their valuables. The commandant had entrenched himself with his feeble garrison in a stronghold, and thence refused the overtures of Schapenham for an exchange of hostages, while the latter endeavored to obtain some fresh provisions.[1] The Hollander's main intention was to ascertain when the Manila fleet should arrive. He now contented himself with a few attempts to procure water and fruit, magnified by modern Mexican writers into an invasion of the town. This extreme caution of the enemy encouraged the Spaniards on one occasion to beat back his men with loss. After despatching part of his fleet Schapenham set sail with the remainder November 8th, and tired of waiting for the galleons he steered for the East Indies.[2]
Warned of the visit, Cerralvo had hastened to send troops to relieve the town, but their march was countermanded on learning of the enemy's departure. Energetic efforts were made, however, to construct defences[3] both here and at Vera Cruz, for in the gulf of Mexico foreign cruisers could frequently be seen. In 1625 the treasure fleet for Spain under Cadereita, later viceroy of New Spain, narrowly escaped their clutches,[4] but the fleet of 1628, carrying bullion and other effects to the value of over twelve millions of pesos, was surprised in the Bahama Channel by the famous Dutch admiral Pieter Heyne, who for some
- ↑ It was proposed to give captured Peruvians in return for hostages and provisions.
- ↑ The best account of this voyage is the Diurnal vnd Historische Beschreybung der Nassawischen Flotten, by Decker, who served on one of the vessels, as he states. Strasburg, 1629. It appeared in an earlier shorter form as Journael van de Nassausche VIoot, issued at Amsterdam in 1626 by Gerritz, and has been widely copied in De Dry's Hist. Amer., xiii.; Gottfried, Newe Welt, 565 et seq., and others. It is well written, yet not so full and candid as might be desired.
- ↑ Eighteen large pieces of artillery were brought from Manila at a cost of 7,411 pesos. Grau, Manila, in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., vi. 380. Travellers mention bronze cannon there marked 1628. In the following year, says Cavo, another Dutch fleet entered to seek provisions without doing any damage. Tres Siglos, i. 277.
- ↑ For this an annual thanksgiving was ordered on the 25th of November. What with corsairs, storms, and carelessness these fleets had to meet many misfortunes. In 1614 seven vessels were driven on shore near Cape Cotoche with heavy loss, though the governor took steps to recover a portion. Gogoludo, Hist. Yucathan, 472-3.
