1624. Robert Southey to
[Herbert Hill](people.html#HillHerbertUncle),
2 May
1809
Address: To/ The Reverend Herbert Hill/ Staunton upon Wye/ Hereford
Stamped:
KESWICK/ 298
MS: Keswick Museum and Art Gallery. ALS; 4p.
Unpublished.
Whether Orsua’s expedition should or should not be written occasioned me a great deal of perplexity &
indecision, Southey took from Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas (1559–1625), Historia
General del Mundo del Tiempo del Rey Felipe II, desde 1559 haste su Muerte (1601–1612) the story of the ill-fated Amazon
expedition of exploration conducted by Pedro de Ursúa (1526–1561) and Lope de Aguirre (c. 1510–1561). However, he omitted it from
his History of Brazil and instead published it in the Edinburgh Annual Register for 1810, 3.2 (1812)
and then separately as The Expedition of Orsua: and the Crimes of Aguirre (1821). – it does not cost me one
minutes deliberation to determine upon omitting it as you advise. Had I never written it I might have blamed myself for xx
neglect. It will be sufficient just to mention it among the many events to which the fables concerning El Dorado A mythical city of gold, sought by the explorer Francisco de Orellana (1511–1546), who died during a
disastrous expedition, on which only 44 of 300 men survived, navigating the Amazon. gave rise. The next chapter as they are
finished off shall be sent you by post thro [Rickman](people.html#RickmanJohn) & the Grand Parleur, as a
Frenchman once called [Mr Abbot](people.html#AbbotCharles). This will save time.
I have has a good deal of anxiety of late. [Herbert](people.html#SoutheyHerbert) was seized
last week with the croop. he was bled in the jugular vein & blistered on the neck, & this God be thanked, has saved him. At
present he is suffering from the remedy.
In the list on the other leaf I have marked those books which I most wish for. The Verdadeiro Methado Luis Antonio Verney (1713–1792), Verdadeiro Metodo de Estudar, para ser Util á Republica, e á
Igreja: Proporcionado ao Estilo e Necesidade de Portugal (1746). is a work whose importance I have learnt from Fr.
Gerundio, José Francisco de Isla (1703–1781), Historia del Famoso Predicador Fray
Gerundio de Campazas, alias Zotes (1758). – you probably knew its history better than I do. Lozano Pedro Lozano (1697–1752), Historia de la Compañia de Jesus en la Provincia del Paraguay
(1754–1755). or Montoya Antonio Ruiz de Montoya (1585–1652), Conquista
Espiritual Hecha por los Religiosos de la Compañia de Jesus, en las Provincias del Paraguay, Parana, Uruguay, y Tape
(1639). would be treasures to me, – for I am almost without a guide in Paraguay. The 11th Chapter brings
down the affairs of that country to the final establishment of B Ayres, & there I shall leave it till the second volume, & then
as soon as the Dutch War is over take up the History of the Jesuits from their entrance & the foundation of their system before I
proceed to the insurrection against them in Brazil. The increasing influence of the Jesuits in
Brazil, the foundation of their system of missions, and the campaign against it launched by colonists and other colonial clergy
jealous of their power, is described in the second volume of Southey’s History of Brazil (1817). With the
civil affairs of Paraguay I need have nothing more to do now that the discovery of the country is completed, – except so far as they
are connected with the P. colonies. The Portuguese colonies. This chapter x
is transcribed & would have been sent off to night, if I had not some letters to finish which will go in the same inclosure. Make
any alteration you deem necessary, – I shall perceive it, & if I can restore the passage if there existed any just
reason for it which you did not discover. When you have done return it under cover to [John Rickman](people.html#RickmanJohn), – & inclose the whole in a second cover to the [Rt. Honble
the Speaker](people.html#AbbotCharles) &c – xxx. There is no conveyance so safe & so speedy as the Post.
Was there ever so wretched a Book as Pinkertons! John Pinkerton (1758–1826;
DNB), editor of A General Collection of the Best and Most Interesting Voyages and Travels in all Parts of
the World (1808–1814). By following political instead of natural arrangement his first edition became obsolete
before his second appeared, & now the second is as obsolete as the first, – & such a style no man ever wrote but himself. And
But Yet While are all synonyms with him in having no meaning at all.
I have should have had some of your MSS which are in my possession bound, if we had a binder on the spot.
Ribeiros Voyage to the Settlement on the R Negro Southey had borrowed from Hill a manuscript
work by Francisco Xavier Ribeiro Sampaio (1741–1812?), Diário da uma Viagem que em Visita e Correciçáo das Povoaçóes da
Capitania de São José do Rio Negro fez o Ouvidor (1775). has been of great use to me in filling up Acunas
account. Cristóbal de Acuña (1597–1676?), Nuevo Descubrimiento del Gran Río de las
Amazonas (1641). When the Dutch war is over my printed materials lie in a very narrow compass, – only Vieyra, Antonio Viera (1608–1697), the Brazilian-born Jesuit renowned for his preaching and as the
architect of the Jesuit missions (Reductions) there. In his History of Brazil, Southey cites both Viera’s
Sermões (1679–1748) and André de Barros (1675–1754), Vida do Apostolico Padre Antonio Vieyra da Companhia
de Jesus, Chamado por Grande (1746). Berredo Bernardo Pereira de Berredo
e Castro (d. 1748), governor of Maranhão 1718–1722, author of Annaes Historicos do Estado do Maranhaō de sey Descivrunebtim,
atè 1718 (1749). & the wretched R Pitta. Sebastião da Rocha Pita
(1660–1738), Historia da America Portugeza, desde o anno 1500 ate o de 1724 (1730). I shall not be long in
transcribing the remainder of the volume, & the omission of this long chapter about Aguirre See note 1. will give me room to insert a critical account of my authorities, – which ought to accompany every historical
work.
As soon as [Pople](people.html#PopleWilliam) has finished the 9th Chapter
he shall send you the sheets that you may examine them at leisure – & tell me what explanations are necessary in the additional
notes (which will extend from 50 to 100 pages) & what amendments should be noticed in a list of errors. I am glad to find that the
narration proves more interesting than I had expected – It is so much less so than the history of the mother country – & than part
of the Asiatic history, that I sometimes feared it would be found heavy, – but this does not appear to be the case.
It is not very likely that Falkner Thomas Falkner (1707–1784), an English
Jesuit whose papers were published as A Description of Patagonia and the Adjoining Parts of South America
(1774). left any papers behind him, – if he had they might perhaps be traced. The last book which appeared about Paraguay I
suspect to be a fabrication, & have made enquiries which will speedily ascertain the truth.
My fragment of Pombals Life Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, 1st Count of
Oeiras, 1st Marquess of Pombal (1699–1782), Minister of the Kingdom of Portugal from 1750 to 1777. Southey
narrates his period of government in the third volume of the History of Brazil. goes in the Frank-royal
tomorrow.
My political news is that [Lds Grenville](people.html#GrenvilleLord) & GreyCharles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey (1764–1845; DNB), Prime Minister 1830–1834 and leading
Whig. are trying to get into power by reestablishing the D of York in defiance of common decency & of the people, Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany (1763–1827; DNB), Commander in Chief of
the army. He held the post from 1798–1809, but was forced to resign in the wake of allegations that he had profited by allowing his
mistress, Mary Anne Clarke (c. 1776–1852; DNB), to accept money from army officers, in return for which promotion was
arranged. Nevertheless, in May 1811 the Prince Regent reinstated his brother as Commander-in-Chief of the army, a post which he held
for the rest of his life. – & that for this purpose a second xx xxxx Coalition of All the Talents is in
agitation. The rascality & the folly of such a design does not make it a whit the less likely, considering the persons in question,
but I do not believe it, because [Wynn](people.html#WynnCharlesWW) has taken so conspicuous a part in the
whole proceedings. I wish [Ld](people.html#FoxHenryRichard) or rather [Lady H.](people.html#FoxElizabethVassall) were in power because I believe she would not forget you: – that done
xx justice done. I have no other xx wish about both parties, than that hemp enough may be found for the public
service, – notwithstanding our war with Russia–
I have written to [L.](people.html#LongmanThomas) about your parcel Which contained the proofs of the first volume of Southey’s History of Brazil (1810). This letter has
not survived. For further details, see Southey to John Rickman, [c. 1 May 1809], Letter 1623.
May 2. 1809.
RS.
|
|
Fr. Paulo do Rosario. Relacam |
|
|
da Victoria que honue a Capitan |
|
|
mor de Paraiba. 1632. Father Paulo do Rosario (dates unknown),
Relacam Breve e Verdadeira da Memoravel Victoria, que ouve o Capitao mor da Capitania da Paraiua Antonio de
Albuquerque, dos rebeldes de Olanda (1632).
|
|
|
Pedro de Magalhaens. Hist. de |
|
|
Province de Santa Cruz. Pedro de Magalhaens de Gandavo (1550-d. late
16th century), Historia da Provincia de Santa Cruz do Brazil (1579).
|
|
x |
Fr. Pedro Monteiro. Hist. da |
|
|
S Inquisicam do Reyno de Portugal. Father Pedro Monteiro (dates
unknown), Historia da Santa Inquisição do Reyno de Portugal, e suas Conquistas (1749–1750).
|
|
|
Ruy da Pina. Compendio das |
|
|
cousas que ha outré Douro |
|
|
e Minho José Martins Ferreira (dates unknown), Compendio e
Summario das grandezas e cousas notáveis que ha entre Douro e Minho (1608), with a frontispiece by Rui de Pina
(1440–1521).
|
|
x |
Vida do P. Joam de Almeida |
|
|
por Vasconcellos Simão de Vasconcellos (1596–1671), Vida do
Padre Joam d’Almeida da Companhia de Jesu, na Provincia do Brazil (1658).
|
|
x |
Verdadeirx Methodo de esti- |
|
|
-dar – proporcion ado ao estylo |
|
|
e necessidade da Portugal Luis Antonio Verney (1713–1792),
Verdadeiro Metodo de Estudar, para ser Util á Republica, e á Igreja: Proporcionado ao Estilo e Necesidade de
Portugal (1746).
|
|
|
Jeronymo Lopez. Cronica do |
|
|
Infante Santo D Henrique Jerónimo López (16th century), Crónica
do infante Santo Don Henrique (1529).
|
|
x |
Montoya. Conquista Espe |
|
|
-ritual de Paraguay Antonio Ruiz de Montoya (1585–1652),
Conquista Espiritual Hecha por los Religiosos de la Compañia de Jesus, en las Provincias del Paraguay, Parana,
Uruguay, y Tape (1639).
|
|
x |
Lozano. Hist. de Paraguay. Pedro Lozano (1697–1752), Historia
de la Compañia de Jesus en la Provincia del Paraguay (1754–1755).
|
|
x |
Piedrahita Hist. del Nuevo |
|
|
Reyno de Granada D. Lucas Fernández Piedrahita (1624–1688),
Historia General de las Conquistas del Nuevo Reyno de Granada (1688).
|
|
|
Duarte de Alboquerque Coelho |
|
|
Memorias Diarias de la Guerra |
|
|
del Brazil Duarte de Albuquerque Coelho (1591–1658), Memorias
Diarias de la Guerra del Brazil (1654).
|
|
|
Santuario Mariano Agostinho de Santa Maria (1642–1728),
Santuário Mariano (1707–1723).
|
|
|
Fr. Antonio das Chagas. Cartas |
|
|
Esperituaes. Escola de Penitencia. |
|
|
Obras Espirit. a Sermoeus. Antonio da Fonseca Soares (1631–1682), a
soldier who became a Franciscan friar under the name Antonio das Chagas. Southey later acquired a seven volume edition of
his Obras (or works) of 1763, no. 3257 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library.
|
|
|
Braz Luiz D’ Abreu. Portugal |
|
|
Medico ou Monarchio Medico- |
|
|
Lusitana. Bras Luis de Abreu (1692–1756), Portugal Medico ou
Monarchia Medico-Lusitana, Historica, Practica, Symbolica, Ethica (1726).
|
|
X |
Comentarios de Ruy Freire |
|
|
de Andrade Paulo Craesbeeck (c. 1552–1632), Comentários do
Grande Capitão Rui Freire de Andrada (1647).
|
|
|
Foral de Abrantes |
|
|
Foral do Porto Charters of the towns, Abrantes, published in 1732, and
Porto, published as Foral da Cidade do Porto, de 20 de Junho de 1517 in 1788.
|
|
|
Franc. de Almeida Jordaō |
|
|
Releçam da Serra de Cintra Francisco de Almeida Jordão (dates
unknown), Relação do Castello, e Serra de Cintra (1748).
|
|
|
Anno Historico. Francisco de Santa Maria (dates unknown), Anno
Historico. Diario Portuguez. Noticia abbreviada de pessoas grandes, e cousas notaveis de Portugal
(1714–1744).
|
|
X |
Obras de Gil Vincente Gil Vicente (c.1465 – c. 1536), the chief
dramatist and lyric poet of Portugal. His Works were published first in 1561–1562.
|
|
|
Ditos de Freira. Joana da Gama (c. 1520–1585), Ditos da
Freira (1555).
|
|
|
Joam Ferreira Roza. Tratado |
|
|
Unico da Constituaçam |
|
|
pestilencial de Pernambuco. João Ferreira da Rosa (dates unknown),
Tratado Único da Constituição Pestilencial de Pernambuco (1694).
|
|
|
Ethiopia Oriental Jacinto da Encarnaçam (dates unknown),
Summaria Relaçao do que obrarao os Religiosos da Ordem dos Prégadore, na Conversao das almas, e pregaçao do Santo
Evangelho em todo o estado da India, e mais terras descubertas pelos Portuguezes na Afia, e Ethiopia Oriental, e das
Missões em que actualmente se exercitaõ com todos os Conventos, e Casas, e numero de Religiosos, que de presente tem
esta sua Congregaçao (1679).
|
|
|
Agiologio Lusitano Jorge Cardoso (1606–1669) and D. António Caetano de
Sousa (1652 -1744), Agiologio Lusitano dos Sanctos, e Varoens illustres em Virtude do reino de Portugal e suas
Conquistas (1652–1774).
|
|
|
Lopo de Sousa Coutinho |
|
|
Cerco de Dio. Lopo de Sousa Coutinho (1515–1577), Cerco de
Dio (1556–1574).
|
|
|
Luiz Felix da Cruz. Mani- |
|
|
-festo das hostilidades reste Reino |
|
|
de Angola Luiz Felix da Cruz (dates unknown), Manifesto das
Hostilidades que a Gente que Serve a Companhia Occidental de Hollanda obrou Contra os Vassallos d’ El R ei de Portugal
no Reino de Angola (1651).
|
|
X |
O Valeroso Lucideno A work celebrating the Portuguese liberation from
the Dutch of its colonies in Brazil by Frei Manuel Calado do Salvador (1584–1654), O Valeroso Lucideno e Triunfo da
Liberdade na Restauração de Pernambuco (1648).
|
|
|
Miguel de Castanhoso. Hist. |
|
|
das Cousas que D Christovam da |
|
|
Gama fez nor Reynos do Presto |
|
|
Joam. Miguel de Castanhoso (d. c. 1565), História das Cousas
que o mui Esforçado Capitão dom Cristóvão da Gama fêz nos Reinos do Preste João (1564).
|