Chap. I. <lI M £%I C A. 



That "which the Grecian Geographers relate concerning ftolomy Euergetei, 

 King of Egypt , is not to be forgotten, That fending Pilots, Commiffion'd 

 to take the Soundings, and fettle the Landmarks in the Arabian Q\\\^\\ > they 

 found by chance a forfaken Velfel , onely in it one Man half dead , lyin^ 

 among feveral other breathlefs Bodies, of whom, being rcfrcfli'd with conve- 

 nient Cordials, they enquired his Fortune, but he being unable to give them 

 a,ny prefent fatisfa&ion, neither understanding what the other laid , they fent 

 him to the Court, where foon hiving got a fmattering of Greek, he inforrn'd 

 Euergetes, that he was a Native Indian , driven from their courfe into the place 

 where they found him by ftrefs of Weather,and that his company were famitli'd, 

 all their Provifion fpent in their Wandrings from their intended Voyage 5 Thus 

 being kindly entertain'd, he alio promis'd the King to open his Paflage(if fo he 

 pleas'd) into India. The King flept not upon this Intelligence, but immediately 

 prepared a Fleet Freighted with fuch Commodities as were advis'd ; with which 

 letting forth by the Conduct of this their Indian Pilot , they Anchored in their 

 defir'd Port, and brought the King in return from thence a rich Cargo of Silk, 

 Spices, coftly Drugs, and precious Gems. Cleopatra, about fixty years after, 

 intending not to lofe the advantages reap'd by the former difcoveries, equipped 

 another and greater "Navy • which pafling through the Red*Sca , found the 

 Stern of a Ship, on which was Prefented a Horfe, whereby fome of the more 

 knowing Sea-men judg'd, that it had been a Gibraltar Veffel, and Sailing about 

 Africa, there by fad accident fuffer'd a Wrack. This Stern was afterwards let up, 

 and fiVd as a Memorial in the Market-place of Memphis. 



In thefe later times , the firft that endeavored to drive an European Trade 

 in Africk , and held Commerce with India , was the State of Venice , who 

 Sail'd from thence through the jidriatick , into the Mediterranean*Sea : So 

 Steering for Alexandria, where unlading their Goods, from thence they carry'd 

 them over Land , and Shipping again in the Arabian Gulph, Sail'd directly 

 for India. Thus by Land and Water , were exchanged feveral Commodities, 

 and the Indian Growth and rich Products of the Oriental World plentifully 

 Tranfported to Venice, and from thence , all Europe had ample Accommo- 

 dation, until an Egyptian Sultan fuffcr'd the Way to be infefted by Thieves 

 and Murdering Robbers , that fo they were enfore'd to remove thence, 

 and Difcharge their feveral Cargoes at Aleppo 5 from whence, on Mules and 

 Camels, they carry 'd their Goods to (Babylon, fo to $alfafum, and then to 

 Ormus, where they Re-fliip'd thence, directly ftanding for India. 



Thus they enjoy'd the benefit of fo great a Trade and Commerce, until the 

 (Portuguefe found a Paflage by Sea, laving the Expence and trouble of carrying 

 Goods lb fat by Land to India ; Of which here we will a little inlarge. 



John, the firft King of Portugal, who took from the Moors , by force of 

 Arms, Septa, an African City, having five Sons 5 Henry his fourth behav'd himfelf 

 fo gallantly in the Leaguer of Septa , that after he became Mafter of the place, 

 this Prince made- many bold Excurfions in feveral Parties againft the Ene- 

 my, bringing in daily great (lore of Booty ; fo growing rich , he Rigg'd out 

 two new VcfTels to make farther Difcoveries along the Coaft of Africa. Yet 

 ' this his Expedition went on but flowly, being much taken off in Building 

 there a new City , then call'd Tfizanabala , and fince Villa InfantU ; but being 

 Admonifli'd by a Dream, and Check'd for his laying thus afide his firft De- 

 sign of Navigation ; he foon after, Anno 1410. let forth the Ships that he inten- 

 ded, which he the more accelerated , being informed by fome of his Prifoners 



B 2 Natives, 



3a lads a ft im o i$7**< 



Otrtotemf intoAuf/4, 



And alfc of Citopaira^ 



The Venetians were the 

 fid* that drove a trade 

 from Europe to the E*fi+ 

 Indies* 



tiow th|y went their 

 journeys. 



By what means the Par- 

 tugueft came firft to diico- 

 rer the Coafts of Africa *xl 

 India t j 



