PROVINCE OF RIO GRANDE DO NORTE. 



405 



Indians, equally unserviceable as friends, as they were fatal when enemies, con- 

 curred to prevent this colony from acquiring any considerable augmentation 

 during thirty years. 



The Dutch, after being established in Pernambuco, presented themselves 

 several times before the Fort dos Reys, (of Kings,) which always resisted their 

 attacks, imtil it was ultimately delivered to them by the treason of a sergeant, a 

 deserter from Bahia, who stole the keys of the fort by night, the commandant 

 being seriously wounded, and communicated to Admiral Ceulio, that the garri- 

 son would deliver itself up, according to the conditions offered to the com- 

 mandant and rejected by him. Ceulio perceiving at day-break a white flag 

 hoisted, proceeded immediately towards the fort, which made very little resist- 

 ance, in consequence of this traitor, and one Orteguera, also an enemy to the 

 commandant, vigorously counselling him to give it up. With the possession of 

 this fort, the Dutch became masters of the province, which was restored with the 

 others in the year 1654. 



In the same year John IV. gave part of this province to Manuel Jurdao, who 

 perished by shipwreck at the point of disembarkation, and in consequence of 

 wliose death the country reverted to the crown. This province had for some 

 time the title of countship, created in 1689, in favour of Lopo Furtado de 

 Mendonca. It is confined on the north and east by the ocean, on the south 

 by the province of Parahiba, and on the west by that of Siara, from which it is 

 separated by the serra of Appody, which is about a league to the west of the 

 river so called. It lies between 4° 10' and 6° 15' south latitude ; the days and 

 nights differ very little in length all the year. The climate is hot and healthy. 

 The winter, commonly not abundant in rain, continues from April to June in 

 the eastern part ; in the western scarcely any other rains fall, but those which 

 accompany thunder, beginning usually in January or February. It comprises 

 one hundred and seventy miles from east to west, in the greatest width, and 

 one hundred from north to south, on the western side. The face of the coun- 

 try is generally uneven, and presents some mountains of considerable altitude, 

 and also woods, but they are rare, and of no great extent, the greatest portion 

 consisting of parched catingas. Notwithstanding the soil in various parts is 

 adapted to the plantation of the cane, its culture was never considerable, and 

 it gradually diminishes ; cotton being substituted for it almost in all parts, with 

 less expense and equal profit to the planter. Mandioca, Indian corn, legumes, 

 and hortulans of the country, are generally cultivated, as well as some rice 

 and tobacco in sufficient quantity for the population. 



