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.
