 It began operating in 1730—four ships departed from San Sebastián (Donostia) taking on board a crew of 561 and 40-50 cannons.The vessels were hailed with frontal hostility by the Venezuelan Creoles, a refusal to sell cocoa to the Company, and an uprising against the newcomers and the local Spanish garrison, until control was re-established.The Basques started to settle down in Venezuelan territory on wealthy "haciendas" that boosted plantations and agricultural production.