A.D. 

 1591 



THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



Commodities 

 fit for Arguin 



[II. ii. 188.] A relation sent by Melchior Petoney to Nigil 

 de Moura at Lisbon, from the Hand and 

 Castle of Arguin, standing a little to the 

 Southward of Cape Blanco, in the Northerly 

 latitude of 19 degrees, concerning the rich 

 and secret trade from the inland of Africa 

 thither: Anno 1 59 1 . 



S concerning the trade to this Castle and 



Hand of Arguin, your worship is to 



understand, that if it would please the 



kings majesty to send hither two or 



three caravels once in a yeere with 



Flanders and Spanish commodities, as 



Bracelets of glasse, Knives, Belles, 



Linnen-cloth, Looking-glasses, with other kinds of small 



wares, his highnesse might do great good here. For 



50 leagues up into the land the Moores have many 



exceeding rich golde mines ; insomuch that they bring 



downe their golde to this Castle to traffique with us : 



and for a small trifle they will give us a great wedge 



of gold. And because here is no trade, the sayd 



Moores cary their golde to Fez being 250 leagues distant 



from hence, and there doe exchange the same for the 



foresayd kindes of commodities. By this meanes also his 



majesty might stop that passage, and keepe the king 



of Fez from so huge a masse of golde. Scarlet-clothes, 



and fine Purples are greatly accepted of in these parts. 



It is a most fertile countrey within the land, and yeeldeth 



great store of Wheat, flesh of all kindes, and abundance 



of fruits. Therefore, if it were possible, you should do 



well to deale with his majesty, either himselfe to send a 



couple of caravels, or to give your worship leave to 



traffique here : for here is a very good harbour where 



ships may ride at ancre hard by the Castle. The 



countrey where all the golde-mines are is called The 



kingdome of Darha. In this kingdome are great store 



88 



Wedges of 

 golde given for 

 small trifles. 



Scarlet & fine 

 Purple cloth 

 greatly 

 accepted. 



A good harbor 

 before the 

 Castle of 

 Arguin. 



