At this period the position of the French in the north of _Brazil_ became a subject of disquietude to the authorities at _Pará_. Although, in virtue of the line of demarcation by Pope Alexander VI., Portugal claimed the entire Brazilian coast, from the _Plata_ in the south to the _Oyapok_ in the north, the maritime powers declined to admit her title. As early as the year 1608, the country between the _Amazons_ and the _Orinoco_ had been taken possession of by Robert Harcourt in the name of James I. for England, and that King had made him a grant of the territory lying between the former river and the _Essequibo_, which falls into the sea about the centre of what is now British _Guayana_. The scheme, however, was frustrated, as were all attempts on the part of adventurers of different nations to establish themselves about the _Cabo do Norte_ and up the _Amazons_. It was during one of the expeditions of Raleigh that the harbour of _Cayenne_ had first been noticed, and it subsequently attracted the attention of Harcourt. Some French adventurers settled at this locality about the year 1631. They had no commission from the Crown nor from any company; and, being left to their own resources, such of them as survived the hostilities between the native tribes in which they took part, gradually became mixed with the savages. A few, however, had escaped to France; and it was on their representations that an expedition was sent out under Charles Poncet, who was appointed Lieutenant-General of the country of the _Cabo do Norte_, a district which was not too minutely defined, and which he interpreted generally to include the whole coast between the _Amazons_ and the _Orinoco_. This officer took out with him some four hundred men, with whom he attempted to form settlements at _Cayenne_, _Surinam_, and _Berbice_, which three places now form settlements in French, Dutch, and British _Guayana_ respectively. Owing to his cruelty, however, he himself fell a victim to the vengeance of the savages, whilst the various settlements were attacked and cut up. About forty survivors made their escape to _St. Kitts._