THE DUTCH SURVEY. Wherein are related and truly discoursed, the chiefest losses and acquirements, which have passed between the Dutch and the Spaniards, in these last four years' Wars of the Netherlands, with a comparative balancing and estimation of that which the Spaniards have got in the Dutchies of Cleeve and juliers, with that which they have lost unto the Dutch and Persians, in Brasilia, Lima, and Ormus. Whereunto are annexed the Mansfeldian motives, directed unto all Colonels, Lieutenant-Colonels, Sergeant Majors, private Captains, inferior Officers, and Soldiers, whose service is engaged in this present expedition, under the conduct and command of the most illustrious Prince ERNESTUS, Earl of Mansfield. AT LONDON Printed by Edward Allde, for NATHANIEL BUTTER. 1625. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS Lord Cromwell, Baron of Oukeham in Rutland-shire, Viscount Lecall in the Kingdom of Ireland, and one of his Majesty's Honourable Privy Council in that Kingdom: and Colonel of a Regiment of Foot under the most illustrious Prince ERNESTUS Earl of Mansfield, W. C. wisheth that happiness which he himself desireth. RIght Honourable, I made bold to consecrate unto your most judicious censure, this Dutch Survey or balance, which if it prove weight in the Balance of your estimation, and appear in the trial as free from error as it is from partiality, the Author shall think his endeavours fortunate. The motives which invited me to this Dedication, were first of all your known zeal to equity and religion; for the sacred privileges whereof, the Netherlanders have fought most resolutely for many years together to the wonder of their friends, to the terror and astonishment of their mortal Enemies: So that if we shall admire the greatness of the Helvetian Cantons raised out of the ruins of the house of Austria, or the fortune of the Venetian Commonwealth, erected out of the Relics of the Roman Empire declining in Italy, we may justly wonder at the swelling power of this Estate, ordained by God in this latter age, to check the greatness of Castille, whose severe and rigorous dealing made them first to quit the yoke, and vindicate their liberty from Philip's tyranny and oppression. The next motive which emboldened me to this attempt, was your gracious promise made unto me by the mediation of a noble Gentleman, for farthering me with a place according to my calling, in this new intended journey: which if I may enjoy under your Honour's favour and command, I hope that God will so assist me with his grace, that the bend of my mean endeavours shall wholly tend to the service of God, my Country, and your Honoured self. Unto this discourse is added, besides a brief encouragement unto those, who are designed for undertakers in this expedition under Count Mansfield; the which I do not, because I think their resolutions to need the spur, for ours commonly are so forward, that they need the bridle, but that those spirits who are either ignorant or jealous of the motives, may rectify their minds by the knowledge and consideration of them. Thus desiring your Honour's favourable acceptance, I leave and rest, Your most obliged Servant. W. C. To the Reader. GEntle Reader, thou mayst behold in this discourse a true Survey of those more remarkable losses and acquirements which have passed between the Dutch and the Spaniards, since the expiration of the last truce, which ended with the beginning of the year 1621. Thou mayst behold also a true counterpoise or comparative balancing of the same, wherein it doth most plainly appear, that the Dutch have not only not been loser's in these latter and time nearer wars of the Netherlands, but for diverse advantageous respects, have been victorious against their potent and most redoubted Enemies, who under the colourable pretence of the Burgonian Title, sought to infringe the liberties of these Countries, contrary to the ancient customs, freedoms, and privileges of the same. To this relation is annexed a brief encouragement unto all those, who either as voluntaries or by way of Impressed, are engage in this expedition of Count Mansfield. In the censure of both these, let thy judgement be mild and favourable, and not according to the common Current of the disaffected and Spaniolized English, whose reports are so far from truth & equity in these and other traditions, that they wholly incline to partiality and detraction: For my part I know the candour and integrity of my own thoughts, and how free they are from any bending inclination or report, being unwilling that any known truth, though it were in giving the Devil his due, should be wronged by any fabulous or counterfeit adumbrations. The conscience of this, arms me against the danger of their malicious aiaculations, and makes me hopeful of the impartial Readers best construction, which if I may obtain, I shall for ever rest happy for this their good estimation. THE DUTCH SURVEY. THat Historical faith which proceedeth from the irradiation of report, as it is oftentimes grounded upon the Marble foundation of truth: so is it many times built upon the sandy base of misprision, error and conjecture: and this doth happen either through the malignity of our own will, which doth facilitate the belief of those things, which we with willing affectation do desire, for qua volumus facile credimus, or through the vanity of false Intelligence, which makes us conceive Chimeras for Ideas, falsehoods for truths, doubtful probabilities for manifest and assured demonstrations. A conclusion not only true in all Histories whatsoever, either ancient or modern, whereas the Ear but not the Eye gives information, but most especially verifiable in the present subject of this relation & discourse: for although within the revolution of these last six years, the sword hath been put into the Papal hand, and by their powerful instruments of Spain & Austria, Bohemia hath been repossessed, and contrary to the cucustomes and privileges of the same, of an elective Kingdom, hath been mad absolute and successive, although the Paltz by the politic air of their verbal treaties and illusions, hath not only been taken, but most injuriously kept away from Frederick, the most worthy and undoubted Palatine thereof; and though the Valtoline beside, hath been spoiled, and despoiled from the Grisons, a people free, and so acknowledged from the prescription of antiquity: yet let the Spaniolized English say what they will, and let their rumour blaze what it can to the contrary: the Spaniards have not only not been victorious, but have suffered many and most remarkable losses by the Dutch, in these latter and time-neerer Wars of the Netherlands. In the dilucidation whereof I mean not to instance in the loss of men, money, munition, and shipping, which like our hair grow out again upon every new reinforcement and supply, but in those damages, which are most solid and substantial, as the loss of Towns, Cities, Lands, and Territories, which like an arm or leg cut off, seldom or never grow out again, to the use and interest of their first possessors, especially they being seized by the Dutch or Spaniards, whose talents are of a strong retentive power, and who know to keep that, which they have once gotten and acquired, as well as any Nations in Christendom whatsoever: so that if we shall comparatively balance the Spanish Acquisitions in the Dutchies of juliers and Cleaveland, with their bleeding detriments, sustained in Brasilia, Lima, and Ormus: we shall see the former to be exceeded by the latter, beyond the parallel and degrees of all comparison. For the better light and manifestation whereof, we must understand thus much, that those parcels which Philip the 4. now holds in Cleeve and juliers, were not plumes anciently belonging to that new spread Eagles back of Spain, but fastened on like Icarus wings, upon the halfe-naked skin of that Austrian Pullet now grown bigger, than the Dam itself, by the sticking wax of Philip the seconds policies and pretences. By these means following your Philippick projects upon these now and new enthralled Seigneuries, were brought and wrought almost to the full period, and non datur ultra of his desires. William the last, Duke of Cleaves, of that name who deceased at Duisseldorp, in the year of our Lord God 1592. married his son john William unto jaqueline, the daughter of the marquis of Baden, a woman infamously famous for her dissolute and licentious life; and the censure of her imprisonment for the same, for bringing in of the Spaniards unto those Countries, and for making of your Clevian simplicity, first acquainted with the snaffle of the Castilian rule and government. But these, both the Father and the Son dying without heirs male, the inheritance descended to two pretended heirs female. The one married unto the Marquis of Brandenburge, a reformed Protestant, the other married unto the Prince of Newenburge, a Roman Catholic. Both these fight for the bone, whilst a third and fourth take away the flesh: for notwithstanding diverse admonitions and cautions to the contrary from some of their fastest friends, who were jealous of their good, and studious of the common peace and tranquillity of their dominions; The Newenburger strengthens himself with Partisans of the same faction and religion, and draws unto his succours: the King of Spain, the Emperor of Germany, with other Austrian Princes and Potentates. The Brandeburger useth a draught of the same policy, and invites the States of the Low Countries, the Kings of England and France unto his succour and assistance. An experience which shall prove hurtful both to the one and to the other, as the sequel shall declare: for the Spaniards having seized upon Weasel, Rhinebercke, Duisseldorpe, and other places of the Duchy, keep them upon pretence of their charges, and assurance of their Frontier. The Dutch having surprised Rees, Embricke, Cleeve, Goffe., and Gulicke, man these Towns with their own Garrisons, upon the consideration of the same and other pretences. Gulicke was a thorn in Albertus' foot, and an eyesore in the Castilians light. Vanderbercke must pluck this out, being General of the Spanish Forces in their Clevian expedition, which began under his command in the midst of August 1622. That year being the next after the expiration of the truce, the Enemies were very strong, as having three Armies in the field, one in Flaunders besieging Sluice, under the command of Inigo de Borges, and the Bishop of Gaunt, another hover about Goffe. and Zantom, commanded by the Marquis Spinola, which attended the motions of our Nassavian Army, lying then as in our dirty Quarters of Dornicke, and this third which beleguerd Gulicke, under the conduct of the Earl of Monts, commonly called Henry Vanderberke. This City is the Metropolis of the Duchy of juliers, unto which it gives his name seated upon the River of Roer, in a fruitful Country, which stretcheth from thence unto the banks of the Dent. It was well fortified and defended, for besides the old fortifications which were found at the first reducement of this place, there were new Ravelins and half Moons made by the directions of the Prince of Orange, and for their defence there lay fourteen Companies of foot, English, Dutch and French within the walls, under their Governor Signieur Pethan, besides Thomas Villers troop of Horse, which was reputed to be one of the bravest in all the Netherlands. But although it were well manned, and strongly fortified, yet for want of victuals it must yield to the power of the Conqueror: for the provision and store of the Magazine growing tainted, by Commission from the States Pithan, makes sale of it, unto those Merchants that would give most for it. Spinola understanding of this by the Nuntios of his intelligence, before it could be re-victualed by the States, sends Henry Ʋander Bark to besiege it with an Army of sixteen thousand men, both Horse and Foot, consisting of diverse Nations, as Italians, Spaniards, French, and Almains. Upon their first approaches, and before all the advenues and passages were blocked up, some of the Captains, amongst whom Captain Haydon, and Captain Aishley, were most forward, presented their service unto the Governor, and offered him upon his leave to victual the Town abundantly from the provisions of the Country: the season of the year serving fitly for it, it being as then about the beginning of Harvest, The counsel was good and wholesome, and might have wrought the preservation of Gulick, if it had been apprehended and executed in time. But Pethan obliging himself too strictly to his Commission, rejecteth the proffer, pretending that he durst not do it as having no Warrant for this Design. In the mean time Count Henrick well husbanding this occasion, sits down before the Town, Intrencheth himself strongly, and draws his approaches close to our utter Works, for the better planting of his Cannon. Thus Pethan sees his error, and too late seeks to redress the same. Then he resolves upon a sally which might have wrought some good effect, if it had been sooner enterprised. In this conflict our men surprised and slighted one of the Enemy's Fortifications, charged them home to their teeth, and having got some proportion of spoils and victuals, made their retreat good unto the Ports, with the loss only of Captain Bassenheime, and six and thirty of their Horsemen: amongst the rest young Captain Haydons valour was most remarkable; he was Captain of a Foot Company, yet upon that day he served on Horseback. One of the Enemies advancing himself before the gross of their troops, dares any of our side proudly to the Combat. Haydon accepts it, and charging him with his Pistol, killed the Challenger upon the place, and after that being recharged by a second, he falls back to the body of our Troops in safety. The fortune of this skirmish did but tie the squib to the Bull's tail, increasing our appetite and their anger. Upon this they batter our Rampires furiously with the Cannon, and salute the defendants with often volleys of their Musket shot. Our men answer them with Balls of the same mettle. Amongst the midst of these Revolets, passing with a doubtful success of fortune between the besiegers and the besieged, there chanced a casual fire to be kindled in the Spanish Quarters. Our Fire-men ply this place with their Shot both great and small, and work some remarkable damage upon the Enemies. But these exploits could not allay the biting smart of our hunger, which now began to rage and reign in every Quarter: For the Town provisions being spent, and the Magazines wasted, things unusual, and unaccustomed to the palate, were devoured; as Dogs, Cats and the like. This enforcement caused Pethan to demand a Parley about the midst of januarie: notwithstanding his first promise to Ʋander Berke, that he would not hearken to the motion of that accord till Easter. For this purpose three Captains were sent out of the Ports unto their Camp, the one an English man, the other two French & Dutch. After some difficulties, the agreement was consummated upon these conditions following. First, that the Spaniards should not bring the Inquisition into the Duchy of juliers▪ nor make any alteration in matters of Religion. 2. That the Captains and Soldiers should depart upon honourable terms, with their Arms fixed, Colours flying, Drums beating, and their Wives, Children and Goods. 3. That their Ordnance and Munition should remain in the Town. 4. That their Armourers, Smiths, and Gunners, might have liberty freely to depart with the Soldiers. 5. That the Governor and Captains might have Horse and Wagons, with a sufficient convoy to conduct them to Nimeghen, and that their sick & wounded might stay until they were recovered, and then to have Wagons to conduct them to the same place. 6. That the Captains and Soldiers should have a whole years' liberty, to sell their lands if they had any. 7. That the Captains and Soldiers which were in any other place of the Duchy, should have leave to come thither, and bring their Wives and Children. 8. That the Arms and Commodities belonging to the Town and Castle, should be left behind. 9 That all Records and ancient Writings in the Town and Castle, should remain there still. 10. That the Soldiers should not be arrested for debt. 11. That the beds which the Soldiers had brought into the Town, should be restored to their owners. 12. That the elector of Brandeburghs Officers and Ministers should execute their Offices for the space of one whole year than next ensuing. 13. That the Citizens might depart the City, and dispose of their goods within one year. 14. That there should be two Hostages given on either side, until the Articles were performed, all which being signed and sealed by the Governor, he should send a Copy of it to the Prince of Orange, and be bound to yield the place, if they were not relieved within 12. days, with 300. Wagons at the least: which time being expired, and no relief coming from Dornicke or elsewhere. Vanderberke sent 600. Wagons to transport their baggage, wishing the Governor to hasten his departure: who sending the keys unto the Earl, departed with all his Goods and Soldiers, leaving two Hostages behind, until the Wagons were returned. Pethan upon his coming to the Hague, was arrested by order from the States, and the Prince of Orange was confined as prisoner to his own house, having a Guard of Musketeers set over him, and his dignities which he enjoyed in that Commonwealth, were suspended for a time, until he should clear himself, and give a just account of his actions. Thus you see the loss of Gulicke conquered some fifteen years before, by the valour of the States forces, jointly with the succours of four thousand English, under the command of that noble and well experienced commander General Cecil; and now re-conquered by the Spaniards, more by the power of hunger, than the powerfulness of their Arms: which loss came not solitary and alone, but was aggravated with the society of another, though of less consequence and importance: and this was the surprise of Lulstorff, Blankenburge, and Monawe, small Garrisons held by Brandenburge, in the Duchy of juliers, and the taking of Goffe., a little Town in Cleaveland, seated upon the South side of the Rhine, almost opposite unto Rees, which makes the second loss of Towns or Territories, sustained by the States, in these last Wars of the Netherlands. This place was of no great importance, only it made the Western parts of Cleeve, pay some small Contribution to the elector of Brandenburge. It was meanly fortified, and but weakly manned; and therefore upon the Spinolians first approaches & summons, it yielded to the stronger, the Soldiers of the Garrison departing upon conditions of honour. Afterwards by directions from their Counsel of War, they fortified it with a Rampire, Counterscarp, and some other outer Works, so that it is now become a piece of some reasonable defence. His Excellency the Prince of Orange carrying Argus eyes upon all your Spanish projects; before their Works were well settled, marched thither in the latter end of Summer 1623. intending to take the Town by an Onslate. In his Army there were my Lord of Essex, my Lord Wriotheslie, son to the Earl of Southampton, with diverse other noble Volunteers from England, France, and elsewhere. But he dealt with an Enemy, whose eyes were as good as his hands: for they having notice of his coming, forelaid the passage, and resolved prevention to the utmost. The Prince viewing their Forces thus facing of our Army, and lodged beside in a place of advantage: after a long Alto, wherein he braved the foes, retired his Troops from the enterprise of Goffe., which still groans under the yoke of the Castilian government and oppression. The third loss which the States of the united Provinces have received, and that since the taking of Gulick and Goffe., hath been the surprisal of Papenmuch, a strong Sconce, built by the Confederates in a certain Island of the Rhine, between Coleine and Bonne, an Imperial Town, heretofore surprised by Sir Martin Skencke, in the year 1587. The Spaniards knew what a bridle Skenks Sconce (a Fort built upon that nook of Land) where the Rhine deuideth itself into two branches, making the Peniusula of Graved work, had been to their projected designs upon Cleeve, Geldres, and Friesland, they could not suffer a snaffle of the same mettle, and making, in the mouth of the Bishop of Colein, a creature of Spain, and wholly devoted to the house of Austria. Besides, the possessing of it did concern them much, for the transportation of their Forces from or into the lower circles of the Empire, and for victualling of Rhineberke, Weasel, and other places, by the commodity of the River. These motives incited Spinola to send thither an Army of sufficient strength and number, for the conquest of this important Citadel. These troops were commanded by the Prince of Chimay, and one Bree, Lieutenant General unto the Prince of Newenburge. They raised small Forts, commonly called Redouts upon every passage, drew their approaches within a convenient distance, and brought some Pieces of the greater size from juliers for the battery: and beside, they built two small Ships of War, not drawing much water upon the Rhine, to this intent that all the land passages being stopped, & the advenues by water being also shut up, time and hunger (two powerful instruments, much made use of by the Fabian Generals of Spain) might work the conquest and deliverance of this place. The event answered their expectation: for the Defendants being pressed with this unresistable difficulty, surrendered up the Sconce about the latter end of the year 1622. upon condition to depart with bag and baggage. And thus you see a full survey of those greater and more substantial losses, which the States have suffered, since the expiration of the last twelve years' truce, from their ancient and sworn Enemies of Spain. The relation of their victories follows, suparlative to their damages, both for the respect of honour, and the weight of their importance: and these may be reduced unto two heads, unto their victories acquired at Rishame and Ormus, Lands seated upon the coast of Persia, and anciently belonging to that Kingdom, or to their Conquests in Brasilia and Peru, Provinces of the new world, discovered by Americus, from whence it took his name, for the use of Ferdinand and Isabel, their children, heirs, and successors. For although in the Conquest of the foresaid Lands, the Dutch as well as our English, were but auxiliaries unto the Persians, yet because they were pars magna laboris, they had I say a great share in the labour and danger of this exploit, by way of reducement, and not improperly, it may be filled amongst the number of their atchivements. This Rishame or Rhisme is a small Island, distant from Ormus some four leagues, and separated from thence by a small fret of the Sea, commonly called the sound of Balsora. The Portugeses had built a strong Castle in it, manned with three hundred Christians, and five hundred Negroes, commanded by Rufero their Governor. Our Fleet upon the 24. of januarie 162●, came within shot of the Castle, and plied the Defendants with diverse peals of Ordinance, and by the favour of our shipping and Cannon, gave means to the Persian, to land ten thousand of his Soldiers. These Mahometan Troops were commanded by one of their Sultan's, for so they call their Lords, a man of great valour and conduct, as the sequel shall make good. Upon their first landing they play the Terriers, put themselves into the earth, & bring their approaches within a near distance. Rufero terrified with this straight assignment, as being environed both by land and water, and having no Element to help him, but the all-common Air, and the fire of his Cannon, demands a parley: to hinder farther effusion of blood it was granted. But the conditions proposed were disliked by the Assailants: for the Portugal wholly aiming at the preservation of Ormus, and slighting that of Rhisme, because he saw no possibility to keep it, offers presently to surrender the Castle, upon condition that his men, both Spaniards and Blacks, might have free liberty to pass over unto Ormus. Any man that had but Poliphemus eye, might see through the mist of this pretence. Our Captains, Blight, Weddall, and Mr. Monnox, men much honoured for this service, were apprehensive enough to conceive the advantage of this proposition. Therefore they reject it, and fall to their battery again, so that weighing nearer to the Castle, they bestow seven or eight hundred great Shot upon the Curtin and Bulwarks. The Persians likewise from the land side, draw their rolling trenches within a stones cast, and ply the Castellans with uncessant volleys of their small Shot, who answered them with the like, and flung diverse Pots of Wildfire and Granades into their Works, which did them much hurt. The terror of this caused a second parley; wherein Rufero offers to surrender the place upon these cautions following, that he might depart to Ormus with his Arms and Munition, and race the walls of the Castle down to the ground. This second motion being rejected like as the former, we saluted them afresh with the thunder of the same courtesy. But the Defendants seeing themselves thus distressed on all sides, yield at the last upon these conditions. That they should depart with bag and baggage, and all other things that they had, their Arms, Munition, and Ordnance expected, and that the Soldiers, as well Blacks as others, should be transported unto Muskat, a Town which the Portugeses hold upon the Arabian shore, only some of the Principals were to be detained aboard our Ships, and to be disposed of as occasion should require; so the Castle of Rhisme was surrendered unto the Persians the 30. of januarie 1621. and all the Articles were performed on both sides, saving that the Sultan caused some fourscore of the captive Negroes to be murdered, contrary to the dignity and faith of his promise. After the Conquest of Rhisme, the Christian Fleet set sail for Ormus, and the Persian land forces wasted over in 200. Boats, made for that purpose. This Island was made tributary to the Portugals anno 1606. who taking advantage of the Persian troubles, and their neglect of maritine affairs, fortified themselves strongly in this place, which they kept to their great profit and honour above fourscore years, until after the death of Sebastian, and the Conquest of Portugal, it was united together with the Terceraes, Guinea, Brasilia, and the East Indies, unto the Kingdom of Spain. Although it were barren, and had little or no fresh water, yet was it reasonable well inhabited, and paid for their customs yearly to the King, being a Mahometan 140000. Seraffs, with whom the Spaniards cried at the least half share. It is seated in the Persian Gulf, opposite to Combrene, on the main land of Persia, and in respect of the commodious situation, it stands fitly for the traffic of Arabia, Persia, and India. Of this Island the Arabians use to say. Si terrarum orbis quaqua patet annulus esset, Illius Ormusium gemma decusque foret. Which we may English thus: If the world a ring were, than the precious stone Of that rich ring were Ormus I'll alone. The present Sophy being sensible of this thorn, which so long had stuck in his predecessors foot, resolves upon a remedy befitting the greatness of his Design. And ever since his acquaintance with Sir Robert Sherlie, resolving upon the conquest of this Island, now undertakes it with the auxiliary Forces of the Dutch and English, and that Land Army which subdued Rhisme, now reinforced with new supplies from the Continent. The 10. of February 1621. the Persians landed 3000. of their men, who marched strait unto the Town, which being a place of no great defence, they took it, without any resistance at all; The Portugals & the Moors retiring themselves into the Castle with their goods and treasure. Upon this the Christian Fleet plies the Fort, and the Enemy's Frigates which lay under the Lee thereof with their Ordnance: and the Mahometans Land their whole Army, plant their Batteries, and mount their Cannon, which they had borrowed from the Christians. And that they might with more expedition and facility, make themselves Masters of this piece: they underundermined the wall at least ten foot right in, and placed forty Barrels of Powder in the Mine, which being sprung upon Sunday, the 17. of the same month, made a breach of some twenty foot broad at least. Presently upon this, th' Assailants present themselves bravely to the breach, and seeking to gain their passage to the top of the ruins, are as resolutely repulsed by the Defendants: Who salute them with Stones, Powderpots, Tarlin, and Musket-shot; and make good the breach from noon to night, against all comers; notwithstanding the fury of the Artillery, and the continual volleys of Musket bullets, which fell in as thick as hail amongst them. The Portugals lost two Colours displayed one after another, with some of their forwardest men, & their Battlements and Barricadoes made of Cotton sacks, were much torn and defaced with the fury of our Ordinance. The Persians lost not forty men outright, but some three hundred or more were wounded and burnt, part of whom afterwards perished. The 20. day in the morning, there came out of the Castle two aged men with a youth, and three or four Negroes attending them, who were presently conveyed by Sea (to the intent that they might not view our works) to the house of Dabul, whereas the Sultan attended by diverse Cushel Bassanes, and his Guard of Arabians, went to meet, and treat with these Portugals. But this taking no effect, they desired leave of him to go over to Combreane to the Sophy, which was granted them. But when they came over, he would condescend to nothing without the consent of the Christians. The Spanish Delegates being thus dismissed, the Persians sink themselues in their Mines again, and after they had made the vault capacious enough, they lodged 55. Barrels of powder in it, and rammed up the hole which gave entrance to this Mine, with Timber, Stones, and Mortar. It took fire about six of the clock early in the morning, being the 2. of April, and blew up most of the Western bulwark, with such violence and impetuosity, that the stones of this work were blown at least six hundred paces from the place. This mine was sprung contrary to the intentions of the Dutch and English in the time of the parley, and that by the directions of the Persian General, who was blemished with treachery for doing of this act. For at that time there were many Portugals walking upon the wall where the blow was given; four or five of whom were blown up and slain. The 14. of April the Persians blew up the 3. Mine, upon the east side of the Castle, yet would they not as yet enter, because they were working of another on the west side, which they sprung the 17. of the same month. The Mahometan soldiers upon this entered, and possessed themselves of the western bulwark, and seeking to force the Portugals Barricadoes, were by them repulsed with great slaughter. The Persian Sultan seeing his men retire, comes to the foot of the breach, and with his sword in his hand ready drawn, makes them renew the assault again: In which conflict, the valour of one Portugal was most remarkable, who with his Sword and Buckler, fought upon the point of the breach, and forceably repulsed the assailants. But mark how Fortune proves a Stepdame to his valour: He charging freely upon one of them with his Rapier, thrust it into one of their wooden Bucklers and before he could free the point, he was charged by three or four of the Persians, and cut in pieces by them. Within two or three days after this assault, the Sophy passed ovet from Combreane unto the Island of Ormus, where he showed that magnificence & munificence (befitting one of Ismaels' successors) unto the soldiers and Officers of the Army. The besiegded seeing no hope of succours, and that themselves were disabled in their defences, by Mines, Batteries, and Assaults, yielded the Castle upon these conditions. 1 That they might depart with bag and baggage, without any arms, saving their Swords and Rapiers. 2 That the sick and wounded should be left in the Town, and looked unto by Surgeons. 3 That aswell these as those that were sound, should be conveyed unto Muskat, a Mountain town of Arabia, by the Robert and Sherling, two English ships. Thus this Castle and Island the 24. of April were yielded to the Sophy by the auxiliary means of the Dutch and English, after it had been possessed by the Portugals and Spaniards an hundred and eighty years. The second loss which the Spaniards have suffered since these last wars of the Netherlands, hath been the taking of the town and part of Todos los Sanctos, in Brasilia. This Country is limited on the South with Riedo lafoy Plate and Chile, on the North with Guiana, on the East with the Ocean, and on the West with the Mountains of Peru, called the Audes, which deuideth the Country of Ieru●aua, as the Apemine doth Italy, and as Taurus and Caucasus do Asia. The people which inhabit these steep and craggy Mountains, are more barbarous than other Americans, as being tawny all over their bodies, going altogether naked, and living without houses or bedding: Those of the valley are more temperate and civil, as partaking the qualities and temperature of the Climate: The Earth of the valleys, is fat, green, and always flourishing; abounding with Sugar, Mace, and your Brasilian Wood, used in Europe for your dying of reddes; the Trees whereof are of exceeding bigness, wherein Nature proves the Architect, for divers large families which dwell in the bodies and branches of them. This land was first discoveted by Pedro Aluari Caprioli, at the expenses of Emanuel King of Portugal, Anno 1500. afterwards it was more exactly surveyed by Americus Vespucius, next by Giovanni de Empoli a Florentine, Anno 1503. Afterwards by john Stadius a Dutchman, Anno. 1554. And by the Edict of that Monster of Mankind (Pope Alexander the sixth) it was appropriated to the Portugals; the rest of America being allotted to the Castilians. The chiefest Cities of this Province are, 1 Fernambuco. 2 Ascensio. 3 Todos los Sanstos, otherwise called St. Saluador. This town stands upon a Bay of the same name, unto which the River of Real dischargeth itself, and hath Fernambuco an hundred miles to the northward, and it lies from the Equinoctial fifteen degrees to the southward. It was reasonable strong, and thought by the Portugals (who are generally overweening in their own conceits, both of themselves and their own strength) to be tenable against any forces whatsoever. The journey being resolved on by the West Indian Company of the Netherlands, they put to Sea the 22. of December 1623. from texel a Port of Holland, with a Fleet of thirty ships, well furnished with Arms, Led, Powder, Ordinance, and other warlike munition. jacob Willeks, a man of good experience in Maritine matters, commanded for the sea, and the Lord of Dorte commanded all the Land-forces. The Lord General having over-sayled the Admiral, had been before the town three days before, being the 6. of May 1624. and having exchanged some shot with the Castle, went to sea again, as resolved to seek out their Admiral Willekes, and the rest of the company. This attempt gave an alarm to the Spaniards, who conjecturing as the truth was, that more numbers followed these, & that for some design upon this p●●ce, prepared themselves for their defence, with all prevention and provision possible. They mounted eight pieces of Ordinance upon a Battery of Freestone, the Slaves of the town (aswell Christians as others) were commanded to the Rampire, and raised two new batteries by the direction of the Viceroy, who was also very careful to see the men mustered and ezercised in their arms according to the manner of the Castilian Discipline, the number of whom amounted to some 5500. men, whereof the Intants made 4000 and the soldiers 1500. They of the Land battered our ships furiously from the Castles, and upon one of the three was the Viceroy himself, with his son, and the greatest part of the Gentry. Our Admiral in the mean time sailed up & down in the Bay, resolving how he might land his Troops with best advantage; for this respect, he imbarks 1600. of his best and choicest men in four of the tallest ships, and commanding the rest to follow slowly, he enters the Bay the 9 of May 1624. Coming near the Enemy's Batteries, he caused all their Ordinance to be discharged on their Castles and Platforms, and landing some hundred men with their loug-boats, they took the Batteries presently: the Mariners doing very good service in this assault with their Boate-hookes. Upon this the Defendants hang out a flag of truce, and most of them quit the foresaid places. But the Viceroy, persists resolute in defence of that Breach, whereupon himself was engaged, and though hardly pressed by the Dutch, he fights it out to the utmost with some of the bravest Cavaleroes of the town. But when he saw at the last, himself forsaken of all sides, he fled towards his own Palace: but in the way our Mariners & soldiers ceased upon his person; who putting his sword into his sheath, delivered these words unto them: I have been faitbfull unto my King, and if my men had not so basely forsaken me, your forces should not have taken the Castle so soon. Upon the surrender of the Castle, all the lesser Forts yielded themselves, and acknowledged the fortune of the Canqueror; the which was the more happy in this respect, because it was accomplished with little effusion of Christian blood, there being not slain above forty common Soldiers, and one Captain. The tenth day of May, the Netherlanders went to surprise the Town, but when they approached near the Ports, they perceived that it was abandoned by the Inhabitants, so that our Soldiers entered without any resistance. The pillage was great in Coin, Plate, jewels, and other rich movables, which the Soldiers took out of the Houses, Storehouses, and Cellars. Moreover, there were taken 12000. Chests of Sugar, thirty Ships laden with rich Merchandise, which lay in the harbour, and eight ships more of the Spaniards, which arrived there since, not having notice of the Dutchman's fortunes and proceedings. The third main loss which the Spaniards have sustained since the expiration of the last truce, hath been at Lima, a famous Emporian and haven Town in Peru. This Province was first discovered by Francisco Pisarro, afterwards Marquis of Antillo, and Diego de Almagro, afterwards honoured with the title of chief discoverer by the Emperor Charles the fifth; to whose use it was first conquered by these adventurous Spaniards from Atapalipa and his brethren, right pretenders and inheritors of the same. It hath on the East the Perunian mountains, on the West Mare Pacificum, or del Sur, on the North Castilia Aurea, and the River of Peru, from whence the Country taketh his name, and on the South it hath Chila for his borders. The length of it is from the City of Pasto, unto the Province of Chili, one thousand eight hundred leagues, as large as the leagues of Castilia. This Land is the seat of many wonders: thence groweth that odoriferous wood, whose bark being incided, distils a marvellous sweet liquor, wherewith if any anoint a dead body, the carcase corrupteth not. near to a cape or point of land, commonly called Destahelena, there are found certain Springs of Pitch or Tar, serviceable for the calking & trimming of Ships. Here are Rivers which run all day, but stand still at night, the reason whereof is, because their current is maintained by the snow, which melts a day time, but freezeth again at night. It raineth in the mountains, but never in the Plains of Peru, the assigned reason whereof is, that in the Plains, and near the Sea coast, there bloweth all the year long one only wind which the Mariners call Silvester, which runneth along with such forcible violence, that the clouds and vapours can have no rest in the middle Region over the plain Country. Besides other small towns which the Christians have in the Plains, they have five principle Cities. The first is called Pi●to Veio, which standeth very near the equinoctial: this City is poor, and apt for diseases, yet hath it some Mines of Gold & Emeralds. Fifteen leagues within the Main is another City called St. Michael, which in the Indian speech they call Pura. This is a pleasant soil and fruitful, but there are no Mines of Gold nor Plate. Threescore leagues forward alongst the coast standeth another City in a valley called Trugillio, being distant from the Sea two leagues. This City is placed in a plain plot near to the Revers side, and is abundantly provided of Wheat, Maiz, and cattle. It is also exceeding well built, and in it there are three hundred households of Spaniards. The fourth chief City is, that of Aroquipa, commonly called the fair. The soil near unto it is healthful, and abundant of all kind of victuals, standing some 12. leagues from the Sea coast, upon a River that is fair and Navigable, so that Ships of good burden may come up to the walls of the City, by which means it is thought the habitation of this town will increase. It doth not only supply her own necessities, but serves the City of Cusco, and the Province of Carchas, with all things needful; from which places there is great resort unto Aroquipa, by reason of the frequent contractation here, t for the golden mettle of Potosi. The fifth principal City exceeding all the rest in beauty, strength, and riches, is that of Luma situated in a valley of the same name, some fourscore leagues from Trugillio. The Country thereabout is plentiful of Corn, and many sorts of fruits and cattle: the building of this place is such, that all the streets do meet in a fair large place, from the which a man may see through every street into the fields. The dwelling is marvellous healthful, because it standeth in a temperate climate, not afflicted too much with extremities of heat and cold: the hottest season of the year being more temperate than that of Spain. For in the time of their Summer heat, there falleth every day in the morning a sweet and cooling dew, which is not hurtful, but rather profitable for the health of man. For it being used by way of Lotion, it is good for the head aches and other diseases. All Spanish fruit groweth and prospereth well in this soil, especially Oranges, Lemons, Figs, Pomegranates, and Vines, whereof there had been great abundance, if the frequent broils and tumults between the Spanish Soldiers had not hindered the labour and Plantation of the Husbandmen. This City is judged to be the most pleasant dwelling of all the Land, in respect of the commodity of the harbour, the great contractation of Merchants, and the general resort of the people of the main Land, who come thither from all parts, and buy their furniture and provision. From the Mines of this Province, is brought great store of gold and silver. The situation of it is near the midst of the Land as yet discovered, for which cause the Emperor Charles the fifth, placed there a Chancery royal, and judges to decide his subjects causes, which also doth increase the confluence of the people. It is seated two leagues from the Road, commonly called Callee de Lima, or the Port of Lima. Le Hermite General of a Fleet under the States of the united Provinces, knowing how much the gaining of this place might accommodate the Hollanders, and incommodate the Spaniards, resolves upon the attempt. And being furnished with a sufficient number of shipping, and men befitting such an enterprise, he sets sail from the Netherlands, and after a tedious Navigation through the straits of Magellan, arrives at last in the South Sea opposite unto Lima; where he makes his intention known to the Company, and then adventures upon the exploit: wherein Fortune showed herself so favourable, that with little or no loss, he made himself Master of the Callee de Lime, to the great terror of the City, which as some men report, hath since yielded itself to the mercy of the Hollanders. The conquerors got a great spoil in Shipping, Treasure, and other rich commodities, and have since gotten two other places in the Province of Peruana. Thus you have seen a true Survey of those most remarkable losses and victories, which have happened between the Hollanders and the Spaniards since the last truce, which ended with the beginning of the year 1621. It follows, that after their expression we should justly counterpoise, and balance them: which if we do without national respect or partial inclination, we shall see the Dutch Acquisitions to exceed the Spanish, and yet their losses to be far inferior unto the others. For leaving out Ormus out of the balance, because it is now peculiarized unto the Persian, although it were won by the succours of the Dutch and English: if we counterpoise the Conquest of Saint Saluador, and the part of Lima (omitting that of the Cities as doubtful) with all the new Acquisitions of Spain, we shall behold these to overway all those, which this Nation hath of late acquired in Cleeve and juliers; and this advantage doth proceed not from one, but from diverse conditions and respects. For first of all, the profits of Gulicke, & of the Duchy, with their extraordinary Fees and Contributions, will not amount to above an hundred thousand ducats yearly, and allowing two thousand Soldiers for the Garrison of that signory, and every man to have five Shillings a week for his pay, the annual revenue will hardly quit the charges, whereas rating the revenues of Brasilia at three millions of ducats, and allowing one third of this accrument to rise from Fernambuco, & another from Ascensio, Todos los Sanctos, with the territory thereto adjoining, shall by this account bring a million yearly to the Cantors of the Netherlands. 2. Papenmuch with the tolage of the Rhine and; Goffe., with the contribution money drawn from the Boors of West Cleaveland, did hardly pay their own Garrisons, but the keeping of the Port of Lima, may draw (perhaps) a plentiful Contribution from the golden Mines of Chili and Potosi, besides those spoils that Le Hermit hath already gotten esteemed to be an inestimable Mass, and worth many Tuns of gold. 3. The Catholic King pays fourscore thousand ducats unto the Prince of Newenburge by Composition, for the resignation of these two Dutchies, but the States hold those new Acquisitions in America, by the tenure of their Sword, and by that ius acquisitum, which power and fortune have given to the stronger. 4. The Spanish King hath other competitors in Cleave & juliers, besides the Confederates of the seven Provinces, as the house of Brandeburge, and (perhaps) the posterity of the Newenburger, may rouse themselves out of that Lethargy, wherein the Spanish Pistolets have put their senseless Father, and lay claim to that Inheritance, which doth belong to them, or the Brandeburger jure gentium: but the Hollanders have no other titular pretenders, to their new purchases in Peruana and Brasilia, but the house of Spain, unto whom they have seldom lost any thing, which they were once possessed of, and whereas the Sea could help them for many years together. 5. The loss of Gulicke, Goffe., and Papenmuch, gives no other disadvantage to the States, they having Rees, Embricke, and Skenkes Sconce, between that and their nearest frontier; but the possessing of these two places in the West Indies, the one upon the North, the other upon the South Sea, do even waste in the intermediate Continent of America, and give an entrance unto those Provinces, whose gold hath battered the walls, and opened the gates of the strongest Towns of Christendom, for the Spaniards. 6. And lastly, the Inhabitants of Cleave and juliers, do not well like the hard and heavy hand of your Castilian government, no more than do all the lower circles of the Empire, as well knowing how these Intruders have impaired the German liberty, and spurgalled Bohemia and the Palatinate almost to death: but the Brasilians and Perwians, yea the very Portugal's themselves would willingly receive the law from the Dutchmen, whom they admire as much for their fair and gentle government, as they hate the others for their rigour, tyranny, and oppression. The Mansfeldian Motives, directed unto all Colonels, Livetenant-colonels, Captains, Inferior Officers and other Soldiers, which either as Volunteers, or by way of Impressed, are engaged to serve in this next Expedition, intended by the grace of God under the conduct and command of the most Illustrious and Warlike Prince ERNESTUS, Earl of Mansfield. HOnourable Professors of Arms, you may see in this Dutch Survey or balance, the swelling fortune of a triumphant State: You may behold also a handful of Netherlanders, with some few Mercenary French and English, give the check to that Kingdom, which so long hath striven for the Monarchy, Supreme Paramount of all Christendom: Let this Precedent serve for our present encouragement; and withal, let us consider, that if those 7. Provinces (thought to be but a morsel for the Spaniards mouth, they being not as big as that part of England which lies Northward beyond the Trent) could make their party good for so many years together, against the Catholic King, and his Packhorse the Catholic Bishop of Rome: What shall not the united forces of England, France, Denmark, and the Netherlands do against Pope, or Emperor, Austrian or Bavarian, or any other Christian Potentate whatsoever; The expected blessings of God, continual supplies of means, and the undoubted justice of a good cause concurring therewithal? In the prosecution whereof, let not the Papal curses and fulminations, the uncharitable censures of your jesuitized English, nor the foolish presages of the Speedewels ill speed, any thing deter us: For that Royal Ship which should have transported over the Count, was cast away by the default of the Pilot, a man not well acquainted with those Seas, a stranger unto Flushing, and possessed (as it is thought) with a malicious resolution against the person of Count Mansfield. So that leaving any conjecture upon this event, befitting aswell a College of Roman Augurs, as it doth a Conclave of Ignatius Disciples, let us descend nearer to the purpose, and accommodate ourselves to the expression of these Motives, which may confirm the stronger, and strengthen the more doubtful and weaker spirits (if there be any such) who are undertakers in this new designed Mansfeldian Expedition. And first, concerning those Motives, your worthiness may understand that they may fitly be reduced unto the number of three. The first whereof, is the sufficiency and conduct of that General under whom you are to undertake. The second is the means of provision and preparation made for the undertakers. The third motive, is the cause conceived, though not expressed, for which you are to undertake and undergo this action. And first, concerning the General, you are to fight under one whom never adversity could deject, nor ever prosperity could once erect beyond the temper of true command. You are to fight under such a Commander, whom Pistolets, promises, nor proscriptions (the powerful Instruments to subject staggering resolutions) could once divert from the tenor of his intendments. You are to serve under his Banners, of whom we may boldly say thus, Qui cum ab omnibus desertus erat, seipsum tamen non deserit, When he was forsaken by the two Anhalts, Ausberge, and other Princes of the Union, never forsook himself, nor left the cause of the King of Bohemia in the suds. Are you to encounter with your Enemies in Campania? under whose Colours can you sustain the shock of Hostile opposition better than under his, who beat Leopoldus men in their own Quarters at Hagenawe, killed Bawer the Duke of Bavariaes' General in his lodging at Heseldorff, & fought that memorable battle of Fleury near Namurs, wherein fifteen thousand of his men vanquished sixteen thousand of Gonsaluo de Cordabaes' troops, & 20000. Boors of their party beside? Are you to make a retreat from the pursuing enemy? Is not this that brave Conductor, who made that famous retreat from Bohemia into the Palatinate, and from thence unto Breda, a tract of six hundred English miles at least? which considering the valour and advantage of the pursuers, was not inferior unto that retreat of Zenophons' from out of Persia, nor that of Conon's from Aquilia into Britanny. Are you to besiege Town or Fortress? Consider then how the Count forced Pilsen, a principal town in Bohemia, which Zischa anuo 1470. could not subdue, nor the Hussites in their ten months siege, anno 1434. could not conquer; and this he did being weakly accompanied, and beyond the expectation of humane reason. Consider this beside, how that after the defeat of Zablatti, he rallied his troops in the Winter season, won Vodian, Prachalis, and Wintenberg, one after another, and though detained by Christian of Anhaults letters, he besieged Pisack, a strong place, & of importance, & won this Town the sixth of December, enforcing nature as the said Christian wrote unto him. Are you distressed for want of means and victuals, so that you have nothing but the air and your swords to live by? remember how ye shall march under that General, who maintained an Army consisting of diverse Nations and different humours, like another Hannibal without mutiny, yet without pay for three years together, filling their paunches & their purses with the plentiful spoils of Alsatia, Metz, and Triers, and with the abundant provisions of Emden, Munster, and Westphalia? To be brief, are you to actuate or endure any thing, remember this that you do it under the fortune, valour, and good conduct of Count Mansfield. The second motive which may serve to encourage us, is the sufficient provision of means provided for this journey, as men, munition, victuals, and money: the sinews, by which War is supported, and all Martial enterprises are brought to a happy accomplishment. Our men are those Laconian walls of bones, which must make good this attempt against all opposition: and these are the chiefest Nations, and flower of all Christendom. The French have been held the best Cavallerie of the world, seldom or never beaten, except it were by our English Bills and Bows; of these we shall have six thousand Carbins', and armed Curaiciers. The Germans were held in the time of Guichardine, the best foot of the world, and so much redoubted by the Italians, that they durst not encounter with them, except they had foot companies of the same Nation: and of these, we shall muster eight or ten thousand. Our English in these latter times, have been reputed the best Battalions of Pikes in all Christendom, and whom the Spaniards in their overvaluing humour, will acknowledge only to be seconds unto themselves; and of men fit to handle these Arms, England sends forth twelve thousand. The unexhausted Mines of Brittany, will furnish these brave Troops with Lead and Iron for their Ammunition: our Magazines will supply their wants with Serpentine and Corn-pouder for Shot and Battery, and our friends of the Continent will provide Wagons, Horses, and other necessaries fit for the convoy of such a Royal Army. Money will not be wanting, nor I hope the mutinous sound of Gelt will never be heard in our Quarters, nor an Electo choose to reform the same; for besides the liberal Contribution of diverse noblemen of England, forwarder of this enterprise, and the plentiful provision of our Parliament in that behalf, France and Savoy, Germany and Venice, contribute towards the charges of this intended journey. But is there any man who doubts the want of victuals, whose courage depends upon his Colon, and who never fights well, but when his paunch is full? Let this man whose thoughts are so unsouldierlike, know, that besides our own provisions, which I hope will be abundant and enough, France is contracted unto us with a new alliance, and the frontier of that Kingdom, against the higher and lower Germany, runneth a tract of five hundred miles at least: So that in all reason it cannot be far from the seat of our action. And can we dream then of want and scarcities, having such a plentiful friend to our neighbour, who without all peradventure, will furnish us with Grain, Beefs, Muttons, and all other necessaries, which are fit for the maintenance and preservation of an Army? In the third and last place follow the causes, which may move and incite us to this enterprise, and these are of two sorts, either of policy or of Religion. Concerning the politic causes, I will enter no farther into their mystery, than duty and modesty will give me leave: For I know there is a sanctum sanctorum of policy; there is an inner Court of Royal Counsel, into which no man ought to enter, except Assuerus put out the golden rod of his admission. Only I will give this caution to those spirits who are overcurious after this Inquest, and deliberate continually with themselves, whether the recovery of the Palatinate, or the revenge of the Bavarians and Emperors wrongs be the causes of this expedition, I will give I say that caution which his Majesty gave in the last Parliament: That no man should question, whether the Empire, Bavaria, or any other determinate place, should be the seat of this War, since the discovery of this particular cannot choose but prejudice the present service: for an Enemy warned is armed, secrecy is the spirit of action, and this with an expedite delivery, crownes all warlike exploits, with success and glory. But concerning that point of Religion, I will enlarge my speech more freely, and boldly maintain notwithstanding any opposition to the contrary; that this journey is not pro focis alone, but pro aris, not for temporal respects only, but for conscience, Religion, and the propagation of the Gospel concurring therewithal. And for the vindication of their wrongs, what task can be too hard? what danger can be too difficult? so that if we were to march over the sandy Deserts of Arabia, over the unpassable wilds and woulds of Scythia or the Frozen slows of Swethland and Muscovia: if we were to encounter with famine, fire, and sword, nay with all the terrors of mortality, and that their fearful consideration should terribilize their nature and condition, we should consider what Christ suffered for us, and suffer any thing, yea all things with patience, for his Religion, Truth, and Gospel. Our Enemies have made Religion their stalking horse, and our backs their packhorse: by which means they have imposed a Romish Florentine trick upon our credulous confidence, and open breasted, meaning. It remains for us, that we should recollect our strengths and spirits, make our revenge as sensible as our injuries are provoking, and march at length over their bellies, who have rid pack-ridge so long upon our backs. And to end, that our actions may partake of external glory here, and after this life of eternal glorification, let the service of God, our Country, and the common cause, be the general bent and scope of all our enterprises, fight for David's cause; let us arm ourselves with David's resolution, and let us come against them, who came against us with shield, sword, and spear, in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the Host of Israel; and then he that teacheth our fingers to fight, and our hands to wage the Battle, shall break the cheeke-bone of our Enemies, and make them become like those Princes which perished at Endor, even dirt and dung under our feet. Quod faxit Deus. GEntle Reader, you shall understand that since the Writing and Imprinting of this relation, Goch hath been recovered by the Prince of Orange's Forces; which makes the Dutch acquirements by so much the greater, and the Spanish losses since the expiration of the last truce, by so much the more grievous in those Countries of Cleeve and Juliers. FINIS.