The Indians give a high price for brass and alum; but this
last must be white not red, and in large pieces, as they despise the
small. They do not care for coral, unless large and finely wrought, which
otherwise bears no value. Lead is valued, if in large bars. Quicksilver
and amber are in no request. Wrought brass bears a low price, as it is
always manufactured over again in their own fashion, so that the cost of
manufacturing in Europe would be thrown away. All other goods besides
these mentioned are in no demand, and will therefore bring small profit.
[1] This letter has no date, but must have been very early in the
sixteenth century, probably in 1504, from the circumstance to which it
alludes at its commencement. Although said to be from _Spain_, there
is every reason to suppose it was written from Lisbon, as we find
Portugal frequently considered as _in_ Spain, which it actually is in
the most extensive geographical sense. - E.
[2] This, as formerly observed, alludes to the Mameluk sultan of Egypt,
through whose dominions the trade between India and Europe was
entirely carried on before this era. This treaty of peace and alliance
between Portugal and Calicut, may possibly have been proposed at this
period, but certainly was not then agreed to; as there were long wars
with the zamorin before his power was reduced under the influence and
dominion of the Portuguese. - E.
[3] This is rather an anachronism, as at this period the Portuguese had
no fortress on the Red Sea.
[4] The _Castor_ of the text was probably musk, and its _amber_ ambergris.
- E.
[5] This alludes to the misfortune of Vincente Sodre and his squadron,
already more distinctly related in the preceding chapter. - E.
[6] The expression of the original, _ex centenario lucro quadrugenarium_,
is not easily understood: It is here translated a quarter part of the
return cargo, conformably with the regulations of Don Henry for the
trade of Guinea, as already stated in Vol. I. p. 204, from which the
present were probably copied. - E.
[7] It is difficult to guess what bay, and who may be the king of the
Chaldeans here alluded to. Perhaps the town of Sofala, the emporium of
the gold trade of Eastern Africa, which was ruled by an Arabian prince
or sheik. By the idolaters in the text, are apparently meant the
Negroes of the interior, where the gold came from by way of Sofala. - E.
[8] This alludes to the Maldives and Lakedives. - E.
SECTION III.
_Letter from Peter Pasquali, orator of the Venetian republic at the court
of the king of Portugal, to his brothers dwelling in Lisbon_[1].
Beloved brothers! I formerly wrote you by Peter Verzo the carrier,
informing you of all the news of this place; and now write again by
Bartholomew Marquesi, the uncle of Dominic Benedicto of Florence, that
you may be informed of our affairs, and may be assured of our desire to
write whenever an opportunity offers. Know, therefore, that the vessel
which was sent out last year towards the north by the king of Portugal
under the command of Caspar Corterato, has now returned. He reports
having discovered a continent about 2000 miles from hence, in a direction
between the north-west and the west, hitherto utterly unknown. He is
likewise said to have sailed almost 800 miles along its coast, without
finding any end; on which account it is considered to be a continent, and
not an island: and its coast appears to join with another land, formerly
discovered almost under the very north[2]. But the vessel was unable to
proceed so far, on account of the sea being frozen, and from excessive
falls of snow. It is concluded, from the number of rivers which descend
from the snowy mountains, that this land must be a continent, as no
island could possibly supply so many rivers. The land is said to be well
cultivated. The houses of the inhabitants are constructed of wood,
covered with hides or the skins of fish. The vessel now arrived has
brought over seven of the natives of both sexes, and the other ship,
which is hourly expected, is said to have fifty. In stature, colour,
appearance, and dress, these people are very like the _Cingani_. They are
clothed in the skins of fish and otters, and other hairy skins like those
of wolves; wearing the fur side inwards in winter, as we do, and outwards
in summer; but these are not fashioned or sewed together, being used in
their natural forms. These are principally worn on their arms and
shoulders, and their loins are girded with many cords made of sinews.
They appear a savage people, yet not impudent, and are well made in all
their limbs. Their faces are punctured with many marks, like the Indians,
having six or eight punctured lines, more or less according to their
fancies, in which they seem to take great delight. They have a language,
which is not understood by any one, although interpreters of almost every
tongue have been tried. Their country is destitute of iron, yet they have
swords edged with sharp stones; and their arrows are pointed by the same
means, and are sharper even than ours. Our people brought from thence
part of a broken sword with gilded ornaments, which seemed of Italian
manufacture.
A certain boy is said to have been seen in that country, having two
silver balls banging from his ears, which certainly appeared to be
engraved after our manner. On the whole, it may be concluded that this
country is a continent, not an island, and that is a new discovery; for
if any ships had ever been here before, we should assuredly have heard
something respecting it.
