BRasile is a Continent so great and large that it is not yet by any wholly discouered, yet as by a patterne of stuffe or cloath the whole peice is knowne, so by the relation of part thereof you may gather what the whole is. The Land, namely those parts which ye neere to the Bay, is a Land very fruitfull and healthfull. Saluadoe which is the name of the Towne, it lyeth in thirteene de­gree; it is a Land that consisteth of hills and vallies, the hills are not so high, but the highest beares trees and fruite of ma­ny sorts, the vallies and plaine Land is not so low but that it auoids all waters, and brings forth grasse, fruits, and hearbs in aboundance; the fruits of the Land as they are many for varietie, so is their aboundance of euery sort, and generally they are pleasant to eate, and very healthfull to the body; there are a numberlesse number of Oranges and Lemons, the Oranges are generally sweete (yet there bee some sower) gre [...]t in proportiō, like vnto a 2 penny loase, the Lemons are ordinary smal [...]r then the Lemons that come to England, yet they be of an excell nt rellish and taste, there bee also very many Plantings of two or three sorts, they are called in Spa­nish Bonantos, in one cluster there grow some 250, there is also a fruite which wee call an apple, it is excellent against the bloody flux, which disease is subject to those who distem­per them [...]elues with drinking of wine and eating of grapes, it cots like to a Pomgranet, Pomgranets there be many and extraordinary great, there bee also many other sorts of fruits like to Cherries and Plummes, there is a fruite like in proportion to an Artichoke called Annanasses, it is twice so great, it hath the most excellent taste in my iudgement of any fruite that is, at hath a little taste like to a Strawbery, but [Page 2]far more sauory, there bee also Pine Apples, Muskemillons, Potatoes, Water-millions, Cowcumbers, Radishes, and all sorts of hearbs, and many sorts of Howers, it bringeth forth a berry which is stronger in taste then pepper, I am not able to call to minde the particulars of fruits which it brings forth, there be also many Grapes: some of these fruits are all the yeare to bee got, some three times a yeare, others twice a yeare, the Land hath very much cattill, as Bulls, Kine, Sheepe, and Swine. When as the Towne Saluades was giuen vp to the Spaniard by the Hollanders, and the Spa­niard did victuall the Holanders, I did heare of credite (and I doe beleeue it) that one husbandman did se'l to Don Fre­derico Generall to the Spanish Armado 18000 Beefes, besides Goates, Swine, and Sheepe, and of them there be great store, also there be many Hens, Turkies, Peacockes, and other sorts of small fowles, there bee many wilde fowle, as Parrats and Perrecitos, the Land breeds many good Horses, the Brasil­lians and Portugals employ themselues and their Negers chiefely to the planting of Sugar-canes and Tobacco, and to the making of both, the goodnesse of both, and the quanti­ty of both I need not relate of, for England hath good know­ledge of both, the best Tobacco is but worth a Royall a pound, which is sixe pence English. It hath plentie of di­uers sorts of woods and rootes fi [...] for the vse of Apothecaries and Dyers: the Land hath in it many great deepe and long Riuers of fresh water, in which R [...]uers there is a great quan­titie of fresh fish, likewise the Sea runnes vp into the Land by cricks 40, 60, 100, mile [...] in some places, within one daies saile there bee Townes and Villages thought to bee richer then Saluadoe. Some 140 miles from the Baye lyeth the Ri­uer Dela [...]plato, vhere there be mines very rich; one of Baye that was a slaue told me, that in that place there is not one in ten but hath their ch [...]sts and dores with lockes of siluer; by the r [...]e of reason and prop [...]rtion you may conceiue whe­ther that place may not [...] called the Riuer of Plate. Some three moneths after we had taken the Towne of Bare, there came a Shippe from that place which was taken price, [Page 3]that had in it all kind of kitchen vessels of siluer.

160. Leagues from Baye lyeth Fernaborke, by land it may be marched to in 25 daies as hath ben reported to mee, the Towne is not strong on the Land side, but by Sea it hath three strong Castles, hauing this but by report I will not further insist vpon it.

The people that are the naturall inhabitants thereof are the Brasillians, they which are now the chiefest are the Por­tugals. The Spanish King clames Soueraigne, though by some denyed, and by the rest vnwillingly acceped of. The Bra­sillians are of complection tawny, of condition beastly, like vnto rauenous beasts they will eate the bodies of dead men, and for that cause they are called men-eaters: some of them are brought vp to the profession of the Romish religi­on, they are a people very laborious, which is contrary to the desire and disposition of the Portugals and bastard Spani­ards. The Portugals which there inhabite are a people proud by nature, and haughtie in their carriage in time of prospe­ritie, but in time of aduersitie a flattering and crouching people, they are very idle people, desirous to command but cannot endure to put a finger to worke, and that is one maine reason that makes Negars to bee so well sold in that part, they are very curious in their apparell, and so in their diet, the women for daintinesse may not set a foote on the ground, they must haue their Negars to carry them in Caro­ches and Chaires, the meanest of them in Emackos (yet I saw the time when they were glad to make vse of their feete to saue their liues.) The Towne of Saluadoe had in it many whores, some of them being left behinde remained in the Towne all the time wee remained there, which was a snaire to our Commanders and a maine cause to the Lord to re­compence vs according to all hee did to the former adulte­rous people that were cast out before vs; These Portugals are partly Iewish partly Romish, and a great part of them are very A theists (hauing no outward reformation to any reli­gion.)

This people hath had long peace, euery one sitting vnder [Page 4]his owne vine, hauing plenty of all things, but considered not from whence they enioyed them, they looked not to the giuer of them. But though they would not looke vp to God in way of thankfulnesse and true obedience, yet God (after long forbearance did in iustice looke vpon them, their pride, their whoredome, their Sodome-like idlenesse, and their Romish Idolatrie (in steed of their prayers) hath peir­ced the heauens, and did make way for the wrath of God to come vpon them which came vpon them sodainly in a mo­ment, which strocke feare and terrour to their hearts, and palenesse in their faces, distraction and desperation in their mindes. A Nation out of the North came vpon them, a people whose language they vnderstood not hastily assaulted them, so that though their pots were on boyling, their Ne­gars cooking, yea though their tables were couered, their wine drawne, yet had they no stomackes to eate, not harts to inui [...]e the strangers that were come vpon their Coast, yet those strangers fell a board hauing good stomackes, not ha­uing the manners to stay till they were bidden, but it was likely the meate would haue ben cold had they stayed till they had beene inuited, for they were gon in hast out of the Towne, but made no hast to returne in againe, their hast was such that they left their Iewels, Rings, their Gold and Siluer behind them, yea some vnnaturall Mothers left their Children in their cradles. Behold and wonder: Behold for thy instruction, thou Land, Citie or Man, which art lifted vpon glory, what the Lord did vnto this people, the Lord gaue them riches, yea great riches, peace and plenty was in their borders, they had their harts desire, so far as natu­rally they could haue.

The M [...]rchandize of the West-India was not wanting in her, the curious workes of Turkie was the adorning of their houses, the fine cloaths of England and Spaine, with Wine, Oyle, and Fish, and much fine flower was in her, the fine linnen and threed of Holland and Flauders was found in her, the Iewels of the Sea precious stones with the bones of Fishes and Beasts were there, there was not wanting Muske, [Page 5]Siuet, Corall, Amber, Amber-greece, Pomander, in a word what Merchandize and commoditie that may be had in that honorable Citie of London, fit for the Nobilitie and Gentrie but was there for people of meane condition, I say the Lord did giue to them these and greater things in aboundance, but in that they spent them to pride, idolatrie and whoredome, and the satisfying of their fleshly and wicked desires, the Lord hath stript them naked and taken their glorie from them, puting them into the hands of an other people, our neighbour Nation Hollanders by name; I say the Lord put them into their hands, but they trampled them vnder feete, I doe not say the Lord gaue those things to them, for the following Treatise will truely and plainely discouer, that for the Hollanders great abuse of that great glorie the Lord put into their hands, the Lord tooke it againe out of their hands, and hath placed it in the power of the Spaniard, but let the Spaniard take heede, the birde hath wings that is in their handes. So much for the discouery of Brasile, where­in I must acknowledge I haue ben much wanting, and on maruile. For first I haue not ben in the Land, because wee were in a manner beleaguered all our being there. Second­ly, because I had not the vse of the Portugals tongue, where­by I might haue made further enquirie. Thirdly, because of an accident that fell out being homeward bound, I had my booke of remembrance taken out of my Cabbine by some as had no great loue to an English-man.

THe leuenth of Nouember 1623, there was a Fleete of the Hollanders waied anchor at Taxell, pretending to goe for the West-India, the Fleete was 25 ships in number, having a strong wind there was some dispertion of the Shiping, so that we lost our Colonels ship, which came not to vs untill we had taken in the Towne of Saluado. Af­ter some moneths saile, we came to an Iland called S. Vin­sons Iland, adioyning to S. Anthonies Iland, some 20 Leagues from the South Ilands, where the Fleete stayed 13 weekes, in which time there was diuerse sloopes made, this Iland hath an excellent Harbour & there is very good watering. The Iland is very barren, yet it hath (as I gesse some 20. thowsand Goates in it. The souldiers going on land, would catch some 400. at a time by compassing them in. I leaue this digression. The Fleete waying Anchor made their course for Brasil, contrary to the expectati­on of the Souldiers. In twentie dayes the Fleete passed the line, and with a faire gale of wind discovered on Tues­day the twentie of Aprill the coast of Brazil, where the ten Companyes of souldiers were put into foure Shipps. On Wednesday we were seeking but could not find the Bay of Saluadoe. On Thursday the 30. of April we found it, and with a faire wind we went into the Bay. At our comming in St. Anthonies Castell saluted the Admirall with two or three shott, who had the like gratulation from the Fleete. Where one of our Shippes did send a shott that uncapped the Castell. Before which Castell the Ships which had the Captaines and land souldiers anchored; the Admirall, the foure Ships did goe some two miles below the towne, the rest of the Ships cast Anchor before the towne, where wee [Page 7]were welcomed by the battery and Shippes of the townes who for two howers, did very manfully defend their place and discharge their peeces, but the Hollanders did ouer man them, and over match them, that within three houer, they had sunke some eleven of their Ships and burnt some of them, the Vice Admirall himselfe in a shallop went ve­ry boldly to the Fort, and he with his sword and Pistoll, set foote on the battery, upon which the Portugalls left the water side, and fled up into the towne, so that the sea-fa­ring men made plunder of the towne the same night.

In the meane space the souldiers were landed, the Ca­stell made many shots at the floopes and boates of the soul­diers, but not any was touched, notwithstanding they made some fortie shots, but when a few of the Souldiers were landed, they fled and left their goods for their eni­myes. The armie marched to the towne without any in­terruption, we came before the towne about nine of the clocke at night, they made some 100. shot at our Armie, yet our souldiers made not any shot to them, but came vn­der the Port by the order of a guide, who did purpose to goe a backe way into the towne, when the enimy could do no good from the Port with their Muskets to our peo­ple, because they were vnder the wall they cast stones. The Leiftenant Colonell wheled the Army on, marching in a narrow lane, the enemy contrary to the expectation of the guid, had made a little breast worke: from whence they did play vpon our Army, at which instant their were killed the Leiftenant Colonel and a gentleman next to him, vpon the which the soldiers retreated, at their retreat there came out of a house by the gate some 30 Musket­ters and made a vollie of short at our souldiers, at which there fell an Englishman one Philip Rowlands and a Dutch Canoner, which Musketiers went into the Port, we being to my knowledge within fortie yardes of the gate, Cap­taine Maior Scoutton commanded a Retreat to a Cloyster, halfe a Musket shot from the towne, whereupon the soul­diers did lay downe their Armes, and went to Plander the [Page 8]out-houses and Cloysters, and finding much wine, halfe of the soldiers were drunke, and also some of the cōman­ders lay scattering on the ground, but the enemyes not thinking how to doe any exployte on vs, tooke not advan­tage thereat, but with all speed in the night time made their flight from the towne, onely their remained some fortie soldiers with the Governour.

At the breake of day there was Arme, Arme, all to their colours and places, intending to goe on the towne, the Captaines not knowing what the Shippes had done, nor what the towne had done, whilest we were preparing for the making of an assault on the towne, the white flag from the towne was discovered, which was brought out to Cap­taine Maior, who marched into the towne to the market place where all the Companies were drawne in batalio, and so commanded to seuerall parts of the towne, The Governour with some twentie more, with two Iesuites: were presently sent prisoners into the Shipps. The soldi­ers leaving their Armes, made boote of all things they could come to in the towne, where there was much spoile of breaking of Tables and Chests wherein there was much riches, and great spoyle of wine, so that I haue gone to the ancles in wine in cellars, I suppose that there was spoild, twentie thousand pounds, which might haue ben well sa­ved by carefull Officers. I thinke that the valew that Of­ficers, Soldiers, and sea-faring men got, was more in value then that which came into accompts for the Masters of the Voyage, and yet it was cr [...]dibly reported, that the bootie which was got then: was fiue Millions. Two dayes after the taking in of the towne, the Governour, the Colonell and the Lord of Dort came with his Ships and Slopes, who vnderstanding that the towne of bay was taken in, he stor­med and tooke on mightily that he had lost the honor of the day in not taking the towne himselfe.

The Portugalls which were in the towne were kindly intreated, and their houses and goods they possesse freely, all that came into the Towne had passes from the Co­lonell, [Page 9]they promising to vse their best for the bringing in of the Portugals to traficke, but the Portugals had not sooner obtained their end, namely the fetching out of their hid riches in the Towne, but they shewed themselues treache­rous; for some 26 daies after the Towne was taken in, two of the souldiers going into the Land were killed by the Portugals, the Colonell was much in censed thereat, and going out of the Towne he tooke fiue Portugals whom hee caused to be shot to death without the Towne.

The same morning the Colonell with some twelue horse­men went out of the Towne, with some twenty Negars and a squadron of men, the Colonell riding before some twen­ty yeards in a narrow path, and woods on both sides, the Portugals lying in ambush got about the Colonell, a Ne­gar shot him in the brest, and the Portugals puld him of his horse, who kild him and cut of his head and other parts, the most of the horsemen & souldiers retired to the Towne, yet an English-man brought in his head, vpon which there was a great alarme, but nothing done worth the writing. In his place there was made Colonell Captaine Alden Soulton, his brother William Soulton was made Captaine Maior.

Some ten daies after, the Admirall with two ships made his course for Holland.

Three daies after, the Vice-Admirall with seuen shippes 250 souldiers hesides saylours went for Angoly, which was a hart-smart to some, and a weakening to the Towne, as al­so an encouragement to the Spaniard to heare of the weake­ning of the Towne.

The same day their went also foure shippes to the Salt Ilands, and so for Holland. So that there was left in the Towne but foure men of warre, and some fiue small ships besides the prizes.

Some fiue weekes after the Towne was taken in, there came in a ship into the Bay from Lishorne which the Sloopes tooke, in it was Oyle and Flower, and other Merchandize.

The same weeke there came two ships from Angolia with some 1200 Negars, they came among our ships before that [Page 10]they found the Towne was the Hollanders, the one yeilded and cast anchor, the other loward his sailes and made as if they would cast anchor, but passing by our shippes into the Land-ward, hoysed saile and away into the Land, our sloopes and shippes followed her but came backe without her.

The latter end of Iuly there came another ship from Fer­nabuck, who making in, our sloopes with a pinnace and shippe made out, shee suspecting something made out but the winde was against her, the sloopes got to the wind of her and made fight, yet she would not stricke saile, till the man of warre gaue her a shot, then she strucke, there was Tobacco and Sugar in her, with Siluer and other commo­dities to a good value.

The beginning of August there came another shippe in the morning amongst ours, yet she got away into the Land: It was reported by a Negar that came from the Enemie that the shippe had eight iron pieces and other munition, with wine and other prouision,

About the twelfth of August 1624, there came a ship in­to the Bay, hauing a forewinde and ready to cast anchor, a [...] from vs boarded them, the Admirall of our shippes was in the sloope (who now remaines with the Spaniards, the reason whereof I shall after shewe) hee comming into the Cabine found the Gouernour of Reginero Deplato, his wife and three daughters and two sonnes in law, the Admi­rall Captaine Cherk most badly went to search the Ladies, which was very grieuous to the Gouernour, he told him in Spanish, that there was no neede of that straitnesse, for there were chaines, iewells, and plate enough besides. In which shippe all their pots and vessells were of siluer. I my selfe had the weight of the vessells of siluer which came to 150000 pound. Certainely it was a rich prize. The Gouer­nour was well entertained, with his wife and daughters, one of them was thought to bee ouer kindly vsed, if it bee not true, yet the Colonell was much to be blamed for his priuate entertainment of some of them into his chamber, and in that [Page 11]he was truely condemned for a whoremaster, for hee was not ashamed to goe in the middle of the day to an open whore-house, which whore he caused to be married to a Dutch Merchant or Factour, to whom hee gaue a horse that hee might ride abroade whilest hee had the key of the Factours house at home. This Colonell was also a great drunkard, his brother Williams Scoulton Maior, did diuerse times reproue him for his wickednesse.

In September 1624 he sent a partie of 25 souldiers and some Negars, to gather Plantings and Oranges for his whores two miles out of the Towne; their Commaunder was the Leiftenant to Captaine Isanack with a Sariant of the same Companie, when they came to the place where the Oranges and Plantings were, the souldiers with the Negars left their armes on the ground and went vnto the trees, the Portugals comming on them with some 200, fell vpon them kild nine souldiers and the Leiftenant, tooke prisoners the Sariant with some Negars, the rest went into the woods and hid themselues: some of the Negars came into the Towne and made a great alarume, 200 went forth to relieue them, and did fetch of the nine dead men, but not the Leiftenant. Some ten daies after that, the Ene­mie came to a by-gard and kild two, and the rest escaped into the woods.

About the latter end of September 1624 Colonell Al. den Scoulton died sodainly being much swolne with drink­ing.

The next day after, the Counsell made choise of William Scoulton for Colonell, and Captaine Kyfe for Maior.

The former Colonell did shevv himselfe more carefull in fortifying the Tovvne then his brother William Scoul­ton: for the former vvould yeald to aduise of those vvho had better vnderstanding then he in those particulars, but this man would haue his words without counsell for Law though it were contrary to all reason: this man did much reproue his brother in his life time, for whoring and dron­kennes, and he himselfe when he was Colonel, did farre [Page 12]worse in those particulers.

In October, their came a Ship of some 140. Tunne from Holland with a prize in it, it brought tidings that the Marchants of the West India, had provided a great Fleete for our releife, and was readie to come out of Taxell. In the Christmas holidayes, the Colonel with most of his Captaines & Skippers, were for foure dayes together feast­ing in their foure men of Warre, and at every health, they had three peeces of Ordnance shot off out of every Ship, in those foure dayes it was counted, there was shot off, 1600. shot by water and land, somewhat too much to be wasted especially in that forraine land, the want of it was felt not long after.

In three weekes after, there came three Shippes and each of them got a prize, they likewise brought tydings of the Fleete, there were also letters sent that the Spanish Fleete would be at the (Bay) at the beginning of May; yet to my knowledge there was not any extraordinary mak­ing of provision there.

On Friday morning the 3. of Aprill, there were disco­vered some 12. Shippes vpon the coast, but not discryed what they were, at 12. of the clock there was a rumour that they saw a 100, saile that the sea was full of Shiping, all was in a maze, yet nothing done, at foure of the clocke their Fleete came to Anchor without the Bay some Leage to the North of S. Authonies Castell, then they were told to bee some 50 Shippes, there was great talke what Fleete it should be, some said it was the Spanish others the Hollan­ders.

Saturday the 4 of April there came betimes in the mor­ning, nine small saile out of the land ward, who did passe our Shippes and so went to the Fleete, the sloopes and Shippes might haue preuented that, but thy did not, what there reason was I know not, I guesse but I will not writ.

About eleuen of the clock the same day, the Fleete way­ed Anchor and came with a faire wind and tide into the bay, and cast Anchor some mile from the Towne altoge­ther, [Page 13]then the doubt was resolved, the Spanish cullers pro­claimed that our enemyes were arrived, them might you haue seene palenes in faces, and amazement in most coun­tenances, such were the distractions of them, that no spee­die resolution could be resolved one, at this time wee had in our Harbor foure men of warre, two great Marchant Shippes, Sixe Youghts, three sloopes, three fire shippes. We had Sailors and Soldiers some 2200. fit for to beare Armes, besides some 700. Negers: It was thought by some, that had they sent forth then their firie shippes with their Youghts, and sloopes, they might haue made a good peece of service on their enemyes, for we had a fare fore­wind and a darke Evening, and men fit and willing to haue gon on that service, but the Colonel would not ad­mit of any such thing. The next day, the enemy landed their Land-man: two miles from the Towne, and came marching within Musket shott of the Towne, yet our cō ­mander lay still: onely they then beganne to fortifie the Towne. The same Sunday night, the Souldiers which were in the Castell some sixe miles from the towme, came in a sloope to the Towne: by the command of the Colo­nel, they made that hast away, that they left fourteene dayes provision for 30. men behind them, power & shot, foure peeces of Ordnance with divers Musketts, yet the Leiftenant was not blamed for it.

On Monday the 6 of Aprill, the enemy did fall downe with his Shipping below the Towne, where they landed their bag and baggage, and the sicke men with their Pee­ [...]es and Church-men. At Eleveen a clocke the same day there went out some 300. soldiers vnder the command of Captaine Maior Kife, and Captaine Hellman [...], at which time we had taken from vs one English man, and their was killed one Dutch-man and a Scotch-man wounded, they were not out one houre but they came in againe, with many buffe coates, and gilt Rapiers and Ponyards, with the slaughter of many cheife commanders and soldiers,.

An English Constable told me on the Spanish side (after [Page 14]the Towne was deliueréd vp,) that in that out fall there were kild and wounded some 170, had they beene but se­conded with 300 more out of the Towne, it had ben a good daies worke indeed.

The Enemie after this was some sixe dayes still, onely their shippes now and then did make a shot, but our Ord­nance from the Forte did shoote them through and through, that made them way anchor and lay farther from the place.

Some ten daies after they came to besidge vs, they sunke three peeces of Ordnance on the side of an hill to the sea­ward vpon our ships, and hardly did they make a shot but they shot into the ships, where they kild and wounded ma­ny of our saylours, yet they drew the shippes neare to the shoare, I could not conceiue nor cannot apprehend to what purpose they did leaue their Munition and prouision in their shippes, with some 250 saylours, whereas they could not doe any thing to the Enemie from their shippes, either by sea or land; not long had the Enemie plaide at our ships but the Enemie had wounded and kild some 70 of our sea-fayring-men, and brought to ground some soure of our small shippes and the Admirall, to the great losse of pro­uision and Munition, then somewhat late they commanded the saylours to forsake the shippes, and in the night they got some of their Pieces with some of their prouision on land.

Within 16 daies after the beleaguering, our people had planted on the sea side in Forts and other places 36 pieces of Ordnance, they had 300 Musqueters on the water side.

The Enemie had planted against the Towne to the new Port ward called Iasanaks Port three halfe Cannons, the bul­lets was 28 and 36 pound, the first shot that did hit the new Port went through and through, it might haue been fitter called a baubell then a Port, fitter for banqueting then battering. The Towne lay so low, and the hills without so high, that the Enemie did not make Forts, but sunke their Ordance in the gronud. The Enemie did begin to make a batterie neare to the same side of the Towne, the [Page 15]Constable of Iasanacks Port perceiuing the same, did make diuerse shot (hee was an English-man) to the great disturb­ance of the Enemie, but the Colonell did come and com­mand him that he should not shoote at all: the like was com­manded to the other Constables, to the wonder of all: all that was alledged by this Colonell was the want of Muniti­on, if it was true, how worthy of reproofe was he, that would wast so much before in iesting, as I haue noted be­fore: but if there was Munition enough (as there was) I thinke there was iust suspition of treacherie. The Enemie had within fiue daies placed in that batterie fiue halfe Can­nons and presently dismounted our Ordnance on that side of the Towne, then they would but could not play with their Ordance, and when the Colonell was required to suffer to take sacks of cotton and peeces of bayes to stop the the breaches that they might remount their Peices, hee would not yeald thereto.

It was also reported that [...]e Colonell had three seuerall Letters from the Spanish Generall, but there was on good proofe thereof, yet after the Towne was deliuered vp, the man that said hee brought the Letters did testifie the truth of it, nominating the time and place, where and when hee met the Colonell: this I had from Captaine Deshen one that was of the Counsell who is with the Spaniard now.

It was likewise reported that the Colonel with two other Captaines, did intend to flie away in a small Shippe.

Some three weekes after the Leaguer, the enemy had planted nine Peeces of Ordnance at the other Port, and foure in another place, and fiue in another place, so that there was in all thirty seven halfe Cannons.

Wee had mounted in the Towne 61. Peeces, but after the Enemy had mounted and planted their Ordnance, they dismounted ours, so that we had not foure Peeces mounted, then they began to make new Fortes in the Towne, and blinds: vpon those reports of the Colonel a­boue named, the Souldiers began to speake and mutter many things against the Colonel, and Councell and Cap­taines. [Page 16]The Souldiers reported, that th [...]ir Captaines, nor Leiftenants, would not in the day time come in the works and tronches, It is some what credible, for they are like vn­to those Captaines, which were knowne by their rich at­tire, not by their wounds.

The Souldiers some fiue dayes before the Towne was given over, went and complained to the Captaines that the Colonel was treacherous to the Towne, and the de­sired that they would make another Colonel, and they would spend their liues in defence of the Towne, other­wise they said, they would kill him and make another of their owne choyse, this was one Satturday morning the 25. of Aprill, at Eleven of the clocke on Satturday, there was a great alarum, so that we thought verely that they would haue made an assault on the Towne, we had kil­led and wounded in two houres some fourteene men. At the same time there was a Souldier, going to fill his Ban­daleroes with Powder, he having his light match in his hand did foolishly sett fire on the Powder, to the burning of some sixteene men, some to death, all to great misery, at two of the clocke the Alarum ceased, so that every man was commanded to his Colors.

At foure of the Clocke, there went to the market place some fiftie souldiers (as they say) by some Captaines pri­vate assents, the Colonels seeing them marching towards him comes to them, demaunds the cause of their coming, one answered that they came to put out such a treache­rous fellow as he, and to make choise of one that would be faithfull: for their Master and for the Towne, but be­fore he could reply (as I was told) one struke him downe with his Musket, and other with their swords, but he got from them into the house wounded, the souldiers present­ly turned to the Major Captaine Kyfe: and requyred of him to take the protection of the Towne, and them and they with all they souldiers would dy with him, he accep­ted the same and promised the same.

On Monday the 27 of Aprill, there was one from the e­nemy [Page 17]which called to the Centrie on the Port that they would send a Drumme forth, presently it was told to the Colonel together with the Councell, who speedily sent forth a Drumme, when the Enemy saw the Drūme, they requyred the cause of the Drummes cōming forth, it was answered because they called for one, they replyed that they did not call, but seeing there was one come, hee was commanded to be brought to the generall, who re­turned an answer to vs, that his Commission was to de­stroy all the Hollanders, and to put the English and French to the Gallies, yet if they would seeke for mercy, he would in his owne Clemencie, giue vs all our liues; vpon this truce was taken for 6. houres, no sooner was this noysed, but that the Enemy came over their works, and brooke some pales downe, and the Souldiers on both sides did ralke freindly together, two from the Enemy was let in blind-fold and led to the Colonel. There were conditons propounded on our part, but thought to great to be gran­ted by the Enemy. Truce was continued for 24. hours, and two from our Captaines sent to the Generall of the Ene­my, others also came from the Enemy, in the meane time, I saw the Enemy working (contrary to order.)

Truce was continued till Wednesday. On Wednesday, their went a souldier to the Councell, and told them that the souldiers did vnderstand, they would not yeild vnto those conditions the enemy propounded, so that it would be the losse of all their liues, for which reason he said that the souldiers were purposed to giue vp the Towne, if they would not make composition, they thanked the souldier for his speech, but did not enquyer from whom hee had heard the same conspiracie.

The Councell vpon this one mans speech (and a com­mon drunkard too) resolved to deliuer vp the towne vp­on any conditions, the Truce being continued againe till Thursday, the Maior went to every Court of Gard: and demaunded whether the souldiers would be content with that agreement as the Councell should determine off, [Page 18]which should not be dishonorable, they all assented to the same. Whereupon the conditions were agreed vpon, but not such as the souldiers liked off for it was ordered that the souldiers should the next morning goe to Shippe, and they should either send their Armes before them to the Shipping, or they going before should be sent after aboard. Further it was agreed vpon, that the Towne with all the riches: should be left there, and the Officers should haue their Chests with wearing apparell onely, (I meane Captaines, Skippers, Preachers, Readers and Marchants) the rest onely with their Knapsacks on their backs. The same night about fiue of the Clocke, there was let into on of the Ports: a squadron of the enemyes & many Officers. The next morning, the Enemy came in at seven of the clocke in the morning, and our souldiers leaving their Armes in the market place, were commaunded downe to the water side.

The same day being Friday the last of Aprill, there came the Enemy downe to the waters side in their Armes, their match light, and did march in the middest of vs. Such a ragged Regiment did I never see, halfe of them had no shoes to their feece, their Armes were like to them, some had halfe a Rapier, others had them tyed in match, not one in twentie, was in his full Armes fixe, they were lodg­ed in the strongest houses at the waters side, where they kept their Courts of Gard.

Don Frederico commanded vpon paine of death that there should no wrong nor violence be offered to vs, which was carefully looked vnto by his Officers.

Eight dayes after, there came a command that we should goe aboard, so the seat chers came downe and the saylours were searched very strictly to the ripping vp of their shoes and all suspected places about them, this search was conti­nued a day and a halfe, so that most of the saylors and a companie of souldiers were searched. But Don Frederico came downe to the water side, and gaue way that all the rest of the souldiers should to the shippes without searching. [Page 19]The fifteenth of May came the Hollanders Fleete before the Bay 34 in number, with their bloody colours. The next morning they came sayling into the Bayes mouth. The Spa­niard seeing that, hoysed saile, and with some 30 saile went forth towards them. The Admirall from the Spaniard made a shot at the Hollander, the Admirall from the Hollander re­turned him the like againe, and so went backe with the whole Fleete to sea. At this time were the Spaniards ships much vnprouided, had the Hollander knowne so much I suppose they would haue come in and ouer-throwne the whole Fleete.

There were many reports concerning that Fleete of the Hollanders, but nothing so credible as for truth I will write.

After we were put into the ships, some halfe Musket shot from the Towne, the Generall Don Frederico, did giue or­der, that euery souldier of ours should haue a pound of beefe a day, besides wine and bread, for 2000 was this ran­some giuen, but the neglect of most of our Officers was great, in somuch that many times for 3, 5, and 8 daies to­gether, the souldiers ransomes were neglected by them, they lying drinking on Land, and the poore souldiers famishing on shippe board, and this is the maine cause why our soul­diers came home so bare and naked, for they were forst to sell their apparell for daily prouision. They were put to such a straight, that they were forst to swimme, and with pipes to fetch themselues water to drinke, whilest their Officers must haue the boates to attend them at their whore-houses and wine-houses. It is true that the Officers haue been taxt for this there, but they would excuse it, but in truth they cannot, they be but meere excuses. Our Enemies did much blame them for this thing: and worthy of blame they were.

After the deliuering vp of the Towne we staied thirteene weekes foure dayes in the Baye, and that was by Don Fer­derico his intreatie, as Captaine Francisco told me; why Don Frederico did so, was, because hee knew not where the Hollanders Fleete was, and hee seared least wee going forth should ioyne with them. In the meane time, they trimmed [Page 20]vp seauen of the Hollanders ships, and by intreatie (if not by command) got 250 saylors from vs, to manage their ships to Spaine.

At the latter end of our being there victuals grew scarce, so that Don Frederico wished that our shippes should waite on him to Fernabocke, and there hee would bee liberall to vs. Friday the twenty-two of Iuly, wee with the Spanish Arma­do hoysed saile. But let mee note one thing here which is worth the obseruation, concerning the Portugals. The Prince Don Frederico a little before his goeing away sold to the Portugals their houses, which before were their owne, and at his goeing away did not onely take away all goods till it came to old stooles and dores, but also stript them na­ked of all Armes and Munition, and did take away all their Ordnance that was planted to sea or land-ward. So that the Towne is novv more vveake then it vvas vvhen the Hollan­der tooke it in. More may be said of this But I will not.

We with the Spanish Fleete hoysed sayle (as I said before,) the Spanish Fleete was some 42 of their owne ships, & leuen ships which they had of ours that they trimmed vp, name­ly, the Samson, the Tiger, the [...]ricke, the Gringe, King Da­uid, Saul, and the House, we had seuen ships but such ships as n [...]u [...]r [...]a [...]y made such a Voyage in, they had not beene trimmed in two yeares, they had no good tacklings at all, some of them had but an anchor a piece, they were all excee­ding leakey. In the ship that I my selfe came in, our souldi­ers pumped 20 and 24 thousand strokes a day: our ship was courted the best, and yet such it was, that mad the Skipper to say to me, that he couid wish himselfe in [...], to play crosse and pile for his life. The prouision in our ships was small, there was but for ten weekes, such small alowance as many could well haue eaten it vp in two dayes: their weekely ransome was 4 pound of bread or veryua, halfe a pound of beese, 4 ordinary spoonfull of oyie, a quart or a pint of wine and a quart of water a day: let all men that reades or heares, iudge if our Officers w [...] not much faul­ty herein, or the Spaniard, if not both. Our Officers will [Page 21]not deny but that the Towne was delivered vp vpon con­ditions, but what conditions few knowes, base conditions all knowes. The souldiers disarmed, left to the mercy of the Spaniard, their Apparel., their vittals, and their goods, given to the Enemy, they put in shipps as captiues taken by the Enemy, and turned to the Sea: that if God had not extraordinary preserued vs, wee had never seene our na­tiue Countrie. Nor to the Spanyard nor yet to our officers doe wee giue the prayse of our safe arriuall, but vnto our good God. As all dew is, so doe we giue the soole honor and prayse of our preseruation, from all those manifold dangers.

One Friday night hauing a crosse wind, we cast Anker at the Bayes mouth, at which time foure of our 7. Shippes (in the night time) made away from the Fleete, the next day at Evening, the Admirall from the Spanish Armado wayed Anker with the rest of the Fleete, and went into the Bay againe, with our 3 Shipps went in with them. On the next day at 6 in the Evening, there came command from Don Frederico, that Captaine Cherke, and Captaine Deshene, should goe into two Spanish shipps, the reason why it was thus commanded: was thought to be, because the 4 shipps went away without the Generalls leaue, but I rather beleeved their was greater reasons. For this Cap­taine Cherke did as I haue writ before, dealt very basely in serching of the wife and daughters to the Governour of Regturo de Plato, then was the time or neuer for them to repay him his basenes, the other Captaine was he that was our guide to the Countrey of Brasil and to the Towne of Saluedoe, for he was there three yeares prisoner as he told me, the Spaniard it may be thought, that such a man was not for their profit to be returned to Holland.

On Munday morning the 25 of Iuly, the Admirall shot and wayed anchor, and we with them went out: some fiue daies wee kept with the Fleete, but in the night time the sixth day we lost (if it may be cald a losse) the Spanish Fleete, which was bound for Fernabocke, so that wee made for Hol­land, [Page 22]and notwithstanding the leaking of our shippes, the shortnesse and scarcenesse of our victualls, by Gods protection all our seuen ships came safe for England and Holland: not looseing 22 men in all our 1650 men. In that ship I was in we lost but one, and that on the English coast, for which, all glory and praises be giuen to God, of vs which haue been so miraculously deliuered, and of all that wisheth well vnto vs.

If any enqnire or require a reason or reasons why I haue caused to be published this small booke, it might be answe­red, that it is a booke of newes, and is not that a suffici­ent reason? But I answere, the maine reasons which haue moued me to publish this booke are these.

First: By the earnest perswasion of some Merchants of London and others, which in part heard the relation thereof.

Secondly: That the reading and consideration of this might bee a motiue to all in authoritie that put men in of­fice, to beware of aduancing base minded men, men that regard goods more then God, their owne profit more then the honour of their Prince and Countries, especially to be­ware of aduancing such into offices as respect not their owne credite, but will defaime their name by whoreing and drun­kennesse and beastly Borish carriages as was some, and a great some of their Officers. And this kinde of doings did so besot them, that they became vnderstandlesse in these weightie affaires, (for I presuppose that those which chose them sawe something in them worthy the choise.) I am fully perswaded, had they beene such comman­ders as Iethroe had aduised Moyses to make choise of, men that seared God, and men of courage, ha [...]ing couetousnesse, Saluadoe had borne Orange colours this day; but these men feared not God, had they feared God, they would haue done as good Ezechiah did in time of danger, sought to the Lord for helpe, not Saul-like to a Southsayer as did Colonel Wil­liam Scoulton with others, these men were so forre from ha­ting of couetousnesse that they loued couetousnesse; that is plaine, not onely by their ingrossing of Gold, Chaines, and [Page 23]Iewels in their chests, but in that they too vnworthy men gaue places of office for mony; and it is most plaine, and now euident, that they were not men of courage, by two or three witnesses may a truth be affirmed, but I can bring forth two or ten hundred to confirme this, who haue been eye witnesses of their cowardly carriages. But let that serue to proue this which is knowne of all, their base deliuery vp of the Towne: they had at their command 2000, besides 600 Negars; this they cannot deny, for they receiued ran­some after the Towne was giuen vp for so many.

Let them plead for their basenes as they will, and say they had not ammunition and provision, I partly knowe the contrary (by one of their secreet concell,) they had to serue for three moneths crediblie so reported, but a badge of their cowardlinesse, was this their keeping of house, when they should haue kept their works, and encouraged their Souldiers; If search should be made, you might in­deede find souldiers which haue lost some their armes, some their eyes, some their legs, with other demonstrati­ons of souldiers of courage, but let all the Officers that came from Bay be searched: and one will not bee found (saue the Enginer M.Iose Middleburghe) to my knowledge that hath receiued there, any wound or scarre by their E­nemy. I will not deny but they may haue a wound, some of them which might bee receiued in the wine-house of the Portingals, after the Towne was giuen vp: but that ra­ther demonstrate their basenes then their courage, their not comming into their works was a great occasion to dis­courage the souldiers, for I did heare the souldiers much complaine of this very thing. How may Holland be grei­ued that so great and Princely a thing fell into the hands of such base cowardly Officers, double dishoner haue they done, to that Noble Prince, & Honorable States of the Ne­ther-Lands, if they pay their liues for their great basenes, what is that to so great losse? The best that can be made of this losse is to make choise of Officers for the like en­terprises as are men of vnderstanding, fearing God, loving [Page 24]the Honur of the Prince and Countrie, more regarding a good name and credite, then an evill reproach with life.

The third reason of my writing is to set a looking glasse for base and cowardly Officers to looke in, wherein they may see their future shame and disgrace, if they will persist in such wicked courses, such may ride on horses ha­ving gold and scarlet to adorne their persons, they may haue command of others, imprisoning & hanging whom they will, but looke one our Captaines of Bay, they were such; but what are they now? The day of accompt is come, they are in prison, their honors is come downe, they would be (I thinke) now content to goe on foote, and all their comfort is now, they haue more mercifull Iudges then themselues were, wherfore all that know your selues to be such, in time captivate your basenes, least be­ing your selues captivated your basenes be discovered.

The last Reason of my writing: and yet not the least cause, is to publish to all (that will take notice) the won­derfull works of God, in these particulars whereof I haue written, by the which wee may see Gods proceedings against a people. These Portugalls had peace and plentie: aboundance of outward blessings, and these were conti­nued to them for many yeares, but the abuse of these bles­sings: did provoke the Lord to anger, and though he did spare them long, yet they did not consider it, & layd it not to heart, & turne from their wickednes, therefore the Lord tooke his owne cause in hand, and while they were sacri­ficing to their Netts, the Lord cetch them in his Nett. He sent the Hollanders one them, who suddenly came against them, and laid their honor & pride in the dust. We were but a handfull in regard of them, it was reported they were in the Towne 9000. able to beare armes among them, and provision they had for 12. moneths. They had a batterie in the water for 9. peeces, some of which peeces wayed 41110 pound, they had besids 8 Castels & great Forts on the water side: they had some 70. Peeces of Ordnance in all, yet all could not help. God was against them, and they [Page 25]thought the whole world was come vpon them. For a­mong them selues they made report, that 10000 thou­sand was landed, whereas there was not landed 2300. God the Captaine of our hoast went before vs, who tooke a way from our enemyes all courage and boldnes, as he tooke off the Chariots wheeles of Pharaohs hoast, the e­nemyes of Israell, before we had once compassed Saluadoe before our Trumpets did sound, or our Drummes make an alarum, like Iericho to Israell, so Saluadoe to vs was deli­vered vp. True was and is that saying which some hath said, namely, that we tooke not in Saluadoe, but Saluadoe tooke vs in. Heere was Gods worke and it is worthy to be taken notice off: and to be had in everlasting remēbrance, it is good for Cities and Countries to take notice of this worke of God, take heed least Pharasaically you justifie your selues (without iust reason) and say you are not such sinners as they, lest an hādwriting come against you, & the words be read, except you amend you shall likewise drinke of the cup of Gods wrath, which cup of trembling hath bin put into our hands: and we haue drunke deepe there­of. And justly hath the Lord dealt with vs, he gaue vs (we got it not by our owne harme) honor, riches and victory, he tooke from our enemyes all their glory, and put it into our hands, but we haue trampled them vnder our feete. Our glory is become our shame, thougth we haue ben better taught then they, yet indeed we haue done worse then they, they sinned in curiositie and daintinesse of dyet, but we in glottonie and dronkennesse, if it could be we excel­led them in pride, the sinne of whoredome, me thinks was more abominable in our time amongst vs, then before amongst our enemyes, for their religion giues a dispen­sation in some cases, ours not, they could haue pardons before the committing of it, but we by our conscience & the rule of God tells vs, that whoremongers shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen, without God giue repentance and pardon. And me thinks, the sinne of our whore-masters was the greater, in that they prostrated themselues to [Page 26]their captivated harlots, and to Heathenish Black-amores. I doubt I should be tedious, if in each particular I should make comparison betwixt our enemyes sins, and the sins of our Army, onely this I will writ, that two things hath beene speciall motiues to cause the Lord to be wrath with vs. Our not consideration of Gods great iudgments on our Enemyes for their sinnes, and our great vnthank­fulnes for so many, so rich & vndeserved favours bestow­ed on vs, well may it be sayd to vs, that we haue bin a foo­lish and vnwise people, so evelly to requite the Lord our God, who gaue vs so many things and hopes of greater matters. While we be humbled for these things, let other people before warne to take due notice of Gods iudge­ments and his se [...]ritle on sinfull people: and in time re­pent, so shalt thou prevent a future repentance, and de­struction shall not be thy ruine. In the last place, I bend my exhortation to all these, whom God hath giuen ho­nour, glory and riches aboue their brethren; be sure to a­bound in thankfulnesse to God, as God hath abounded in mercyes to you aboue others, thanks is the least thou canst returne to God, being the least, if thou neglect it, me thinks it is one of the greatest motiues, to strip thee naked to thy shame, and disgrace: and to make thee an ensample to others, as we that haue benin Saluadoe, exam­ples to others.

Let not any misconster my meaning, nor misapply my writting, as if I should writ in the disgrace of Hollanders, our neighbour Nation and professed friends, though it be true that most of the Commanders in this voyage were Dutch­men, yet they were but few in regard of the whole Nati­on, and therefore iniustice it is to condemne a Nation for a few false persons, and if we should thus censure, we shold happily condēne our selues. Lay the fault where it ought to be layd, and then drunkards, whore-masters, and vnder­standlesse persons shall justly be condemned, not the fault lesse Nation.