INTRODUCTIobr. 



ing the gulf of Bengal, purfued their way 

 to the Moluccas and the Philippines, through 

 the ftraits of Suoda and Malacca, 



The dangers infeparabie from a voyage, 

 which muft have been tedious and difficult 

 to failors fcarcely acquainted with the ele- 

 ments of the nautical fcience, did not dif- 

 courage them* Their commanders were 

 invited to the Straits, and the Moluccas, by 

 the temptation of a lucrative commerce. 

 They were certain of finding in that Archi- 

 pelago Chinefe and Japanefe veffels, which 

 went thither to fearoh for nutmegs and 

 cloves ; and a reciprocal exchange of Per- 

 fian and Indian merchandife, with the mer- 

 ehandife of China and Japan, formed a 

 trade equally advantageous to the Indian 

 and the Chinefe. 



At the period, thereforci when the Por- 

 tuguefe doubled the C^pc of Good Hope, 

 the navigation of the Moors was not con- 

 a 2 fined 



