Of Ptolemy
And also of Cleopatra.
That which the Grecian Geographers relate concerning Ptolomy Euergetes, King of Egypt, is not to be forgotten, That sending Pilots, Commission’d to take the Soundings, and settle the Land-marks in the Arabian Gulph, they found by chance a forsaken Vessel, onely in it one Man half dead, lying among several other breathless Bodies, of whom, being refresh’d with convenient Cordials, they enquir’d his Fortune, but he being unable to give them any present satisfaction, neither understanding what the other said, they sent him to the Court, where soon having got a smattering of Greek, he inform’d Euergetes, that he was a Native Indian, driven from their course into the place where they found him by stress of Weather, and that his company were famish’d, all their Provision spent in their Wandrings from their intended Voyage; Thus being kindly entertain’d, he also promis’d the King to open his Passage (if so he pleas’d) into India. The King slept not upon this Intelligence, but immediately prepar’d a Fleet Freighted with such Commodities as were advis’d; with which setting forth by the Conduct of this their Indian Pilot, they Anchor’d in their desir’d Port, and brought the King in return from thence a rich Cargo of Silk, Spices, costly Drugs, and precious Gems. Cleopatra, about sixty years after, intending not to lose the advantages reap’d by the former discoveries, equipp’d another and greater Navy; which passing through the Red-Sea, found the Stern of a Ship, on which was Presented a Horse, whereby some of the more knowing Sea-men judg’d, that it had been a Gibraltar Vessel, and Sailing about Africa, there by sad accident suffer’d a Wrack. This Stern was afterwards set up, and fix’d as a Memorial in the Market-place of Memphis.
The Venetians were the first that drove a trade from Europe to the East-Indies.
How they went their journeys.
In these later times, the first that endeavor’d to drive an European Trade in Africk, and held Commerce with India, was the State of Venice, who Sail’d from thence through the Adriatick, 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 exchang’d several Commodities, and the Indian Growth and rich Products of the Oriental World plentifully Transported to Venice, and from thence, all Europe had ample Accommodation, until an Egyptian Sultan suffer’d the Way to be infested by Thieves and Murdering Robbers, that so they were enforc’d to remove thence, and Discharge their several Cargoes at Aleppo; from whence, on Mules and Camels, they carry’d their Goods to Babylon, so to Balsarum, and then to Ormus, where they Re-ship’d thence, directly standing for India.
Thus they enjoy’d the benefit of so great a Trade and Commerce, until the Portuguese found a Passage by Sea, saving the Expence and trouble of carrying Goods so far by Land to India; Of which here we will a little inlarge.
By what means the Portuguese came first to discover the Coasts of Africa and India.
Why Africa was no further discover’d.
John, the first King of Portugal, who took from the Moors, by force of Arms, Septa, an African City, having five Sons; Henry his fourth behav’d himself so gallantly in the Leaguer of Septa, that after he became Master of the place, this Prince made many bold Excursions in several Parties against the Enemy, bringing in daily great store of Booty; so growing rich, he Rigg’d out two new Vessels to make farther Discoveries along the Coast of Africa. Yet this his Expedition went on but slowly, being much taken off in Building there a new City, then call’d Tarzanabala, and since Villa Infantis; but being Admonish’d by a Dream, and Check’d for his laying thus aside his first Design of Navigation; he soon after, Anno 1410. set forth the Ships that he intended, which he the more accelerated, being inform’d by some of his Prisoners Natives, that Africa spread from the Basis of Mount-Atlas, very far towards the South: This Mountain then was the Terminary of Navigation that way, because thereabouts a long Ridge or Shelf of Sands thrust its Point under Shallow Waters so far out into the Ocean, that none durst venture to Sail into the Offin, being out of sight of Land to double this conceal’d Cape.