ustomed
articles of trade. To us truly, who formerly sustained this branch of
commerce entirely by our own resources, this decree will be injurious,
unless he shew us favour.

[1] This letter is dated 9th October 1501. It is probable that Pasquali
would hardly write this _from_ the court of Portugal to his brothers
in _Lisbon_; it being more likely that they resided in Venice.--E.

[2] The discovery here referred to, seems to have been the coast of
Labradore; and the other country under the north may possibly be
Greenland. This voyage was probably in quest of a north-west passage
to India.--E.

[3] In this passage we surely ought to read _ships may be built_.--E.

SECTION IV.

_Letter from Francis Sagitta of Cremona, from Lisbon, directed to the
Venetian orator Peter Pasquali, residing at the Court of Castile_[1].

Most excellent orator! In two former letters, I have promised to omit no
opportunity of informing your excellency what kind of merchandize might
be brought in four vessels which were expected daily from India. They are
now arrived, and I shall truly state all the merchandize which they have
brought, which is as follows: One thousand quintals of pepper; 450
quintals of cinnamon; about fifty quintals of ginger; fifty quintals of
lac: and as much cotton as may be bought for 400 ducats. The reason
assigned for having brought so small a quantity of spice is, that they
agreed among themselves, after sailing from hence, that two of the ships
should steer for the gold mine, and the other two for Calicut. On this
account, each took only such goods as it was thought would be valued in
the ports to which they were bound. But when these ships came to Calicut
they were not allowed to trade, and were obliged to go to other places.
On going to Cananore, they there learnt what had been done by Peter
Aliaris, the factor at Cochin for the king. The king or rajah of Cananore
received our people honourably, and offered to supply our commanders
gratuitously with all kinds of spices; but, thanking him gratefully for
this kindness, he declined the offer, saying that he must go in the first
place to the kings factor at Cochin, and would then return and accept his
spices on credit. Setting out therefore for Cochin, he transacted
business with the royal agent, Peter Aliaris; but as the ships did not
bring money for their purchases, and as the goods they brought were in
small request, and they could not