And We Shall Ship For You Of All These,
Using Our Endeavours That You May Never Be In Want Of Them.
Even after
the before mentioned treaty with the king of Calicut, no small risk still
remains to those who navigate to the Indies, on account of a certain
archipelago, containing about 14,000 islands[8], and owing to the
narrowness of a certain strait which is scarcely navigable.
We shall
persist notwithstanding, as by custom and experience these dangers will
become of no consequence. At length we expect to have the glory of having
discovered almost the whole of the world, and those parts of it
especially to which the ancients never penetrated. It only remains for us
to go to the island of Taprobana, or Ceylon, which according to Pliny is
exceedingly rich in gold, gems, and ivory. Thus by our anxious endeavours,
we shall lay open the whole of India to our trade. By letters from thence,
it appears that our merchandize is not much valued in these parts, and
that _crusadoes_ ought to be sent out, if we wish to have our affairs
speedily conducted, as other goods remain long in hand: For the Indians
purposely procrastinate, that they may beat down the value of our
commodities. 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.
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