Mean while Schuppe was not idle, for going up the River Camarigibi, he burnt divers Houses, as also on each side of the River Alagoa; where he also took four rich Sugar-Mills, whilest many Vessels from the United Netherlands brought several Ships into the Haven of Pernambuco, which they had taken on the Coast of Brasile.
The Fort Santa Margareta attempted by the Hollanders.
About the latter end of November 1634. thirty two Sail, divided into two Squadrons (the first carrying in one and twenty Ships, a thousand nine hundred forty and five Soldiers, the second on eleven Ketches, four hundred and nine) under the Command of Schuppe, Arcisseusky, Carpentier, and Stackhower, weigh’d Anchor to go to Parayba; where Schuppe Landing first with six hundred Men, fell upon the Enemy in such a manner, that he put them to flight, and forc’d them to leave a great part of their Arms, Hats and Coats behind; and it wanted little but the Governor Antonio d’ Albuquerque had been taken in the pursuit: Mean while the rest of the Hollanders Landed, and Casper Ley march’d along a Cart-Road with three Companies directly to the Fort Santa Margareta, and Encamp’d himself behind a Hill, about a Musquet-shot from the Walls of the Fort: Schuppe going along the Shore, found divers forsaken Works, and Intrench’d along the River on the East-side of the Castle. Arcisseusky march’d on the Right-hand along the Sea-shore in view of the Portuguese in Garrison. In the River lay an Isle, on which was built the Castle Restinga, which could receive constant Aid from the Castle Margareta on the Main.
The Fort Margareta taken by Schuppe.
The Fort Antonio taken by Lichthart.
Lichthart going in between the Island and the Castle Margareta with six well Mann’d Boats, took two Barques and a Boat behind the Island, and march’d through a Wood to Restringa; where he found that the Fort separated from the Island, was surrounded with Water, wherefore he withdrew into the Wood till the Water was fall’n down, and then Storm’d the Fort Restringa, and notwithstanding the Portuguese fir’d continually upon him with two Brass Guns, he soon became Master of it, and cut off all those whom he found had born Arms; whilest Schuppe fir’d upon the Fort Margareta from a Platform, and also threw Granado’s into the same. Arcisseusky likewise approach’d nearer and nearer with his Trenches, on which the Portuguese discharged many Guns; but after the Breastworks were most of them spoil’d, the Governor, Simon de Albuquerque, surrendred the Fort to Schuppe, who permitted a hundred and fifty Men that were in Garrison there, to go to their several Dwellings up in the Countrey, the rest were Transported to other places, on promise that they would not bear Arms against the West-India Company during the space of six Moneths. In the Castle the Hollanders found six Brass Demi-Culverins and fifteen Drakes, besides other Ammunition, with which the Victors pursu’d their Conquest, putting themselves in a posture to go up a Creek which runs two Leagues along a River to Parayba, and to fall upon that City, when two French Renegado’s coming from the Northern Fort Antonio brought information, That that Fort was guarded but by a few Men, and had but little Gun-powder, and if the Hollanders would but once make a shew of Storming the same, it would soon be deliver’d to them, though for its Situation it is invincible; but Schuppe suppos’d that there might be a Plot in this Information, and the rather, because he heard that the Duke of Bagnola was coming thither with six hundred Men; nevertheless, to be better assur’d thereof, he sent a Drummer to demand Antonio: The Governor thereof, call’d Magaglianes desir’d three days time to consider, which was utterly deny’d him, and he had onely leave to carry away the King’s Standard, and his Request granted, That the Hollanders should make a shew of Storming the Castle, that it might not be said he had surrendred such a Fortress without a Gun being fir’d; after which Lichthart went into the Castle, wondring at such a Victory; for the Fort, on which no Charges had been spar’d, lay upon an inaccessible place, and had five Brass Culverins and nineteen Iron Guns.
The City Parayba deserted by Bagnola.
The Hollanders encourag’d by their good Success, went the same Night up the River Parayba to the Creek Tambia Grande; where Landing, they found all the Works empty, three Iron Guns lying dismounted on the Ground, the City Parayba without People, and the Guns about the same either made useless, or sunk in the Haven. A Hamburgher that had liv’d a considerable time in Parayba, otherwise call’d Philippea, inform’d the Hollanders, That Bagnola seeing no means to defend Parayba, was gone to Goyana with two Companies, one of Italians, and the other Spaniards, who were march’d into the Woods, after they had burnt three Ships, and two Store-houses full of Sugar, in which there were consum’d near upon three hundred Chests.
Before this Design upon Parayba was undertaken, the West-India Company sent out four Vessels under the Command of John Walbeek, to the Isle Curacao; the Situation of which John Otzon knew exactly, having been a long time a Prisoner there: Walbeek getting through a narrow Mouth between several Rocks into a convenient Harbor before Curacao, Landed seventy five Musquetteers who were Encountred by seventy Brasilians Arm’d with Clubs, which the Spaniards had animated to fight, by making them half Drunk. The Hollanders having march’d all over the Island, burnt the Village Maria, and at last agreed with the Governor Alonso Lopes de Morla to leave the Isle.
Schuppe chang’d the Name of Parayba, or Nossa Sennora das Nieves, or Philippea, into Frederick-Stadt, in honor to the Prince of Orange, nam’d Frederick Henrick.