The strange Discoveries and Observations of the Portugals in Africa.
{MN} The Portugals on those Parts have the glory, who first coasting along this Western Shoar of Africa, to find passage to the East-Indies, within this hundred and fifty years, even from the Streights of Gibraltar, about the Cape of Bone Esperance to the Persian Gulf, and thence all along the African Coast to the Moluccas, have subjected many great Kingdoms, erected many Common-wealths, built many great and strong Cities; and where is it they have not been by Trade or Force? No not so much as Cape de Verd, and Sermleone; but most Bays or Rivers, where there is any Trade to be had, especially Gold, or conveniency for Refreshment, but they are scattered; living so amongst those Blacks, by time and cunning, they seem to be naturalized amongst them. As for the Isles of the Canaries, they have fair Towns, many Villages, and many thousands of People rich in Commodities.
{MN}How the Portugals coasted to the East Indies.
{MN} Ordoardo Lopez, a noble Portuguse, Anno Dom. 1578, imbarking himself for Congo to Trade, where he found such Entertainment, finding the King much oppressed with Enemies, he found means to bring in the Portugals to assist him, whereby he planted there Christian Religion, and spent most of his life to bring those Countries to the Crown of Portugal, which he describeth in this manner.
{MN} Or Edward.
{MN} The Kingdom of Congo is about 600 Miles Diameter any way, the chief City called St. Savadore, seated upon an exceeding high Mountain, 150 Miles from the Sea, very fertile, and Inhabited with more than 100000 Persons, where is an excellent Prospect over all the plain Countries about it, well watered, lying (as it were) in the Center of this Kingdom, over all which the Portugals now command, though but an handful in comparison of Negroes. They have Flesh and Fruits very plentiful of divers sorts.
{MN} The Kingdom of Congo.