N1EUH0FF*S BRAZIL. 807 



!_ we arrived at Tamandare, but we received many informations direftly contrary to 

 f what we expected to meet with here ; viz. that in Rio Grande thirty feven inhabi- 

 tants had been murthered, many virgins deflowered, and the image of the virgin 

 Mary grofly mifufed by the Dutch ; things fo abominable in themfelves, that it is 

 fcarce to be imagined fo brave a nation ihould be guihy of fuch enormities. Whilft 

 I am writing this letter, news is brought me, that the Dutch have caufed many of the 

 inhabitants of Goyana to be murthered, though I can fcarce give credit to it : for fup- 

 pofing this to be true, we could not avoid giving affifVance to thefe miferable people, 

 though they were the moft defpifeable of all nations, confidering they crave our help, 

 and are not only Chriftians, but alfo fubjefts of the King our mafter, whom God 

 preferve. Whilft the council was in expectation of the iflues of the intended accom- 

 modation, they have furprized and killed many of the inhabitants, which obliges us 

 to require you in the name of God, of His Majefty, His Highnefs, and the States- 

 General, not to give any occafion for a rupture, but to maintain the late concluded 

 peace to the utmoft of your power, as we are ready on our fide to concert all poffible 

 meafures with the commander-in-chief of this place, which may tend to the tranquillity 

 of both parties. The bearers hereof are Captain John Guomes de Mello, and Lieute- 

 nant Francis Guomes, who we defire may be difpatched back with all poffible fpeed. 

 God preferve you for many years. 



" Auguft 13, 1645. Andrew Vidal." 



The fecond letter was written thus : , 



Thefecond letter, 



'* Your promife made to us in the Bahia, and what has fince been told by Captain 

 Ley to John Fernandes Vieira and Captain John Guomes de Mello, encourages us to 

 proceed in our former defign, not queftioning but that both you and Captain Ley will 

 not in the leaft recede from the engagement you have been pleafed to oblige us with, 

 and to tie us to your fervice. We are come into this country at the head of three 

 thoufand chofen men, backed by two fquadrons of men of war well equipped, one 

 of which has not as yet appeared on this coaft, the other you have feen yourfelf pafs 

 by the other day. I hope this may ferve as a means to fet the poor miferable inhabi- 

 tants at liberty ; and as both they and we wifti for nothing more than to fee you em- 

 brace our fide, that we not want an opportunity to give you more evident proofs of 

 our refped and affedion towards you, fo we delire you not to entertain the leaft finifter 

 fufpicion of us ; we being ready (for the performance of which we by thefe prefents 

 give you our words) to accomplifh in every point, what has been promifed to you, 

 by John Fernandes Vieira and John Guomes de Mello. And I for my part aflure 

 you, that I will not fail to perform and agree to whatever you fhall further demand 

 upon this occafion. 



The inhabitants of this place fhall be provided with paffports, and protected by us, 

 in the fame manner as the commander of Serinham, Carpentier, and fome others 

 were ; and we expedt the fame at your hand. And that you may be fure whom to 

 treat with upon this account, we have fent to you John Guomes de Mello, who is in- 

 trufted with the whole matter ; which if you refufe to do, we muft take fuch meafures 

 as we fhall judge moft expedient for us. In the meanwhile God preferve you for 

 many years. 



Your affectionate friend and fervant, 



" St. Ant. de Cabp, Aug, 13, 1645. Andrew Vidal de Negretros." 



Major 



