PORTUGUESE DISCOVERIES^ 51 



The PortugTiese had for some time been desirouB to 

 frame a title to this extensive coast, part of which they 

 had now discovered. They appealed chiefly to the reli- 

 gion, or rather to the superstition, of the age. The maxim 

 had been early established, that whatever country should 

 be conquered from infidel nations was to be held the pro- 

 perty of the nctors. This claim was rendered available 

 by a grant obtained from the Pope, assigning to them in 

 full dominion all lands which should be discovered beyond 

 Cape Bojador, and in their farther progress eastward. 

 Hence, after the establishment at Elmina, the king no 

 longer hesitated to assume the pompous title of Lord of 

 Guinea, and instructed his commanders that, instead of 

 the wooden cross hitherto erected in sign of conquest, they 

 should raise pillars of stone double the height of a man, 

 with suitable inscriptions, surmounted by crucifixes inlaid 

 with lead. In 1484, Diego Cam sailed from Elmina in 

 quest of new shores on which this emblem of Portuguese 

 dominion might be planted. After passing Cape St. Ca- 

 therine, he found himself involved in a very strong current 

 setting out from the land, which was still distant ; though 

 the water, when tasted, was found to be fresh. It was 

 conjectured, therefore, that he was near the mouth of a 

 great river, which proved to be the fact. It has since been 

 celebrated under the name of the Zaire or Congo. Diego, 

 on reaching its southern bank, erected his first pillar, — an 

 event considered so memorable, that the stream itself has 

 often, by Portuguese writers, been termed the " River of 

 the Pillar." He ascended its borders, opened an inter- 

 course with the natives, and inquired after (he residence 

 of their sovereign. They pointed to a place at a consi- 

 derable distance in the interior, and undertook to guide 

 thither a mission, which they pledged themselves, within 

 a stipulated period, to lead back in safety. As the natives 

 meantime passed and repassed on the most intimate footing, 

 Diego took advantage of a moment when several of the 

 principal persons were on board his ship, weighed anclior, 

 and stood out to sea. He soothed the alarm visible in the 

 countenances of their countrymen on shore, by signs, inti- 

 mating that this step was taken solely to gratify the anx- 

 ious desire of his sovereign to see and converse with these 

 African chiefs ; that in fifteen moons they should certainly 



