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_. St. _Salvadore_ in the _Bahia los todos Santos_, is an Archbishoprick and Seat of the Viceroy, the chief Port of Trade for Importation, where most of the Gold from the Mines is lodged, and whence the Fleets for _Europe_ generally depart. The Seas about it abound with Whale-Fish, which in the Season they catch in great Numbers; the Flesh is salted up generally to be the Victualling of their Slave-Ships, and the Train reserved for Exportation, at 30 and 35 Millrays a Pipe. _Rio Janeiro (_the Town St. _Sebastian)_ is the Southernmost of the _Portuguese_, the worst provided of Necessaries, but commodious for a Settlement, because nigh the Mine, and convenient to supervise the Slaves, who, as I have been told, do usually allow their Master a Dollar _per Diem_, and have the Overplus of their Work (if any) to themselves. The Gold from hence is esteemed the best, (for being of a copperish Colour,) and they have a Mint to run it into Coin, both here and at _Bahia_; the Moidors of either having the initial Letters of each Place upon them.