Two memorable relations The one a letter vvritten from Colonell Generall VVeerdenburk, out of the VVest-India from Farnabuck, to the lords of the States Generall of the Vnited Provinces, touching the suprisall of the towne of Olinda in Farnabuck, with the forts thereunto belonging. Translated out of Dutch into English. The other, the coppy of the true relation of all that hath passed and beene done at the taking and reducing of the citty and cittadell or castle of Pignerolle, after a very hot and furious assault was given. Together with all the passages and occurrences that happened at the pillaging of Rivolle. By the Lord Marshall De Crequy. Faithfully translated out of the French coppy. With priviledge, printed at Roane by Tho. Mallard dwelling at the Pallace. 1630. — Copie vande missive, gheschreven byden Generael Weerdenburch. English

Two memorable relations The one a letter vvritten from Colonell Generall VVeerdenburk, out of the VVest-India from Farnabuck, to the lords of the States Generall of the Vnited Provinces, touching the suprisall of the towne of Olinda in Farnabuck, with the forts thereunto belonging. Translated out of Dutch into English. The other, the coppy of the true relation of all that hath passed and beene done at the taking and reducing of the citty and cittadell or castle of Pignerolle, after a very hot and furious assault was given. Together with all the passages and occurrences that happened at the pillaging of Rivolle. By the Lord Marshall De Crequy. Faithfully translated out of the French coppy. With priviledge, printed at Roane by Tho. Mallard dwelling at the Pallace. 1630. — Copie vande missive, gheschreven byden Generael Weerdenburch. English

Two memorable relations The one a letter vvritten from Colonell Generall VVeerdenburk, out of the VVest-India from Farnabuck, to the lords of the States Generall of the Vnited Provinces, touching the suprisall of the towne of Olinda in Farnabuck, with the forts thereunto belonging. Translated out of Dutch into English. The other, the coppy of the true relation of all that hath passed and beene done at the taking and reducing of the citty and cittadell or castle of Pignerolle, after a very hot and furious assault was given. Together with all the passages and occurrences that happened at the pillaging of Rivolle. By the Lord Marshall De Crequy. Faithfully translated out of the French coppy. With priviledge, printed at Roane by Tho. Mallard dwelling at the Pallace. 1630. — Copie vande missive, gheschreven byden Generael Weerdenburch. English

Table of contents

Title page

A Letter written from Colonell Generall Weerdenburk, out of the West-India from Farnabuck to the Lords the States generall of the Vnited Provinces, touching the surprisall of the towne of Olinda in Farnabuck with the forts thereunto belonging. Translated out of Dutch into English.

The true portraicture and description of Fernambuco, the principall and chiefe Citty of the Kingdome of Brasilia in America, with all the conveniences and scituation of the Countrey thereabouts, as also the Rivers, Havens, and roads of ships, very lively deciphered according to a Mappe lately drawne.

Relation of what lately happened at the taking of the Citty and Castle of Pignerolle, and the pillaging of Rivolle, by Monsieur de Crequy.

§

§

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TWO MEMORABLE RELATIONS.

THE ONE A LETTER VVRITTEN from Colonell Generall VVEERDENBVRK, out of the VVest-India from Farnabuck, to the Lords the States Generall of the Vnited Provinces, touching the surprisall of the Towne of Olinda in Farnabuck, with the Forts thereunto belonging.

Translated out of Dutch into English.

The other, The Coppy of the true relation of all that hath passed and beene done at the taking and reducing of the Citty and Cittadell of [...] after a very hot and f [...]

Together with all the pa [...] occurrences that happened at the [...] Rivolle.

By the Lord [...] De Crequy.

Faithfully translate [...] out of the French Coppy.

W [...] Priviledge, Printed at Roane [...] Tho. Mallard dwelling at the [...] [...]ace. 1630.

LONDON, Printed for Nicolas [...] the South Entrance of the Roya [...] [...] [...]620.

A Letter written from Colonell Generall Weerdenburk, out of the West-India from Farnabuck to the Lords the States generall of the Vnited Provinces, touching the surprisall of the towne of Olinda in Farnabuck with the forts thereunto belonging.
Translated out of Dutch into English.

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[Page]

ILLVSTRIOVS, high and mighty Lords, Seeing by Gods helpe I have victoriously conquered this place of Farnabuck; according to my duty I could not omit to give an account unto Your Lordships of the manner and passages that happened in the mastering of this place, as much as this present time will give me leave.

Having found Generall Lonck with his ships in the Bay of St. Vincent, after wee had layen there some weekes till the rest of our fleete came unto us, being in all fifty three sayle, manned with many sicke men amongst the sound ones; on the 26 of December 1629 last, we set forward for the Coast of Brasill; and upon the 12 of February following, wee sayled on to the height of eight degrees, where some other of our ships and pinnaces came unto us that had beene lost; so that then we were fifty sixe sayles in all: And having met all together in counsell, after mature deliberation wee sent out some ships before to discover, and resolved to assault the enemy in two places, to wit, I my selfe with 2400 souldiers, and 300 saylers. And besides those, other 300 [Page] Mariners should goe along with the traine divided into 16 ships, which should be la [...]ded some six English miles to the Northward of Fernabuck; and the Generall to have along with him two other strong squadrons, which should put into the roade by the sea banke or shelfe.

Which resolution was accordingly put in execution upon the 15 day of February last. But in regard those of the Castle were warned, or suspecting of our comming, and had therefore sunke some ships in the very mouth of the shelfe, the Generall his designe could take no effect, though he did his best endeavour to open the passage into the shelfe with his Canon.

In the meane while a great number of the enemies both foote and horse shewed themselves in the afternoone upon the sands, which made mee make for the shore with sloopes and boates, where wee landed in the sight and spight of them all; the rest of our men following me with two peeces of Ordnance, which carried a bullet of some three pound weight. And because it began to be late, I was constrained there to abide and lye on the sands all that night. The next day very earely in the morning having sent the boates and sloopes backe aagaine to the shipping, I ordered my troopes into three divisions. First, the Avantgard, wherein I was present my selfe in person both in landing the day before, and then upon our march; and this Avantgard was commanded by Collonell Eltz: The Battell was commanded by Lieutenant Colonell Steincallenfels; and the rereward by the Serjeant Major Huncks.

I led my selfe the Avantgard along the sea shore towards the towne, and comming to the River called Riodolce, the depth whereof is up to a mans middle, and which of necessitie wee must passe: There the enemie gave us the first encounter, being in my judgement strong about 1800 foote and horse; But after a hot onset, and divers being flame and hurt on both sides, (but thankes be to God the least number on our side) wee put [Page] them to flight; notwithstanding they had this advantage of us of a swift running water. Thus being past and a little further advanced on the sands, we met with a second troope, who likewise made a tryall of our resolution, assaulting us with a brave skirmish, and wee encountring them with a great desire; but after a little resistance they made their retreate into the woods. A third time the enemies shewed themselves againe, but would or durst no more stand against us. I then perceiving this feare and irresolution amongst them, marched in all diligence directly towards the towne, and being come neer to it, we climed up to the height of the hill whereupon stands the Cloyster of the Iesuites, and there finding the gates thereof barrocadoed, we fell on and broke them open, while part of our enemies defended themselves with their weapons, and part runne away: so the others also seeing the courage of our men, after some small opposition, they also fled, leaving behinde them many dead and hurt men, as also on our side there were slaine some.

In the meane while our enemies beneath on the sands, and in the trenches and forts perceiving this our proceeding, and being now also set upon and prest by our Reere, which entertained a fight with them, after many Canon shots made by ours against them, betooke themselves at last to their heeles, abandoning their Forts, which we presently tooke and possessed our selves thereof.

Thus by the assistance of God we became masters of the towne, after we had lost by reason of the great heate in the fight about 50 or 60 souldiers in all. The Iesuites cloister wherein I my selfe lye, and some other avenues and passages, wee presently fortified against any assaults that the enemie could make upon us. The 20 of February last I commanded Colonell Steincallenfels, with the advice of the councell, to see if he could surprise the great fort that lieth upon the shelfe on the land side And truly he carried himselfe bravely, and gave an assault upon it [Page] that lasted two houres together; but because our ladders were too short, it was thought good to prevent the spoyling of more men, to retreate after the losse of some 20 slaine and 40 hurt; the enemy having on his side also lost some 12 that were slaine by ours. And seeing wee could not carry so easily that fort by an assault, vve resolved on the 23 of February, to take it by approaches, and forthwith to cause Canon baskets and other necessaries to be prepared and set up. All which was done accordingly, and with such an expedition, that on the 27 of the same moneth with 500 men wee began to breake ground and to runne a trench and a line towards the Castle, which stood betweene the village scituated upon the shelfe and the towne: And the next day Lieutenant Colonell Eltz, who commanded the battery, being almost in a readinesse, hee was relieved that night by Serjeant Major Huncks: I also going thither in person, on the next morning very early the battery was finished of 3 halfe Canon; we played all that morning, discharging 708 shot till about nine of the clock in the forenoon. Then the besieged called for a parley, holding out a white sheete, and sending forth a Captaine, with whom wee presently came to a composition, to wit:

That they leaving the Fort to us should march out without colours, or lighted matches; leaving behinde them all their ordnance, amunition and victualls that were in the Castle, which we suppose they cast the most part of them into the Sea, because we could finde but little in it; Besides, that they should binde themselves by promise to shew no hostility against our state in sixe moneths after.

This being done, wee summoned up also the other Castle, which stands upon the entrance into the shelfe.

The Generall Admirall and Vice-Admirall being advertised thereof, and comming unto us, approved of the Councell, and so sending a drumme unto the said Castle, they within it presently sent out a Lieutenant (upon [Page] condition of leaving one of ours as hostage in his place) who from the Commander thereof had order to treate with us, and to frame certaine articles or conditions, which were signed on both sides: And so this great fort being given over also unto us this day, we became not onely masters of both these forts, but also withall of the haven and the whole shelfe.

The next day being the third of March, I commanded Lieutenant Colonell Steincallenfels to make an enterprise upō the Ile of Antonia Vaaz, lying right over against the village that stood upon the shelfe, which he did in launching over some boates: But thankes be to God, the enemies having already knowledge that wee were masters of the two forts, they fled away without any making of resistance. In the Cloyster that stands upon that Ile hee lodged a company of his men.

And thus at last the Towne, Castles and Forts (none remaining) fell under our command. I doubt not but my Lords the Administratours of this Company will second us in this our victory, to the end they may enjoy the fruites thereof; this being indeede a place invincible, if it be well seconded and provided for: It is of good temperature, having fresh and good waters, and good store of meate: A place I say of driving the greatest trade in all Brasill; and which trade (by Gods grace) will encrease mightily if it be reduced to peace; and such a place as will curbe all Brasill, seeing there is such a feare and terrour amongst the enemies throughout the whole land already: And I hope to make such a progresse into it, that your Lordships name shall live perpetually in it; And that by the taking of this towne, with the forts therunto belonging, all Brasill will be bridled and brought into subjection, and the enemies navigations along the coast utterly destroyed; which will be the way to take this trading from them, and to reduce the Inhabitants thereof to a mutuall love, amity, and strict alliance. Thus God preserve your Lordships as preservers of his people, in [Page] all prosperity, to the glory of his Name, and to the confusion of all our enemies, Amen.

Given in the Iesuites Cloyster in the towne of Olinda Fernábuco, the 7 of March 1630. stilo novo.

Your Lordships most humble servant, D. V. WEERDENBVRC K.

The true portraicture and description of Fernambuco, the principall and chiefe Citty of the Kingdome of Brasilia in America, with all the conveniences and scituation of the Countrey thereabouts, as also the Rivers, Havens, and roads of ships, very lively deciphered according to a Mappe lately drawne.

1. THE hole of the Resiffe (so named) through which the ships doe come into the haven called the Posso, so to come forwards into the Citty.

2. Posso where the shipps lay, and many ships may lie continually.

3. Here is a sand-banck, where it is five foote deepe at low water, and twelve foote deepe at a spring tide, here the shippes must saile round about the Resiffe, where is the greatest depth.

4. The point of the shelve or banke which must be shunned in the comming in of the ships.

5. The River of the Citty, which hath recourse to diverse places.

6. This place is called Varrador, where the ships and barkes doe unlade their goods and merchandises, &c.

The [...] of Ferna [...]buco.

[Page] 8. The Castle right over against the entrance of the ships, and at a high tide it is compassed round about with water.

9. The River towards the Vargie, running above two miles in height at the top, with many shallow places, here we may sayle with barkes and boates.

10. Here the ships may ride at anker as it were in a tide-haven, but they must ride farre forth from ebbe and flow, and then the slight ropes or cables will serve the turne.

11. This place is called the housing of the Resiffe.

12. A dry place.

13. The Cloyster of St. Bento, being the Order of the Benedictines.

14. A Parish Church named St. Peters Church.

15. This is the head Church called the Che.

16. The Church of Misericorde.

17. Nossa Sinora da Concession, being a Church, neere unto which doe adjoyne certaine houses where young maidens are.

18. The Cloyster of St. Anthonio, where women and fryers are in white apparrell.

19. The Cloyster of St. Franciscus, in which are Cordeliers, or Love-fryers: here is a great commodity of water.

20. The Cloyster of the Iesuites, which is a very faire building, with beautifull gardens, and pleasant cleare water, besides Rockes, out of which they dig stone continually, as also stone to make chalke or lime.

21. Nossa Sinora du Monte, and the little Church standing on the hill is also called by that name.

22. The hole of the Barette, right against the River of the Vargie, or otherwise called Capibariba.

23. The house of the Barette with a little Chappell.

24. On the roade before the shore ships may anchor at ten and twelve fathom water, being but halfe a mile or a small mile from the shore.

[Page] 25. The Iland of Tamarca, where men may come out from the roade with shallops betweene the clifts and rocks, and then from Tamarca againe upon the firme land.

26. A Bridge hard by the Citty, here men may passe at a low water with horses & carts, being but two foote and a halfe deepe, or three at the most: here is a great passage of men, and wagons, and carts, &c. to all quarters and parts of the South.

27. The Iland and habitation of Marcus Andre.

28. The firme land of the Vargie de Capibariba, being three miles in length, and a mile and a halfe broad, with many sugar mills or engines in it: This is a very faire and costly Country, where is great riches of persons, and a mighty deale of sugar.

29. The firme land of the Barette, this is barren, full of Manques, and it is low sandy ground, some two miles continent, but comming up toward the mountaines, it is very costly ground, yeelding much sugar, and all kinde of commodities.

30. The Resiffes which reach along by the shore and sea-coast, being 6 or 8 foote high at a low water, after the wane or spring of the full and new Moone.

31. A new fort for the securing of the haven, well provided with Ordnance.

32. Retrenchments newly made, well fortified and provided with shot and Ordnance against the comming of the shippes, as also for the defence of the haven: insomuch that power nor force will not prevaile here, by reason the Forts are so well planted with Ordnance, and the ships must sayle very near them to avoid the shelves and sands.

33. This was the old haven, where they were wont to unlade their shippes and barkes, and is called the olde haven, here men may sayle betweene the cliffes with boates and barkes.

Thus loving Reader and Spectatour, you have the declaration [Page] of this Mappe, which will give you a farther demonstration of the Citty and all appendices.

Relation of what lately happened at the taking of the Citty and Castle of Pignerolle, and the pillaging of Rivolle, by Monsieur de Crequy.

THE armes of the King having appeased and setled the great troubles of his Kingdome, and his lillies flourishing with a sweet tranquillity beyond desire and expectation; his Majestie would now cause the enemies of his Crowne to be sensible of the power and endeavours of the same; and to that end and purpose conducted his forces into Italy under the cōmand of my Lord the Cardinall of Richelieu: Where his Highnesse of Savoy (whose spirit can never be at rest) had for a certaine space of time given threatning speaches that hee would employ his forces thither for the service of his Majesty; and to this effect did offer and present unto the King all manner of submission in true and certaine fidelity, assuring my Lord the Cardinall of Richelieu (who was Commander and leader of the Kings army) of free passage into Italy.

The Lord Cardinall, whose judgement and understanding vertue hath adorned and endued with all manner of qualities required in a General of an army, well knowing by experience that the foresaid his Highnesse of Savoy had oftentimes made the like and great protestations to the King, and that notwithstanding there was never any trust or credence to be given to his promises, not at this time degenerating from his excellent disposition, would not accept of this his offer, unlesse first of all hee would deliver into his hands divers Townes which are upon the passage into Italy, to the end that he might retaine them within the limits of reason, if perchance hee [Page] would doe that which should proove contrary to the thing he had promised unto the King.

The Duke of Savoy not knowing how he might closely hide, and afterwards bring to passe his treacherous intention, well knowing that the Cardinall did use a great deale of prudence and policy, and that his Romish Cardinalls hat did not any way diminish or hinder his valour, resolved to grant him his demaund, that thereby he might the better colour over his pernicious designe.

But the said Lord Cardinall using a great deale of requisite providence and precaution, according to his accustomed manner, placed strong garrisons into those townes, which the Duke of Savoy had given into his possession, and in the meane space advanced his Army into Italy; ever being vigilant, and having an especiall care of all the actions and passages of his Highnesse of Savoy, expecting no other issue nor performance of his promise, but onely a marke and token of his infidelity.

In the meane time, whilest the Army of the King (conducted under the command of the Cardinall Richelieu) marched and advanced into Italy, and that they must needs come unto hands with some troopes of Spanish, his Highnesse of Savoy being inspired with an evill winde, as that is ordinary to him, betakes himselfe to his accustomed inconstancy and infidelity, trusting, that by such an action he should hinder and overthrow the designe and intention of his Majesty: But God who commands the very secrets of the King, would not suffer his will and intention to prevaile and take effect.

Whereupon having performed this stratagem, the Lord Cardinall possessed himselfe of all the townes which he retained for hostage, and gave the towne of Rivolle to to his souldiers for pillage.

Which being done, hee caused certaine Regiments cōducted under the hand of the Lord Marshal de Crequi, to march toward the Towne and Castle of Pignerolle; [Page] which the said Lord Marshall invested with a diligence and vigilancie agreeable to such a valorous courage.

And at the very first vollie of Canon shot he reduced the same towne under the command and obedience of the King without losse of any of his men.

The Lord Marshall besides this, well knowing that it was necessary and requisite furiously to assault the Cittadell or Castle, before the same could be constrained to yeeld, hee caused all his batteries to shoote, thereby to make tryall whether or no those within the Castle were resolved to keepe the same.

Those within having made certaine shot at the Kings forces, the Lord de Crequi caused a generall assault to be made, in which assault the Count de Saulx did behave himselfe most valiantly, obtaining to himselfe the Crowne of the walls, by scanding the first and chiefe Bul warke, which he gained with an invincible courage.

The enemie having retired themselves into the strong hold or Fort within the Castle, the Lord de Crequy caused a retreate to be founded, and the next day following those within the Castle finding themselves sorely prest and hardly put to it and having also lost their principall Bulwarke, seeing also that the Lord de Crequi had mastered the towne, then they made signe for a parley.

The Lord Marshall de Crequy sent unto them to know what they demanded; their answer was to yeeld, but on this condition, that faithfull promise might be made unto them, that ever after they might remaine under the government and obedience of the King, which the said Lord Marshall de Crequi assured them of. And the one and thirtieth day of March being Easterday, at seven a clocke in the morning, these Lords, the Lord Marshall de Crequi, Count de Saulx, and de Villeroy, entred into the Castle with two Companies of foote.

The Duke of Savoy at the present is much perplexed, and knowes not which way to turne himselfe; for whithersoever hee lookes hee sees his owne calamity, the [Page] ruine and destruction of his Country, having now lost Rivolle, Pignerolle, and other places for his safety, and which indeede were bulwarks unto Italy.

This is all that passed in Piedmont at the taking of the Towne and Castle of Pignerolle; unto which Castle the Lord Marshall de Crequy addes all necessaries, and carries all possible care for the keeping and maintaining of the same under the Crowne and obedience of France.

O you French Nation, for this must you make prayers and supplications unto the Almighty, that he will be pleased to blesse and preserve his Annointed Lewis the Iust, beseeching his Majesty to afford us this grace and favour, that we may see this King flourish, and to heape upon our King blessings and happinesse, giving him a successful offspring, to favor our Prince Dauphin, giving him victory over all his enemies. Heaven grant that our prayers may be received at his hands to whom we direct them, and that his great goodnesse be pleased to grant us whatsoever we demand, blessing our King, directing his enterprises, giving him the accomplishment of all his good intentions, with the augmentation and increase of his Crowne and Kingdome.

FJNJS.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

Two memorable relations The one a letter vvritten from Colonell Generall VVeerdenburk, out of the VVest-India from Farnabuck, to the lords of the States Generall of the Vnited Provinces, touching the suprisall of the towne of Olinda in Farnabuck, with the forts thereunto belonging. Translated out of Dutch into English. The other, the coppy of the true relation of all that hath passed and beene done at the taking and reducing of the citty and cittadell or castle of Pignerolle, after a very hot and furious assault was given. Together with all the passages and occurrences that happened at the pillaging of Rivolle. By the Lord Marshall De Crequy. Faithfully translated out of the French coppy. With priviledge, printed at Roane by Tho. Mallard dwelling at the Pallace. 1630.Copie vande missive, gheschreven byden Generael Weerdenburch. English

Waerdenburgh, Dirk van.

Edition statement

1630

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

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Date

2007-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A14914

ID [STC]

STC 25219

ID [STC]

ESTC S119755

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99854961

ID [PROQUEST]

99854961

ID [VID]

20427

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A14914)

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Source

— Two memorable relations The one a letter vvritten from Colonell Generall VVeerdenburk, out of the VVest-India from Farnabuck, to the lords of the States Generall of the Vnited Provinces, touching the suprisall of the towne of Olinda in Farnabuck, with the forts thereunto belonging. Translated out of Dutch into English. The other, the coppy of the true relation of all that hath passed and beene done at the taking and reducing of the citty and cittadell or castle of Pignerolle, after a very hot and furious assault was given. Together with all the passages and occurrences that happened at the pillaging of Rivolle. By the Lord Marshall De Crequy. Faithfully translated out of the French coppy. With priviledge, printed at Roane by Tho. Mallard dwelling at the Pallace. 1630., Copie vande missive, gheschreven byden Generael Weerdenburch. English, Waerdenburgh, Dirk van., Créquy, Charles de Blanchefort de Canaples, Marquis de, ca. 1578-1638. aut.

Extent

[2], 12, [2] p.

Printed for Nicolas Bourne at the south entrance of the Royall Exchange,. London :: 1630.. (The first part is a translation of "Copie vande missive, gheschreven byden Generael Weerdenburch". Original title of the letter by Créquy, if any, not traced.) (The last leaf is blank.) (Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.) (Title page and A4v stained.)

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