One man leapt
over-board, thinking to escape by swimming, but was drowned; and such as
lay sick of fevers were cured by the fright. The viceroy, who perceived
that the commotion was occasioned by the effects of an earthquake, called
aloud to his people, _courage my friends, for the sea trembles from fear
of you who are on it_. To make some amends for the misfortunes of the
voyage, Don George de Meneses, one of the captains, took a large ship
belonging to Mecca, worth 60,000 crowns, a large sum in those days. After
his arrival at Goa, the viceroy visited some forts, and issued the
necessary orders for regulating the affairs of his government; but he had
not time to put any of his great designs into execution, as he died on
Christmas eve, having only held the government of Portuguese India for
three months. De Gama is said to have been of middle stature, with a
ruddy complexion, but somewhat gross. His character was bold, patient
under fatigue, well fitted for great undertakings, speedy in executing
justice, and terrible in anger. In fine, he was admirably fitted for all
that was entrusted to his conduct, as a discoverer, a naval and military
commander, and as viceroy. He is painted with a black cap, cloak, and
breeches, edged with velvet, all slashed, through which appears the
crimson lining. His doublet is of crimson satin, over which his armour is
seen inlaid with gold. He was the sixth successive governor of India, and
the second who had the rank of viceroy." - Astl I. 54. b.
[1] According to Astley, much difference of opinion took place in the
council of Portugal, whether to continue the trade to India for which
it was requisite to employ force, or to desist entirely from the
attempt; but the profits expected from the trade, and the expectation
of propagating the Romish religion and enlarging the royal titles,
outweighed all considerations of danger; and it was resolved to
persist in the enterprize. - Astl. I. 50.
[2] The distribution, of this force is somewhat differently related by
Astley. Ten ships only are said to have been placed under the
immediate command of Vasco de Gama; five ships under Vincente Sodre,
who had orders to scour the coast of Cochin and Cananor, and to watch
the mouth of the Red Sea, on purpose to prevent the Moors, or Turks
and Arabs, from trading to India; the third, as in the text, was under
Stephen de Gama, but with no particular destination mentioned; and the
whole were under the supreme command of Vasco de Gama, as captain-
general. - Astl. I. 50.
[3] Such is the expression in the translation by Lichefild; but which I
suspect ought to have been, "and had passed Cape Corientes." - E.
In Astley, the following incident is mentioned: When off Cape Verd,
Vasco de Gama met a caravel bound from La Mina, on the western coast
of Africa, carrying much gold to Lisbon. He shewed some of this to the
ambassadors whom Cabral had brought from Cananor, and who were now on
their return to India. They expressed much surprize at this
circumstance; as they had been told by the Venetian ambassador at
Lisbon, that the Portuguese could not send their ships to sea without
assistance from Venice. This insinuation proceeded from envy, as the
Venetians were afraid of losing the lucrative trade with India which
they had long enjoyed through Egypt. - Astl. I. 51.
[4] According to De Faria, De Gama began by cannonading the city of
Quiloa; but on the king consenting to become tributary, all was
changed to peace and joy - Astl. I. 51. a.
[5] According to Astley, De Gama was forced beyond Melinda, and took in
water at a bay eight leagues farther on; and going thence towards
India, he spread out his fleet that no ship might escape him; in
consequence of which he took several, but was most severe on those
belonging to Calicut. - Astl. I. 51.
[6] In Astley this ship is said to have belonged to the soldan of Egypt,
and was very richly laden, besides being full of Moors of quality, who
were going on pilgrimage to Mecca. - Astl. I. 51.
[7] DeFaria says there were twenty of these children, whom De Gama caused
to be made Christian friars, to make amends for one Portuguese who
turned Mahometan. - Astl. I. 51. c.
[8] Castaneda, or rather his translator Lichefild, gets somewhat confused
here, as if this factory were settled at Cochin, though the whole
previous scene is described as at Cananor. - E.
[9] De Faria says the bodies of these unfortunate Malabars were thrown
into the sea, to be carried on shore by the tide. - Astl. I. 52. a.
[10] By the straits of Mecca are here meant the straits of Bab-el-mandeb,
or the entrance from the Indian Ocean into the Red Sea; and by the
coast of Cambaya, what is now called Guzerat. - E.
[11] The rajah or king of Cochin has already been named Triumpara, or
Trimumpara, on the authority of De Barros, De Faria, and other ancient
authors; yet De Faria, in other instances, calls him Uniramacoul - Astl.
I. 52. b.
[12] It is difficult to say what may have been meant by this last article.
In old French writings _Rouge comme Sendal_ means very high red, or
scarlet; from which circumstance, this may have been a piece of
scarlet satin or velvet. - E.
[13] Of the animal called bulgoldolf in the text we have no knowledge,
nor of this stone of wonderful virtue; but it may possibly refer to
the long famed bezoar, anciently much prized, but now deservedly
neglected.
