V.

SUPPRESSION OF NEGRO-REVOLTS BY THE JEWS OF SURINAM (1690-1772.)

Hardly were the colonists freed from the depredations of the French before danger menaced them from another direction. An anonymous writer, cited by Hannah Adams,[80] says: "The great check to the prosperity of Surinam has arisen from the inhabitants being exposed to the invasion and lawlessness of the Maroons, or runaway negroes, who have formed several communities in the inaccessible parts of the woods, and were the most implacable and cruel enemies of the colonists. _The Jewish militia have often signalized themselves against them, and have been of great use to the colony_; one-third of whom were of this (Jewish) nation."

Already in the year 1690 the negro slaves on the plantation of a wealthy Jewish landowner, _Machado_, rebelled against their master and murdered him. Governor Scharphuizen, who entertained bitter feelings against the Jews, refused to lend them the slightest assistance, so that they were thrown entirely upon their own resources.[81] More than once the Jews, exasperated by the governor's neglect, took matters into their own hands, and defended themselves with great success. The negroes, nothing daunted by this spirited show of resistance assumed a still more threatening attitude, their numbers, and hence their audacity, increasing more and more each day. The natives knowing full well that their advantage lay in their endurance of climate and similar local circumstances, understood how to utilize the fact to their benefit, and during the following years harassed the colony very much. This state of affairs, however, could not last long. In 1730 a desperate effort was made by the Jewish militia, which was determined to punish the slaves, under the lead of an under-officer followed by fourteen volunteers and thirty-six negroes. They exhibited no little courage and bravery in the taking possession and guard of an important post situated in the vicinity of the devastated negro villages.[82] This determined stand of the Jews did not, by any means, intimidate the lawless hordes who were intent upon rebellion and plunder. On the contrary it only roused their anger all the more. In 1731 it was again deemed imperative to check their depredations. The Citizens' Captain _Boeyé_ and the spirited David Nassy, (who more than any one else before and after him worked for the prosperity of Surinam) were chosen leaders of this campaign. David Nassy is described by historians as a man of power and integrity. He is said to have drilled the negro slaves on his plantation so thoroughly for such enterprises, that his co-operation was of the utmost necessity. He was the nephew of David Nassy who first settled in Surinam and received (in 1659), the famous charter of privileges to settle in Cayenne.[83] (See above.) It seems that he entertained friendly relations with his negro slaves who, in 1717 were offered perfect freedom by the Political Council (_Raad van Politie_) if they volunteered to fight against the Maroons, who made frequent assaults on the colonists. Already in the year 1718, Nassy enlisted in the Jewish Corps, commanded by Captain _Jacob D'Avilar_, and distinguished himself in a combat of a similar nature. So impetuous and brave was he in battle that he was speedily promoted from a regular to the office of Lieutenant, and later to that of Captain of the Jewish Citizens' Company (_Kapitein der Joodsche burger compagnie_). He was, therefore, well qualified by dint of personal bravery and diplomatic skill to take so important a part in the expedition against the Maroons.

In the present campaign he was not less fortunate and heroic. Undaunted by the treacherous trick of Boeyé, who abandoned him in the middle of the fray, he attacked the foe in their own retreats, killed several and took as many more prisoners. Boeyé, who was his envious rival, fearful perhaps of the consequences of his own cowardice, accused Nassy of indiscretion and disobedience, but so universal was the esteem and sympathy felt for the latter, who had before earned laurels on the field and was thought incapable of such folly, that he had but little difficulty in proving his innocence. The result was that Nassy was honorably acquitted, whilst his jealous rival, the real culprit, was duly punished. He added to his fame most decisively by this new stroke of bravery and military prowess and had the honor of being praised and glorified by the Spanish-Jewish poetess _Benvenida Belmonte_,[84] who composed a fitting eulogy in verse on his deeds of valor.[85] Nassy was the second South American Jew, whose nobility of character and state services were commemorated in Spanish-Jewish literature. (Cp. _supra_, rubric II, on Abraham Coen of Brazil.) His generalship and scientific tactics were called into requisition about two decades after his above detailed victory, in another expedition against the marauding band of negroes, who troubled the peace of the colony for nearly a century at various intervals. As previously noted, in the case of Machado, anno 1690, the slaves of another wealthy Jewish planter, _Manuel Pereira_, rebelled against their master, in 1738, and, thinking to shake off the yoke of slavery, cruelly murdered him. Hereupon, _Isaac Arias_, a former officer of the Jewish militia, who lived in the victim's neighborhood, sent out a detachment of Jewish volunteers, headed by _David Nassy_ and _Abraham De Brito_, to wreak vengeance upon the rebels. The troops remained away for six weeks in the enemy's camp,[86] and it began to be feared that they were utterly routed and destroyed, when the company returned, bringing with them the trophies of a most successful onslaught made against the Maroons, namely six hands severed from fallen negroes, and forty-seven prisoners of war.

As a reward for their bravery every officer received from the Council (_Raad_) 75 f. (florins?); every citizen (Jewish regular) 36 f.; each armed negro 20 f.; and each colored man who was in needy circumstances, 5 f.[87]

Five years later, in 1743, brave old Captain David Nassy, who had conducted thirty like expeditions against the Maroons, sallied forth for the last time to fight for his people and, according to some, to die on the battlefield the death of a hero.[88] This time he was arrayed against the Creoles, who by reason of their more acute intelligence and culture (having been long associated with Europeans) were yet the most dangerous of all their foes. Endowed with a noble Macabbean spirit, he fell like his ancestor Matathias, in the moment of victory. It was on the _Day of Atonement_ that the venerable sage and warrior sallied forth to war. It must have been urgent indeed, for David Nassy regardless of the solemnity of the festival put himself at the head of his trusty men, crossed over the Surinam River; penetrated further inland; pursued the enemy, set their huts ablaze; tore their fruits out of the ground; killed many on the spot and dragged about forty slaves along with them as captives. Nassy, who had already passed his three score years and ten, fell a victim to the treachery of his foes. It was told him that the negroes had poisoned all the wells in the village, so that he was compelled to turn homeward, in order to quench the burning thirst which afflicted him and his troops, without awaiting the orders of the Council. This most natural step gave his opponents a good excuse for lodging a complaint against him with the authorities, who are usually ready to listen to malice and dispute. His defense was scarcely heard and he was pronounced guilty. Such wanton ingratitude the good old soldier hardly expected as a reward for his services for the welfare of his fellowmen. Bitter disappointment and grief undermined his health. He was seized with fever, and soon after at the age of seventy, or thereabouts, death released him from his sufferings. With him died the flower of the Jewish colony, an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile. His co-religionist, _Isaac Carvalho_, was chosen Captain of the Jewish Citizens' Company, in his place.[89]

A few years later, a treaty of peace was made with the Western Maroons, who were getting more and more perilous to the safety of the colonists. But a new danger threatened them from another side. In 1749 the Maroons in the east, known as _Tempati (?) Negroes_ (_Tempati-negers_), broke forth in mutiny, plundered a plantation completely and carried off all the negro slaves who lived there. This plantation (as in fact all others in Surinam) belonged to a Jewish landowner, and was called _Auka_. Henceforth the insurrection which originated there was named after the _Auka-negroes_. Against these marauders, an expedition, partly under the Christian chief, Rijsdorp, and partly in command of the Jewish captain, _Moses Naar_, was organized and dispatched in 1757. It deserves to be mentioned, by the way, that this was Naar's _seventeenth campaign_ against the Creoles. The result of this undertaking was likewise favorable. Naar burned down a whole negro-village, made a number of captives, among them being a certain Corydon, the leader of the insurrection. For his bravery and skilful capture he was presented with a worthy gift by the Council.[90]

We are informed by David J. C. Nasi (or Nassy), the third descendant of the original settler of Surinam, who compiled with other intelligent men of his age, an exhaustive and comprehensive chronicle of the Jews in Surinam in French,[91] that already in 1750, _Moses Naar_ and _Gabriel de La Fatte_, in recognition of their active zeal in suppressing a revolt of the negroes in their colony, were presented with silver cups and a vote of thanks from the government.[92]

The fame achieved by his co-religionist, _Naar_, so enthused and electrified the young and ambitious _Isaac Nassy_ that he was eagerly anticipating another outbreak on the part of the Maroons, in order to show his courage and reckless heroism. The impetuous youth met with a noble, but pathetic end:

Thinking that against a well-regulated army, however small, no valor or charge of the negroes could possibly prevail, he hastily collected twelve of his followers upon the rumor of their approach; armed his and their most trusty slaves; provided himself with the barest necessities of war, sufficient for about ten or twelve days, and pursued the retreating foe with an ardor which, if imprudent, is at least a virtue in one so young and war-thirsty. He was, however, suddenly confronted by a much more considerable number of negroes than he reckoned upon. His little band stood ground but for a short while. Nassy himself displayed great bravery, and although severely wounded by a rifle shot in his right limb, he began to fight with a still more marvelous energy in order to rally his terrified men and to re-arouse their fleeting courage. But in vain. He was captured alive by the sanguinary horde and brutally murdered. Two of their chief officers and twenty soldiers fell with him on the battlefield.[93]

At last, the authorities saw that it was advisable and imperative again to make a treaty of peace with the relentless Maroons, or fugitive negroes, (_gevluchte Negers_) whose ravages for over half a century spread ruin and terror throughout the land. Accordingly, on the 23d of May, 1761, peace was established, to last for a good many years, apparently.[94] It was not long, however, before hostilities were resumed. In 1772 the State Council found it imperative to call in the aid of the mother country against the Maroons, who grew more audacious in proportion as they advanced in culture and education.[95] The State General, roused to action by the serious state of affairs in the colony, sent a company of 500 men, under command of Captain Forgeoud, who had previously shown much courage and ingenuity in suppressing a revolt of negroes in the Barbary States. Two years later, a series of military posts was established, beginning from the _Savannah of the Jews_ to the banks of the Commawine River and from there to the sea. Forts, strengthened by means of palisades were constructed from plantation to plantation, and when finally peace was enforced, the colony was spared from any further molestation at the hands of the unruly negroes.[96] Koenen, though very fair and just to the Jews in his _History_, sees fit to reproach them for their unkind treatment of slaves,[97] which, he opines, was the chief cause of the rebellion, lasting over seventy years. We are inclined to think that this rebuke is unwarranted, inasmuch as the rigid Mosaic and Rabbinic laws regarding them, were always strictly followed by the Jews and those in Surinam, who had men like the family of Nassy at their head, could not have trespassed these ordinances. He admitted, however, in his summary, that the colony in her defense was always deeply indebted to the Jewish militia, and in social and commercial matters especially beholden to them, for the Jews were the cultivators of the marshy and often dangerous soil and the masters of commerce, the chief factors of the welfare and prosperity of the settlement,[98] since its foundation. Not desiring to anticipate our conclusions in a larger work, we content ourselves with saying that nowhere else in the history of America is such devotion, disinterestedness and loyalty on the part of Jewish citizens so marked, and let us add, so gratefully recognized as in the little Dutch Province of Surinam. And nowhere else in the New World did the Israelites thrive more in culture, learning and religion than in the _Jewish Savannah_ of Guiana, as their community was called. Small wonder, then, in view of their attachment to their Hollandish masters, when we hear that in 1785, on the occasion of the reconsecration of their synagogue, then 100 years old, the Governor Wichers, with all the provincial magistrates and other eminent citizens, attended in a body the impressive ceremonies, which are graphically narrated in a little volume published by an eye witness.[99] And that two Christian philo-Semites wrote beautiful verses in Dutch in honor of these festivities, republished by the writer, elsewhere.[100] Nor does it now seem strange that the Jews loved to glorify their governors, J. G. Wichers,[101] Sir Chas. Green,[102] and Abraham De Veer,[103] in pretty songs and hymns, written in Hollandish and Hebrew. These were but poetic tokens of their patriotism. As late as 1853, the records inform us of their prosperity and constantly growing activity and interest in the colony. In that year we find them in the courts (Ellis, Juda, Fernandes, and others); among thirteen advocates, notaries, and procurators, there were seven Jews (Heilbronn, Colaço, Belmonte, de Granada, Abendañon, etc.); many served in the army as captains, lieutenants, colonels, majors, and chaplains. In fact they minister to the public weal in every conceivable capacity.[104] In their hands the colony still prospers. Recent reports, made by a correspondent of the _Jewish Chronicle_ in London, are aglow with enthusiasm for the prosperity of their now thrifty and intelligent colony, and reassure us of the vigor and tenacity of our faith in that distant land.

FOOTNOTES:

[30] See H. J. Koenen's prize essay, _Geschiedenis der Joden in Nederland_ (Utrecht, 1843), pp. 277-78: "Machtig breide zich deze bevolking uit als de Nederlanders omstreeks het jaar 1624 Brazilie veroverden. Op de Hollandsche vloot hadden verscheiden Joden vrijwillig dienst genomen, om zich in het te vermeesteren gewest met hunne geloofsgenooten te vereenigen. Deze ontmoeting, en de voor hen aanlichtende vrijheid onder Hollandsche Bestuur, maakten, dat vele Braziliaansche Nieuwe Christenen wederom opentlyk het Jodendom beleden; en dat zij eerlang eene tweede volkplanting hunner geloofsgenooten te Cayenne stichteden, waar David Nassi, een geboren Braziliaan, zich met goedkeuring der West-Indische Compagnie nederzette. Inmiddels hadden de Joden, die met 's lands vloot in 1624 naar Brazilie overgestoken waren en de Nederlanders dat land hadden helpen vermeesteren, aan hunne te Amsterdam woonachtige broederen geschreven, en hen uitgenoodigd om zich in het nieuw veroverde gewest op den pas ontgonnen koophandel te komen toeleggen; waartoe eene ruime gelegendheid was, sedert de Hollanders, na het sluiten van eenen wapenstilstand met de Portugezen, eene publicatie hadden afgekondigd, dat het den Joden voortaan volkomen zoude vrijstaan, zich in Brazilie te vestigen, etc."

We have copied this in full, as Koenen, whom recent historians all follow, is the only authentic source, although in this case no authorities are given. This point, and others in connection with the early Jewish settlements in Brazil were discussed by the present writer in two papers: _Early Jewish Literature in America_, in _Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society_ (= _P. A. J. H. S._), No. 3 (1895), pp. 103-47 (cf. esp. pp. 104, 105, 134-40) and _Jewish Martyrs of the Inquisition in South America_, to appear simultaneously with this volume, in the same place, No. 4.

[31] See Pieter Marinus Netscher's _Les Hollandais au Brésil, Notice Historique sur les Pays-Bas et le Brésil au XVII^e siècle_ (La Haye, 1853), p. 14: "Avant de mettre en mer (1623?), les amiraux Hollandais obtinrent sur la situation politique du Brésil les informations les plus utiles _par l'intermédiaire des Juifs_ qui s'y étaient établis, et qui presque tous, désiraient avec ardeur passer sous le gouvernement des Provinces-Unies, à cause de sa tolérance en matière de religion." Cf. also De Beauchamp's _Histoire du Brésil_, vol. II, p. 159; Southey's _History of Brazil_ (2nd ed.) I, pp. 477, 479, 495, supplem. note 135; vol. II, p. 241; Judge Daly's _Settlement of the Jews in North America_ (2nd ed. New York, 1893) p. XVII.

[32] _History of Brazil_ (London, 1810), Vol. I, p. 566; cf. also the quotation in R. G. Watson's _Spanish and Portuguese South America_, etc., _op. cit._, Vol. II, p. 29.

[33] See also Netscher's _Les Hollandais au Brésil_, etc., (La Haye, 1853), p. 94: "Les synagogues furent fermées, et les Juifs durent se borner à célébrer leur culte dans l'intérieur des maisons. Le mal fut d'autant plus sensible qu'un grand nombre de commerçants respectables et d'autres habitants du Brésil-Hollandais étaient des Juifs, qui depuis nombre d'années s'étaient réfugiés au Recife ou qui récemment y avaient été attirés par la tolérance du comte Maurice." Cf. also _ibid._, pp. 128, 202, note 82; and Judge Daly's work, op. cit., p. 6. On the subject of religious freedom enjoyed by Jews in Brazil, more at another time.

[34] Cf. Netscher's work, _op. cit._, p. 127. The document is preserved in _Le rapport détaillé de Tolner, contresigné par le Comte, avec tous les appendices, se trouve aux Arch. du Roy., Liasse Ind. Occ., 1641-1644_. The contents of this letter will be communicated elsewhere.

[35] See Dr. M. Kayserling's article in _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 3, (1895), p. 14 sq. Geo. A. Kohut, _ibid._, pp. 103, 105, 137 sq.

[36] Proofs for these statements may be found in my study on _The Jewish Martyrs of the Inquisition in South America, P. A. J. H. S._, No. 4, (1895.)

[37] We give the text in full: "Heureusement le fanatisme national et religieux n'avait pas étouffé les sentiments d'humanité et de loyauté dans les coeurs de tous les conjurés. Deux Portugais, Sébastian Carvalho et Fernando Vale, _avec cinq Juifs_, craignant d'ailleurs aussi pour leurs jours et leur fortune, se décidèrent en commun à révéler le secrèt de la conspiration au grand conseil."

[38] Cf. Montanus Arnoldus, _De nieuwe en onbekende wereld of beschrijving van Amerika en 't Zuidland_, Amsterdam, 1671, fol. 81; Netscher, _l. c._, p. 144, says: "_Un Juif, Moise Accoignes_, qu'on avait forcé à prendre part à cette conspiration le dénonça au grand conseil." N. G. van Kampen, in his _Geschichte der Niederlande_, vol. II, p. 118 and Frankel in _Monatsschrift_, vol. XII (1863) p. 323-324, record, that the ringleader in this conspiracy was Joan Fernandes Víníra (?), who intended to poison the government officials at a dinner given at his own home, and the plot would have succeeded had not a Jew raised the alarm.

[39] Cf. _Geschiedenis der Joden_, p. 279: "De terugroeping van Johan Maurits, wiens edele afkomst en schitterende eigenschappen zelfs den Portugezen eerbied inboezemden, en wiens ongelukkige opvolgers, meestal kooplieden (merchants), leden de Westindische Maatschappij, door hunne bekrompenheid, hebzucht en onmenschelijkheid algemeenen afkeer verwekten, deed onder de Portugesche ingezetenen een sluw beraamde zamenzwering tegen de Hollanders ontstaan, die op het punt was van te gelukken, _toen een Joodsche geneesheer_ haar door het schrijven van een naamloozen brief aan den dag bracht," etc.

[40] Netscher, _l. c._ p. 158.: "... Mais on parvint enfin en Hollande, à se procurer, par un Juif qui demeurait à Lisbonne, le moyen d'intercepter quelques lettres du roi, qui prouvèrent au soulèvement dans le Brésil." (Ces lettres se trouvent aux Arch du Roy., Liasse Ind. Occ. 1647 et 1648.)

[41] Cf. _ibid_., _l. c._, p. 154; See also _Lettre de Justif. de Garstman aux Etats-généraux en date du 27 Septembre, 1646_. Arch. du Roy., Liasse Ind. Occ. 1645 et 1646.

[42] Cf. Dr. A. Hahu, in _American Jews' Annual_ for 1886-1887, p. 35; see also Isaac de Costa, _Israel und die Voelker_ (Frankfort a. M., 1855), p. 319; and Dr. Z. Frankel, in his _Monatsschrift_, vol. XII, (1863), p. 323.

[43] Cf. Kayserling's _Sephardim, Romanische Poesien der Juden in Spanien_ (Leipzig 1859) p. 266; _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 3, p. 18.

[44] _P. A. J. H. S._, _l. c._, p. 15, note. Jacob Coen, Abraham's eldest son, was afterwards appointed "Contador Mayor," Receiver-General of Duke Moritz of Nassau. Cf. _ib. l. c._

[45] Cf. _American Jews' Annual_ for 1886-1887, p. 35; Isaac de Costa, _l. c._, p. 318; see also Hon. Oscar S. Straus's address in _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 3, p 3.

[46] See Kayserling in _P. A. J. H. S._, _l. c._, p. 14; Graetz, _History of the Jews_ (Engl. transl.) vol. IV, p. 693.

[47] See full particulars concerning this work in our study on _Early Jewish Literature in America_, _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 3, pp. 105, 106, 139, No. 9, and Dr. Kayserling's paper, _ibid. l. c._, p. 16.

[48] Cf. _l. c._, p. 16, No. 3.

[49] Cf. Van Kampen, _Geschichte der Niederlande_, vol. II, p. 120; _apud_ Frankel, _Monatsschrift_, vol. XII (1863), p. 324; Koenen's _Geschiedenis der Joden in Nederland_ (Utrecht, 1843) p. 280 sq.; Isaac da Costa, _Israel und die Voelker_ (Germ. ed. by K. Mann, Frankfort, a. M., 1855) p. 318 ff.; Graetz's _History_, _l. c._, p. 693-4; Kayserling, _ib._, _l. c._, pp. 17-18.

[50] Cf. Southey's _History of Brazil_, Vol. II, pp. 202-230; Van Kampen, _Geschichte der Niederlande_, Vol. II, pp. 120-122; also the same writer's _Geschiedenis der Nederlanders buiten Europa_; Isaac de Costa, _op. cit._, p. 319.

[51] See the _American Jews' Annual_ for 1886-1887, p. 35.

[52] _Les Hollandais au Brésil_, p. 163, _ad ann._ 1653-1654: "Une amnistie pleine et entière était accordée aux Portugais et aux Juifs, qui avaient pris cause pour le gouvernement Hollandais, et les Juifs et autres personnes non-catholiques qui resteraient au Brésil y seraient traités de la meme manière, qu'au Portugal (ce qui cachait une arriere-pensée digne de l'intolérance réligieuse de ces jours-là)." Here he adds a note which is hardly correct: "Aujourdhui il ne se trouvent presque pas des Juifs au Brésil."

[53] Cf. Koenen, _l. c._, p. 282; Kayserling, _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 3, p. 17.

[54] See the _Measseph_ for 1784; _ap._ Jost, _Geschichte der Israeliten_, Vol. VIII, pp. 241-242; Da Costa, _Israel und Die Voelker_, _l. c._, pp. 321-322; Dr. Hahn in _The American Jews' Annual_ (1886-1887) p. 36; Rev. E. M. Myers' _The Centurial_ (New York, 1890), p. 105; _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 2, p. 99. More fully in our paper on _Early Jewish Literature in America_, _l. c._, p. 138-139.

[55] Cf. Koenen's _Geschiedenis der Joden in Nederland_, p. 283; Dr. M. Kayserling, _Sephardim, Romanische Poesien der Juden in Spanien_, (Leipzig, 1859), p. 265.

[56] The Dutch text of this valuable document is published in the _Essai Historique sur la Colonie Surinam_, Paramaribo 1788 [Amsterdam 1791], Vol. II, pp. 113-122 and in Koenen's work on the _History of the Jews in Holland_, _l. c._, pp. 460-466. The present writer intends to reprint the original text with an English translation in the _P. A. J. H. S._; cf. his paper on _Early Jewish Literature in America_ in the _Publications_ No. 3 (1895), p. 104, 136, 137.

[57] Cf. Kayserling, _Sephardim_, etc., _l. c._, p. 266; his paper on the _Earliest Rabbis and Jewish Writers in America_, in _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 3, p. 18; Koenen, _l. c._, pp. 283-284.

[58] From this it would appear that the Jews in South America were corresponding and perhaps commercially connected with their brethren in Italy. We have elsewhere proven that the Marranos in Hispañiola were carrying on an extensive trade between various large sea-ports of Italy (see our forthcoming paper on _The Jewish Martyrs of the Inquisition in South America_, to appear in _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 4, 1895), and that the Jews of Brazil as early as 1636 wrote to Rabbi Chayim Sabbathai, of Salonica, in reference to disputes arising in their midst concerning Jewish customs and ritual. Cf. the notes in our study quoted above, _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 3, pp. 104-105, 137.

[59] Cf. Barrios' reference at the end of his Opuscula: "En Tisa beab (sic) sali de Liorne año de 1660 con 152 Almas de Israel en la nave llamada Monte del Cisne para ir apoblar a Cayana conquista de Holandeses en America." Koenen, _l. c._, p. 283, numbers only 112 passengers, which is evidently erroneous. Cf. also Kayserling, _Sephardim_, etc., p. 266, note 1; 355, n. 402; _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 3, p. 18.

[60] Cf. Kayserling, _Sephardim_, _l. c._, and _P. A. J. H. S._, 3, p. 18; see more fully in my paper on a _Contribution to the History of the Jews in the Islands of St. Thomas, Jamaica and Barbadoes_, to appear in _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 4.

[61] See Koenen's _Geschiedenis_, p. 284. The date 1654 there given is probably a misprint for 1664.

[62] Cf. Appendix II to my paper on _Early Jewish Literature in America_, _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 3, pp. 145-147, cf. also pp. 125-132 where some points in their history are given.

[63] Dr. E. Carmoly, in his essay on _Don Joseph Nasi, Duc de Naxos_ (Brussels, 1855), traces the relationship of this eminent personage even to American shores, where the Nasis flourished. The word Nasi in Hebrew indicates chief, or prince. See also Fuerst's _Orient_, XII (1851-2), p. 335; Steinschneider's _Hammaskir_, II (1859), p. 33.

[64] See Don Miguel Levi de Barrios, _Arbol de las Vidas_, p. 90; apud Kayserling, in _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 3, p. 18, note 2.

[65] Cf. Kayserling, _ib._, _l. c._; and his article: _Die Juden in Surinam_, published in Frankel's _Monatsschrift für die Geschichte und Wissenschaft des Judenthums_, Vol. VIII, (1859), p. 207; also Van Sijpenstein, _Beschrijving van Suriname, historisch-geographisch en statistisch overzigt. Uit officiele Bronnen bijeengebragt_ (Gravenhage, 1854,) p. 22.

[66] See Koenen's _Geschiedenis der Joden_, etc., pp. 291-92.

[67] Cf. _ibid._, _l. c._, p. 293; _Essai Historique sur la Colonie Surinam_, etc., Vol. I, p. 42.

[68] Koenen, _l. c._: "Zij werden vooral door de Joden, aan wier hoofd zich als Kapitein Samuel Nassy bevond, teruggedreven."

[69] Koenen, _l. c._, says: "Deze Nassy verkreeg van tijd tot tijd veel invloed onder zijne geloofsgenooten, en trachtte eenige hervormingen bij hen tot stand te brengen, in zonderheid met opzicht tot hunne zoo menigvaldige feestdagen; doch hij vond daarin niet weinig tegenwerking, ofschoon hij door brieven der Amsterdamsche Rabbijnen werd ondersteund."

[70] Koenen, _l. c._: "Zijn gezag verminderde zeer, toen de Kolonie op nieuw een Bewindhebber verkreeg in den Heer Van Scherpenhuizen, die Aerssens in het bestuur opvolgde."

[71] See Kayserling, in _Monatsschrift_, _l. c._, Vol. VIII, p. 207: "_Samuel (Cohen) Nasi_ wird als Bürger-Capitaen bezeichnet und trieb nicht allein die stets wieder neu einbrechenden Indianer mit starkem Arm zurück, sondern bewirkte auch, dass der neu ernannte Gouverneur Jan (Johann) van Scharphuisen von seinem Posten abberufen wurde." Cf. also Isaac de Costa's work, _op. cit._, p. 321.

[72] See Koenen's _Geschiedenis_, etc., p. 294: "Ongelukkig ontstond er een scherpe naijver tusschen den nieuwen Gouverneur en Samuel Nassy, die voor zijne komst bijkans alle gezag in zich vereenigd had, en wellicht had gehoopt den Heer Van Sommelsdyk in het bestuur te zullen opvolgen; ten gevolge waarvan hij goedvond de nieuwe wereld te verlaten, en zich onder zijne broederen te Amsterdam te gaan nederzetten. Ook na zijn vertrek bleef de spanning tusschen de hoofden der Israelitische bevolking en den Heer Van Scherpenhuizen voortduren, zoodat de eersten zich bij den Baron de Belmonte en Samuel Nassy te Amsterdam over hem beklaagden, hun bijstand verzochten, en de terugroeping van den Bewindhebber op die wijs wisten te bewerken. Hij werd in 1696 vervangen door Paulus Van Der Veen, en deze op zijne beurt in 1706 door Willem de Gooyer."

[73] Cp. Dr. M. Kayserling's sketch on "The Jews of Surinam," in _Monatsschrift_, _l. c._, p. 207: "Ehe noch Scharphuizen auf Surinam landete, hatte Samuel Nasi die Kolonie verlassen. Nasi konnte es nicht ertragen, einen andern Mann in der Stellung zu sehen, welche er selbst zu erlangen hoffte und welche er, vermoege seiner dem Lande erwiesenen Dienste und Fähigkeiten mit Recht beanspruchen konnte. Er verliess Surinam und schiffte sich nach Amsterdam ein. In Folge der Mitbewerbung des Juden um die Gouverneurstelle hatte Scharphuizen die jüdischen Kolonisten mit weniger Freundlichkeit behandelt und sie hoeher besteuert als die uebrigen Bewohner der Kolonie, so dass jene bei dem Grafen de Belmonte und ihrem Bürger-Capitän Samuel Nasi Klage führten und die Rückberufung des Gouverneurs aufs dringenste von der Regierung verlangten. Wirklich wurde ein anderer Gouverneur in der Person des Paulus van der Veen bestellt. Scharphuizen schiffte sich nach Holland ein; unterwegs von den Franzosen zum Gefangenen gemacht, gelangte er erst nach mehreren Monaten in die Heimat. Kaum aber in Amsterdam angekommen, wurde er von Nasi vor Gericht gefordert und gezwungen sich oeffentlich zu vertheidigen."

[74] _Punten en articulen, und Bericht en antwoord van den Gouverneur Jan van Scherpenhuizen._ (Amsterdam, 1697.) It would be very interesting to have a copy of this important trial, in which Samuel Nassy figured so prominently.

[75] Cf. Koenen, _l. c._, p. 293-294: "De Joden van Surinam bewezen de Kolonie wederom groote diensten, toen zij in den jare 1689 eenen aanval te verduren had van het Fransche Eskader, onder bevel van den vlootvoogd Cassard; in welke verdediging de Heer Van Chatillon, zoon van den vorigen Bewindhebber, zich bijzonder onderscheidde." See also Isaac de Costa's _Israel und die Voelker_ (1855), p. 321; Frankel in his _Monatsschrift_, vol. XII (1863), p. 362. _Révue des Études Juives_, Vol. IV (1882), p. 131.

[76] Dr. E. Carmoly, in a brief note entitled: "Patriotismus der Juden in Surinam," published in Dr. Leopold Loew's journal, _Ben Chananja_ (Szegedin, 1861), Vol. IV, No. 20, p. 178, n. 37, writes: "Niemand wird ihnen den Ruhm streitig machen, nicht nur ihre Soldatendienste zu thun, sondern auch bei Zuegen gegen ihre in die Wälder geflohene Sklaven ihre Religionsgesetze den Interesse ihrer Buergerpflichten nachzusetzen; sogar abergläubische Juden werden es ihnen nicht als Suende anzeichnen. Man sehe davon einen Beweis in Verburg's _O[st] en W[est] Ind. Geschied[enis]_, 11 D. 8, _Cyd bestek_, 35 hoofild. § 45, v. d. J. 1689, und Fr. Holf. Merkurius 40 D. wo erzählt wird, dass, da nach dem Tode des Gouverneur Aersen (_sic_) der Bevollmächtigte Scherphuizen bei seiner Ankunft in Surinam die Nachricht von der Annäherung der franzoesischen Flotte erhalten habe, sogleich alle Soldaten, nebst den Matrosen und den Bürgern auf das Kastell erboten und diesem Befehl Gehorsam geleistet worden sei, selbst von den Juden, deren viele in Surinam wohnen, ungeachtet es Sabbat war. Auch hat man darueber zwei sehr schoene Briefe an die Gesellschaft: _Felix Libertate_ von dem kuendigen Bürger H. L. Bromet der 20 Jahre lang in Surinam wohnte." These letters may yet be extant in the State library at Amsterdam, where many documents on Surinam are preserved.

[77] See my paper in the _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 3, p. 121, note 1; also _Révue des Études Juives_, Vol. IV (1882), p. 131.

[78] See Van Kampen, _Geschiedenis der Nederlanders buiten Europa_, Dl. II, bl. 416-420; _apud_ Koenen's _Geschiedenis_, etc., p. 294-295: "De Kolonie was van jaar tot jaar in bloei en welstand toegenomen, sedert de heilzame hervormingen van Aerssens hare talrijke vruchten begonnen af te werpen. Geen wonder, dat die opkomende welvaart de Franschen, die op dat pas met de Republiek in oorlog waren, geweldig in de oogen stak. In Junij des Jaars 1712 waagden zij een vrij hevigen aanval, die echter manmoedig werd afgeslagen. In October verscheen de Fransche vlootvoogd Cassard op nieuw voor de kust, en trachtte de rivier Commawine binnen te zeilen. De ingezetenen, in zonderheid de Joden onder hun Kapitein Isaac Pinto, boden een hardnekkigen wederstand, doch konden niet beletten, dat de vijand het land afliep, de stad Paramaribo bombardeerde, en de volkplanting op een gruwzame wijs brandschattede. Kort daarop werd de vrede van Utrecht gesloten, waardoor de Kolonie van dezen vijand gelukkig voor het vervolg verlost werd." See also Dr. Kayserling, in the _Monatsschrift_, _l. c._, p. 208. His remarks being substantially the same, we forbear citing in full.

[79] Cp. Dr. A. Hahn's article on _Primitive Jewish Settlements in America_, in the _American Jews' Annual_ for 1886-1887, p. 36; also Isaac de Costa, _op. cit._, p. 321; _Révue des Études Juives_, Vol. IV (1882), p. 131. We are inclined to think that the families mentioned, distinguished themselves in subsequent engagements in Surinam, during the negro revolts of which we shall speak in the next rubric.

[80] Cp. a review of the _Essai Historique sur la Colonie Surinam_, etc., quoted often in this essay, in the _Monthly Review_ for 1792; Frankel in his _Monatsschrift_, vol. XII (1863), p. 362; and Hannah Adams' _History of the Jews_ (Boston, 1810) p. 457. On pp. 455-458, a fair résumé of the History of the Jews in Surinam is given.

[81] Koenen, _l. c._, p. 295: "Reeds in het jaar 1690 waren de slaven op de plantagie van eenen rijken Israeliet, Machado genaamd, opgestaan, en hadden hun meester vermoord. Van toen af waren de Negers, die kans zagen om zich van hunne heeren te ontslaan, begonnen naar de binnenlanden te vluchten, alwaar zij zich in de bosschen nestelden. De Gouverneur Van Scherpenhuizen vond niet goed, den Joden bij dergelijke gelegenheden eenigen bijstand te verleenen, maar beval hun, om op hunne eigene verdediging bedacht te zijn. Dit was een groote misslag; want, eensdeels leerde hij daardoor de Israelitische bevolking zich onderling tot hare eigene handhaving te verbinden, hetgeen lichtelijk voor de Christenen bij eenige botsing gevaarlijk had kunnen worden; anderdeels liet hij daardoor langzamerhand eene macht opkomen, die, gelijk de ervaring geleerd heeft, niet slechts voor de rust en veiligheid, maar voor het bestaan der volkplanting zelve hoogstgevaarlijk moest worden." Cp. also Kayserling, _l. c._, p. 208.

[82] Koenen, _l. c._, pp. 295-296: "De Joden verdedigden zich meer dan eenmaal met goed gevolg.... Evenwel deed men in 1730 eene krachtvolle poging, bij welke zich eene Joodsche compagnie, onder aanvoering van een Onderofficier met veertien blanken en zes-en-dertig Negers, onderscheidde door het bezetten en bewaken van een belangrijken post, na het verwoesten van de gehuchten der Boschnegers." Cp. also Kayserling, _l. c._, p. 208.

[83] Cp. Kayserling in _Monatsschrift_, _l. c._, p. 208.

[84] Koenen, _l. c._, p. 297, has erroneously _Ben Venida del Monte_--a name unknown in Spanish-Jewish literature. Dr. Kayserling, _l. c._, p. 208, note 6, corrects the mistake, and identifies him with the same authoress, who wrote in praise of the Spanish translation of the Psalter by _Daniel Israel Lopez Laguna_, of Jamaica. Cp. the present writer's papers on _Early Jewish Literature in America_, in _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 3, p. 110-112; 140-141; and _Jewish Martyrs of the Inquisition in South America_, in _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 4, (1895) where full references are given on this famous American-Shephardic poet.

[85] See Koenen's _Geschiedenis_, _l. c._, p. 296-297: "..... Reeds in 1718 had hij, (David Nassy) onder bevel van den Joodschen Kapitein Jacob d'Avilar, aan een welgelukten aanslag van dien aard deel genomen: ten gevolge van welken hij van Onderofficier tot eersten Luitenant, straks tot Kapitein der Joodsche burger-compagnie, benoemd was. Thans was hij niet minder voorspoedig; en ofschoon door Boeyé verlaten, trof hij den vijand in zijne woningen aan; versloeg er velen, en nam een aantal anderen gevangen. Boeyé, die den Israelitischen Hoofdman wegens gebrek aan ondergeschiktheid, had aangeklaagd, werd zelf gestraft, en Nassy oogstte van dezen tocht zoo groot eenen naam in, dat hij door den Spaansch-Joodschen dichter (_sic_) Ben Venida del Monte (_sic_) in sierlijke lofdichten werd bezongen en gevierd." See also Kayserling, _l. c._, p. 208. His notes based on Koenen's are not as full.

[86] Van Kampen, in his _Geschiedenis der Nederlanders buiten Europa_, Dl. III, bl. 116, says, curiously enough, that they were away about six _months_ instead of six _weeks_.

[87] Cp. Koenen, _l. c._, p. 297: "In 1738 stonden de Negers der plantagie van den Joodschen eigenaar Manuel Pereira op, en vermoorden hunnen meester. Hierop zond Isaac Arias, voormalig Officier der Joodsche compagnie, die zijne bezittingen in de nabuurschap had, eenige vrijwilligers van zijne natie, onder aanvoering van David Nassy en Abraham De Brito, tegen de Boschnegers uit. Zes weken lang bleef deze bende op vijandelijken grond, zoodat niemand wist wat van haar geworden was; doch bij hunne terugkomst bleek het, dat zij een allervoorspoedigsten aanval hadden gedaan, terwijl zij de afgehouwene handen van zes gesneuvelde Negers, en zeven-en-veertig krijgsgevangenen medevoerden. Jeder Officier ontving daarop van den Raad voor dezen tocht f. 75; jeder burger f. 36; elke gewapende Neger f. 20, en jeder zwarte die met levensmiddelen belast geweest was, f. 5 ter belooning." See also Dr. Kayserling, _l. c._, pp. 208-209. He does not state what the rewards were.

[88] Cf. Dr. Hahn's article on _Primitive Jewish Settlements in America_, in _The American Jews' Annual_ for 1886-87, p. 36, who says that "among those who fell on the battlefield was David Nassi, in 1743, at the age of seventy. That was his thirty-first campaign against the French." We are inclined to believe that this is wrong, for earlier historians (see the following note) state that he died of a broken heart--a victim of slander. Furthermore, he did not fight against the French, but the Maroons. See also Isaac de Costa, _op. cit._, p. 321.

[89] Cf. Koenen, _l. c._, p. 297-98: "Vijf jaren later deed dezelfde onvermoeide Israeliet (David Nassy), die wel dertig tochten tegen de Boschnegers heeft ondernomen, ofschoon reeds bejaard, nog eenen aanval op het dorp der kreoolsche Negers, die door hunne meerdere beschaving en hun omgang met de Europeers de gevaarlijkste van alle waren. Deze strooptocht had plaats op den grooten Verzoendag der Joden. Zonder dat zij zich door de heiligheid van het feest lieten terughouden, trokken deze, de rivier Suriname langs, het binnenland in, vervolgden den vijand, staken zijne hutten in vlam, roeiden de veldvruchten uit den grond, brachten een aantal Negers om, en voerden veertien krijgsgevangenen met zich. Doch Nassy werd het slachtoffer van een list des vijands. Men maakte hem diets, dat de waterbronnen door de Negers vergiftigd waren; en hij, door gebrek aan de noodige verversching gedwongen, neemt op zich om terug te keeren, zonder den last of de orders ven deen Raad af te wachten. Zijne benijders en tegenstanders wisten hem deswege bij den Raad in een kwaad gerucht te brengen; zijne verdediging werd naauwelijks aangehoord; zijn proces opgemaakt. Dit krenkte den wakkeren man zoo geweldig, dat hij door eene koorts werd aangetast, die hem in den ouderdom van zeventig jaren ten grave sleepte. Na zijnen dood werd zijn geloofsgenoot, Isaac Carvalho, in zijne plaats tot Kapitein der Joodsche burger-compagnie benoemd." Cp. also, Kayserling, _l. c._, p. 209.

[90] See Koenen, _l. c._, p. 298-299: "Eenige jaren daarna werd een verdrag van vrede met de meer en meer gevaarlijk wordende westelijke Marrons gesloten. Doch nu vertoonde zich een nieuw gevaar van den kant der oostelijke of Tempati-negers, die in het jaar 1749 eene plantagie plonderden, en de Negerslaven die zich aldaar bevonden, met zich voerden. Deze plantagie behoorde eenen Joodschen eigenaar, en heette _Auka_; van daar bleef aan deze opstandelingen de naam van _Auka-negers_. Tegen dien vijand was het, dat in 1757 een tocht werd ondernomen, gedeeltelijk onder den Christenoverste Rijsdorp, gedeeltelijk onder den Joodschen Kapitein _Naar_, die reeds vroeger zestien malen tegen denzelfden vijand opgetrokken was. De uitslag ook van deze onderneming was allergunstigst. _Naar_ verbrandde een groot Negerdorp, maakte een aantal gevangenen, waaronder zich zekere Corydon, de belhamel der opstandelingen, bevond, en werd voor zijn manmoedig bedrijf door den Raad met een aanzienlijk geschenk begiftigd." See also Dr. Kayserling, _l. c._, p. 209: "Im Verein mit dem obersten Rijsdorp bekriegte Naar die noch immer Verheerung anrichtenden Neger. Er verbrannte eine ihrer groessten Doerfer, nahm ihren Häuptling gefangen und wurde wegen seiner an den Tag gelegten Tapferkeit ansehnlich belohnt."

[91] See the _Essai Historique sur la Colonie de Surinam_, etc., (Paramaribo, 1788; Dutch version, Amsterdam, 1791), Vol. I, p. 123. Of this rare and valuable work, which was called forth by the writings of Dohm on the _Emancipation of the Jews_, only one copy (in the British Museum) is known to be in existence. The writer of these lines is having the volumes copied in view of his _History of the Jews in Surinam_. See for further references his paper in the _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 3, pp. 126-30. It is worthy of mention that this is the _first_ work published in Paramaribo.

[92] Cf. Rev. E. M. Myers' _Centurial_ (New York, 1890), p. 117, _ad ann._ 1750.

[93] Cp. _Essai Historique sur la Colonie de Surinam_, etc. (Paramaribo, 1788), Vol. I, pp. 98, 99; Koenen, _l. c._, pp. 299, 300 gives a graphic account: "Zoodanige belooning, de eerzucht ook van den nog jeugdigen _Isaac Nassy_ prikkelende, berokkende dezen moedigen jongeling zijn ondergang. Naijverig op de onderscheiding, door zijnen geloofsgenoot verworven, en wanende, dat de Boschnegers tegen een' geregelden aanval geen moed noch kracht wisten over te stellen, verzamelt hij in haast een twaalftal zijner vrienden, wapent hunne beste slaven en de zijnen, voorziet zich met een onbeduidenden voorraad van krijgsbehoeften en levensmiddelen voor tien of twaalf dagen en vervolgt alzoo den op de vlucht gedreven vijand. Doch hij stutte op een veel grooter aantal dan hij berekend had. Eenen tijd lang hielden de blanken zich nog staande. _Nassy_ leide groote dapperheid aan den dag, en ofschoon hij een geweerschot in het rechterbeen bekomen had, deed hij nog groote moeite om zijne lieden te hereenigen en hun zinkenden moed weder aan te wakkeren. Doch te vergeefs. Hij werd levend door de Negers gevat, en wreedaardig vermoord. Wellicht zouden zij hem nog het leven gespaard hebben, ten einde de voldoening te smaken van zich door een' blanke te laten dienen; maar de wraakzucht, die al te hevig in hun woesten boezem blaakte, liet hun zelfs deze wreede barmhartigheid niet toe. Zij verloren echter bij deze gelegenheid een tweetal hunner opperhoofden, en nog wel twintig gemeenen." See also Kayserling, in _Monatsschrift_, _l. c._, pp. 209, 210.

[94] Cf. Koenen, _l. c._, p. 300-301: "Den 23sten Mei, 1761, werd er een vrede met hen gesloten, die thans een einde maakte aan de gewapende tochten," etc., etc.

[95] See _Essai Historique sur la Colonie de Surinam_, etc., Vol. I, p. 130.

[96] Cf. _Essai Historique_, etc., Vol. I, p. 135; Koenen, _l. c._, p. 301-302.

[97] See Koenen, _l. c._, p. 300: "... De afkeer des verdrukten Negers was veel grooter voor den Israelitischen meester dan voor den Christenplanter; en de Jood was harder tegen den armen slaaf, dan zijn landgenoot van verschillend geloof," etc.

[98] Cf. Koenen, _ibid._, _l. c._, p. 300-301: "... Haasten wij ons intusschen, tegenover deze treurige bedenkingen de aangenamer opmerking te maken, dat de volkplanting wegens hare verdediging niet minder verplichtingen aan hare Joodsche bevolking in die dagen gehad heeft, dan vroeger wegens de oorbaarmaking harer woeste gronden, of als het moederland door de herlevendiging van deszelfs handel; en dat dus de Jood in de kolonien door het beoefenen van den landbouw en het waarnemen der landsbeveiliging, die verdiensten verworven heeft, die hem in het Gemeenebest zelve nog schenen te ontbreken."

[99] _Beschrijving van de plechtigheden, nevens de lofdichten en gebeden uitgesproken op het eerste Jubelfeest van de Synagogue der Portugeesche Joodsche gemeente, op de Savane in de Colonie Suriname, genaamd Zegen En Vrede. [Berakha Ve-Shalom] op den 12den van Wijnmaand 1785._ (Amsterdam, Hendrik Willem en Cornelis Dronsberg, 1786). The volume is described at length in my paper on _Early Jewish Literature in America_, _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 3, pp. 126-129, where the Hebrew title is also given.

[100] See the writer's _Literary Gleanings on American Jewish History_, No. II, in the _Menorah Monthly_ for September, 1895 (Vol. XIX), pp. 149-152.

[101] See S. J. Rudelsom's _Lofzang op den bleyde dag der inhuldiging van ... J. G. Wichers, gouverneur-generaal over de colonie v. Suriname, 2 Juni, 1785_. The Ms. of this interesting pamphlet will soon be printed, with other works of Surinam Jews, in the French Jewish periodical, _Révue des Études Juives_, published in Paris. See also _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 3, p. 127.

[102] _Plechtigheden, vreugde gezangen en gebeeden in de Hoogd. Joodsche Synagogue Neve Salom, te Suriname, op d. dag d. inhuldig. van Sir Charles Green, Gouverneur-Generaal over Suriname, opgesteld en gezongen d. J. M. De Vries, Voorzanger._ (Paramaribo, 1804.) See also _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 3, p. 130.

[103] See _Plechtige Vreugde Gezangen, en Gebeden, Verricht in de Hoogduitsche Israelitische Sinagogue Neve Salom ... te Suriname, ter gelegenheid, en op den blyden dag der Inhuldiging van Zynen Hoog Edelen Gestrengen Heer Abraham De Veer, Gouverneur-Generaal der gemelde kolonie,--Gezongen door den Eerwaarden Heer Tobias Tall._ The Hebrew title and other particulars are given in the writer's paper, _P. A. J. H. S._, No. 3, pp. 130-131.

[104] Cf. Dr. Kayserling, _Monatsschrift_, l. c., p. 213.