It Will Therefore Require Large Funds To
Embark In This Trade, So That We Hardly Believe The King Will Find Any To
Engage On These Conditions; But Of This We Shall Inform You From Time To
Time As It May Occur.
It must not, however, be concealed that the
circumstances of this trade are by no means established on certain
principles, which can only be determined by future events.
A Portuguese of the former fleet touched at a certain port in the kingdom
of Sofala, and visited a gold mine of which he relates wonderful things.
He assured us that a ship of the Christians had been there, and speaks of
incredible quantities of gold to be found there. On this account, our
king is resolved to erect a strong fort at that place, to keep the
barbarians under subjection, and to keep away the Indians and the
inhabitants of Cambaya, lest they should make themselves masters of the
mine. He will therefore immediately seize upon this mine for his own use,
which we certainly believe to have been the mine whence Solomon derived
such vast riches, and where the queen of Sheba dwelt, who went to visit
Solomon, as related in holy writ. These things are of such importance
that they ought not to be concealed from you; and our king is to be
deemed happy and fortunate; because he hath made the discovery of such
vast riches.
It is believed by many that they will soon obtain permission from the
king to go to India, paying him at the rate of 25 per cent.
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