[270] The sultans of Cayro restored this trade
to the Bermejo Sea, and to Alexandria by the Nilo [_i.e._, Nile]
River. The Portuguese deprived the sultans of it, after their conquest
of the Eastern Indias, and now they bring the spices by way of the
cape of Buena Esperanza in their fleets; while with those that sail
along the coasts of Arabia and Persia, and to the cape of Guardafun,
they prohibit drugs being taken to Cayro, sinking or capturing the
vessel that tries to do so. The sultan's trade was suppressed by this
fear and the security that was introduced, and all the spices come
on the account of the royal crown to India, with innumerable delays,
until they reach Lisboa. He who is master of the navigation will be
master of this pleasing wealth.
[Mindanao--which, as appears from an allusion by Argensola, was not
always considered a portion of the Philippines proper--is visited
by one of the early Portuguese conquerors, Captain Pinto, being sent
there by Tristan de Atayde "and to the neighboring islands, to provide
themselves with the necessities of life.
Pages:
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258