We also know that a Jew in Lisbon proved instrumental in intercepting some official papers in reference to the revolt in Brazil.[40]
The execution of one, Jacob Rabbi, an agent of Holland, who must have been a Jew, is mentioned by Netscher in the following terms: "... The cause of this desertion [from the Portuguese troops?] was that the Lieutenant-Colonel, Garstman, had been sufficiently impolitic to put to death (in 1645 or 1646?) for a real or supposed crime, a certain Jacob Rabbi, German by birth, of a ferocious character. He had lived for many years among the savages as agent of the Hollandish government."[41]
It is evident that the Dutch Government and especially the Governor, Count Maurice de Nassau, was not backward in appreciating the services of the Jews. An ordinance from the States-General reads:
"... The persons, goods and rights of the Jews in Brazil are taken under the special protection of the Government, because of the fidelity and courage which that nation had on every occasion displayed toward the said Government."[42]
II.
Brave Defense of the Jews in Brazil in 1645-1646.
The best evidence of Jewish loyalty to their lenient Dutch rulers was given at a time when the Hollandish Government was contending with the Portuguese for the possession of Brazil. The numerous conspiracies years previous were only a foretaste of what followed and when at last, in the year 1645, war actually broke out, our co-religionists lost no time in siding with their generous patrons, regardless of consequences. Among those that distinguished themselves for their noble patriotism and whose co-operation in behalf of the needy and distressed won all hearts, was a wealthy Israelite, Abraham Coen by name, whose fame is recognized in the following verses written in his honor by one of the greatest Portuguese Jewish poets of Holland, Don Miguel Levi de Barrios, who visited Cayenne[43] in 1660 and remained there until 1662:
Abraham Coen en el Brasil remoto
del principe Mauricio halló el agrado
prospero y noble, y oy del Rey Empireo
goço la luz en ideal palacio.
Cerco al Brasil el luso balicoso
en nueve años continuos, que empeçaron
en el de mil seiscientos y quarenta
y cinco, contra el valeroso Holandio.
Y en todos con magnanima grandeza
el grande Abraham Coen sustento à quantos
Judios y Cristianos de su auxilio
en la miseria atroz necesitaron.
Entonces los Señoras del Supremo
Consejo sobre el Pueblo Brasiliano
vieron del fiel Coen la piedad grande.[44]
Dr. Hahn informs us that "in the perilous times of 1645 and 1648 great services were rendered to the government by the Portuguese family of Cohen in furnishing ammunition and provisions."[45]