IV.
DEFENSE OF THE JEWS IN SURINAM AGAINST THE FRENCH IN 1689 AND 1712.
The loyalty of the Jews to their new settlement is unparalleled in American history. Every emergency found them ready to show their allegiance to Holland. Thus, when in 1689, a French fleet, under Admiral Cassard, made a sudden attack on the colony, they were met with brave resistance by the Jews. Van Chattillon, son of the previous governor, displayed great heroism on this occasion.[75] Two Dutch historians make mention of the valor of the Jews. Verburg and Fr. Holf. Merkurius relate in their _Histories of the East and West Indies_, that "after the death of Governor Aersen (_sic_) and the arrival of the new representative Scherpenhuizen, word was received that a French fleet was nearing Surinam. All soldiers and sailors were ordered out and summoned to appear at the fort. The call was obeyed by the Jews, of whom there were many in Surinam, and despite the fact that it was a Sabbath day, they fought valiantly for their colony. Two letters eulogizing their action in the matter were sent to the Society _Felix Libertate_, by a worthy citizen, H. L. Bromet, who lived for many years in Surinam."[76]
The colony, unmolested by strife and war, soon began to thrive and prosper. Their respite was of short duration, however, for already in in 1712, Admiral Cassard, at the head of another powerful squadron advanced upon the settlement. A fierce attack made in June, 1712, was manfully repulsed. In October of the same year, Cassard's fleet again appeared on the coast, and endeavored to sail up the Commawine River. The inhabitants, and particularly the Jews, under Captain Isaac Pinto[77] offered a stubborn resistance, and although they fought valiantly, they could not prevent the enemy from landing, bombarding the city of Paramaribo, and devastating the country. The treaty of Utrecht sealed soon after between the French and Dutch put an end to these vagaries.[78]
A recent writer on American Jewish history says: "In the war against the French in 1689, members of the families Pinto da Fonsera (read _Fonseca_), Arias, Naar, De Brito and D'Avilar fought valiantly."[79]