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334.
MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE COLONY OF ESSEQUIBO,
HELD AT FORT ZEELANDIA
[4 January 1751]
(Extract)
It having been represented by Councillor van Dorn that certain runaways are in the Up-per Pomeroon in a branch called Waini, and that a Carib named Jan de Mesi, and an Indian woman named Flora, were both living in that river:
This is noted as a prejudicial matter, and likely to be of bad consequences
to the Colony, and it is further resolved to send the Postholder of Moruka
for the Carib, Jan de Mesi, and for the Indian woman, Flora, and to bring
them to the fort in order to investigate the matter carefully, and then to
make such orders as shall be found proper for the welfare of this Colony.
335. ACTING COMMANDER, ESSEQUIBO, TO WEST INDIA COMPANY
[6 March 1751]
(Extract)
The aforesaid Persik further informed me that in the month of January the Carib nation made a raid upon three Spanish Missions, and murdered four or five priests, which caused much disorder and bitter feeling amongst the colonists there.
336. ACTING COMMANDER, ESSEQUIBO, TO WEST INDIA COMPANY
[10 June 1751
(Extract)
The Postholder of Arinda up the Essequibo, pursuant to the order of the Commandeur, having to remove the Post to the River Rupununi, has, from the abundance of water at that place, found the site unsuitable, but has judged another place close by at the side to be a better site, of which, having given me information, it is being transferred thither, as being the most suitable place, a provision garden being already cut and cleared there.
The aforesaid Postholder has also reported to me that those of the Maganout nation are attacking and driving away the other nations far up in the Essequibo, and, that, according to in-formation furnished by Indians, they had killed a certain trader named Pieter Lons, further con-firmation of which is still required.
337. MEMORIAL OF THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE CHARTERED WEST INDIA COMPANY (CHAMBER
OF ZEELAND) TO THEIR HIGH MIGHTINESSES, THE STATES-GENERAL OF THE UNITED PROVINCES
[30 November 1751]
(Extract)
Not otherwise than with the most extreme respect and dutiful gratitude do the Zeeland chief shareholders of the General Chartered West India Company, as charged by your High Mightinesses' Resolution of the 2nd September last, take the freedom to address themselves again to the High Assembly of your High Mightinesses, with an intention, however, not long to trouble or detain with any great detail of circumstances, unnecessary refutations of arguments, or repetitions, the attention of your High Mightinesses, already too much encroached upon by re-ports and counter reports, and prolix Memorials, touching the Resolution of the Ten of the 11th August, 1750, but being about to lay; as it were in passing, before the penetrating eye of your High Mightinesses some few, but yet essential remarks on the Memorial of the 31st August, 1751, of the Representatives and other Directors of the West India Company belonging to the Presidial Chamber, Amsterdam, and afterwards to pass on to the acceptance of the representation that has been made.
In all this we will endeavour to express ourselves in less animated language, seeing that such could not in any way becomingly be considered by your High Mightinesses' High Assem-bly, and also nothing can result therefrom than heart-burnings on either side, which must incon-testably draw after them the ruin and absolute destruction of the general interest.
Imploring, therefore, still for a short time, with all submissiveness, the attention of your High Mightinesses, the Zeeland chief shareholders . . . affirm at the same time in the very strongest fashion that the Assembly of the Ten on the 17th October, 1685, and thus eleven years after the erection of the new Company, would have thrown open the Colony of Essequibo . . . because if they attempted to throw open that river and Pomeroon to all private planters, would they not at that time have introduced that same argument of the abolition of this Convention against the legitimate opposition of the gentlemen of Middelburg? But, on the contrary, they were at the time convinced that the conditions, as well as all other resolutions and dispositions which their High Mightinesses desired and ordained in Article 45 of the new Charter, were of the same strength and vigour as if the same altogether were inserted anew, which from henceforth must have regard to foreign Powers only.
Of not the least support can be the weak reed of the pretexts that Essequibo and Pomeroon should be reckoned among the common possessions of the General Company, since, on the contrary, in the place of the Charter, where mention was made of Essequibo, their High Mightinesses only fix the limits of the General Company, and in no way define possessions of the same, because, were it otherwise, one must conclude that the Portuguese St. Thomé also be-longed in full possession to the General Company.
What is more, since the aforementioned Convention of the year 1670 must have relation only to the old and not at all to the new Company, the question remains: In what manner the Colony of Essequibo passed to the General Company?
. . . And since there is not the least trace in what manner, either by later Convention, by purchase, by gift, or by other means, it is in any way mentioned in the Charter how Essequibo should have been handed over by the Chamber of Zeeland to the General Company, it is certain that either the Convention of 1670 has relation to the new Company, or the Colony, with all its dependent rivers, remains to this very day without an owner. . .
In order to fulfil our promises, High Mighty Lords, the Zeeland chief shareholders take the liberty to pass on to the next point; namely, that the chief shareholders not only make no dif-ficulty, but also are resolved, should the Noble Mighty Lords States of Zeeland deem it good, to remain in possession of Essequibo, with all her subject rivers from River Berbice down as far as the River of Orinoco, according to the latest representation of the Representatives and other Di-rectors, made in their Report of the 31st August, 1751, in order that this matter, that has made so much stir in the closely united Provinces of Holland and Zeeland, at last might be settled to the satisfaction of both contending parties, whereto we most submissively beg, the all-powerful in-tercession of your High Mightinesses.
338. MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE COLONY OF
ESSEQUIBO, HELD AT FORT ZEELANDIA
[3-4 January 1752]
(Extract)
Some Caribs from the Barima came and complained that one Christian Tonsel continu-ally tyrannizes over them all, and that he took away their children and friends as pledges for debts.
Bastian Christiaansen also represents that the said Tonsel had taken away a boy slave whom he had bought for merchandise, and therefore belonged to him, and offers as proof the evidence of the Caribs present.
This having been all considered, the said Tonsel is sent for, and, after appearing, he is reprimanded and ordered to deliver to the Carib his children, and to Bastian Christiaansen the boy in question. The Caribs being at the same time sharply admonished not to detain or conceal any slaves belonging to Christians, under pain of being heavily punished therefor.
339. THE WEST INDIA COMPANY (ZEELAND CHAMBER) TO DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ESSEQUIBO
[10 April 1752]
Middelburg, April 10, 1752.
To the Director-General Laurens Storm van 's Gravesande, together with the Mem-bers of the Court of Policy in Rio Essequibo, by the ship "De Elizabeth en Johanna," skipper Dirk Robberts.
Sir,
While on the one hand we have always proposed to ourselves nothing more than to fa-cilitate and aid in every way and as much as possible the commerce which is carried on, not only from here to the river and Colony of Essequibo, but also there with the natives [and] Spaniards, and especially with those of Orinoco; we have, however, in addition to this, always tried to see that all this was done not only without any prejudice to the Company's privileges and rights, but also especially with this always in view, that in the carrying on of that trade no opportunity be given from which, in course of time, any disadvantage or harmful consequences might result to the Colony.
This was the reason why, amongst other things, we, in the year 1735, desiring to take proper precautions against the trading away and selling of any materials of war, especially to the Spaniards there, did, in the year 1735, instruct the late Commander Hermanus Gelskerke that, by Proclamation published and posted, he forbid and prohibit each and every one there to ship any arms or material of war whatsoever from the river to Orinoco or any other places not situate un-der the jurisdiction of the States-General, on penalty not only of confiscation of such goods, but also of such further fines as are therein named.
We did, indeed, later make some modification in this our aforesaid Resolution, and al-tered it in so far that, in our missive dated the 30th October, 1737, we permitted the late Com-mander Gelskerke aforesaid to connive at the free importation and exportation of material of war; still, this was at that time done by us only under all such limitations and conditions as we had enumerated in our aforesaid missive, and also for reasons which at that time seemed to us to render necessary the changing of that former Resolution, particularly on the ground that assur-ance was given us that gunpowder and other materials of war were brought from Surinam, Cura-cao, and other places to the Orinoco and to the inhabitants of the adjacent rivers, in as great quantities as the inhabitants of those places could possibly wish.
But not only has the aforesaid limited concession, now that some time has passed, been greatly departed and deviated from, but we also have become aware by experience that the afflux of the aforesaid material of war from places other than the Colony of Essequibo is not as great as has at times been reported. Moreover, we have reason to suppose that, inasmuch as the trade of the aforesaid places to the Orinoco and adjacent rivers, especially as regards the aforesaid goods, involves much difficulty and is subject to many obstacles, on account of the greater distance, expense, and danger, [these articles] must for the greater part be drawn from the Colony of Essequibo, as being the most convenient and situated nearest by.
And since, then, we (without, however, desiring in this connection to put any difficulty or obstruction in the way of the Orinoco trade) have nothing more at heart than to see the Colony of Essequibo and its inhabitants always as much as possible in perfect quiet and always guarded against all unexpected attacks, to which end nothing is in our opinion better and more effective than to take away the very means whereby such disasters might be brought about, or, in any case, to make their use as difficult as possible; we, therefore, upon the recent occasion of the shipment of goods by private persons in the ships now lying ready here for Essequibo, and among which goods there was a pretty large number and quantity of blunderbusses and pistols, thought it well to consider whether it would not be in the interest of the Company to renew again the prohibition of our aforesaid Resolution of the year 1735 against the free importation and exportation of all kinds of material of war, both to and from the river and Colony of Essequibo. In consequence we have resolved hereby to call your attention to this matter, and at the same time to instruct you to introduce there once more the contents of the aforesaid Resolution, just as it was sent to the late Commander Gelskerke in our missive of the 20th January, 1735, to see it strictly observed and obeyed; to bring to law those contravening it, and to proceed against them according to the pen-alties there imposed. Therefore, by the reintroduction and renewing of the aforesaid Resolution, we rescind and annul our aforesaid limited concession and accorded liberty of the year 1737. Of all this you will by public proclamation give proper knowledge to each and everyone; all this, however, upon the understanding that in the aforesaid prohibition are not included the necessary arms or gunpowder which ships may bring or carry away for their own needs on board, nor what an individual needs for his own private use or for his plantations only. For, as we have said above, this prohibition applies only to what may be sent thither for the purpose of trade. And though by taking these measures and imposing the aforesaid penalties the necessary provisions against that forbidden trade will have been made only so far as the river and Colony of Esse-quibo are concerned, without thereby preventing or checking that trade from the other above-mentioned places, yet we ourselves, in view of the fact that the other Colonies and places from which the aforesaid goods are exported to the Orinoco are also situated under the district of the States-General's Charter, have reason to trust, that in this regard such further measures will be devised, and all such salutary resolutions made as may be deemed for the advantage of the State in general, and for that of the Company and of the Colony of Essequibo in particular.
In the meantime, if you have any special suggestions as to these our foregoing instruc-tions and to the renewing of this our prohibition and resolution, we shall expect them at first op-portunity.
HENRICUS JOHAN GERLAG
J. W. THIBAUT
340. THE SECRETARY, ESSEQUIBO, TO WEST INDIA COMPANY
[19 April 1752]
(Extract)
It is very agreeable to me that my idea regarding the not allowing the Spaniards to trade overland in cattle with this Colony has Your Honours' approbation. With esteem I take the liberty of saying that such permission whereby a safe way would be opened and converted into a road can never prove of anything but the most extreme prejudice to this Colony, both with respect to white men who are of bad behaviour, as also especially with respect to slaves who are inclined to desertion; by such men the concession would be received with open arms, to say nothing of the consequences which might result therefrom in time of war.
341. DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ESSEQUIBO, TO WEST INDIA COMPANY
[4 August 1752]
(Extract)
If your Honours will please refer to the 6th Article of the project aforesaid, you will find that I there distinctly speak of the trade in arms with the Indians, and especially with the Carib nation, in which proposal I earnestly persist, and now more than ever, because the Spaniards have attacked and driven away the Caribs below Orinoco, and these have all retreated to our side, and thus their number has considerably increased.
Now they are more than ever incensed against the Spaniards aforesaid; they lately over-ran two Missions, and have murdered everyone there, and since my return here they pitifully murdered a certain B. de Beaumont, as well as six of the men he had with him when on their re-turn journey with tobacco. The other two, although severely wounded, were rescued by our colo-nist, J. Smit, who was returning from Orinoco with horses, so that the reasons for not supplying these men with fire-arms grow weightier as time goes on.
342. DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ESSEQUIBO, TO WEST INDIA COMPANY
[31 August 1752]
(Extract)
There is a rumour here that some negroes have made their appearance up in Essequibo, but since the Postholder of Arinda has not yet come down (being prevented by the high water), I am not yet certain about the matter, but have, under a promise of good payment, strongly per-suaded the Indians of the Akawois nation living below the Post to go out and capture them, and they have promised me to do so. I presume they will turn out to be runaways from Berbices. . .
One of the creoles has just come down from Post Arinda, bringing with him four slaves for the Honourable Company. The Postholder writes me that he has been compelled to flee from his house, the water being 12 feet higher than it has ever been in the memory of man. He will come down at the end of October.
343. DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ESSEQUIBO, TO WEST INDIA COMPANY
[1 November 1752]
(Extract)
I received a letter last week from the Commandant of Orinoco, informing me that he expected the Governor-General of Cumaná there about New Year, wherefore he kindly re-quested me to send him one of our yachts, such as we use here to go up and down the river. I shall send him one about the middle of November, together with some hardware for which he also asks, and shall receive mules in payment, which are in readiness there; it is my opinion that we must keep on friendly terms with this man, since that will always be more to our advantage than to our disadvantage, and I doubt not that in this I shall have your Lordships' approbation.
344. DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ESSEQUIBO, TO WEST INDIA COMPANY
[14 April 1753]
(Extract)
I foresee that in a short time everything will have been granted, and there will be no more land remaining. Wherefore, I have sent away Pilot J. Grotendorst to measure the Rivers Waini and Pomeroon; he has returned, but he has not entirely satisfied me with his report, so that I shall [order] it to be gone over again once more by the other pilot.
I have given orders to the Postholders that they encourage as much as possible the rais-ing of annatto dye among the Indians.
P.S. - A rumour is current here that Emissaries of Sweden have arrived in Surinam in order to make inquiry respecting the River Barima lying between Orinoco and this river, in order to bring over a Colony there. I cannot well credit this; but many particulars cause me doubt, wherefore I urgently request that I may be honoured with Your Honours' orders how I am to conduct myself in this case.
345. COPY OF A DOCUMENT WHICH IS FOUND AMONGST THE PAPERS OF THE YEAR 1753,
WHICH HAS THIS ENDORSEMENT: "ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DUTCH ON THE CONTINENT
WHICH IS SITUATED BETWEEN OUR [SETTLEMENT] OF THE RIVER ORINOCO AND THE PORTUGUESE
[SETTLEMENT] OF PARÁ ON THE MARAÑON."
[1753 - believed to have been prepared during the first half of the year]
The plan is that one of the two Crowns should go pushing forward settlements each from where they may be situated towards the territory which the Dutch occupy.
That in proportion as we approach each other, we shall carry the settlements somewhat higher up, forming a semicircle in the interior above and beyond the territory they occupy. By this means we should surround them, so that they cannot go inland in that continent behind both nations that in keeping them thus surrounded. we are in front of the territory where the revolted negro slaves of the Dutch dwell, and can easily give them help covertly for their raids against those Colonies, without engaging ourselves openly; and if their negroes place them in such a po-sition that they will be compelled to abandon that situation, we shall take possession of the terri-tory and divide it in a friendly way between ourselves, with boundaries satisfactorily arranged accordingly. Let us form settlements on the sea-coast of the territory of the revolted negroes, who will well defend it, and thus we shall be conterminous without any other nation between us in that part, as we are in all others. This should be an easy matter, for the French, not far distant from there, are only in possession of the Island of Guayana.
This most important project is more easy now, as the war with the revolted negroes has been going on for two years, and the Dutch are hard pressed, for the Colonies have been terribly devastated, and this notwithstanding that a force was brought from Europe to quell the slaves; but it was not sufficient, notwithstanding the great cost.
(Archivo General de Simancas)
346. COPY OF SUMMARY OF PRIVATE LETTER WRITTEN BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE COUNT
DE PERELADA TO HIS EXCELLENCY SEÑOR DON JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER
[19 May 1753]
Yesterday morning I spoke to Carvalho, and after having opened the conversation I told him how much I wished that both your Excellencies might be able to show that sincerity in your intercourse and correspondence which is of such deep importance to both our Courts. Shortly after beginning our conference we found ourselves face to face with a remarkably obstacle, for, in the news you gave me in the letter containing the project, you suppose that between the Span-iards and Portuguese the Dutch alone intervene, and that the French only occupy the Island of Guayana and nothing on the coast. I saw at once, on looking at the map, that it was an error, as you will see if you will take the trouble to examine it. Along the coast from Para, where the Por-tuguese are settled, to our Orinoco and our settlements, not only do the Dutch established in Su-rinam intervene, but the French who occupy the Province of Cayenne, so that the Portuguese are conterminous with the French on the River Oyapoco, and we, on our side, are bounded by the Dutch who are settled at Surinam; and in this sense, between the Portuguese and Spaniards, in-tervene on our side Dutch and French, and on the other side of the Portuguese, along the coast of the continent, intervene French and Dutch.
Whilst reading your Excellency's project Carvalho kept constantly saying "topo", which, as your Excellency knows, means "I accept."
And on reading it through he told me the error respecting the coast arises from a map, badly drawn by a Frenchman, who, either through ignorance or on purpose did not observe that Cayenne was occupied by his own countrymen; but notwithstanding the establishment of the French, that he, for himself, adopted the project, and considered it feasible, and of great utility to both nations: that the territory of Cayenne in which the French are is so extremely miserable that not even tobacco can be produced therefrom; and that the Dutch still less would be able to sub-sist in their settlements, neither being able to penetrate to the interior, as they had no means of maintaining themselves, and thus by our surrounding them, and assisting each other, it does not appear difficult to be able to attain the end in view; that he will inform the King, and carefully reply to all with the greatest secrecy and reserve.
(Archivo General de Simancas)
347. DON JOSÉ DE CARVAHAL Y LANCASTER, SPANISH SECRETARY OF STATE, TO COUNT
DE PERELADA, SPANISH AMBASSADOR AT LISBON
[21 May 1753]
Aranjuez, May 21, 1753.
Most Excellent Sir,
The subject concerning which you were instructed, in regard to what the Commissioners of the two Crowns, appointed for the survey of the boundary towards the Marañon, might do, is urgent. It is now time to broach that matter to the Portuguese Minister, unless it be that you have learned that it is not certain, or that it is not desirable to speak about it. But as the fleet is now about to leave with the Commissioners, and the principal Minister being now here for his final instructions, if it has to be, the time has arrived to inform them. I shall not fail to do so fully with the Minister here, referring him to the order which I shall send him at Cadiz, for instructions as to whether the matter is to be taken up or not, according to what you may advise from there.
What I can tell you is that I well know the revolted negroes are powerful, although the Dutch pretend to ignore it; that they repulsed the troops the Republic sent to subdue them; that the Commandant-General, charged with the expedition, has died; and that they are now without either Commander of the Forces or of the Colonies, and exclusively under the orders of the sen-ior subaltern officers, so that all the circumstances combine to make my idea feasible. . .
(Signed) JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER
The Count de Perelada
(Archivo General de Simancas)
348. DON JOSÉ DE CARVAHAL Y LANCASTER, SPANISH SECRETARY OF STATE, TO COUNT
DE PERELADA, SPANISH AMBASSADOR AT LISBON
[21 May 1753]
Aranjuez, May 21, 1753.
Most Excellent Sir,
The Portuguese Crown is sending too great a force to the Marañon, without our being able to divine the motive, for they have nothing to fear there either from us or any other nation, and to attribute it simply to a desire to give greater importance to the Commissioners of the de-marcation of limits is quite opposed to the idea that it is a matter of no account for such an amount of expense. And this is all the more apparent as they full well know that our people are scarcely taking sufficient men to enable them to carry their provisions and clothing, so that they really have not the least reason to fear either our force or envy our cortege.
I consider it well that you should diligently inquire the motive of this and the object they have in view in so doing, but with the greatest caution, so that they may not think it is want of confidence. That would not suit, for I say truly that I do not suspect them of any base motive towards us, but, nevertheless, I am at a loss to conceive, even on their part, what induced them thereto.
There is no mystery about the matter, because, besides having published it in the Ga-zette, an account of it has been printed and also the various promotions conferred upon the offi-cials of the force that is going. This very fact will give you an excuse for conversing with Car-valho. Although you must not consider yourself dispensed from seeking information by other ways, which can be compared with whatever he may tell you.
(Signed) JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER
(Archivo General de Simancas)
349. DON JOSÉ DE CARVAHAL Y LANCASTER, SPANISH SECRETARY OF STATE, TO COUNT
DE PERELADA, SPANISH AMBASSADOR AT LISBON
[21 May 1753]
Aranjuez, May 21, 1753.
Most Excellent Sir,
The ship of war that is to take the Commissioners of the King appointed with those of Portugal for the delimitation of the boundary to the north of the Marañon, is very advanced in its preparation, and the Chief Commissioner is here to receive all his papers and embark; already some of his company have departed for Cadiz, who were here. If the Portuguese Minister speaks of this you can thus explain the matter to him; and if you can conveniently learn who are their Commissioners, and grades, inform me. There is no mystery about this; I gave a list of ours.
(Signed) JOSÉ DE CARVAHAL Y LANCASTER
(Archivo General de Simancas)
350. DON JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER TO COUNT DE PERELADA
[28 May 1753]
Aranjuez, May 28, 1753.
Most Excellent Sir,
I cannot express to you the pleasure your news gave me, in regard to the good feeling and disposition of Don Sebastian Carvalho towards every good measure, however much obscure and turbulent spirits have wished to confound and embroil the matter, ignorantly favourable, as such are, to our rivals and antagonists.
Please tell him I am a man of honour and truth, and if he wishes to inform himself of the same, to inquire of those who have treated of great affairs with me. Moreover, tell him that I de-sire a firm and solid friendship of this Crown with that of Portugal, equally beneficial to both, and if he wishes to prove it, he will always find me ready.
That from the moment they spoke to me, on the part of Portugal, of the American Treaty, I replied with sincerity, although somewhat slowly, so as to create no suspicion in the Powers who were carrying on the war in Europe.
That I proposed, if they wished for a Treaty of Alliance, that it should be carried out, and that if it were not desired it should not be done; and the same in regard to the Treaty of Commerce.
To that concerning the alliance there was no answer, nor did I press the matter; that in regard to commerce they replied that negotiations were pending, but they let it fall through af-terwards, and I did not press them.
That with regard to the question of America, I have brought matters so far that it is now a fixed rule that the Cortes decide in each dispute who are right or wrong; granting that there are never wanting in both States avaricious and unquiet subjects, who oppose everything that is equi-table, the remedy so that it may not have greater consequences is ability to discover the trans-gressor, and honesty in chastising him
That the second object was that in America, as in Europe, the two monarchies may be conterminous in all their territories with boundaries known to all.
That in this I have two great objects: that no third nation may come between the two, so that no sedition may be engendered between the two, and disturb us, and that we may meanwhile extend our operations there in our mines; the second, that, being united, the two may preserve the advantage which Heaven has given them, of being the sole masters of the mines, as they now are, by making all others dependent, which they would be to a smaller extent, if any other nation came between us where it might and could take some of them.
That on these principles, and for this object, I formed the project of which I charged you to communicate to him, as you have done, of coming to an understanding to hem in the Dutch of Surinam, to see if, by making an Agreement and following out the idea in a firm manner, we may be able to drive them away from there, and unite our boundaries in the few portions where they are now apart, in order that the trouble which still continues among their negroes may help us on an occasion.
That I see with great pleasure that you adopt my idea, and that according to it the Chief Commissioner of the King will leave well instructed to advance as far as possible, and to person-ally inform the chief Portuguese Commissioner. And further, that the two shall confer and delib-erate as to the most efficacious and most skilfully disguised menus, and inform us, and practise at once all the measures conducive to a successful issue; and, finally, that if he will instruct his Commissioner in the same terms, I am hopeful that they will progress much.
Please inform him of all, openly, and without reserve; that I thus wish to treat with him so that we may be able to promote the happiness of the two Kingdoms; that I have no other ob-ject in view, as he may thoroughly satisfy himself from the wish of submitting to any proof he may desire.
(Signed) JOSÉ DE CARVAHAL Y LANCASTER
The Count de Perelada
351. DON JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER TO COUNT DE PERELADA
[28 May 1753]
Aranjuez, May 28, 1753.
Most Excellent Sir,
I am considering the Convention about the possessions of the French, and I understand there is a map, with an error, designed by one of them, and for our guidance I shall tell you what I understand.
Cayenne is an island, separated from the continent by little water, and at a short dis-tance, but quite sufficient to make it an island; this is their settlement there, and on the continent I know there is no settlement, at least of Europeans, although perchance some Missions, but of little consideration. And if there has not been among the Governors of Pará some grave omission of their duties, they ought to well know all there. For, according to the Treaty of Utrecht, France stipulated that her missionaries there should be subject to the Superior of the Portuguese Mis-sions.
By the same Treaty no Frenchman may pass from the River of Vicente Pinzon towards the Pará. It will be necessary to examine this, and take care that it be faithfully observed.
This being attended to, the Portuguese can cut them off from all internal communication from above, that is, by the head-waters of the River Vicente Pinzon, and then there will remain to them no other way by which they can extend themselves than in the direction of the Dutch of Surinam and Berbice, and let dispute the matter between them.
If our two nations form a semicircle, we shall force those two others into a strip of terri-tory, or horseshoe, of small account, by no means fertile, and very unhealthy, and with some help to their negroes, whom they treat brutally, compelling them to work beyond their strength, to make more profit by them, there is much probability that both the one and the other may abandon the country and leave us quite alone.
With regard to this I see nothing whatever to hinder us giving the necessary orders, even with the necessary powers to the Chief Commissioners to change the measures proposed, accord-ing to the circumstances, for others better adapted to the success of the enterprise, if they think right.
I shall do so in like manner, and thus you may treat of it with the Portuguese Minister, and duly inform me of the result.
God preserve your Excellency for many years as I desire.
(Signed) JOSÉ DE CARVAHAL Y LANCASTER
The Count de Perelada
352. ENCLOSURE SENT BY DON JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER TO THE SPANISH
AMBASSADOR AT LISBON, COUNT DE PERELADA
[Undated - but believed to have been written in May 1753]
The plan is that one of the two Crowns should quickly begin to form settlements by advanc-ing towns, each from where they may be situated towards the territory which the Dutch occupy.
That in proportion as we approach each other, we shall carry them somewhat higher by forming a semicircle in the interior above and. beyond the territory they occupy. By this means we should surround them, so that they may not go inland in that continent behind both nations. That in keeping them thus surrounded, we are in front of the territory where the revolted negro slaves of the Dutch dwell, and can easily give them help covertly for their raids against those Colonies without doing so openly; and if their negroes place them in a position that they will be compelled to abandon that situation, we shall take possession of the territory and divide it in a friendly way between ourselves, with boundaries satisfactorily arranged accordingly. Let us form settlements on the sea-coast of the territory of the revolted negroes, who will well defend it, and thus we shall be conterminous without any other nation between us in that part, as we are in all others. This may, and should be, an easy matter for the French, not far distant from there, are only in possession of the Island of Cayenne.
This most important project is more easy now, as the war with the revolted negroes has been going on for two years, and the Dutch are hard pressed, for the Colonies have been terribly devastated, and this notwithstanding that a. force was brought from Europe to quell the slaves; but it was not sufficient, notwithstanding the great cost.
(Archivo General de Simancas)
353. COUNT DE PERELADA, SPANISH AMBASSADOR AT LISBON, TO SENHOR CARVALHO,
PORTUGUESE SECRETARY OF STATE
[1 June 1753]
Lisbon, June 1, 1753.
Sir,
I transmit to you a letter which I am sending tomorrow to Señor José Carvajal y Lancas-ter. Bob before so doing I wish to know if it please you, and if it be literally and with all exacti-tude the same as that on which we are agreed. . .
(Signed) CONDE DE PERELADA
354. COUNT DE PERELADA TO DON JOSÉ CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER
[2 June 1753]
Lisbon, June 2, 1753.
Most Excellent Sir,
In my private letter of the 19th of last month I indicated, by anticipation, something of that you desired to learn, as expressed in yours of the 21st ultimo, and now as a complement I shall add that there does not appear to be any cause for anxiety on account of the number of troops which this Court is sending to the Marañon for the delimiting of the boundaries. For Car-valho, suspecting that the conversation, perhaps, might turn upon that subject in treating of the project of Pará, with the object of learning the destination of such a force, told me that besides the necessity of taking precautions against the Dutch penetrating to the interior that district, it was to supply recruits and complete the line regiments, as these had been formed in place of vol-unteers, who increased greatly the expense. . .
(Signed) Conde de PERELADA
Don José de Carvajal y Lancaster
355. COUNT DE PERELADA, SPANISH AMBASSADOR AT LISBON, TO SEÑOR CARVAJAL
Y LANCASTER, SPANISH SECRETARY OF STATE
[2 June 1753]
Lisbon, June 2, 1753.
Sir,
The letter which I particularly wrote you on the 19th of last month will have satisfied you by anticipation in regard to the project which you mentioned to me in yours of the 21st ul-timo; and in highly commending my conference with Don Sebastian José de Carvalho, which had been so fully in accord with the same wishes, the result of which last you are advising me of.
Having called again upon Señor Carvalho, he told me he had given an account to the King, his Master, of the project of Pará. That His Majesty immediately received it most favoura-bly. That in that understanding he would communicate to the Chief Commissioner, charged with the commission of delimiting the boundaries, and who will be his own brother, at present em-ployed in that district; and, consequently, that if it appeared well to you, you might also commu-nicate their instructions to our Chief Commissioner, so that on their arrival at their destination, by communicating with each other reciprocally the idea and project, they may arrange all and work in harmony together.
The names of the Commissaries of this Court, and their grades, Carvalho will send me, and I shall forward them in a separate despatch. . .
(Signed) Conde de PERELADA
356. COUNT DE PERELADA, SPANISH AMBASSADOR AT LISBON, TO SEÑOR CARVAJAL
Y LANCASTER, SPANISH SECRETARY OF STATE
[2 June 1753]
Lisbon, June 2, 1753.
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge your despatch of the 28th ultimo, communicating to me information concerning Cayenne and the Treaty of Utrecht, of which I have taken due notice, and beg to thank you for the same...
(Signed) Conde de PERELADA
357. COUNT DE PERELADA, SPANISH AMBASSADOR AT LISBON, TO SEÑOR CARVAJAL
Y LANCASTER, SPANISH SECRETARY OF STATE
[2 June 1753]
Lisbon, June 2, 1753.
Sir,
In acknowledging with thanks the receipt of your despatch of the 28th ultimo, conveying to me the sincere expressions of your satisfaction, I beg to assure you I am deeply sensible of your friendship, and very grateful therefor...
(Signed) Conde de PERELADA
358. COUNT DE PERELADA, SPANISH AMBASSADOR AT LISBON, TO SEÑOR CARVAJAL
Y LANCASTER, SPANISH SECRETARY OF STATE
[2 June 1753]
Lisbon, June 2, 1753.
I have informed the Secretary of State of the proximity of the departure of our Commis-sioners for the Marañon for the purpose of delimiting, on that side, the boundaries, in company with the Portuguese, and having also requested a Memorandum of the names of these last men-tioned, with their various grades - which I am awaiting - I have thereby fulfilled the instructions conveyed to me in yours of the 21st ultimo. . .
(Signed) Conde de PERELADA
Marginal Note: - This was complied with, as seen by a letter of Carvalho to the Am-bassador, giving the details requested, a copy of which remains in the archives, the original hav-ing been sent to Señor Carvajal.
359. COUNT DE PERELADA, SPANISH AMBASSADOR AT LISBON, TO SEÑOR CARVAJAL
Y LANCASTER, SPANISH SECRETARY OF STATE
[2 June 1753]
Lisbon, June 2, 1753.
Sir,
When I spoke to Carvalho formally concerning the project of Pará, inclosed in one of your interesting letters, I gave him a copy of the articles, as you substantially communicated it to me, explaining the manner it was to be carried into effect and which should afterwards be guarded or kept securely.
And the Secretary of State told me that he informed the King, his Master, of the same, with the copy at hand. And the result of which has been as I now communicate to you in a sepa-rate despatch.
I also explain that after my private letter of the 19th of last month, which I transmitted to you, and, further in view of yours of the 21st of the same month, I called upon the Secretary of State and showed him a copy of the subject of my letter for the purpose of learning whether its contents agreed with what he expressed to me; and having approved it, I then reminded him of the project, and he communicated the result to me.
Having signed the letter in which your Excellency was informed of it, I sent it to Car-valho with a document, of which the enclosed is a copy, requesting that he might look over it, and see if it was in conformity with that agreed upon; and in his reply, accompanied by the origi-nal, he approved of it.
And inclosing at the same time the copies of the heads of your said letter of preliminary instructions, and of that of my private letter, so that they may serve as reference in the future. . .
(Signed) Conde de PERELADA
360. DON JOSÉ CARVALHO, PORTUGUESE SECRETARY OF STATE, TO THE SPANISH AMBASSADOR
[3 June 1753]
(Extract)
Lisbon, June 3, 1753.
The project of hindering the Dutch from penetrating, as they have endeavoured to do, into the heart of the dominions of the two Crowns, by reducing the establishments they have formed on the coast, appeared as justifiable as it is in conformity with the law of natural defence. It is very important, for that nation after having been reduced within their own proper limits, cannot subsist on the continent in which up to the present they have tried to usurp the dominions of other, except by bringing forces from Europe. It is certain they can never bring others on ac-count of the great distance and cost, nor even maintain themselves on account of the immense charges, and how much less seriously incommode their neighbours and cause them anxiety. . .
And as the best measures for attaining the desired end depend entirely on the practical knowledge of these territories which up to the present has not existed, it appears as prudent as it is conformable to reason that the two Chief Commissioners be informed of the project by means of separate instructions, so that, by communicating to each other the orders they have received, they may work in harmony and take those measures which they consider the best.
361. PORTUGUESE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE SPANISH AMBASSADOR
[3 June 1753]
(Extract)
Lisbon June 3, 1753.
Having returned to you the letter addressed to his Excellency Don José de Carvajal y Lancaster, with sincere thanks for your kind attention, I now wish to refer again to the expedition about to depart for the interior of Pará, and to the instructions that may still be given to the Chief Commissioners respectively.
The King, my master, has appointed my brother, Francisco Xavier de Mendoza Hurtado, who is at present in that territory as Governor and Captain-General of Marañon and Pará, and the Second and Third Commissioners are to be chosen by him from among the officials who appear to him most prudent and qualified. There are there two Colonels, two Lieutenant-Colonels, and some Sergeant-Majors, from among whom he may select those who seem best suited for the work, as was done elsewhere by General Gomez Treive de Andrade.
(Signed) DON SEBASTIAN JOSEPH DE CARVALHO.
The Most Excellent the Count de Perelada
362. COUNT DE PERELADA TO DON JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER.
[3 June 1753]
Lisbon, June 3, 1753.
Most Excellent Sir,
From the inclosed papers and letters you will see and follow the history of the project of Pará. . .
(Signed) Conde de Perelada
Don José de Carvajal y Lancaster
*
Inclosure 1: Don José Carvalho, Portuguese Secretary of State, to the Spanish Am-bassador, 3 May 1753 [Document No. 360 above].
Inclosure 2: Portuguese Secretary of State to the Spanish Ambassador, 3 May 1753 [Document No. 361 above].
363. COUNT DE PERELADA TO DON JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER
[19 June 1753]
Lisbon, June 19, 1753.
Copy of the "Capitulo" of the private letter of the 19th May, 1753 (already referred to several times):
Yesterday morning I spoke to Carvalho, and after having entered upon the subject I told him how much you wished, that both one and the other might be able to show their sincerity by their intercourse and correspondence, which is of such deep importance to both our Courts. Shortly after beginning our conference we found ourselves face to face with a remarkable obsta-cle, for, in the news you gave me in the letter containing the project, you suppose or believe that between the Spaniards and the Portuguese the Dutch alone intervene, and that the French only occupy the Island of Cayenne, and nothing on the coast. I saw at once, on looking at the map, that was an error, as you will see if you will take the trouble to examine it. Along the coast from Pará, where the Portuguese are settled, to our Orinoco and our settlements, not only do the Dutch established in Surinam intervene, but the French who occupy the Province of Cayenne, so that the Portuguese are conterminous with the French on the River Oyapoe, and we, on our side, are bounded by the Dutch of Suriname; and in this sense, between the Portuguese and Spaniards, intervene on our side Dutch and French, and on the other side of the Portuguese, along the coast of the continent, intervene French and Dutch.
Whilst reading the project of your Excellency, Carvalho kept constantly saying "Toppo", which is the same as if you are not ignorant.
And on reading it through he told the error respecting the coast arises from a map, badly drawn by a Frenchman, who, either through ignorance or carelessness, did no perceive that, Cay-enne was occupied by his own countrymen. Rut notwithstanding the establishment of the French, that he, for himself, adopted the project, and considered it feasible, and of great utility to both nations, that the territory of Cayenne in which the French are, is so extremely miserable that not even tobacco can be produced therefrom; and that the Dutch still less, less would be able to subsist in their settlements, neither being able to penetrate to the interior, as they had no means of maintaining themselves, and thus by we surrounding them, and assisting each other, it does not appear difficult to be able to attain the end in view; that he will inform the King, and carefully reply to all with the greatest secrecy and reserve.
364. DON JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER TO COUNT DE PERELADA, AMBASSADOR
AT LISBON
[2 July 1753]
Aranjuez, July 2, 1753.
By the letters received from you of the 2nd June, which reached me by a special mes-senger, you inform me of your conferences with Don Sebastian José de Carvalho in regard to my ideas about the coast territory intervening between Pará and the River Orinoco, and that he had communicated to you that he had informed the King, his Master, who approved the projects and in like manner the Minister himself, on which there is nothing to remark.
We are also comformable as to the mode of carrying it out, for, in my opinion, there is no other so convenient than to intrust it to the two Chief Commissioners, instructing them of the intent, ends, and precautions necessary thereto, and that they both confer in good faith on the best means of carrying it into effect, that from here we could with difficulty prescribe or lay down any fixed rules, for, of those places, there as but little information in which they may be fully instructed.
I have spoken long with the Chief Commissary of the King, and he is fully informed of all that we know about these parts, and that he can obtain more accounts when there. I have also told him to treat with the Portuguese Chief Commissioner cordially, that they communicate to each other the information they acquire, and resolve together on the best way of carrying out this important scheme. . .
(Signed) JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER
365. DON JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER TO COUNT DE PERELADA
[2 July 1753]
Aranjuez, July 2, 1753.
Most Excellent Sir,
By a special mail received by Count de Unahon (sic) later than that which I received from you, he was informed of the matter treated of, respecting the territory of the Dutch on the coast of the Orinoco and Marañon, and he gave me to understand that the project was approved; and also expressed the feelings of confidence and friendship which he received his Court, and which gave me great pleasure on account of this union being the object for which I have always striven. I see with the greatest satisfaction that the foundations on which to build the edifice are well laid, and your Excellency can be assured that nothing shall be wanting on my part, and l al-ready strongly hope it may succeed.
I spoke with the Count about the whole scheme, and made him well acquainted with the object and ends in view, and even showed him on a map the situation of the territories, which is the best way of making this class of affairs easily comprehended.
I shall always act openly in other matters when occasion offers, and I shall continue to do so with the greatest pleasure in whatever may arise. He is very honourable, incapable of doing anything unworthy of his name, consequently he is in my fullest confidence; and if there should be wanting anything on my part, of which your Excellency be aware, kindly advise me thereof, so that I may take care to see it duly attended to. . .
(Signed) JOSE DE CARVAHAL Y LANCASTER
The Count de Perelada
366. DON JOSÉ DE CARVAHAL Y LANCASTER TO COUNT DE PERELADA
[2 July 1753]
Aranjuez, July 2, 1753.
Most Excellent Sir,
By the letters received from you of the 2nd June which reached me by a special messen-ger, you inform me of your conferences with Don Sebastian Jose de Carvalho in regard to my ideas about the coast territory intervening between Pará and the River Orinoco, and that he had communicated to you that he had informed the King, his master, who approved the project, as did the Minister himself, on which there is nothing to remark.
We are also agreed as to the mode of carrying it out, for, in my opinion, there is no other so convenient as to intrust it to the two Chief Commissioners, instructing them of the intent, ends and precautions necessary thereto, and that they both confer in good faith on the best means of carrying it into effect, - that from here we could with difficulty prescribe or lay down any fixed rules, for there is but little information as to those places in which they may be fully instructed.
I have spoken long with the Chief Commissioner of the King and he is fully informed of all that we know about these parts, and that he can obtain more exact accounts when there. I have also told him to treat with the Portuguese Chief Commissioner cordially, that they should communicate to each other the information they acquire, and resolve together on the best way of carrying out this important scheme. . .
(Signed) JOSE DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER
The Count de Perelada
367. COUNT DE PERELADA TO DON JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER
[14 July 1753]
Lisbon, July 14, 1753.
Your letter of the 2nd instant, in which you inform me of the excellent disposition of the Count de Unahon [sic], has given the greatest satisfaction to Don Sebastian José de Carvalho. He expressed a wish to retain it, so that he might show it to the King, his Master, and he has now returned it to me with profound thanks and much delicacy.
(Signed) Conde de PERELADA
368. COUNT DE PERELADA TO DON JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER
[14 July 1753]
Lisbon, July 14, 1753.
Sir,
Not only did l read your letter of the 2nd instant, in reference to the project of Pará, to Don Sebastian José de Carvalho, but I also left it with him for the purpose of bringing it to the knowledge of the King, his Master, and he has now returned it to me in accordance with our wishes for good harmony.
(Signed) Conde de PERELADA
369. COUNT DE PERELADA TO DON JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER
[11 August 1753]
Lisbon, August 11, 1753.
Sir,
I called upon Don Sebastian José de Carvalho yesterday morning, and he read to me a draft or copy of the original letter of instructions given by him to the Chief Commissary ap-pointed for the delimiting of the boundaries, and which is going by their last ship of war destined for the Marañon, with instruments, which they were awaiting from England, as I remarked to your Excellency from the beginning. The letter is in full accord with that we solicited, and the same as that your Excellency will have communicated to our Chief Commissary, appointed for the same Commission, without the slightest variation in any way of your own suggestion for at-taining the desired end in the project of Pará, and in the execution of which he is charged to ob-serve the greatest possible secrecy. . .
(Signed) Conde de PERELADA
370. COPY OF A DESPATCH TO SEÑOR ITURRIAGA
[30 September 1753]
Madrid, September 30, 1753.
The King's Commands and Instructions to the Chief Commissary for the delimiting of Boundaries.
(Extract)
Although the King is acquainted with your intelligence and zeal, and that you need no instructions in regard to studying and collecting all information conducive to His Majesty's ser-vice in the countries which are now to be surveyed by yourself and other persons of your confi-dence, he has, nevertheless, resolved, in case you should die, or any other misfortune should happen to you, to inform you of the most essential points concerning which His Majesty expects the most exact and minute report, leaving to your own judgment and ability, or to that of whom-soever may succeed you in the post of Chief Commissioner, all other points which may occur to you, and which cannot be noted here.
As soon as you arrive in Cumaná you will endeavour to procure all possible information, but with the greatest reserve, of the state of the Missions of that province, the number and condition of the Missions, and the population of the villages, their means of subsistence, the land they oc-cupy, and the manner of living of the missionaries. . .
And in like manner you will inform yourself of the territory which the Capuchin mis-sionaries of Catalonia occupy in Guayana, and the distance to the Dutch Colonies of the coast; whether there exists communication between them; what number of villages they have founded, and their population; whether the missionaries have cattle or other farms; and if they continue advancing their reductions or villages in the direction of the coast. In which case you will be careful to notify them of the injury that may result from the intercourse of the Indians with the Dutch, and whatever else may appear to you well, until such time as His Majesty be informed and take other measures.
These Reports must be considered as the results of a secret visit, and you will carry them out with the greatest secrecy, employing only persons high in the confidence of the Commission-ers, geographers, or other officials of the force, men of capacity and reserve, examining them carefully, and conferring with them on and about the information they may communicate to you, committing the same to writing, as well as all other points and facts they may acquire by means of trustworthy agents, and which neither you nor they can discover for yourselves.
You will carefully note the exact distance from the River Orinoco to the confines of the territory that is to be delimited on that side on the north of the line, and from there to the River Marañon; the number of days required in both journeys; if the territory is peopled, and by what class of people; the amount of game and fish; by what rivers the two great ones communicate, where they take their rise, and what provinces they water and pass through, if they can be easily navigated; the distance to the territory occupied by the foreigners of the coast; the fertility of the country, its climate, and temperature; the opportunities and facilities the foreigners possess of penetrating to the interior; the means of preventing them doing so, and even of hemming them in as much as possible, on which you will procure the most reliable and trustworthy information; the number of their forces and settlements, concerning which I confide to you the most important charge, and intrust to your fulfilling it with the greatest exactitude. These, I repeat, I specially recommend to your charge, and in doing so, I think it well you should be advised that, in con-formity with the result of this report, the Commissioners going with the expeditionary force will have to be instructed as to the duties they will have to perform along the whole frontier through-out the line of division or boundary.
(Archivo de Simancas)
371. DRAFT OF A DESPATCH TO SEÑOR ITURRIAGA, CALLING HIS ATTENTION TO SOME
MATTERS CONCERNING THE EXPEDITION UNDER HIS CHARGE
[6 October 1753]
San Lorenzo, October 6, 1753.
According to your map and other information, it appears that we have no reason to doubt that the Rivers Marañon and Orinoco communicate by means of others intermediary, which flow through the centre of the Province of Guayana. Nor is there the least doubt or misgiving that you will discover this communication in your journey to the River Negro.
That being so, as also that such communication may, some day or other, be prejudicial to His Majesty's dominions, the King wishes that, in carefully surveying the territory and the dis-tances, you will observe and determine the sites where some Spanish settlements may be formed, which would hinder that communication being made use of by foreigners; and that you report to me your views thereon, and the means by which such settlements might be founded; with what class and number of people, and where they might be brought from; what are to be their means of subsistence, and how they are to be protected from foreigners and savage Indians. . .
(Archivo General de Simancas)
372. DRAFT OF A SECRET LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS TO SEÑOR ITURRIAGA, CONCERNING
SOME MATTERS RELATING TO THE EXPEDITION OF LIMITS
[8 October 1753]
Madrid, October 8, 1753.
Under this date you are informed of the Resolution of the two Courts to the effect that, in union with the Chief Portuguese Commissioner, you are to contrive by the most effective means possible to dislodge the foreigners on the coast of the Province of Guayana, or hem them in: and consequently it is of importance that you should learn one of the most effective means to attain that end with the Dutch.
Some years ago a number of rebellious negroes fled from their Colony of Surinam, whom, so far, they have been unable to reduce, although for that purpose a large body of Euro-pean soldiers were brought out.
Now if, on our side, it could be arranged to support these negroes in such a way than it would be impossible, or very difficult, for the Dutch to reduce them, we may presume that per-haps the case might happen that they would abandon the whole, or greater part, of that territory.
This expedient, although in itself it may appear unlawful, is not so, if we bear in mind that it simply reduces itself to a just satisfaction for what they are constantly practising in the re-ductions of the Orinoco, inciting and leading the Caribs to hostilities, which are notorious, be-sides the fact that no other means offers itself to discover the secret invasions they are carrying on in our dominions.
With that object I am commanded by the King to communicate to you secretly these matters, so that, with the same secrecy, you may endeavour to incite the rebellious negroes against the Dutch, so that they commit all the hostilities possible against them, whether by de-stroying their estates and farms, or in any other way.
The means considered the most effective for that purpose will be to send and leave among them some Spaniards with good wits and courage, so that they may direct and head them in their raids, the which will appear as outlaws of our nations. And in this manner the end will be attained without exposing ourselves to complaints and accusations, as they are the ones who exe-cute the outrages.
Of course, it will be necessary that such persons are assured of receiving a reward corre-sponding to the work and danger, which your Excellency may offer them in the name of His Majesty, arranging and proportioning the quantity and quality according to the class of persons. And, in like manner, you might offer the negroes who may wish to retire to civil life, liberty, and lands, where they may settle, either in the Island of Trinidad or anywhere else more convenient, also assisting them with presents and means to defray the expenses of their journey; according as it may appear to you to further the interests with which you are charged, and assuring all that, whatever you offer in the name of His Majesty, the King will approve and order to be executed.
And in case they dislodge the Dutch, and place themselves through Commissioners un-der the protection of the King, His Majesty will maintain them as free subjects, and will give them freehold lands, and establish them in the same places which their antagonists are so fond of, assisting to repel them if they return to regain them; or in any other territory of the King in which they may prefer to settle. . .
373. DRAFT OF A SECRET LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS TO SEÑOR ITURRIAGA, IN REFERENCE
TO THE SAME SUBJECT
[8 October 1753]
Madrid, October 8, 1753.
One of the favourable effects which results to the two Courts by the Treaty of Limits, with the execution of which you are principally charged on the northern part of the line, is that in future it may be applied to the preservation and increase of the territory which has to belong to each, without the fear that opposing pretensions may disturb the good harmony and the concord and union necessary to preserve these dominions from any insult, or establishment of the other European nations.
In respect that all the territory comprised between the Rivers Marañon and Orinoco un-questionably belongs to the two Crowns, any establishment of the other foreigners in that place is to be looked upon as a usurpation of their rights, and they cannot show that we have formally recognized that dominion as theirs.
For the Portuguese Crown has only against it the Treaty of Utrecht, made with France, in which it was stipulated that the French should not pass from the River Vicente Alonzo Pinzon towards the City of Pará, with other matters which contain no recognition of dominion, nor for-mal cession of rights. Neither on the part of Spain has any cession to, or formal recognition of, the Dutch been made; to which is to be added the bad faith with which both act, in order to penetrate the interior, and draw all possible profit from the two dominions, against the provisions of Laws and Treaties.
Although the two Courts have not considered it convenient to attack them with open force, nevertheless they are agreed in the scheme of doing so by intrigue. And with this object, both nations have resolved to take measures to hem them in, each on its own side, the Spaniards by that of the River Orinoco, and the Portuguese by the Marañon or Amazons, in such a manner that at the two extremes of the line, and throughout its entire length, we shall be occupying and reducing the territory towards the coast, in order that they may not penetrate the interior, seeking better establishments and a more profitable commerce, with the understanding that if by this mode of hostility, or any better which may be found, they are brought to evacuate the lands they now possess, the two Sovereigns will divide the territory between them in a friendly manner.
For this purpose I am commanded by the King to communicate to you the said Resolu-tion, so that by making use of the knowledge you have already acquired, and that which you will now acquire in the journey from the Orinoco - and the Chief Portuguese Commissioner making a like good use of his - you may confer with him on the means of carrying out what has been resolved on, without, however, binding yourself exclusively to the orders here laid down if they should be found impracticable in whole or in part, but varying or altering them according to the opportunities that may present themselves, for which His Majesty grants you full liberty of ac-tion, and I inform you of the same by his Royal command for your information and fulfilment…
374. DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ESSEQUIBO, TO WEST INDIA COMPANY
[20 October 1753]
(Extract)
J. L. Marcand, Poivet, and Watye, three of our inhabitants, having gone up to the Esse-quibo with intention to try to establish some trade with the Portuguese along the Amazon, have been killed in a murderous way by the nation named Mapissanoe, without having given the slightest cause therefor. This is not the first occasion that these have so acted, becoming daily more bold through impunity daring to say openly that they will act thus to all the whites who fall into their hands, because they are not men, and take no revenge.
As it is necessary to take measures hereupon, I have instructed Mushak, the Postholder, carefully to inform himself of their villages, number and strength; to ascertain the way, and eve-rything exactly, and to make me a circumstantial report thereof, as then I intend (with your Hon-ours' approbation) to attack them with the assistance of the Caribs who have come and offered their services for this purpose, and to drive them away inland far from the River Essequibo, so that we may have the passage free. This will take place much the more easily because they have also murdered some Caribs and Macusis, who are their nearest neighbours, and who accompanied the traders aforesaid. I take the liberty of requesting Your Honours to be pleased to honour me as soon as possible with your rescript relative to this.
375. DRAFT OF A LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS TO SEÑOR ITURRIAGA, IN REFERENCE
TO THE DEMARCATION OF THE BOUNDARIES, WHICH IS IN HIS CHARGE AS REGARDS THE
NORTHERN SIDE
[6 November 1753]
San Lorenzo, November, 6, 1753.
No one is better informed than your Excellency of the number and condition of the In-dian Caribs dwelling on the banks of the Orinoco, and of the ravages they have committed on our Missions, influenced and directed by the Dutch.
Considering that it is the intention to deprive them of every means of subsistence, and thus put an end to the constant injuries they are inflicting upon us, concerning which, on this oc-casion, I communicate to you some orders, it was considered well, and even necessary, to make an effort to see if it be possible to pacify and reduce this Carib nation, and bring them into our Missions, by offering them all the inducements possible and compatible with our neighbouring provinces. On which account I have considered you as very well suited for that purpose, for, be-sides the many other qualifications which you possess, it is necessary to add thereto the fact that you are already known among these savages.
On this matter the King wishes that in your journey from Cumaná to the Rio Negro you will seek an opportunity of bringing about a conference of the Chiefs of that nation, for the pur-pose of attaining the above-mentioned end, by offering them in his Royal name whatever pre-sents might appear to you adequate for the purpose. For that object His Majesty grants you the necessary power, and he will confirm whatever you offer on the occasion on the Indians fulfilling their part. And whatever you do in this affair with that nation, as well as with the revolted negroes, which will be treated of in a separate communication, you will inform me by the first opportunity by way of Portugal, or whatever way you can, so that I may support the measures which you have commenced by means of some other person or persons who may be able to carry out whatever be necessary in your absence. . .
376. DON JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER TO COUNT PERELADA, AMBASSADOR AT
LISBON
[10 November 1753]
Buen Retiro, November 10, 1753.
Sir,
You inform me that the frigate in which the Commissaries are going is ready, the various individuals all assembled, and the last instructions given, so that the only thing wanting is wind, but that it may happen that they are already under way. There remains, therefore, nothing to do on our part, as the elements are free. . .
(Signed) JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER
377. DON JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER TO COUNT PERELADA, AMBASSADOR AT
LISBON
[12 November 1753]
San Lorenzo, November 12, 1753.
I herewith inclose you a copy of the instructions which I am giving to the Chief Com-missary of the King, on the side of the Marañon, concerning the intruding Dutch in the continent between us and the Portuguese, so that you may give it to the Secretary of State.
Be good as to observe to him that I am not giving him more ample instructions for all we know here about that place he is equally informed of. But all that is very little for the purpose of founding thereon rules for the management of the business. When he is in the neighbourhood he will inform himself better, and specified orders from here will only embarrass him if he should find it necessary to pursue a different course.
I have therefore considered it better to give him full liberty, and that when there he and the Portuguese Commissary, by conferring together, may be better able to carry out the project, working in unison, and being aware of the intentions of both Sovereigns, the ends they have in view, and the great confidence they repose in them.
If the Portuguese Crown will give their Commissary the like corresponding instructions it is quite natural that they will arrange a satisfactory scheme which is to attain an end so advan-tageous to both kingdoms. . .
(Signed) JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER
378. COUNT PERELADA TO DON JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER
[26 November 1753]
Lisbon, November 26, 1753.
Sir,
At the same time as I handed to the Secretary of State the copy of the Royal Order which your Excellency gave to Don José de Iturriaga for the execution of the project in regard to the intrusive Dutch in the continent between up and the Portuguese, I also showed him the letter you inclosed me of the 12th instant, and he was well leased with all, and expressed himself per-fectly satisfied with the contents of both, observing that he could not go further in advancing the affair…
(Signed) Conde de PERELADA
379. DON JOSÉ DE ITURRIAGA TO DON JOSÉ DE CARVAJAL Y LANCASTER
[27 November 1753]
Cadiz, November 27, 1753.
I have received your Excellency's order of the 8th instant, and beg to assure you I shall confer with whatever party you may send at the proper time, and shall be pleased to give him all information in my power concerning the Caribs and the country.
Meanwhile, if it should appear to you necessary for the object in view, your Excellency may order them to forward you the map and plan of the fortifications from Paris and The Hague, with all other information from Paris that they may have heard concerning the capitulation of the last governor of the Dutch Colonies, and also about their defences. . .
(Signed) JOSÉ DE ITURRIAGA
(Archivo General de Simancas)
380. DON JOSÉ DE ITURRIAGA TO DON JOSE DE CARVAHAL Y LANCASTER
[5 December 1753]
Cadiz, December 5, 1753.
Sir,
I know by experience that the Caribs of the Orinoco will not abandon their territories to come and dwell in other parts of the banks of the river, however much we may flatter them with advantageous offers, nor will they condescend to admit missionaries. But it may be that they might permit us to found a town of ours in their territories as their friends' allies.
And if this be successful, we shall succeed in reducing them by degrees. And this ap-pears to me to be the best method for the object you propose. And if you should approve of it, it would be well, in my opinion, to issue an order to the Viceroy of Santa Fe and the Governor of Maracaybo and Caracas, so that they may allow the families of the plains under their respective jurisdictions to come to the new town. As the lands they now occupy are of the same class as those of the country of the Caribs, the emigration would be easy. . .
(Signed) JOSE DE ITURRIAGA
381. MINUTES OF COURT OF POLICY HELD AT FORT ZEELANDIA
[6 January 1754]
(Extract)
Jan Simonsen Swarts and Edward Ling having petitioned praying for permission to have timber squared in the River Waini in partnership, their prayer is granted, but subject to their free offer of paying 2½ percent to the Company, and, further, that they shall be bound to declare un-der oath every ship's load.
(Signed)
L. STORM VAN 'S GRAVESANDE
A. A. MENNES
J. K. MUNICH
J. H. MALGRAAFF
382. MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE COLONY OF
ESSEQUIBO, HELD AT FORT ZEELANDIA
[7 January 1754]
(Extract)
Seen the Petition of the Militia Captains to place a Post on the side of the Moruka to prevent the desertion of slaves. Councillor E Pijpersberg is commissioned with the above-mentioned gentleman to inspect the proposed site.
This matter to be disposed of after the report.
383. DON JOSÉ DE ITURRIAGA TO DON JOSÉ DE CARVAHAL Y LANCASTER
[15 February 1754]
On board the Frigate "La Concepcion," between Cadiz and Rota, February 15, 1754
Sir,
Thank God, I am at last able to announce to you the pleasing news that we are now on our way, with a favourable wind, convoyed by three frigates, the "Santa Anna", of the Caracas Company, and a vessel loaded with flour which has been sent by the Naval Intendant of Cadiz with supplies for the coastguards of Carthagena.
In less than eight days, or before, I hope to inform you of our safe arrival at the Canar-ies, and I trust by July you will receive the news of our arrival at Cumaná.
I sincerely wish that my letters may find you in perfect health, and that it may so con-tinue for centuries for the service of the King and the nation. . .
(Signed) JOSÉ DE ITURRIAGA
To Don José Carvajal
384. DIRECTOR GENERAL, ESSEQUIBO, TO WEST INDIA COMPANY
[19 February 1754]
(Extract)
In reply to your Lordship's letter of the 23rd July of last year, I have the honour to re-port to your Lordships, firstly; concerning the trade with Orinoco that I shall do all that lies in my power to further the same as much as possible, and that I have only today received a letter from that place with the news that a new Governor has arrived in Cumaná, who assures me that he will do all that lies in his power to maintain friendly relations, advising me also that in conformity with the agreement come to some years ago between the former Governor and myself, he had ordered three negroes who had run away from this Colony to be apprehended and publicly sold. Among them was one belonging to the Honourable Company's plantation Aegtekerke, who had fetched 150 pesos, or 300 guilders; this (after deducting the expenses) amounting to about 250 guilders net, which sum he would certainly not be worth here, being one of the greatest rascals that we had. I was requested to send some one to fetch the money, as well as the proceeds of the two others belonging to colonists, amounting to a total of 400 guilders, without deduction of the expenses, which is much better than losing the slaves altogether, as used to be the case before. This, too, will be come intimidation when the slaves know that they are not free there, but, on the contrary, have to work much harder than here.
385. MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE COLONY OF
ESSEQUIBO, HELD AT FORT ZEELANDIA
[1 April 1754]
(Extract)
Mr. C. Pypersberg, who was commissioned along with the Militia Captains at the last meeting to view the place in Moruka which was proposed for the erection of a Post to prevent the desertion of slaves from here to the Orinoco, has sent in at this meeting the Report of his Commission, stating that a Post could be erected at this place, and that the place was fairly good, though subject to some inconvenience, but t at the place would not, in his opinion, answer for the proposed object for several reasons.
This having been maturely considered, and the expenses of the Colony being high enough, it is resolved to do nothing at present.
386. MINUTES OF THE COURT OF POLICY, ESSEQUIBO
[30 June 1754]
(Extract)
Mr. Abram Van Doorn, Councillor of Justice of this Colony, having been admitted, asked in his own name, and on behalf of several colonists, whether the River Pomeroon had been thrown open, and having been answered in the negative, he further requested, in the name of the aforesaid, that the same permission and liberty might be granted to them as to Edward Ling and Co. to go and cut timber in that river. This request, having been considered, was found to be con-trary to the consent accorded by this Court on the 6th January last to J. S. Swartz and Edward Ling and Co., liberty having been given them to cut down timber in the River Waini, but by no means in Pomeroon, and it was therefore agreed that the aforesaid request should certainly be refused, and that Mr. Van Doorn and those whom he represented should be permitted to cut down timber in the River Waini, on the condition, however, that such colonists should always be obliged to give notice here beforehand of the places they selected for cutting timber, and should pay the recognition money fixed by the above-mentioned resolution of ours.
387. EXTRACTS FROM THE INSTRUCTIONS AND ORDERS GIVEN TO COLONEL DON EUGENIO
ALVARADO BY REAR ADMIRAL DON JOSÉ DE ITURRIAGA, IN REGARD TO THE SECRET MISSION
IN GUAYANA
[31 July 1754]
8. This place (i.e., the cattle farm of Divina Pastora) is the best for carrying out the in-vestigations and commission with which you are charged.
10. At distance of 3 leagues from the cattle farm ("hato") is the village of Copapuy, where mines are said to abound, and the Father Missionary will be able to afford you information concerning them, as he has acquired considerable knowledge about them.
11. You will likewise ascertain the internal government, mode of life, and profits of the Mission and of its inhabitants, their progress in the reduction of the heathen, the number of vil-lages actually maintained, their population, years of establishment, method of treating the Indi-ans, and how they employ them.
12. At a day's journey off was founded the Mission of Cunuri, which was burned down by the Caribs a few years ago. It took its name from a river of that name which flows into the Essequibo, according to general opinion. You will ascertain what you can, both on this point, and also as to the distance to the said River Essequibo, and if at the present day a road, which many have traversed, and which passed at a short distance from Cunuri, is still open and practicable.
13. You will also enquire about the road made by the Caribs from the Orinoco to certain islands of the River Caroni, distant from Capapui one day's journey westwards; and whether they use it frequently at the present day.
14. You are to enter into parleys for pacification with a renowned Carib Chief living in these islands at the head of a considerable force, and to offer him good terms, and likewise with the head Chief of the sources of the Creek Aquire, where a large number of Caribs are living, and with other Chiefs of the same nation occupying the sources of the River Caroni. You are to listen to their proposals, and, even if you do not succeed in bringing them to reasonable terms, you are not to dismiss them without the hope of further parleys in the future.
(Signed) DON JOSEPH DE ITURRIAGA
Cumaná, July 31, 1754
(Archivo General de Simancas)
388. MR. GIDNEY CLARKE, IN BARBADOS, TO THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ESSEQUIBO
[8 August 1754]
August 8, 1754.
Although I have been favoured with a line from you for some time past, I have, notwith-standing, constantly inquired after your welfare. I cannot omit this opportunity to inform you that the master of a vessel who arrived this day from Trinidad assures me that a large number of small vessels, with 500 men, were arrived there from Cumaná. They are bound up the river of Orinoco, the branch that trends away to the south-east, at the head of which there are mines, and which they are going to take possession of. I therefore think it is incumbent upon me to give you this notice, as they may, perhaps, enter upon land within your district. If I hear anything further I shall communicate the same to you at once.
Your Excellency's most obedient Servant,
(Signed) GIDNEY CLARKE
389. DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ESSEQUIBO, TO WEST INDIA COMPANY
[2 September 1754]
(Extract)
For some weeks past a rumour has been spread here that a Major-General with three or four engineers and some troops were expected every day in Orinoco. Having inquired into this, I was told and also written to from Orinoco, that it was true, and that the object was to measure and examine the mouth of the Orinoco to see if it were not possible for a register-ship to come there every year to bring the pay of the garrison, etc., so that it might no longer have to be fetched so far overland.
To me that appeared very apocryphal, because for that one sailor and coxswains would be more suitable than a General, and I surmised that there must be something more behind this. The inclosed letter from Mr. Clarke lays the secret bare, and my surmises turn out to be not un-founded.
According to the reports of the Indians, there are between Orinoco and here two or three very rich silver mines, by no means at or near the River Orinoco, but far south of it on our side, and even, in my opinion, south of the Waini, and in the chain of mountains commonly called the Blaauwenberg, which forms a whole long line of mountain chain, which your Honours will find laid down on the little map handed over by me when in Zeeland. This being so (and I fear it is only quite too certain) how will this turn out? Or what shall I do? With the small number of sol-diers I cannot turn the least aggression in this region. It is even impossible for me (however nec-essary at this conjuncture) to detach eight or ten men to garrison and defend as far as possible the Post of Moruka, which will, I fear, bear the brunt. All that I can do is, with the aid of the Carib nation, whose flight from Barima is daily to be expected, to cause all possible hindrance to the undertaking; but then I shall want ammunition and food, and have none of either.
I have the honour to assure Your Honours that I shall not slumber in this matter, but shall do everything in my power, and meanwhile await most speedily Your Honours' orders re-specting the so long sought definition of frontier so that I may go to work with certainty. (Has not this been regulated by the Treaty of Munster?)
There are also Swedish Emissaries (as I understand) arrived at Surinam to examine Barima, so that this old matter begins to revive again, but I am not so much disturbed about this as about the former matter.
I have at this moment received information that the Spaniards (apparently in order to fa-cilitate their undertaking) have established two Missions up in Cuyuni, and garrisoned them with men.
Your Honours will certainly recollect that I had the honour some years ago to inform Your Honours that they had located a Mission in the Creek Mejou, which flows into the Cuyuni, whereupon Your Honours did me the honour to command that I must try to hinder it, but without appearing therein. I did not agree in the reasons which have actuated Your Honours to command this secretly, because this Mission was so absolutely and indisputably on our territory; yet when I was honoured with your command I had already done myself the honour of writing to the Governor of Cumaná to make my complaint, with a request that he would cause the Mission to be moved away from thence, adding also that I should otherwise be compelled, however, unwillingly, to use means which would certainly be disagreeable to them. This had the desired effect, because I received a very polite reply, and the Mission was not only moved back, but even one of their ecclesiastics was sent here with the assurance that this had been done unwittingly.
Having attained my object, I accepted this as sterling coin. But the present is quite an-other affair. These two Missions are not in the Creek Mejou, but some miles lower on the River Cuyuni itself. This, taken in conjunction with the other reports, makes the matter very serious, and a very weighty one; and I shall with much impatience await your Honours' orders.
I am yet thinking of navigating this week up [the river], the 8th of this month being the inauguration of the new church at Ampa, and I am going on the 7th with Mr. Spoors to your Honours' provision plantation to dismiss Feytler, the Director, and install in his place the foreman Cantingnon; from thence I shall send to Cuyuni to cause ocular inspection to be made.
390. MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE COLONY OF
ESSEQUIBO - EXTRAORDINARY MEETING HELD AT FORT ZEELANDIA
[10 September 1754]
(Extract)
Fort Zeelandia, September 10, 1754.
This extraordinary meeting having been summoned by his Excellency the Director-General, he has communicated the sad intelligence which he had received, that it was the inten-tion of the Spaniards to invade and ravage the Colony, and he recommends to take all such measures as would serve, by the grace of God, and be of the greatest avail and protection to these countries under such critical circumstances, and to disappoint such wicked intentions.
All of which having been considered, it is unanimously resolved to make the following arrangements and orders:
1. That Jan Peter Thoman be sent to Guyana, as an express messenger, with a letter from his Excellency to the Commandant, and to inform that Chief that these rumours are known here, and to ask for the cause and reason for all these preparations, and that in a time of peace.
2. That an armed boat be placed at Moruka to keep guard, and to notice all movements, with instructions, at the first signs or suspicion of the approach of the enemy, to come and inform the Director-General as soon as possible.
3. That by the same messenger a safe conduct be sent to one named Meyer, who has lived in Surinam, and is at present amongst the Indians in Barima, for him to arrive safely here, in hopes that the man will be of service here.
4. To revise the different Militia Regulations, and to publish them, with such further al-terations and amplifications as will be found necessary, by which a third of the militia, after the signals of distress are given, shall come to the fort under their officers.
5. That the English vessels which are in the river shall come and lie under the guns of the fort at the first alarm, and their sailors (in case of need) be pressed, under payment, and be employed in the service of the Colony.
6. To order the Captains of the militia to take up their companies, and to make a list of their men, in order to be able to make a proper division.
7. A light canoe, manned with Indians and with two or more creoles, and provided with a swivel gun, under the command of one or two persons who are to be hired, say, either Adriaan Christiaansen, Hendrik Schee, or another, to cruise off Capoey, and to give signals of digress at the least sign of the enemy, and then to return and report.
391. DIRECTOR-GENERAL IN ESSEQUIBO TO THE WEST INDIA COMPANY
[11 September 1754]
(Extract)
The Council having met and Mr. Persik having appeared, he handed over his letters (under promise of secrecy as to the writer's name). Having seen from these that according to all human reckoning we are threatened with an invasion, we framed every measure of defence possible to us. We have ordered the Captains to make lists without delay of their men and ammunition, to warn the Caribs and other Indians at the earliest opportunity, to make ready as soon as possible ships to serve as outlying posts, and to send a messenger to Orinoco with a letter from me to the Commandant there, of which a copy herewith. To-day I also write to all the Postholders to use the necessary precautions.
392. LETTER FROM HIS EXCELLENCY LAURENS STORM VAN 'S GRAVESANDE, L.L.D.,
DIRECTOR-GENERAL IN AND OVER THE COLONY OF RIO ESSEQUIBO, TO THE SPANISH COMMANDANT
AT SANTO THOMÉ,
[12 September 1754]
Essequibo, September 12, 1754.
Sir,
Warned by repeated advices from the Isle of Barbadoes of the arrival of a body of troops at Trinidad, and of their destination and departure for the Orinoco, and also of the preparations that are being made under your command at Cumaná and elsewhere, and of the design formed to make a raid into my Government, I have considered it to be my duty to send you this express with the present letter in order to express to you my surprise, and to ask you for the reason of all these preparations in our neighbourhood in a time of peace. I have endeavoured, as far as it was in my power, to keep up good relations with my neighbours, and never to violate in any manner the Treaties which exist between His Catholic Majesty and my Sovereigns the States-General of the United Provinces, and am firmly resolved not to infringe them in any particular, and to observe them religiously, as I have always done.
But I have also the honour to inform you, and I consider myself indispensably obliged to do so, that in case they are violated by the other side, I am resolved to maintain the rights of my Sovereigns with all my might. I have had all the Indians, our allies, warned and armed, and they only await my orders to march and send expresses to our neighbours and allies, and in a word, I have done all that it is my duty to do.
Therefore, Sir, by writing you this, and by asking for your definite reply, I shall not have to reproach myself in any way for the misfortunes that may happen, and my conscience will be clear of them before God and man. I assure you once more that I shall be precise in observing the Treaties. I shall be delighted to be able to cherish and keep up the old friendship and the good neighbourly relations; to this I shall contribute as much as I can; but in discharging this duty I shall not fail to take advantage of the [word missing] I have received and to make all the neces-sary preparations. . .
(Signed) L. STORM VAN 'S GRAVESANDE
393. DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ESSEQUIBO, TO WEST INDIA COMPANY
[12 October 1754]
(Extract)
I had the honour to write to Your Honours via Berbice, per Captain I. I. Boon, and to give your Honours information of the advices which I had received from Barbadoes from Clarke, concerning the movements of Spaniards in this neighbourhood. I had, however (although placing little confidence in their pretences), no thought at the time that they would have fixed their aim directly on these Colonies, but shortly thereafter the advices from St. Eustace, and even from Orinoco direct, informing us that in reality the intention would be to venture an attack upon these and neighbouring Colonies, I had the honour to give information thereof to Your Honours (per Captain Errauds, fourteen days after Captain Boon left Berbice). . .
I have also sent order to Moruka to cause all inland waters and passages to be closed, so that they may not be able to pass with small vessels (and, according to information they have, as yet, no great vessels fit for outside, to come over the sea).
All the Caribs have also been warned to keep themselves ready and armed, but I find this warning in no instance was necessary, since I have learned from one of their Headmen, who came to me last week, that the nation is furious with the Spaniards because they have located a Mission in Cuyuni between them and the nation of the Panacays, and hereby try to hinder their communication with that nation, and entirely to prevent their whole Slave Trade on that side; al-ready, too, they have impressed and taken away some.
Wherefor they have made an alliance with the Panacays aforesaid, who were as malcon-tent as themselves, and both together surprised that Mission, massacred the priest and ten or twelve Spaniards, and have demolished the buildings; after which they have sent knotted cords to all persons of their nation (as is their custom), for a general summons to both together to deliberate on what further remains for them to do.
On the 23rd of this month I received this information from Mr. C. Boter, who thereupon, told me the common rumour was that one of our colonists had been near by there, and upon further inquiry, having found that that person had been about the same time up the Cuyuni, I caused him to be apprehended and brought to the fort. Because such a matter would be of consequence, and would afford the Spaniards real and well-founded reasons for complaint, I have always taken punctilious care therefor.
However, this sad accident for the Spaniards has covered us on that side, so that we have nothing to fear from that direction; on the contrary, if luck will have it that we are to be attacked, these nations will make plenty of play on their side for the Spaniards. . .
The negroes of Your Honours' plantation Pilgrim, when the Director told them to keep good watch, so that at the first alarm they might retire above the creek, replied that in such a case they request the Director to be good enough to retire with their wives and children, but that they were not inclined to yield a foot, that they would station themselves on the other side in the for-est, and then they would see if any Spaniards would come through the creek and to the planta-tion.
The able-bodied men of Duynenburg and of this station are to retire into the fort in order to serve near the artillery. The wives and children are to go above to Bonasieke, where a proper refuge has been made ready, and where our white wives and children are also to betake them-selves.
With regard to those of Agterkerke, whom I do not entirely trust, I have given orders to the Director to retire, on the first signal of alarm, with all his slaves up to the place where Poelwijk used to be.
And the few creoles of Your Honours will, in case we are attacked, go up the Cuyuni with some of the whites and mulattoes appointed for that purpose in order to place themselves at the head of the Caribs and make a raid into Guayana.
Two small vessels are being made (whereof one is, and the other is almost, ready) to keep watch between Moruka and Pomeroon, and the Arawaks of the Post are spread along the sea-coast in corrials so as to be able to give timely warning.
I have no doubt that the Burghery will arm a barque (if only we can get powder) to guard the entrance, Mr. C. Leary having already promises of over forty English sailors who pre-sent themselves for service.
Already some days ago I dispatched the pilot Grootendorst outside to look out. He comes back inside early every night, and goes out again early in the morning.
Thus all possible precautions having been taken, we must with patience await what may come of it, although to us this matter appears inconceivable, and we cannot comprehend for what reason and on what account the Spaniards should wish to invade these colonies, to which they have not the slightest claim, especially when the news franca Europe predicts nothing of the kind. As, however, our advices are so numerous, and some come from such good sources, I know not what to think, and find it my duty to use all human precaution that I may not have to employ that bad excuse, "I never thought of that."
The single information to the contrary comes from one of Ignace Courthial's people, who has brought some tobacco to Mr. Spoors and from a mulatto of Demerara, who not long ago arrived from up the Orinoco, who brought word (which to me appears most probable) that the Portuguese of Brazil descended Rio Negro last year with the Maganouts, and these have taken possession of a gold mine close by Orinoco, and that all these preparations are being made to drive the Portuguese away from thence. I think it will not be long before we shall be out of dreamland.
While busy in writing this there comes to me a trusty Indian bringing me a letter from Orinoco with a circumstantial account concerning the intention of the Spaniards. This informs me that their intention is to attack the Colony and Berbice; that the General-in-chief will be in Ori-noco on the 20th September; that in Cumaná twenty, and in Orinoco eight vessels were being made, which must be in readiness by the last of November, the intention being to come down upon us in the end of December or beginning of January; that they were busy with all their en-ergy to recruit and press people, and the corps was to consist of 3,000 or 4,000 men.
As the matter becomes more serious as time goes on, we have to-day resolved to send a vessel to Barbadoes on the 30th September, and to order thence a lot of ammunition and car-tridge cases, because it is impossible without these to make proper resistance.
The burghers here have undauntedly resolved to risk their lives and property in the de-fence of the Colony, and have made all possible arrangements therefor. Two well-armed barques are being fitted out with all possible speed, and made ready so that when the ammunition has arrived they may go to sea and cruise before the mouth of the river and as far as the River Waini.
One will mount thirty pieces of cannon and twenty-four metal swivel guns, the other six pieces and twelve swivel guns, properly provided with other guns and forces, for which [service] Messrs. O'Leary and Persik have generously offered their barques without making any claim therefor.
A very good and fit barque of Mr. Dudonjon has also been equipped to go and lie by the angle of the Pomeroon. Honourable Sirs, in one word, I have to assure your Honours that whilst imploring the merciful support and help of the Most High, everything shall be done that it is in our human power to do to frustrate hostile designs.
Your Honours will please not take it ill that I, in these circumstances, being incessantly busy from early morning till late at night, cannot have the honour to write circumstantially about other matters to Your Honours, but must defer this to a later ship's opportunity.
The Council was again assembled on the 7th of this month for the second advice from Orinoco, and our Emissary, with a letter for the Commandant there, returned just one day previ-ously. He has informed us that he had found there Señor Don Eugenio O'Alvarado, Knight of St. James, and Colonel of a regiment of infantry, a Captain of a man-of-war, and three engineers, and some other gentlemen, but no foreign troops. That the eleven vessels which had brought them were daily expected back (being returned to Cumaná) with two barques to fetch the neces-sary goods. That the aforesaid Colonel, then commanding in Orinoco, had told him that he should very much like to know who had given such information here, that if he could catch him would cause him to be punished, that he though it had occurred through a Barbadoes' barque which he had seen at Trinidad, but that, if he could have supposed that, it should never again have seen Barbadoes.
Moreover, the Emissary had in Orinoco conversed with one Nicholas Collaert, who fled from here some years ago, who had related to him that the Colonel aforesaid had caused him to be brought to Orinoco, and had him make to the best of his ability a drawing of the course of the River Cuyuni.
For the rest, a thousand assurances were given him that they had no aims on us, but that the preparations were for the navigation of the Rio Negro, and to regulate the delimitation of the frontiers between the Spaniards and Portuguese.
The reply of the Commandant Valdez to myself contains the same thing, copy of which I have the honour to send Your Honours. . .
Different persons in the Council were of opinion that we now have nothing to fear, and all danger is over, especially because the Contador, or Secretary, Don Felix, has written to Persik, and declared with many assurances that nothing was aimed at us, with the addition, however, "unless, however, other orders might come from the Court of Spain, of which he was unaware." Others were of opinion with me that we now had not the least reason for confidence more than we had previously, because we ought to be most assured that, whatever might be their aims, they would write nothing else than they have done, and that they would not be so foolish as to reveal their intention.
That however improbable such an undertaking might be (which it really is), and however plausible and acceptable the pretext of the delimitation appears, different circumstances appear very suspicious, and therefore our duty was to be on our guard, and to use all possible precaution although therein moderation must be observed as far as possible, which was generally acknowl-edged, and a resolution framed accordingly.
*
Annex: Copy of a letter from His Excellency Laurens Storm Van 's Gravesande, L.L.D., Director-General in and over the Colony of Rio Essequibo, to the Spanish Com-mandant at Santo Thomé, 12 September 1754 [Document No. 391 above].
394. DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ESSEQUIBO, TO WEST INDIA COMPANY
[27 October 1754]
(Extract)
Since the departure of Captain T. Grey, who, on the 16th October, ran out to sea from Demerara, I have learned no particular news from Orinoco except alone that three barques and nine canoes have arrived there and have sailed up to the fort, and that the Surinam wanderers and most of the Carib Indians have retired from Barima, and have departed to the Waini.
We shall still be in uneasiness here for the period of about three months. Before the end of January they must disclose everything, because, by the middle of February, the time for navi-gating up the Orinoco River will have expired.
395. DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ESSEQUIBO, TO WEST INDIA COMPANY
[26 November 1754]
(Extract)
The spies sent by me, both to the Orinoco and to the Cuyuni, have not yet come back, but the Indians above in Cuyuni have only this week caused me to be assured that they will well guard the passage, and that I had nothing to fear from that side. . .
Since the receipt of Your Honours' very respected [despatch] of the 26th February last, I have not seen Ignace Courthial. One of his people came here with a lot of tobacco (which was dispatched by the "Essequibo's Welvaren") and is here still expecting him. I fear the man will have changed his mind owing to the long duration of the negotiations. As soon as he has arrived, l will speak to him and try to encourage him, because I think he will be of great use to the Col-ony. . .
P.S. - Ignace Courthial has just arrived here.
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