dies, from ſtronger Breezes and an opener Country, which gives leſs Interruption to the Winds.
The northernmoſt Part of it ſtretching about 180 Leagues, (a fine fertile Country,) was taken from the Portugueſe by the Dutch Weſt-India Company, Anno. 1637 or thereabouts; but the Conquerors, as is natural where there is little or no Religion ſubſiſting, made ſuch heavy Exactions on the Portugueſe, and extended ſuch Cruelty to the Natives, that prepared them both eaſily to unite for a Revolt, facilitated by the Dutch Miſmanagement: For the States being at this Time very intent on their India Settlements, not only recalled Count Morrice their Governor, but neglected Supplies to their Garriſons; however, tho’ the others were countenanced with a Fleet from Portugal, and had the Affection of the Natives, yet they found Means to withſtand and ſtruggle with this ſuperior Power, from 1643 to 1660, and then was wholly abandoned by them, on Articles diſhonourable to the Portugueſe, viz.
That the Dutch, on Relinquiſhing, ſhould keep all the Places they had conquered in India from Portugal. That they ſhould pay the States 800000 l. and permit them ſtill the Liberty of Trade to Africa and Braſil, on the ſame Cuſtom and Duties with the King of Portugal’s Subjects. But ſince that Time, new Stipulations and Treaties have been made; wherein the Dutch, who have been totally excluded the Braſil Trade, have, in lieu thereof, a Compoſition of 10 per Cent. for the Liberty of trading to Africa; and this is always left by every Portugueſe Ship (before ſhe begins her Slaving) with the Dutch General of the Gold-Coaſt, at Des Minas.
There are only three principal Towns of Trade on the Braſil Coaſt, St. Salvadore, St. Sebaſtian, and Pernambuca.
