Grave Maurice his Design upon Buenos Aires diverted by Pirez his taking of Pavaosa.
In the interim Grave Maurice had a Design upon the City Buenos Aires in the Southern parts of Brasile, near the River La Plata, where a Way leads by Land to Peru; and whither the Silver and Negro’s were often brought, especially when any Ships were suspected to block up the Channel of Panama.
Whilest Maurice was preparing for this Expedition, news was brought that two Ships had Landed their Men on the Island St. Thomas, under the Command of Laurence Pirez, who had driven the Netherland Garrison out of Pavaosa, and Besieg’d the Fort, out of which many for want of Water ran to the Enemy; and it was fear’d that the same Misfortune would suddenly befall the City Loando and Seregippe del Rey; which prevented Henrick Borer’s Expedition to Chili, and Lichthart’s to Buenos Aires, and so alarm’d Grave Maurice, that he thought it expedient to give speedy notice thereof, to warn the Netherlanders on Angola, that they should keep strict Watches, and beware of the treacherous Portuguese, who affirm’d, That it was lawful for them during the ten years Peace, to re-take those Places which had been taken from them during the Treaty of Peace in the Hague.
Description of the Palmares.
These Proceedings forc’d Grave Maurice to Disarm most of them; and because the Negro’s did much mischief from the Palmares, especially to the Husbandmen in the Alagoas, Maurice gave order to destroy their Habitations. The Palmares were two Villages, built along the River Gungohuby under close Woods, six Leagues Northwardly from Parayba: The Inhabitants of them, being then about six thousand in number, were most of them fled Negro’s, who gathering together in a Head, destroy’d all the Countrey thereabouts: They dwelt in Huts of Boughs and Straw interwoven; behind which were Gardens and Orchards of Palm-Trees, and conform’d to the Religion and Government of the Portuguese.
Grave Maurice countersollicited by Agents from the king of Congo and Duke of Sonho.
Whilest three hundred Musquetteers, a hundred Mameluks, and seven hundred Brasilians were fitting to go to the Palmares, there arriv’d Agents at Reciffa from the King of Congo, who brought as a Present to Grave Maurice, two hundred Negro’s, a Golden Collar and Pot, besides many Negro’s for the West-India Company. These Agents desir’d Aid against the Duke of Sonho, who treacherously Plotted to drive the King out of Congo; which Plot was discover’d by scatter’d Letters, Sign’d by the Governors and Bishop at Loando, a little before Loando was taken by the Hollanders. Maurice courteously Entertaining the Agents, proffer’d himself to be a Mediator to decide the Difference, and gave them a long Velvet Coat Lac’d with Gold and Silver Lace, a Silk Coat and Scarf, and a Beaver Hat with a Golden Edging.
Not long after there came Agents from Sonho, to beseech Grave Maurice that he would not assist the King of Congo; one of whom went to the Hague, and was follow’d by two from the King of Congo, who open’d their Letters before the Prince of Orange.
The Agents from Congo, what kind of Men.
The two Agents from Congo were strong and black Men, very active, and having grim Countenances; they Danc’d after a strange manner; and showing the Picture of their King sitting in great State, acted the Postures in which his Nobles and other Subjects shew’d him Reverence: their Strength was such, that they were able with ease to carry each of them two hundred thirty five Pound weight: their Ornamentals consisted of Elephants Tails.