the
Spanish yoke, determined even without assistance from the homeland to
rise in revolt against foreign domination. The departure of Count
Maurice, moreover, had seriously weakened the position of the Dutch, for
his successors had neither his conciliatory manners nor his capacity.
Joao Fernandes Vieyra, a native of Madeira, organized the insurrection
which broke out in 1645. This insurrection gave birth to one of those
wars in which a whole nation, destitute of pecuniary resources, military
organization and skilful leaders, but familiar with the country, is
opposed to a handful of soldiers advantageously posted and well
officered. But home difficulties and financial necessities prevented the
West India Company from sending adequate reinforcements from Holland. In
1649 a rival company was started in Portugal known as the Brazil
Company, which sent out a fleet to help the colonists in Pernambuco.
Slowly the Dutch lost ground and the outbreak of war with England
sounded the knell of their dominion in Brazil. In 1654 their capital and
last stronghold fell into the hands of Vieyra. It was not, however, till
1662 that Holland signed a treaty with Portugal, by which all
territorial claims in Brazil were abandoned in exchange for a cash
indemnity and certain commercial privileges. After this, except some
inroads on the frontiers, the only foreign invasion which Brazil had to
suffer was from France. In 1710 a squadron, commanded by Duclerc,
disembarked 1000 men, and attacked Rio de Janeiro. After having lost
half of his men in a battle, Duclerc and all his surviving companions
were made prisoners. The governor treated them cruelly. A new squadron
with 6000 troops was entrusted to the famous admiral Duguay Trouin to
revenge this injury. They arrived at Rio on the 12th of September 1711.
After four days of hard fighting the town was taken. The governor
retreated to a position out of it, and was only awaiting reinforcements
from Minas to retake it; but, Duguay Trouin threatening to burn it, he
was obliged on the 10th of October to sign a capitulation, and pay to
the French admiral 610,000 crusados, 500 cases of sugar, and provisions
for the return of the fleet to Europe. Duguay Trouin departed to Bahia
to obtain fresh spoils; but having lost in a storm two of his best
ships, with an important part of the money received, he renounced this
plan and returned directly to France.

After this the Portuguese governed their colony undistu