Whilest this Expedition fell out so unfortunately, Cameron, General of the Brasilians, sent three Agents to Grave Maurice, desiring to enter into League with the West-India Company, upon some Differences that were risen between him and the Duke of Bagnola. Grave Maurice seeming much inclin’d to his Offer, treated the Agents very nobly; who not long after, oblig’d by his Civility, inform’d him, that Cameron, an inconstant Man, had made Peace again with Bagnola. But that which chiefly obstructed Grave Maurice’s Designs, was the want of Provisions, Ammunition and Men, notwithstanding his continual Complaints to the Company.
About the beginning of the Year 1639. the Spanish Fleet, consisting of twenty eight Sail, most of them Gallions, appear’d in sight of Reciffa, but Steer’d Southwardly; Grave Maurice hereupon sent out the best Sailers to follow them, and see whither they were bound, or if they intended to Land, whilest himself march’d along to Porto Calvo; but inform’d that they were gone into the Inlet Todos los Sanctos, he return’d to Reciffa, after he had stor’d the Forts Porto Calvo, Una, Serinhain, and that at the Promontory St. Augustine, with all Necessaries.
Arcisseusky Impeaches Grave Maurice and his Council.
Is sent back into Holland.
About the same time Arcisseusky arriving from Holland with a Commission to be General over the Forces there, imparted to some Friends the Copy of a Letter that he intended to send to the Amsterdam Burgomaster Albert Coenraedszoon vander Burgh, containing many Accusations against Grave Maurice and his Council; of which he being inform’d, call’d a general Assembly, to whom he makes a large Speech, wherein he declar’d how faithful a Servant he had been to the States of the United Netherlands for the space of twenty years, complain’d of the malice of Arcisseusky in wrongfully aspersing him, both in the aforesaid Letter and otherwise, answer’d particularly to every thing which was laid to his Charge, (as he did afterwards in a Letter also from himself to Vander Burgh) and lastly made it his peremptory Request, that he might return home, and leave Arcisseusky in Power, or that Arcisseusky might be sent home, and he remain undisturb’d in his Government; and so withdrew, leaving them to their own Consultations. It exceedingly perplex’d them, and took up a long Debate what Judgment to give in this Matter, which before they concluded on, they propos’d several Expedients of Reconciliation between them; but seeing it was all in vain, they unanimously judg’d it convenient, that Arcisseusky should return; who not long after accordingly weigh’d Anchor from Parayba for Holland.
Several Judgments concerning him.
Arcisseusky arriving in Holland, appear’d unexpectedly before the States of the United Netherlands and West-India Company, where several Judgments were pass’d upon him; some said he deserv’d severe punishment, for his misbehavior to Grave Maurice; others seem’d to have compassion of him, because he had done so many noble Exploits; most laid the blame on the Company, who rashly sent him with a Commission as Chief over the Militia, not without impairing Grave Maurice’s Power; but these Discourses fell amongst those who were not call’d to give their Opinion of this Case.
Coin sent Field-Marshal in his stead.
John Coin was chosen Field-Marshal in Arcisseusky’s stead, whilest the Councellors Matthias Ceulen, Adrian vander Dussen, John Guiseling, and Servaes Carpentier, were ready to come for Holland, and on the twenty ninth of October 1639. they set Sail from Parayba, Vander Dussen bringing with him an exact Relation of the Condition of Brasile, so far as concerns the West-India Company, which being material, we shall reserve it for a more fit place.
It being fear’d that the Spanish Fleet in the Harbor of Todos los Sanctos might undertake some Design or other against the Hollanders, Grave Maurice kept a watchful Eye upon them, repair’d all decay’d Forts, rais’d new Forces, sent out some Vessels to watch the Fleet, and prohibited the Transporting of Provisions, animated the Brasilian Commanders to fight against the Portuguese, and forc’d the Owners of Sugar-Mills to Plant store of Mandihoka, that so his Provisions might last the longer.