, made them Drunk with the Liquor call’d Pernau, 528and then murder’d them all, except himself and two Germans. Which villanous act Lucifer judg’d worthy of punishment; but his Orders being to shew Kindness and Civility to the Inhabitants, he suffer’d the Murder to go unpunish’d, but built a triangular Fort near the River Wiapoco, on a Hill eight Fathom above the Shore, to prevent the passing by of Sloops; which done, he went to visit the Island Blanco, where he caught three hundred Goats. From thence he went to the Bay of Honda, the Inhabitants whereof are a valiant People, tall of Stature, having long Beards, and wearing Copper Rings through their Ears. Near the Sea-side is a Salt-pan, of which the Inhabitants make great benefit. Lucifer setting Sail again from hence, met with three Ketches sent out by the West-India Company at Amsterdam, before Corientes. The Commander Dirk Simonszoon van Uitgeest, steering his Course towards the Promontory St. Anton, took a Frigat laden with Meal, Silk, and other rich Goods, and within view of Cuba near the River Poros, descrying two brave Gallions from Honduras, bore up to them with his three Ketches; one of which, call’d The Lyon, being got betwixt both the Gallions, was in no small danger, the Netherlanders not being able to get up out of their little Vessel into the high Gallions, in which the Spaniards stood pushing them down with their Pikes; but no sooner did the Netherlanders throw their Hand-Granado’s amongst them, but Uitgeest got aboard of the Gallion, and carry’d her off, whilest the other by nimble Sailing got away. With this Prize Uitgeest thinking himself sufficiently enrich’d, steer’d homewards.

Joost Johnson and Claes Henrickszoon, Commanding each of them a Ketch, took a Ship coming from Lisbon before Pernambuco, laden with Meal, Salt, Wine, and thirty Monks; and not long after a Pink with six hundred Negro’s, a Barque with Salt and Iron, a Ketch with Wine, and a Frigat with Brasile Wood, Sugar and Tobacco: Before Itamerica they took two Prizes more; with all which they return’d to the Texel.

Peter Adrianszoon’s Expedition.

The West-India Company thus enrich’d by the Spoil taken from their Enemies, fitted out twelve Ships again under the Command of Peter Adrianszoon Ita, which set Sail in the beginning of the Year 1628. and anchor’d first before Blanca, an Isle abounding with Goats, the Ground stonie, and in some places Rocky, and having a small, but very convenient Haven, from whence Ita ran beyond Porto Rico, where he took a Vessel with seven thousand weight of Ginger, and Landed opposite to Hispaniola on the stonie Isle Catalina, where he took in fresh Water, and then Cruis’d to and again before Cuba, took six Barques, the Prisoners whereof inform’d him, That the Honduras Traders were on their Way coming thither, and that they had two small Men of War for their Convoy: Not long after Ita discover’d them Sailing along the Shore towards the Haven of Havana, but before they could get in, Captain John Peters, whose Ketch carry’d two Brass, and fourteen Iron Guns, boarded the Vice-Admiral, but having no Graplings to take hold with, the Spanish Ship ran aground, as likewise John Peterszoon in the pursuit of him; which the Admiral seeing, came to assist his Vice-Admiral, and ran aground on one side of John Peters, which drove the Netherlanders Ketch in great danger, she not being able to do Execution with her small Guns, whilest the Spaniards with their Demy-Cannon play’d vehemently upon her; neither was Ita, by reason of calmness and contrary Tide, able to come up with them, but was forc’d to stand Northerly, that so he might get an Easterly Wind, which about Noon always blows fresh here, and so by degrees got near the Spanish Fleet, till at last coming up with the Vice-Admiral, call’d St. Jago, he threw Fire-pots into her, and presently after boarding her, enter’d with that Valor, that of three hundred Spaniards above a hundred and fifty were slain; 529for those that leapt over-board were kill’d in the Water, whilest Joachim Guyszoon, John Braems, and Anthony Gonde fell upon the Admiral Sennora de los Remedios, and took her. In both these Ships Ita took Two thousand five hundred Chests of Indigo, above Six thousand Hides, Two thousand five hundred Packs of Sarsaparilla, several Pots of Balsam Oyl, Seventy thousand Pound of Ginger, One and twenty Bars of Silver, Twelve Brass, and Twenty eight Iron Guns; all which having taken out, he set fire in both the Ships.

A little before this Victory, the Fortune Frigat weighed Anchor from Flushing, with sixty three Men of War, to be Landed on the Island Tabago. At St. Vincent they found two Men that were left of seven, who having setled along the River Wiapow, under Captain John Van Ryen, were forc’d by the salvage Natives to remove, two whereof dyed by the way, the remaining five landing on the Isle Trinidad, had three of their Companions kill’d by the Indians of Granada, they being French-men, to whom the Natives bore an inveterate Hatred, so that they left onely the two Hollanders alive. The Fortune assisted by the South-star Ketch, took a rich Barque near the Isles des Virgines.

Vitgeest’s Exploits.

Not long after the West-India Company set out twelve Ships more, under the Command of Derick Simonszon Uitgeest, (who had the year before brought home the two fore-mention’d great Prizes,) who setting Sayl and getting into the large Bay of the Rocky Island Vincent, catch’d several Goats and Tortels. Before the Coast of Brasile he took two rich Carvels, one from Pernambuco, and another from the Inlet Todos los Sanctos; which Prizes having sent home with three Ketches, he sayl’d towards Sierra Leona, known by high and thick Woods, which grow on a high Coast; from whence returning again to Pernambuco, he took six rich laden Vessels, amongst which was one Gallioon from Goa, with a great Treasure of Diamonds.

Peter Hein’s Expedition.

He gives chace to the Spanish Plate-Fleet, & takes several of them.

These successful Expeditions of the Fleets set out from time to time by the West-India Company, enabled and encourag’d them to undertake Matters of greater consequence, viz. They fitted out one and thirty Sail, which carryed four thousand Men, one hundred and thirty Brass Guns, and five hundred fifty eight Iron Guns; of which Peter Peterszoon Hein being Admiral, took near the Soundings of Tortuga, two Barques from Havana, the Men whereof inform’d him, that the Plate-Fleet was not yet arriv’d there, nor that from Terra Firma, but were both expected every day. The strong Current drove Peter Hein farther Eastward beyond Havana than he expected, insomuch that he got sight of Matanca, where he overtook a Barque sent out by Landronce de Cabrera, Governor of Havana, to give notice to the Plate Fleet of the Hollanders Ships, which he had seen from the Castle Morro before Havana: Mean while John Van Hoorn took a Vessel which was sent out before by the Plate Fleet, the Men whereof inform’d him that the Fleet it self was near at hand; which Peter Hein found to be true, when the next Morning before Sun-rising he descry’d ten Sayl, of which some had ignorantly sayled to Leeward, and others to Windward of the Dutch Fleet; nine of them which were Laden with Hides, Meal, Campeche-Wood, Cochinele, Indigo, and other rich Goods, were taken by several Mann’d Sloops, because the Ships were not able to come up to them by reason of the Calm. About Noon Peter Hein discovering nine Gallions more, made sudden Chace after them; which they perceiving, made toward the Shore, and about Twilight in the Evening they ran aground in the Bay of Matanca, where the Commanders Landing saved themselves, each carrying with him what Jewels they could. About Break of Day Peter Hein made all the Sayl he could possible to come up with them, and seeing them fast aground, leapt into a Boat and Rowed 530up to the Admiral, who fired eight Guns, whilest his Men got ashore: Hein approaching the Gallioon, saw no way to get up, till at last one of his Men spying a Rope, climb’d up the same, and made fast other Ropes for his Companions to get up by, the Spaniards standing still gaping upon him, as if their feet and hands had been ty’d, which made Peter Hein grant them their Lives; which the other Gallions seeing, surrender’d themselves upon promise of Quarter; by which the Spanish Crown lost, besides the Musk, Bezoar, Ambergreece, and the Cargo of two Gallioons and a rich Prize, above One hundred and fifty Tun of Gold.

The Night succeeding this great Victory being somewhat Tempestuous, drove the Gallioons from the Bank on which they stuck the Day before, into deeper Water: Five Days they spent in unlading of the taken Vessels, after which Peter Hein set Sayl with four Gallioons, a new Spanish Merchant-Man, and his own Fleet, out of the Bay of Matanca, on the Seventh of September, Anno 1628. for Holland, where in a short time he safely arriv’d.

The Expedition of Lucas Pol.

The Tyger Frigat sent from Zealand, and Commanded by Lucas Pol, Anchor’d before Blanca, where he brought away above five hundred Goats: This Island which is six Leagues in circumference, hath on the West a Sandy Inlet, fit for great Ships to Ride at Anchor; Moreover, it is deep and Rocky, in the Valleys the Grass grows above half a Mans length. The Woods are overgrown with Thorns; the Soyl also would produce much more fruit, did not the Rats, Leguanes, Hedge-hogs, and other Animals, devour and spoil the Plants.

Pol leaving this Island ran to Tortuga, a low Isle, except on the West side; it produces Guaiacum, or Pock-wood, in great abundance, and nourishes great Flocks of Goats, and hath an eminent Salt-Pan; in all which things it is parallel’d with the Island Orchilla, known by its high Mountains on the East and West; the other part thereof not being above six Foot above the Water: Pol Landing here, carry’d off above two hundred Goats near the Western Shore, whose bryny Soil produces neither Grain, nor Grass. The Trees which are on the same are so dry and weak, that they may be pusht down with one hand; Neither are there any Birds to be found here, except Owls; nor Beasts, except Goats and great Hedge-hogs. Pol sayling from hence, steer’d by the nine Wooddy Isles call’d Roccas, and the three call’d Aves, to Bonaire, a pretty large rising Isle, which on the North-West hath a convenient Road, a fresh Water-spring, store of Sheep, on which the Spaniards live; Pock-wood, and Cotton Trees: Then steering to the Isle Mona, he found the same to be surrounded with Rocks, and full of Horned Cattel difficult to be catch’d because of the thick Woods, in which grow exceeding good Oranges. Pol leaving this Isle, set sayl and steer’d for Flushing, where he safely arriv’d without having perform’d any remarkable Exploits.

Adrian Pater his Expedition.

Mean while the West-India Company fitted out twelve Sayl more, under the Command of Adrian Johnzon Pater, who set sayl in the middle of August, and Cruised in vain about the Flemmish Isles for Spanish Ships: About the beginning of the Year 1629. he sent away three Ships under the Command of Martin Landrode, from the Island of St. Vincent, whilest he himself ran with the rest of the Fleet into the Inlet Todos los Sanctos, within a League from the City Salvador, where there lay onely seven Barques near the Shore, which he judging not worth the while to hazard his Ships and Men for, steer’d to Pernambuco, took a rich Laden Barque in his Voyage, and was inform’d by a Brasilian that came aboard of him on floating Pieces of Timber, that three Sayl of Ships full of Goods were return’d to Reciffa, so soon as they heard of the Dutch Fleet: But Pater judging no good to be done there, return’d back to the Caribbee Islands, where near Granada he found three Dutch Vessels, 531which had likewise Cruis’d in vain before the Coast of Brasile. Moreover, the Pegasus, Raven, and Hart Frigats, parted from the Fleet to Cruise about Monges, touching at Blanca, they took above a thousand Goats, and between the Cliffs of the little Isles Monges, abundance of Fish; but descrying no Spanish Ships, they Sail’d to the Island De Vacca, which hath a brave Harbor, delightful Woods, pleasant Pastures, fresh-water Brooks, and abundance of wild Horses, Hogs, and Lyons, of which the Sea-men took an infinite number. Before the low Promontory Corientes, overgrown with Trees, they got two Prizes laden with Campeche Wood.

These three fore-mention’d Frigats, as also the Walcheren and South-star from Zealand, joyn’d with Pater’s Fleet, when he receiv’d Information, that a considerable number of Spanish Ships were suddenly expected from Campeche: Whereupon Paters divided his Fleet into three Squadrons, whereof the Forlorn consisted of three Sail, the Reserve of the like number, and the Admiral kept five under his own Command: Thus divided, they stood to and again before Cape Corientes, when Captain John Stapel brought three, and John van Hoorn four Netherland Ships to their assistance.

Hoorn’s Expedition.

Hoorn having set Sail from the Texel about the latter end of April, was beaten off from Granada with poyson’d Arrows, and took a Prize before the Promontory St. Anthony, the Men whereof inform’d him, that the Governor Gabriel de Chaves Osorio, an old Soldier, had great trouble in repairing the Walls, Forts and Houses in the City, which two years before had been blown down by a great Storm, and that six great Ships were lading to go for Carthagena with the Gallions for Spain, because they durst not Steer by Porto Rico for fear of the Netherlanders; moreover, that abundance of Ginger was spoyl’d for want of Vessels to carry it away; and that the Citizens were in great want for Stuffs, none having come in a long time from Spain; in like manner there went none but Copper Coin, so that nothing was to be got there. The Silver and Gold Mines were not look’d after, the Spaniards not caring to work, and the old Natives were long since cut off, insomuch that if the Imperial Court was not kept in St. Domingo, to which belong’d Cumana and Coro, that City and Island, and Hispaniola it self, would soon be left desolate. Hoorn therefore Sail’d by the Promontory St. Cruiz, being a low Point overgrown with Trees, into the Bay, twenty Leagues from the Mouth whereof lie the Isles Jardin de la Reyna. Before Corientes he took a Barque with three hundred and six Guns, sent from Havana, the Men whereof inform’d him, That the Governor of Havana, call’d Laurence de Cabrera, having Intelligence of the Dutch Fleets approach, rais’d many Men, and gave notice to the Ships in all the Harbors thereabouts; after which he took another rich Prize, and joyn’d at last with Paters Fleet, which now consisted of twenty Sail, with which he Steer’d for the Soundings of Tortugas, where the Fleet met with a dreadful Tempest, wherein a Thunderbolt splitting the Main-Yard of the Hunter Frigat, fell down by the Mast, and rowl’d out at one of the Port-holes, kill’d the Purser, and wounded two more in the Head: great showers of Rain fell daily, when Samuel Lucas and Captain Outger Minne brought seven Sail of Ships more to the Fleet, with which Paters put in for fresh Provisions into the spacious and secure Haven De Cabannas, where several Isles lie, formerly inhabited by Shepherds and Carpenters.

From hence Paters Sail’d by Havana, mended the Port-holes of his lower Deck, and took off the Top-gallant Masts, because in September the usual Storms begin here; and seeing that he could not do any Exploit with so great a Fleet, he sent nine Ships home, and with the rest went to Barbados, where at that time there were about fifteen hundred English that Planted Tobacco.

532Paters Sailing from hence, ran to the Main Continent of America, inspected the River Oronoque, where he quenched the Town St. Thomas, that had been set on fire by the fled Inhabitants, and brought aboard all what they had left.

Henrick Lonque’s Expedition.

Takes Olinda.

During his fruitless Expedition, the West-India Company Rigg’d out twenty seven Sail under the Command of Henrick Lonque, Peter Ita, and Joost Bankart; the Land-Soldiers being Commanded by Diederick Van Waerdenberg. Lonque coming to St. Vincent, stay’d a long time at Anchor there; for in regard the Spaniard in the Low Countreys rang’d on the Veluwe, and had taken Amersfoort, the States of the United Netherlands were forc’d to keep those Men in their Service which the West-India Company had rais’d; but so soon as Wesel was re-taken, and the Hartogen-Bosch won by Frederick Henrick, Prince of Orange, thirty six Sail were sent to Lonque’s assistance; of which some came sooner to him than others at St. Vincent, where he had stay’d four Moneths without doing any remarkable Exploit. On St. Steven’s Day he set Sail with fifty two Ships, thirteen Sloops, and two Prizes, all Mann’d with seven thousand Men, which meeting with contrary Winds and Calms, lay a great while under the Line, the Scurvey began to encrease amongst them daily, insomuch that above twelve hundred lay sick, and three hundred dy’d since they set Sail from St. Vincent; yet at last Lonque getting sight of Olinda, sent Waerdenberg on the fourth of February with sixteen Ships, carrying three thousand Men to Pavo Morello, a Wood, lying two Leagues Northward from Olinda, where he suddenly Landed, notwithstanding the Portuguese guarded the Shore with two thousand Men, whom Waerdenberg, after a short Skirmish, putting to flight, was the whole Night in Arms, and the next day became Master of Olinda, by breaking in on the North at the same time, when Colonel Schutte Storm’d on the South. Moreover, the Enemy surrendred the two Forts on Reciffa, and forsook the Island.

About the middle of March nine Ships which were wanting to make up Lonque’s Fleet, came to an Anchor by him, having brought him above six hundred Soldiers, many Guns, all manner of Ammunition under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Seton, and the three Adjutants John de Bruine, Philip Serooskerken, and Horatius Calandryn, who immediately order’d the Cloyster on Antonio Vaes to be fortifi’d, and built a Fort with four Bulwarks at the Entrance of Pozo in the Countrey Reciffa. Seton also set fire on the Suburbs of Olinda, in which the Enemy had Lodg’d the Night before, and endeavor’d to poyson the fresh Water on Antonio Vaes, when on a sudden the Netherlanders fell upon them; two which drank of the Water dy’d, and others fell into great Fits of Sicknesses, and it wanted little but that the Admiral Lonque, with a Company of fifty Musquetteers, had been kill’d returning from Reciffa to Olinda, he being unawares set upon by two Companies of Portugueses and Brasilians, who kill’d above thirty six of his Men, and dangerously wounded six more, so that he brought off but eight Men unhurt. The like Misfortune befell the Wood-cutters on Antonio Vaes, surpris’d by the Portuguese from an Ambuscade.

Whilest Affairs stood thus about Olinda, there first arriv’d two Ships from the United Netherlands at Reciffa, not long after four more, Commanded by John Walbeek, and eight more under the Admiral Dirik Van Uitgeest, who was follow’d by the Noahs Ark.

About the same time Dirk de Ruiter set Sail with six Ships, and Peter Ita with ten, to Cruise at Sea.

Ita being set upon by the Enemy, escapes very narrowly.

About the beginning of February, Lonque having put all things in good order, prepar’d to return home, and weigh’d Anchor with nine Ships. But Ita going from Reciffa to Olinda, to take his leave of the Council there, was suddenly surpris’d after 533a strange manner; he had ninety Musquetteers for his Guard, whose Matches were all put out, and their Arms all wet by a great shower of Rain, which they perceiving from their Ambuscades, immediately got cross the River, and kill’d thirty of the Netherlanders, the rest running away, left Ita to defend himself, which he did for some time with his Sword, but had absolutely been slain, had he not receiv’d Aid from Olinda.

Because the Portuguese made several Attempts upon the Netherlanders, not without damage on both sides, the West-India Company often sent Ships to their assistance; and likewise many Brasilians deserting the Portuguese, joyn’d with the Netherlanders, who built a five-corner’d Fort with Bulwarks about the Cloyster on Antonio Vaes; which to prevent, the Portuguese ventur’d many a Sally, though not without considerable loss on their part. They also reported, that Frederick de Toledo was making thither with a great Fleet, to drive the Netherlanders out of Brasile; at which they taking the Alarm, put themselves all into a posture of Defence, rais’d new Works about the Castle on Reciffa, whilest the Ships which Cruis’d on that Coast brought in several Prizes.

John Walbeek being chosen General by the West-India Company over Brasile, had a Design on the Promontory St. Augustine; but it came to no effect, because the Sea beat so vehemently against the Shore.

Great Supplies sent to Brasile by the Netherland West-India Company.

The Report of the great preparation of a Fleet which was making ready in Spain, mov’d the West-India Company to raise more Men, and to send out Admiral Paters with seventeen Ships, which all arriv’d safe, except the Black Lyon Frigat, which carrying the Lieutenant-Colonel Eltz and Captain Uitgeest, was never heard of.

Joost Bankart was also sent out in March with eight Ships to St. Helena, to Cruise there for the rich Carraks which us’d to Water there; but though he stay’d till August before this fruitful Island, yet saw not one Ship at Sea, nor a Man on the Island, but great numbers of Sea-pies, which are so tame, that they suffer themselves to be taken up with the Hand, or knock’d on the Head with Sticks.

Near this Isle Ita took a Ketch Prize, and rallying his whole Fleet together, Steer’d for the Caimans; the most Eastern Isle whereof being about three Leagues long, is full of Rocks, with a high Point on the East; the other part thereof is plain. Then dividing his Fleet into seven Squadrons, he made them all ready for an Engagement, when he was inform’d by an English-man before Corientes, that Frederick de Toledo had set Sail with eighty Ships from Havana to Spain, of which he had sent back eight Gallions to Carthagena: Hereupon bending his Course near Havana, he put the whole Countrey to an Alarm, burnt a rich laden Vessel, and another that carry’d a Flag on the Fore-top, and a third laden with Ballast.

Joachim Guysen being made Commander of the Dolphin Frigat, and sent to joyn with Admiral Pater’s Squadron, was driven below Jamaica, and at last strook against the great Caiman, where his Vessel was all shatter’d to pieces; but all his Men and Goods being sav’d, he spent sixteen Weeks in making a Ketch of the pieces of the Dolphin, and brought a hundred and twenty Men, four Brass, and two Iron Guns to the Fleet, having buried the rest on Caiman.

Five Leagues beyond Havana, a Spanish Ship laden with Campeche Wood and Sarsaparilla, being chased against the Shore, was set on fire by her own Men, which the Hollanders attempted twice in vain to put out.

After this Ita’s Fleet lay long upon the Coast of Cuba, but finding no Spanish Vessels, and their Provisions growing scarce, return’d back to the Texel, where they arriv’d without doing any farther Exploits.

St. Martha taken by the Dutch.

534In the mean while Pater lying before Punta del Gallo, intending to Invade the City built on the Shore of the Island Trinidad; but the Fort built at the Mouth of the River, and contrary Current preventing his Design, he ran through the middlemost Hole of Boccas to Blanca, where he caught two thousand Goats and a Bonaire, set several Towns on fire, whilest the Spaniards made a Smother of dry Stubble all along the Fields, through which the Hollanders were to return, that so they might be choak’d with the Smoak; which their Invention had prov’d successful, had not the Hollanders forc’d a Way through a Wood. At last the Fleet leaving Hispaniola, Steer’d for St. Martha, a Town built on the Main Coast between Carthagena, and the River La Hacha, being instigated thereto by a Letter (taken by the Hollanders in a Prize) writ by the Governor Hieronymo de Quero to the Spanish King; which Letter set forth the present Condition of St. Martha, whereby they conceiv’d great hopes of a possibility of taking it, and of the Advantages that would accrue thereby: nor did it happen contrary to their expectation; for the Admiral Landing his Men, took the City without the least resistance; and though the great Fort fir’d some Guns, yet it soon surrendred on promise of Quarter; the City also was sav’d from being burn’d, by paying fifty five hundred Pieces of Eight, after they had plunder’d the same, and carry’d away whatsoe’re they thought good. Mean while the Provisions growing scarce in the Fleet, Pater judg’d it convenient to return home, where he arriv’d safely with all his Prizes.

The valiant Exploit of John Lichthart.

Notable Exploits were perform’d by John Lichthart, one of which, amongst others ought not to be omitted, viz. he setting Sail homewards from Reciffa about the beginning of October Anno 1630. chanc’d to fall with his Ship, the Over-yzel, amongst five Biscayan Pyrats, Cruising between the French and English Coast, which thought to clap him aboard on a sudden; but they seeing him bear up to them, were afraid to venture, and Tack’d about: after which he was set upon about three Leagues to the Northward of the Lizard, by three Frigats belonging to Dunkirk, the biggest whereof carry’d thirty six Guns, the second twenty eight, and the last twelve; with which three he maintain’d a Fight eight hours, in which he had fourteen Men kill’d, and thirty two wounded; his Ship resembled a Wreck, the Main-mast being shot overboard, the Rudder hung by pieces at the Stern, and the Tackling all shatter’d and torn, besides seven Shot under Water, and not less than four hundred through the sides above, but not without sufficient marks of retribution on the Dunkirkers side; but Lichthart getting into Plymouth, mended his Ship, and from thence Sail’d to Amsterdam, where he was Presented with a Gold Chain in recompence of his Valor.

The Expedition of the Brown-Fish Frigat.

The Expedition of the Brown-Fish Frigat is also remarkable, which Sailing beyond Cape de Verd, Steer’d by Cape Roxo along the Shore to the River Catchieu, at whose Mouth lie two Shelves, and between them ran a Channel through which the Ships pass’d. The Brown-Fish Sailing about a League up the River, which is a Mile in breadth, took a Portuguese Barque. The Seamen also Landing on the Isle Bissis, spake Portuguese with the Natives, who are Coal-black, and have strong Bodies, go Arm’d with Darts, Bowes, Arrows, Symiters, and were Baptiz’d by a Priest sent thither from Portugal, who with a few Countrey-men had built a Chappel and some Houses there.

From hence the Brown-Fish Sail’d to the most Northern Isle Bisegos, which is continually at Wars with Bissis. The King of this Isle receiving some Presents from the Netherlanders, gave leave to his Subjects, shie at first, to go aboard of them.

Steering from hence to Noronho, they found the Inhabitants carry’d away, and their Gardens and Houses ruin’d, so that they could get nothing but wild Pumpions 535to refresh themselves with; therefore leaving the Isle they anchor’d at Reciffa.

In the interim, whilest these Expeditions were carry’d on as hath been related, Captain John Boon-eter (who parted from the Admiral Ita’s Fleet with eight Sail of Ships) Cruis’d to and again before Hispaniola till May Anno 1631. near Mona he took a rich Vessel coming from Porto Rico, another before the Island Vacca, and a third full of Ginger, with which he Steer’d to the Tortugas, being seven in number, resembling rather sandy Flats than Isles. Before Havana he also chased several Vessels, but lost sight of them in the Night. Mean while their Provisions growing short, the Seamen were desirous to return; which Boon-eter would no way yield to, because the time began to approach in which the Spanish Ships came from all places to Havana; but the Men mutinying forc’d him to Steer to the Texel, where they arriv’d without doing any considerable Exploit advantageous to the West-India Company.

The Fort of Tamarica assault’d by the Dutch in vain.

But at the same time fourteen Ships, three Sloops, and seven great Pinnaces, weighed Anchor from Reciffa with a thousand two hundred and sixty Men, divided into twelve Companies, under the Command of Hartman Godefrid and Stein Callenfels; who Landing on the Island Tamarica, march’d along a bad and narrow Path, partly craggy and partly sandy, to a Fort built on a high Ascent overgrown with Brambles in such a manner, that it was impossible for them to break through, whilest they in the Fort fir’d continually upon Stein Callenfels, who judg’d it convenient to draw off, and Storm the Castle on another side.

The Admiral Pater newly come from the Texel to Olinda, sent three Ketches, a Sloop, and two Pinnaces, beyond the Town Tamarica, to prevent the Enemies crossing over to the Main, and keep off their Fire-ships. They also receiv’d Information from three Portuguese and five Brasilian Prisoners, That the Castle, surrounded with Fens and Brambles, had sixteen Guns; and that Albuquerque had sent eight hundred Men to assist the three hundred that lay in Garrison there before. The Captains Le Grand and Arcisseusky found two other Ways that led to the Fort, but altogether unfit to march along with their Men and Guns. Pater also Row’d round the Island with Sloops, and fathom’d the Water, whilest Arcisseusky Sailing up the River to Garasi, suppos’d that he had found a much better place to make an Onset on the Castle in, than had been found out yet; but the Council of Olinda and Stein Callenfels look’d upon it as too great a hazard to Storm a Fort, to which the Ways lay so much to the Enemy’s advantage, a small number in the same being able to beat off a considerable Party; therefore it was judg’d best, and concluded upon, to build a Fort on a little Isle near Tamarica, at the Mouth of the River; to which purpose the Engineer Buuren contriv’d a square Castle with a long Horn-work, which was call’d Orange; in which the Captains Arcisseusky, Mellingen, and Beyer, were left in Garrison with their Companies, whilest the rest of the Regiment return’d to Reciffa.

Mean while Antonio de Oquendo brought a great Fleet to St. Salvador; and Callenfels drew four Companies of Musquetteers, and a great company of Seamen with Pick-axes and Spades out of the Fort Frederick Henrick into the Field, and marching Southward along private Ways, he found the River strongly fortifi’d near the Forts Affogados, having above and below a row of strong Pallisado’s; yet the Portuguese that guarded these Works after a small resistance fled, and left all: But because a general Alarm drew many People in Arms out of Real, and several other places, Callenfels drew off in good order, and was inform’d by a Prisoner call’d Peter Alves, that the Fort Affogados receiv’d that Denomination from the River on which it was built; 536that there lay generally a hundred and fifty Men in Garrison there; that about a Mile farther was the Fort Pirange. that Peter de Acunha bore the chief Command next to Albuquerque over the Militia, who us’d few Musquets but what had Fire-locks; and that they wanted no Ammunition, for six great Carvels loaden with the same had not long since stor’d them with great plenty thereof. The Netherlanders also understanding by Letters which they had taken, that the Tapuyans were very much incens’d against the Portuguese, who stood in great fear of these salvage People, it was judg’d convenient by the Council at Olinda, to invite the Tapuyans to be their Friends.

Fight between the Dutch and Spanish Fleet.

Admiral Pater drown’d.

On the eleventh of September Anno 1631. Admiral Pater and Vice-Admiral Martin Thyszoon, whose joint Forces were fifteen Men of War and three Ketches, carrying nine Companies of Foot, Commanded by Captain Engelbert Schutte, descrying the Spanish Fleet about an hour before Sun-set, animated all the Officers and Captains to regard their Honor and Oath which they had taken; telling them, That on this Engagement would depend the Welfare or Ruine of the West-India Company. But his Men were not so much heartned by his Speech, as daunted at the sight of the Spanish Fleet, which consisted of twelve Castilian and five Portuguese Gallions, and twenty six other Vessels, as Pinks, Fly-boats and Carvels, all well Mann’d and full of Guns, the Gallions carrying whole and Demi-Cannons; the Admiral, call’d Antonio de Oquendo, carrying forty eight great Guns in his Gallion, call’d St. Jago; whereas they had receiv’d Information but of four Gallions and eighteen lesser Vessels; nevertheless Pater no whit discourag’d, boarded him about ten a Clock the next Morning, whilest Captain John Mast boarded him on the other side, which occasion’d a bloody Engagement; and it would have prov’d fatal to the Spaniard, had not Pater’s Stern taken fire, which he endeavoring in vain to put out, and none coming to his assistance, after he had hung a good while by a Rope at the Spanish Admiral’s Bowe, he was forc’d through faintness to let go and fall into the Water, whilest his Ship was blown up, a few of his Men onely being sav’d by Oquendo. In the mean time Martin Thyszoon boarded the Gallion Antonio de Padua, Commanded by the Vice-Admiral Francisco de Vallezilla on one side, and the Utrecht Frigat on the other, which after half an hours Engagement lost her Main-mast, and after a sharp Fight of four hours the Fire took hold of her Sails; which the Netherlanders not being able to quench, leap’d desperately over into the Spanish Vice-Admiral; but he having two hundred and sixty Men aboard, beat them off, forcing them to leap into the Water, or sell their Lives at a dear rate. But Captain Thyszoon had better success, for he not onely sunk the Vice-Admiral, but took the Bonaventura Gallion, and likewise gave the Gallion John Baptista so many shot under Water, that she sunk likewise. The Night approaching ended this bloody Engagement; and the Netherlanders Fleet much damnifi’d stood Northwards, with intention to return to Reciffa. The next Morning Oquendo had lost sight of them, but descry’d them again on the fifteenth of September, and kept in view of them the six following days, five Leagues from him to the East, or East South-East, Martin Thyszoon coming to an Anchor before Reciffa on the twenty second of September.

About the same time the Amsterdam Frigat set Sail from thence for St. Salvador, with intention to joyn with Pater’s Fleet there, but not finding the Admiral, return’d, and near Cape St. Augustine discover’d the Spanish Fleet; wherefore running close behind them she receiv’d four Guns from Oquendo, which she answer’d, and kept at a distance from them the whole Night, in hopes to meet with one single Vessel or other belonging to the Fleet; but the Spanish Vice-Admiral bearing little Sail, guarded the Rere, and fir’d continually at the Amsterdam Frigat, who fearing 537an unlucky Bullet, made all the Sail she could possible, and brought news of the approach of the Spanish Fleet to Reciffa. Soon after which the Elephant came from the Dutch Fleet thither, with a full Account of the fore-mention’d Engagement, viz. That besides the Admiral Pater, there were slain Captain Thomas Sickes, Cormillion, and Lieutenant Steenbergen, also that two Ships, the Prince William and the Province of Utrecht, were sunk: In lieu of which they had taken the Gallion call’d The Bonaventura, with twenty six Brass Guns, weighing above sixty four thousand Pound, two hundred and forty Castilians, and a great parcel of Sugar and Tobacco; Amongst the Prisoners was one call’d Francisco de Fuentes, who being Examin’d, gave this Information, viz. That the Fleet carry’d two Regiments of Spaniards and one of Italians; in which three Regiments were four thousand Men, under the Command of Conde del Bangniola; and that upon the setting out of Ferdinand, the King’s Brother, to the Netherlands, all the chiefest Gallions and Dunkirk Ships were sent for, and English Vessels hir’d, to convey him safe to the Flemmish Coast, which made Oquenda set Sail with so much the lesser number to St. Salvador; that the sunk Gallion, call’d Antonio de Padua, had fourteen Brass Guns in her Hold, besides twenty six that were mounted.

Two Tapuyan Kings offer their Service to the Hollanders.

Soon after a Brasilian that had pass’d by Albuquerque’s Army to Olinda, brought Information, That he was sent by Jandui and Oquenou, two Kings belonging to the Tapuyans, to enquire if the Topatingas (for so they call’d the Netherlanders that belong’d to the West-India Company) did yet reside in Pernambuco, with Proffers to assist them with their Forces. Moreover, he inform’d them, That since his departure from Boudewyn Henrickszoon, a great many of the Tapuyans Petivares were kill’d by the Portuguese near the River Grande and Inlet Trajiciaon, because they had assisted Henrickszoon, who had left them helpless at his departure. He added also, That if the West-India Company would give the other Brasilians any assurance to assist the Tapuyans, it would be necessary to Consult about it near the River Grande.

This Proposal was found to be of so weighty a Concern, that Ellert Smient being sent with the Ship call’d The New Netherland, and a great Sloop, to Siara, to make farther enquiry into the Business, was accompanied by a Renegado Portuguese call’d Samuel Cochin, and several Brasilians (whom Henrickszoon upon their Request carry’d with him from the Inlet Trajiciaon to Holland) who went, under pretence of visiting their Relations at the River Grande and Siara, to invite their Countrey-men to joyn with the Netherlanders.

Olinda deserted and demolish’d by the Hollanders.

During Smient’s absence many Consultations were held about the demolishing or defending of the City Olinda, about which there had formerly been many Contests; but at last the Voices carry’d it, which were for the demolishing thereof, in regard it was of little Consequence; and could not be kept without many Men and great Charges, because of its bad Situation, whenas their Men might do greater Service in other places: Wherefore they began to carry all things necessary from Olinda to Reciffa, and on the twenty fourth of November the City was set on fire with Barrels of Pitch and Tar, being in a light flame at every corner, whilest Stein Callenfels drew off the Garrison in good order to Reciffa; and immediately sixteen hundred Men under his Command were put aboard of sixteen Vessels, with intention to go to Parayba; but the Enemy having a fortnight before had notice of this Design, had fortifi’d himself all along the River. Callenfels approaching, espy’d twelve Portuguese Standards, and the Men ready on the Breast-works to prevent his Landing; yet nevertheless he not regarding their Bullets, press’d in amongst them, and forc’d the Enemy from his Works.

Near the Water stood a Stone Castle, and on one side of it a large Store-house; 538on the Mountain near the City appear’d the Franciscan Cloyster; the Fort rais’d of Earth had four Bulwarks, and twenty six Guns, according to the Information of the Eye-witnesses Drevis and Berster, who were sent thither as Spies.

Callenfels attempts to take the City, but without success.

Callenfels Landed not so carefully but that he lost forty Men, either kill’d from behind the Breastworks, or out of a neighboring Wood. Being inform’d by a Portuguese Prisoner, of the ill Condition of the Town, and how slenderly it was provided, he immediately rais’d a Sconce, two Watch-houses, and a Pallisado, from which he fir’d with two Guns on the Castle, and made several Trenches; but the Besieged were stronger in People and Guns than the Besiegers, who being scarce able, by reason of their small number, to keep Guards in all places, were also tir’d out under a hot Climate, and fainted for want of Provisions, insomuch that in two days there dy’d and fell sick above two hundred; wherefore Callenfels judg’d it best to draw off in time; which that they might do securely, they made a Redoubt, and the six Companies Commanded by the Captains Redincheven, Meppelen, Cloppenburg, Schenk, Byma, and Cook, resolv’d upon a desperate Attempt, as followeth: Marching privately through a Wood behind the Enemy’s Works, they fell in at one side upon the Portuguese Trenches, from whence they drove them after a small resistance, and forc’d them to flie towards the Fort, whither they were pursu’d with such eagerness, that those who were in the Fort, lest the Hollanders might get in with them, lock’d up the Avenues against their own Men; at which they were so amaz’d, that some of them climb’d up by the Walls of the Fort, but were either kill’d by the Assailants, or knock’d on the Head by their own People, because several Hollanders went to climb up amongst the Portuguese; the rest running about the Fort, fell into the midst of the Netherlanders, where they were all cut off, being in number above a hundred. The Hollanders also in this resolute Design, had about twenty Men kill’d, and fifty wounded; after which they put lighted Matches on Sticks in their Enemy’s Works, as if they had never made any Attempt on the City Parayba.

Whilest this Expedition fell out so unfortunately, Smient performing his Voyage, found in the Inlet Trajiciaon a Portuguese Vessel hal’d near the Shore under the protection of two Pallisado’s; wherefore supposing it best not to make any Attempt on the same, he ran to an Anchor before Ubranduba, twenty Leagues below the River Grande; where the Natives Marcial, Tacou, Ararova, and Matauwe, who had been in Holland, Landing, went to see, and speak with their Countrey-men to joyn with the Netherland West-India Company: and some days after the Seamen Landing again in the same place, met with Tacou, together with eight more stout Men, and seventeen Women and Children, who carry’d a slain Portuguese call’d Juan Perera, to the River Grande, about whom they had found Letters containing the whole Condition of Siara; which the Brasilians imparting to Smient, he sent a Ketch thither before, and follow’d after himself; they Steer’d along the Shore beyond the Shelves Guamare, by the Mountains Sailinas and Porto de Mel, the Haven De Onces, and River Juaguarive, to the White Point, where the Brasilians Landing spake with their People, and towards the Evening brought good tydings, and desir’d that they might be Landed at Siara, where they would put their Design in practice: Smient following their Advice, receiv’d them aboard the New Netherland, and Sail’d along by the square Fort Siara towards a smooth Shore on each side, hedg’d in by thick Woods, where the Brasilians intended to Land; but the Portuguese, and Brasilians belonging to their Party, being gotten into the Wood before, fir’d so vehemently, that they were forc’d to Retreat, and Sail five Leagues farther beyond the Cape Opese, made dangerous by the many blind Cliffs that lie about the same. Smient anchoring here, Landed the Brasilians, on promise that they would return in two days; but the Seamen seeing 539sometimes ten, sometimes fifteen Arm’d Portugueses ashore, judg’d that the Brasilians had been slain by them, and therefore weighed Anchor to the great dislike of the West-India Company.

Since this unsuccessful Design on Parayba, the Council at Reciffa were no whit discourag’d, but resolv’d to make an Attempt on the River Grande with twelve Ships and two Sloops, carrying ten Companies of Soldiers, besides Seamen; but by reason of the difficulty of Landing (because the Coast being very Rocky, makes the Sea go very hollow), the strength of the Place, both in respect of its Fortification and number of Defendants, and the joyning of the Brasilians with them, they were forc’d to return without effecting their Design.

The Expedition of Nekker, Houte-been, and others.

The Marquess Salinas murther’d for his Jewels.

About the same time eight Sail arriv’d at Reciffa from Holland, and Jonathan de Nekker, Cornelis Corneliszoon, alias Houte-been, and Reinier Peterszoon, set out with three Frigats from the Texel to the Isle Vacca, where with Hunting, Fishing, and gathering of Fruit, they refresh’d themselves, and afterwards Steer’d to the River Magdalena, discernable at three Leagues distance by the thick yellow Water it discharges into the Sea through three Mouths. Between the Western and middlemost Mouth lies an Isle in the middle of the River, behind which Houte-been came to an Anchor, whilest Nekker and Peterszoon kept Guard near Punto Verde; where though the Wind blew very fresh in the Night, yet the Water remain’d smooth: About Day-break Nekker discovering a Sail, made chase after the same, but not able to come up with her, lost her the following Night, and in the Morning saw a Barque, which running ashore was set on fire by Peterszoon; after which Nekker chased two other Ships, which likewise getting from him, he stood off at Sea out of sight of the Isles Zamba, which are low on the West, and Hilly at the East-end, where the Sea beats vehemently against a Promontory, and chased a Barque ashore, whither he sent a Boat with eight Men; which being beaten to pieces by the Waves, drowned four of them, and the rest getting ashore were kill’d by the Spaniards. Soon after which four Spanish Ships set Sail after Nekker and Peterszoon, and had not the Night favor’d them they had been but in a bad Condition; for they were not able to get their Sea-men aboard, who having taken some Wine ashore, had made themselves Drunk; about Day-break they descry’d the four Spanish Vessels, which were gotten so far from them, that they could but just discern them from the Main-top. Not long after they took two Barques, and came to an Anchor behind Zamba by Houte-been, who being driven by a Storm out of the River Magdalena to Jamaica, had chased a Barque ashore there, and a Ship with four hundred Negro’s against St. Martha, and since took a rich laden Barque near the River Magdalena. In like manner Nekker and Peterszoon took a Ship coming from Caraques, leaving Houte-been alone before Magdalena, who not long after discover’d eighteen Spanish Ships near the High-land St. Martha, which were Steering to Carthagena; one whereof belonging to Carthagena he made Prize of, but was forc’d to forsake her in a great Storm; after the ceasing of which he took another Frigat, the Men whereof inform’d him, That the Admiral Thomas de Caspure was going with eleven Ships from Cape Antonio to Porto Belo, to lade the Peruvian Silver there. The Ship with Angolan Negro’s, taken by Houte-been, he set free, but kept a Frigat laden with Tallow, Hides, Tobacco, and Flesh, which he had taken just before the Coast of Rio Grande; and thus he went Privateering up and down, when the Plate-Fleet from New Spain weighed Anchor from Juan de Lua, the like of which in Riches had never set Sail before, for it carry’d 2169340 Ryals of Eight for the Merchants, an unvaluable Treasure for the King, besides many rich Commodities which several bought upon their own Accounts, that were not entred in the Custom-house: all which Treasure, laden in nine Gallions, besides 540a considerable number of Frigats and small Vessels, was committed to the Charge of Miguel de Echacareta; but he dying before the Fleet set Sail, Manuel Serano de Ribera was chosen Admiral; but a dreadful Storm arising as they were Sailing before the Coast of Campeche in their Way to Havana, the whole Fleet was in a manner utterly destroy’d, with a most unvaluable Treasure: The Admiral, Vice-Admiral, Gallion Teresia, and several other Gallions, sunk, with at least two thousand Men, a great number of Persons of Quality, and amongst the rest the Marquess Salinas, who was most treacherously slain by thirty Persons, who made themselves Masters of a Sloop, into which he went for safety out of the sinking Admiral Juseppe: That which instigated them to this horrid Act, was the sight of a small Trunk of Jewels which he carry’d into the Sloop: Not long after falling out amongst themselves about dividing the Spoil, several of them were discover’d, apprehended, and put to death.

This Fleet weighed Anchor the day after their Admiral Miguel de Echacareta was buried, who dy’d so suddenly that he could make no Will. A few days after the departure of the Fleet, a hundred and seventy Houses were burnt at Juan de Lua. It appears that the Spaniards out of fear of the Netherlanders, set Sail on the tenth of October, notwithstanding it was at an inconvenient time, because about that Season the Hurricanes rage most terribly in the Bay of Vera Crux.

By a Letter from the Treasurer Franciscus Suarez it appears, that the two Regiments in the City St. Salvador, the one Commanded by Christopher Mexia Bocanegra, consisting of nine Companies, each of sixty Men, and the other Commanded by Vasco de Mascarennas, consisting of thirteen Companies, cost the King of Spain yearly 21515 l. to maintain them.

Walbeck’s Exploits.

The Netherland Council at Reciffa no way discourag’d by their successless Attempts made the last Year on Rio Grande, sent thirteen Companies of Soldiers aboard of seventeen Vessels, to build a Fort at the River Formosa, where the Portuguese being too weak to resist them, set fire on a Store-house with three hundred Chests of Sugar, and fled: Walbeck was Commander in Chief in this Design, who Landing on Formosa found no fit place to build a Fort in, because the Shore, not being above a Musquet-shot broad, was inclos’d with Woods, behind which lay high Mountains that Commanded the Shore; therefore marching to Serinhain he burnt several Houses and a new Sugar-Mill, near which in a Store-house he took twelve hundred Chests of Sugar, which for want of Carts he could not carry to his Ships. Also before Porto Calvo he burnt a Carvel, and took a great number of Cattel on Camarigibi, and return’d without any farther Exploits to Reciffa, where the Cruisers had brought in several Prizes during his absence.

The Council resolving not to sit idle, set out another Fleet of eighteen Ships under the Command of Martin Thyszoon, with a Regiment of fourteen Companies under Stein Callenfels.

The Expedition of Martin Thyszoon and Stein Callenfels.

This Fleet approaching Cape Augustin, they found a ridge of Rocks along the Shore, against which the Sea beat with great vehemency; at length they came before a small Inlet, at whose Mouth lay a small Fort from which the Enemy fir’d upon the Mann’d Boats which Row’d by the same: at some distance they discern’d two Breastworks, one rais’d above the other near the Shore; on which when the Hollanders thought to Land, three hundred Portugueses fir’d at once upon them; and on a Hill not far from thence appear’d more Men, which amaz’d the Council of War, for the Inlet was so narrow, that not above six Boats could Land at once; and it was evident, that though the Enemy should chance to be beaten from behind his Breastworks, yet the Hollanders would lie expos’d to the Enemy’s Guns from the 541Fort Nazareth built on the Mountain; besides, Nazareth, if gain’d, could scarce be defended, unless the whole Mountain were Intrench’d round, which would not onely be very chargeable, but also impossible, because of the red Earth, altogether unfit for Fortifications; and the barren Mountain afforded neither Wood, nor any thing else; besides, the Storming of it would be very dangerous: The Entrance into the Haven was difficult, because a stonie Bank before the same suffer’d no Passage but betwixt small Openings; the chiefest whereof was guarded by a WaterCastle, and farther within by the Fort Puntael. Along the Sea-shore their Landing was prevented by the violent beating of the Waves, and a great square Tower on the Way up to the Fort Nazareth, whose Church is seen at a great distance off at Sea. All which consider’d, they judg’d it best to draw off their Men again, and so they return’d without having effected any thing to the purpose, onely Captain Schuppe took two Carvels with five hundred Chests of Sugar in the River Formosa.

The City of Garasu surprised by the Hollanders.

Soon after Martin Thyszoon being sent out with twenty two Sail, sent four Ships for Holland with the Lieutenant-Colonel Stein Callenfels, and the Councellor Serooskerken; yet thirteen Sail remain’d still before the Coast of Brasile, under the Command of Captain John Mast, who whilest he stood to and again from the Shore, and Cruising up and down, the Governor of Reciffa and Colonel Rembach march’d with five hundred Men and forty Negro’s, from Reciffa about six a Clock at Night, by Olinda along the Shore: Whereupon the Portuguese Horse-watch ran instantly to Real, two Leagues from Olinda, to give notice thereof to Albuquerque; but they surmounted all the Difficulties they met with by the Way (which were the greater in regard of the abundance of Rain that had lately fall’n,) and on the first of May 1632, came to the City Garasu about Noon; where whilest Rembach stood still in good order with three Companies, the Governor of Reciffa fell upon the Town with three Companies. The Inhabitants had not the least thoughts of being molested by the Netherlanders there, because they judg’d the Ways which led thither could not be pass’d in that rainy Season. In the first Onset a hundred Portugueses, most of them great Merchants, were slain, they being come thither with their Goods from Olinda; and amongst the Prisoners which they took, were six Franciscans.

This Victory the Hollanders obtain’d with the loss but of eight Men, and twenty five wounded, besides Captain Rembach, who was also wounded. The Governor of Reciffa entering the City, stav’d two hundred Pipes of Wine, to keep his Soldiers from over-drinking; and because there were many fair Women there, he caus’d them all to be lock’d up in the Church of St. Cosmo, to preserve them from the Soldiers outrages.

Description of Garasu.

The Priest Duarte Mendez Serraon (a Letter of whose John de Laet quotes) values the Booty carry’d away by the Hollanders from Garasu, at 9000 l. Sterl. besides the damage which the Place suffer’d, being almost ruin’d. He relates farther, That the City call’d Villa de Santo Cosmo de Garasu lay five Leagues to the Northward from Olinda; and that in it were three Churches, viz. Cosmus, Misericordia, and Heremitage de Santa Crux; as also two Cloysters, viz. Invocation de Antonio, inhabited by Capuchins, and another dedicated to Franciscus, inhabited by Persons of his Order; That the chief Church Cosmus, built like a flat-roof’d House, had a fair Entrance, before which stood two Turrets, and in them hung Bells; That the Franciscan Cloyster was inclos’d within a great Wall in the middle of a pleasant Garden, and had on each side a Tower; That most of the People who kept the Feast of St. Philip and St. Jacob, were at Mass when the Hollanders came thither, and though they saw the Soldiers out of their Windows, judg’d them to be Portugueses, who (as it was reported) had a Design upon Tamarica.

542The Governor of Reciffa marching with his Booty from Garusa, set several Houses on fire, and march’d towards the Fort Orange, on the Island Tamarica. Albuquerque inform’d thereof, dispatch’d a Spanish Regiment, Commanded by Colonel Ferdinand Ludovico Barbalho, and Paulo de Perado, with a considerable Body of Volunteers; but they all came too late: Whereupon the Portugueses, being thus kept in continual Alarms ashore, and sustaining every day more and more Losses at Sea, began to desire Peace, and the rather, because they could not hear of any Fleet coming from Spain to their assistance; and hearing a Report, that the West-India Company were making great Preparations. To which purpose Peter Alvares (acquainted with the Dutch Commanders, as having been their Prisoner) was sent by Duarte de Albuquerque (to whom the Lordship of Pernambuco properly belong’d) and by his Brother (being General of all the Forces in Brasile) to Reciffa, to Treat about the deciding of the Differences between them and the Netherland West-India Company: But the Council in Reciffa weighing the many Disadvantages that would ensue, if they should upon easie Terms patch up a Peace with the Portugueses, return’d Alvares this Answer: “That the West-India Company was resolv’d, to the utmost of their power, to keep all those Places which they had taken by force of Arms; but that if he could move Albuquerque to deliver up the Countrey to them, he should be bountifully rewarded.”

After this the Hollanders Landing at Barra Grande, took great quantities of Wine and Tobacco, and burnt two Villages; as also the Sugar-Cane Fields, and Sugar-Mills on Catuwanha, also one at Barra Grande, and three at Porto Francisco.

At the same time the Hollanders also scatter’d Letters amongst the Portuguese, signifying their trouble for the great effusion of Blood in those Parts, which was occasion’d by their own stubborn and unreasonable Proceedings; likewise intimating the great Preparations that were making on their own part, and on the other side the great unlikelihood, and indeed impossibility, as things then stood, of receiving farther Succors from Spain.

The Hollanders Counsels betray’d to the Portuguese by Leonard van Lom.

These things being powerfully urg’d, had perhaps taken greater effect with the Portugueses, had not the secret Counsels of the Netherlanders been betray’d by Leonard van Lom, Overseer of the Prizes, and Translater of the Portuguese Letters, who confess’d that he was perswaded to that villanous Action in Amsterdam by a Portuguese Merchant, call’d Duarte Rodrigues Delves, with whom he had made some Agreement; and for the better confirmation had receiv’d the Sacrament upon it of an Amsterdam Priest: His Agreement was, “That he should go to Reciffa, enquire after all Concerns, and give speedy advice thereof to Rocque de Barros; which he did by a Mulatto, who carry’d Letters between them.”

This Villain the Council judging worthy of Death, first caus’d his two fore-Fingers to be cut off, next his Head, and afterwards his Body to be divided into four Quarters. The Mulatto was likewise Beheaded.

About this time the Treasurer Ceulen viewing the Isle Mayo, found the same to be surrounded with steep Rocks, abounding with Horses, Asses, Partridges and Goats, besides two Salt-pans. The Inhabitants, which go Arm’d with Half-pikes and rusty Hangers, are said to be a sort of out-law’d Portugueses, to the number of thirty, amongst whom was one Woman. They had a Governor, call’d Amaro, to whom they gave yearly eight thousand Goat-skins.

Ceulen Sailing from hence Steer’d by the Island Del Fogo, known by a great Mountain, whose high top vomits Fire. Not far from which he took the Ship St. Peter laden with Wine, with which he return’d safe to Reciffa, where a while after Gysselling arriv’d also, and was no sooner Landed, but four Ships, two Sloops, 543six Cock-boats, a Barque and a Hoy, set Sail under the Conduct of John Mast with four or five Companies of choice Musquetteers, Commanded by Colonel Schuppe, who Landed behind the stonie Bank of the River Alexio, surpris’d some Portuguese and Negro’s in their Houses, and march’d in the Night so fast, that by Day-break they were got to the Shore of the River Formosa, where they took two rich laden Fly-boats and a Carvel; and afterwards Landing in the Road Camarigibi, they took fifty Portuguese in a Village, as also a Store-house full of Chests with Sugar and Tobacco, burnt all the Buildings thereabouts, and amongst others a brave Sugar-Mill: Captain Byma burnt also an eminent Sugar-Mill near the Brook Maria Farinha. Martin Thyszoon lay a long time under the Line; but at last getting to the Isle Vacca he gave each Captain his Orders, and divided the Fleet, which joyn’d again before Havana, pass’d through the Straights Bahama (where he met with great Storms, and many other Inconveniences) to Holland. But Galeyn van Stapels, who parted with a Frigat from Thyszoons Fleet near Bonaire, Steer’d by the Promontory Cotoche to Sisal; which Village having plunder’d, he set it on fire, fetch’d a Barque in the Night from the Road of Campeche (whose City is seen at a great distance off at Sea, by the white Cloyster Francisco) and so set Sail for Zealand. Houte-been arriv’d also about the middle of June with a rich Booty in the Texel.

Schuppe and Lichthart take the Fort Formosa.

Not long after Houte-been weighing Anchor with the Otter Frigat, return’d to Reciffa, and in his Way thither took a Ship laden with Wine. Colonel Schuppe immediately upon his arrival had a Command given him of five hundred Men, and John Lichthart of three Sail of Ships, a Pinnace and five Sloops; with which they set Sail to the River Formosa. Schuppe Landing his Men there, march’d up to the Fort Formosa, fortifi’d with Moats, steep high Walls, and four Guns, Storm’d and took the same, killing all those that were in the Garrison, except the Governor Peter Albuquerque: In which Victory nevertheless the Hollanders lost the valiant Captain Philbert du Basson, who being shot in at the Throat with a Bullet, which came out behind the Ear, dy’d of the same, the Wound immediately festering, to which all Wounds are very subject in Brasile. The Hollanders also burnt four laden Barques, a Store-house full of Sugar, and pull’d down the Fort they had taken.

Setting Sail again, they Landed to the Northward of the River Antonio Grande, where they gain’d a Platform with five Guns, destroy’d six Ships, and took two more in the Haven Camarigibi; from whence they return’d to Reciffa, after having spoil’d and taken thirteen of the Portuguese Ships, several Sugar-Mills, Store-houses, and a Castle.

The Swol Frigat came also in a shatter’d condition to Reciffa, having been Engag’d with a Spanish Gallion carrying twenty eight great Guns, and full of Men, which nevertheless she would have master’d, had not an unfortunate Shot spoil’d all her Rigging.

About the same time the Captains Byma, Everwyn, and Rinking, set Sail with their Companies in three Ships to Porto Francisco, where Landing, they burnt three Sugar-Mills, besides several other brave Buildings, and brought away a rich Carvel, whilest Laurence van Rembach was made Colonel in Waerdenberg’s place, and Sigismond Schuppe Lieutenant-Colonel.

The Proffers which the Tapuyan Agent made to the Hollanders had been very advantageous, had not the Summer Season been too far spent: for he had promis’d, That if they would Land a considerable Party of Men two Leagues Southward from the River Grande, all the Tapuyans should joyn with them, and assist them in driving the Portuguese out of Brasile.

After this Schuppe and Lichthart went with thirteen Companies of Soldiers, and 544two hundred Seamen, to fall upon the Enemy’s Camp at the Afogados, where Albuquerque had rais’d several Works, partly for the securing of Verga, the best Spot of Land in all Pernambuco, where there are likewise more Sugar-Mills than in the whole Countrey, and partly to keep an open Way between Arryal and the Promontory St. Augustine: To which purpose they march’d by the Fort Æmilia along the plain Countrey, to the Stream Capivaribi, which they had cross’d before the Portuguese knew any thing of their approach, who being but a hundred and thirty, forsook their Works and ran into the Woods; but assisted with four Companies of Italians, they Sally’d out of Real and fell with great eagerness on the Seamen, who being guarded by forty Musquetteers were raising of Works in the Road which leads to Real, and put them to flight; but being rally’d, and seconded by Colonel Redburgh, they drove the Enemy into a By-way, guarded by Byma and Bongarson; where being stopt, and Captain Cloppenburgh from another side falling in amongst them with his Musquetteers, they became encompass’d, and had been all slain, had not Le Grande, by making way for Cloppenburgh, given them an opportunity of getting away between them.

The Council at Reciffa, to secure the footing which they had got on the other side of the River Capavaribi, took order about the building of a Fort, which requir’d the greater Labor, because the Earth was very stonie: not far from whence Captain John Smith walking, was shot by a Party of Portuguese lying behind some Chests of Sugar; the Blow whereof giving notice to his Ensign, he speedily march’d thither, and surprising the Portuguese, kill’d most part of them. The like success had Le Grande, Cloppenburgh, and Bongarson, who marching out upon a Design, surpris’d unawares in John de Mendoza’s Sugar-Mill, two Companies of Portuguese, who having watch’d there the whole Night, and composing themselves in the Morning to sleep, were set upon, and most of them kill’d, and the old Commander Antonio Ortizo de Mendoza taken, who not long before came thither with a Regiment of Portugueses; the Sugar-Mill was also set on fire.

These successful Expeditions still adding to the Hollanders fresh Courage, they follow’d the career of their Successes, and placing three Companies in the Works of the Afogados, drew their Army into three Divisions; Colonel Rembach was to Command the Forlorn; Schuppe, the main Body; and Byma, the Reserve; in which Order they waded through the River Capivaribi, placing some Musquetteers in a House built near the High-way, to secure their Return that way, and came without any resistance to the Arryal; where they found a long Street, with Shops on each side full of all sorts of Goods, which they pillag’d, notwithstanding the Enemy fir’d furiously from the Castle upon them, and wounded Colonel Rembach and Captain Redburgh. To the Northward before the Castle lay a Redoubt with two Guns, which Schuppe mastering, kill’d all that were in the same; but being too weak to carry away the Guns, he nail’d up the Touch-holes, and march’d off with his Men, but in such disorder, that the Portuguese Sallying out of their Garrison, fell in amongst them in that manner, that they were not able to bring away their wounded Men, amongst whom was Captain Redburgh; and it had been worse, had not Rembach (who though he was shot in at the Shoulder, under the Blade-bone whereof lay the Bullet) kept them off till such time as the Hollanders were got over the River Capivaribi, near the fore-mention’d House, guarded by a Company of Musquetteers, who kill’d above fifty of the Portugueses, besides fifty that had been slain in the former Skirmishes; the Hollanders themselves also had lost a hundred and thirty Men: yet notwithstanding they ceased not, but march’d in Parties through all parts of Verga, where they met with no opposition, but found the Sugar-Mills full of Sugar, 545left to be kept by a few Negro’s. Rembach also sent a Drummer to Real, to demand the Wounded, especially Colonel Redburgh, with a Letter from the Prisoner Antonio Mendoza, requesting the Governor Albuquerque and Duke of Bagnola, that they would be pleas’d to release the Hollanders on Exchange, or else upon Ransom. The Drummer being civilly Entertain’d by Albuquerque, brought back with him a strange Oyl call’d Aury, for the wounded Mendoza; with which a Wound made by a Bullet being anointed about three fingers breadth, it draws out the same. Bagnola afterwards sent it to Rembach, in requital for his kindness in sending Mendoza in a Hammock to Real. Mean while the Hollanders still fortifi’d their Works at the Afogados with Pallisado’s and Platforms, on which they put five Guns. They likewise work’d daily on the fore-mention’d Castle, whilest Schuppe march’d with four hundred Men in the Night over the River Jangada to Moribeca; which approaching, he perceiv’d the Way stopt up with fell’d Trees; wherefore he march’d about to the Village, which he found forsaken by the Inhabitants, and all the Houses left empty, onely five hundred Chests of Sugar that had been brought thither from Verga which Schuppe Commanded to be set on fire with the Village, leaving onely the Church, and at his Return burnt also a Sugar-Mill.

Articles between the West-India Company and the King of Spain.

The Governor Albuquerque having formerly never spar’d any Hollanders which fell into his hands, began now to be better advis’d; and it was also Agreed upon between the King of Spain and States of the United Netherlands, That they should burn no Church, unless the one, or the other Party made resistance in the same; That the Victor should be oblig’d, upon request of Quarter, to spare his Enemies, and release the Prisoners for an indifferent sum of Money; That both Parties should forbear to use chew’d or poyson’d Bullets.

Schuppe being chosen Chief over the Militia in Rembach’s Place (who dy’d of his Wound,) lay not long still, but setting Sail with eleven Ships to the Isle Tamarica, Landed seven Companies before the Castle Nostra Sennora de Conception; which, though well provided and fortifi’d, the Governor Pignioro surrendred, on Condition that he might depart with all his Men and the Church Ornaments.

Matthias Van Ceulen and Schuppe Rowing up the Stream Goiana with Sloops and Boats, put to flight Laurence Cavalcanti, burnt divers Sugar-Mills, and took abundance of rich Merchandize: Ten days they made havock in the middle of their Enemies Countreys without any resistance; for all of them fled to the Aldas, (so they call the Brasilian Villages): At last they return’d home with great Booty, especially of Sugar and Brasile Wood; whilest those at Reciffa were not idle, doing the Portuguese great mischief by their continual Sallies, Tourlong burning a Fishers Village, and Bongarson a stately Banquetting-house belonging to Cavalcant near Arryal; as also Pedro Acunha de Andada’s Sugar-Mill, from whence he took great Booty.

The Portuguese begin to fall off to the Hollanders.

Jacob Huigen slain.

About the same time the Portuguese of several Parts, terrifi’d by continual Alarms and Losses, began to incline to the West-India Company, believing that they should utterly be ruin’d, if they continu’d to joyn with Albuquerque’s Party (who claim’d Pernambuco wholly to himself) and therefore car’d not whether he or the Hollanders were Masters, so they might live peaceably. Mean while the Hollanders march’d from the Afogados to Arryal: Schuppe marching before with two hundred and fifty Seamen, was follow’d by the Lieutenant-Colonel De Vries, and he by a Company of Negro’s that carry’d Provisions; next Byma march’d with the Reserve. The Treasurer John Gyseling also accompanied the Army, which Encamp’d near Francisco Brito Machado’s Wind-Mill, and Garrison’d the half-finish’d Fort near the Sugar-Mill belonging to Marcus Andre, whilest three Companies Commanded by Captain De Vries 546march’d to Monteroos-Mills to take the same; but the Portuguese lying in an Ambuscade had given them a shrewd Rebuke, had not Schuppe, hearing the Guns, sent away the Captains Picard and Garstman, who coming out from amongst the Sugar-Canes, put the Enemy to flight; yet the Portuguese to increase daily, insomuch that they got above two thousand Men together at Arryal, whilest the Dutch Army began to want Provisions, wherefore Jacob Huigen was order’d to fetch a Supply from Reciffa; but as he was coming up the River with the Exeter Ketch, and a Boat hung about with Hides to secure his Men from the Bullets, and being within Musquet-shot from the Works where Captain Schuppe lay, the Enemy’s whole Power shot so vehemently upon him from the top of a Hill, that both the Ketch and Boat were sunk; Huigen himself receiv’d two mortal Wounds, and most of his Men were kill’d, a few wounded onely escaping with Life. Schuppe therefore was forc’d to return for want of Provisions, and the rather, because he was inform’d that Bagnola was coming with a Supply of seven hundred Men.

Mean while the two Captains, Smient and Dunkirken perform’d a valiant Exploit, viz. they went with a few Men in a Boat, and took a great Portuguese Vessel richly laden, having no more than four Blunderbusses and their Swords in the Boat with them.

A notable Victory of Byma over Francisco Almeda.

Byma also fell upon the Village Moriwere, where he found most of the People at Church. Albuquerque inform’d thereof, sent two hundred Men immediately, Commanded by Francisco Almeda, to intercept him in his Return; but he marching on to Tamarica, they pursu’d him; he marching but slowly, because the narrow Way was stopt up with fell’d Trees, they overtook him half a League beyond Garasu, near Peter Rocha’s Sugar-Mill; where after a sharp Encounter between them, a great slaughter was made amongst the Spaniards, Almeda and many other Persons being slain, and the rest put to flight. Byma having obtain’d this Victory, march’d to Garusa and burnt the same, sparing onely the Churches and Cloysters, according to the Articles made between Albuquerque and Rembach.

Schuppe prevented from crossing the River Jangada by the many muddy Creek, return’d back to Reciffa with great Booty, which he had taken out of a Store-house. The Dutch Cruisers also brought in many Prizes.

Van Hoorn’s Exploits.

The Exploits perform’d by John Johnszoon van Hoorn, with four Ships, three Ketches, and a Sloop, are likewise very remarkable; for with this Fleet in the first place he took the City Truxillo, and from thence Sailing towards the City Campeche, and Storming the same valiantly, soon became Master of it; the Booty of which two Places being brought aboard, increas’d considerably the West-India Companies Stock.

In regard Albuquerque understood the Situation of Pernambuco better than the Hollanders, and had all the Natives to assist him, and by consequence was the better able to defend himself against their continual Alarms, the Council at Reciffa therefore judg’d it convenient to make a farther Voyage to the South, that the Portuguese, who were highly discontented about the Losses which they had sustain’d, might be the sooner induc’d to submit to their Government: To which purpose ten Ketches, Mann’d with seven hundred Soldiers, besides Seamen, set Sail on the tenth of October, under the Command of John Gyseling, Schuppe, and Servaes Carpentier, who first ran into the River Porto de Piedras, where they took a considerable number of Chests of Sugar, out of Mills, Barques, and Store-houses, waded through the little Scream Tatona Mansa, burnt a Village of the same Denomination, and Sail’d to the River Camarigibi, which they Rowing up in the Night, were got not above four Leagues by Day-break, the contrary Tide, and the Plants call’d Mangues having 547hindred them from getting farther; but being inform’d by certain Portuguese Prisoners, that abundance of Sugar lay in Porto Francisco, they marching thither, found under a Straw Roof in a Wood, seventy four Chests of Sugar, and a great deal more in several Store-houses. They also pillag’d the whole Countrey towards Alagoa del Noort, St. Miguel, and Alagoa del Zur. Not far from which Schuppe falling upon the Village Sennora de Conception, burnt the same, as also a Ship upon the Stocks, the Houses at the Mouth of the Stream Alagoa, and the Tackling belonging to the two Ships, and carry’d away with them a very great Booty.

Tourlon also march’d with four Companies from Tamarica to Mangianguape, where the Garrison from Garasu; and some Jesuits lay, to disswade the People from submitting themselves to the West-India Company, to which they were much inclin’d. But Tourlon march’d not so privately, but that the Enemy had notice thereof, and fled; wherefore he finding Mangianguape empty, offer’d the same to the Flames, as also several Sugar-Mills, but spar’d the Lives of all those who begg’d Quarter.

Byma’s bold Attempt.

Byma about the same time with a hundred and forty Musquetteers, besides two Companies of Seamen, leaving the Afogados in the Night, march’d to Amaro by Daybreak, which he set on fire, with a Sugar-Mill and a Store-house full of Sugar, after every Soldier had taken as much as he could carry: upon which the Enemy taking Alarm, plac’d their Ambuscades so cunningly, and fell upon them so furiously, that they had undoubtedly kill’d every Man of them, had not a Party come in timely to their assistance, and forc’d the Portuguese to fly to a neighboring Sugar-Mill built on a Hill, from whence they fir’d with great eagerness, and made a mighty noise, blowing their Trumpets and beating their Drums. Byma being forced to pass by the Mill within the reach of the Enemy’s Guns, resolv’d upon a bold Attempt, and commanding his Men to throw away their Sugar, and other Booty with which they burthen’d themselves, on a sudden ran up to the top of the Hill; which Action so amaz’d the Portuguese, that they fled without offering the least resistance. Byma thereupon proceeded on his Way to the Afogados, leaving behind him above seventy slain, and divers wounded.

Prizes taken by Smient and Lichthart.

During these Exploits on Shore, the Commander Smient Cruis’d with six Sail before Paraiba; two Ships belonging to his Fleet steering towards the Haven of Formosa, discover’d five Carvels, a Pink carrying twenty six, and a great Fly-boat eighteen Guns, both Dunkirkers; one of the Carvels ran aground, and was stav’d to pieces, two of them got into Rio Grande, and the other two were taken.

About the same time Lichthart with two Sloops pass’d into the River Conayou, set upon seven Barques of the Portuguese, Mann’d with seventy Seamen, and ply’d them with his Brass Guns after such a manner, that few escap’d with their Lives: he took what he thought fit out of the Barques, and afterwards set them on fire.

Van Ceulen’s Expedition.

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 548Besieged 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.

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.

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 549Men 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.

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.

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.

Ceulen and Gysseling return home.

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 550great 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.

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.

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 551succeed 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.

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.