+In Portuguese.+ | +Names on the Maps.+ |+Modern Names.+
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
*+Cabo da boa Esperança+|1, Cavo desperanza; 2, C. de boa|+Cape of Good
| esperança; 3, Cabo di bona | Hope+
| speranza; 4, Cabo de boa |
| esperança; 5 and 6, Cabo di |
| bona speranza |
| |
G. dentro das serras |1, Golfo dntº delle serre; 3, |False Bay
(gulf within the | Praia sabio (pablo?) _[a]_; |
mountain ranges) | 4, abaia |
| |
Ponta espinhosa _[b]_ |2, Punta espinosa (chrinosa ?) |Cape Hangklip
(thorny point) | |
| |
As serras |4, As seia (a serra ?) |
| |
Ponta de S. Brandãāo, |2, Mastradios (nutrador ?); 4, |Quoin Point
May 16 | S. biado; 7, Ponta de |
| S. Brandam |
| |
+Cabo das Agulhas+ |2, Punta de gra?; 7, Cabo dos |+Cape Agulhas+
Golfo das agulhas | agulhos | _[c]_
| |
(Needle Cape or Bay) |4, G. das agullas |Struys Bay
| |
Serras seccas (dry |2, Sieras secos |Bare sandhills
ridges) | | to E. of Struys
| | Point
| |
A bahia |2, Abaia dal es ... las |Marcus Bay
| |
A praia (shore) |4, Apraia |
| |
+Cabo de Infante+ |3, C. de infante; 4, C. do |Cape Infanta!
(Cape of João Infante) | infante; 5, Cabo donfante; |
| 6, C. do infante; |
| 7, Punta de infante |
| |
—— |4, G. do Coberti |St. Sebastian
| | Bay.
| |
Rio de Nazaret |2, R. de nazaren; 3, Croa de |Breede River
| nazare; |
| |
Cabo do Salto |4, C. de resunancal ...; |Cape
| 5, Cabo do Ialta; | Barracouta
| 6, G. de Salco |
| |
—— |3, Rio de fo...oas |Kaffirkuyl
| | River
| |
Rio dos vaqueiros |1, Rio della vacche; |Gouritz River
(herdsman river) |3, Rio vachoeros |
| |
Angra das vaccas |2, Angra das vaccas |Flesh Bay
| |
Cabo das Vaccas |2, C. delgado; 7, Cabo dos |Cape Vacca
(Cow point) or C. | vaccas. |
delgado (slender | |
or cattle cape) | |
| |
Ponta da estrella |2, Punta destrella |Cape St. Blaise
(Star point) | |
| |
Terra de S. João, |5 and 6, Terra de S. Joham |The country west
June 24 and Dec. 27 | | of Mossel Bay
| |
+Golfo dos Vaqueiros+ |2, G. de baguros; 3, Baia de |Mossel Bay _[d]_
(herdsmen bay) or | anguada; 4, G. de Sanbras; |
+Angra+ (aguada) +de | 5, G. de Sanbras; 6, G. de |
São Braz+ (bay or | Sanbras; 7, Angra or Anguada |
watering-place of | de S. Braz |
St. Blasius) Feb. 3 | |
| |
—— |4, Rio de frung |Harten bosch
| | River
| |
Serra de S. Lazaro, |3, Serra de S. Lazaro |W. Outeniqua
Dec. 17 | | mountains
| | (Brocks Bosch,
| | 5,000 ft.)
| |
Ponta da Pescaria |5 and 6, Ponta da pescaria |Gerieke Point
(Fishery Point) | |
| |
Lago cerrado and |4, Alago carrado; 5, Lago |Zwarte Vlei
Angra da lagôa | cairado; 6, Lago cairado; |
| 7, Angra de lagoa |
| |
Serra da Estrella |3, M. dastrella; |Outeniqua
| 4, Serra da estrella | mountains
| |
+Cabo talhado+ (steep |1, Cavo dalhado; 2, Punta de |Seal Cape
cape) | canar (astar? astros?); |
| 3, C. ta... de 4, C. talhado; |
| 5, Cabo talcado; 6, C. calcado |
| |
Bahia das alagoas |4, Abaia das alagoas; |Plettenburg
(Bay of the Lagoons) | 5 and 6, Plaiadas alagoas; | Bay _[e]_
| 7, Angra dos alagoas |
| |
Terra das trovoadas |2, Montanas; 4, terra dos |Langekloof
(land of thunderstorms) | montes 3, terra dos trovados |
| |
Ponta de Ruy Pirez |4, Punta de Ruyez ... |Seal corner
Costa da areia (sandy | 5 and 6, Costa darea |
shore) | |
| |
Ponta (golfo) das |3, Pta. da semados; |Cape St. Francis
queimadas _[f]_ | 4, Pūta dasqūmadas; | and Krom Bay
| 5 and 6, G. dos quemadas |
| |
Golfo dos vaqueiros |1, Golfo de pastori; |St. Francis Bay
(Herdsmen Bay) _[g]_ | 3, G, vacheoros; 5, Angra |
| |
Cabo do recife (reef |5, P. do reciffe; 4, C. do |Cape Recife
cape) | arreciffe; 5 and 6, Cabo do |
| recisi; 7, C. de recife |
| |
+G. da Roca+ (rock |3, G. do Roca; 4, Baia da Roca; |Algoa Bay _[h]_
bay) | 5, G. do raca; 6, G. daraca |
| |
Serra branca (white |3, Serra do blanco ... |Zuurberg, or
mountains) | | Addo Heights
| |
+Ilhéo da Cruz+ (Cross |4, Ilheos da Cruz; 5, Ilheos da |St. Croix Island
Island) | Cruz; 6, Insule de Cruz; |
| 7, Penedo dos Fontes |
| or I. da Cruz |
| |
+Ilhéos chãos+ (low |4, Ilheoos chaos; 5, Ilheos |Bird Islands
islands) | chaaos; 6, Insule chaaos |
| |
Ponta do carrascal |4, Puta do carascal; 5, Porto |Woody Cape
_[i]_ (Green-oak Point) | de charseal; 6, Porto datharson|
| |
+Padrão de S. Gregorio+,|1, Padrom de S. George; |Cape Padrone
March 12 | 3, P. de S. Gregorio; 4, Padro |
| de S. Gregorio |
| |
Rio da lagoa (Lagoon |3, Rio de lago; 4, Rio de lagoa |Kasuga River
river) | |
| |
Praia das alagôas. |4, Praia das alagoas |
| |
Penedo das fontes _[j]_ |2, Penedos; 4, penedo da ... |Ship Rock
(Fountain Rock) | |
| |
Furna (cove) ... |4, Furna ... |Port Arthur
| |
+Ilha de Infante+ |1, Ilha de Fonte; |Three Sisters off
| 2, Ys de ynfante |Riet Point?
| |
*+Rio de Infante+ |4, Rio do infante; |Great Fish river
| 5 and 6, Rio de infante |
| |
—— |5, Cabo |
| |
Rio S. Thomé, Dec. 21 |5, Rio san tome; 7, R. S. thome |Umtata River
Ilha de S. Christovão, | 3, Ilha de San Xpistofa; | Keiskamma
July 25 | 5, Ilheos San Cristofe; | Point _[k]_
| 6, Insule de S. Chrifero; |
| 7, Ilheos de Sanxpono; |
| |
Praia corada? _[l]_ |4, Praia; 5, Praia; 6, Corrada |
—— | 5, Gorffo boscho; _[m]_ 6, G. |
| postho(hostio?) |
| |
Cabo primeiro |3, Cabo primero; |Cape Morgan
(first cape) | 4, Cabo primeiro |
| |
+Porto de Natal+, |5, Gorffo de natal; |Port Natal
Dec. 25 |6, G. do natal |
| |
+Terra do Natal+ |3, Terra de Natall |
| |
Porto da pescaria |3, Pescarias; 5 and |Durnford Bay
|6, Porto das pescarias |
| |
+Porto de S. Lucia+, |3, Pr. de S. lucia; 5 and |St. Lucia Bay
Dec. 13 |6, Porto de Sta. lucia |
| |
Terra das mesas (land |5, Tierram das mesas; |Flat hills S.
of table-hills) | 6, Tiram das mesas | of Cape Vidal
| |
Rio dos medões de |3, Modosdosoro; 4, Rio dos |Kosi River
Ouro (river of the | medos douro; 5 and 6, Rio do |
golden downs) | medos |
| |
Serranias (mountain |5 and 6, Serramas |Sandhills N.
ridges) | | of Kosi River
| |
Ponta dos medões |5, Ponta de medons |Cape Colatto,
(point of downs) | | 250 feet.
| |
Terra dos Fumos _[n]_ |3, Terra dos Fumos; 5, T. |
| chrimias; 6, T. thrimias |
| |
+Rio da lagoa _[o]_+ |Rio do lagoa; 4, Rio da lagoa; |Umbelasi River,
| 5 and 6, Rio de lago | Delagoa Bay
| |
Rio dos reis, Jan. 6 |3, Ri do reis; 5, G. de lom |Inkomati River
| raios De Barros confounds the |
| Rio dos Reis and the Rio do |
| Cobre |
| |
*+Rio do Cobre _[p]_+ |3, Agoa de bona passa; 5, Rio |Zavora River
and | d’aguada; 6, Rio dagarda |
*+Terra da boa Gente+ | |
| |
Barreiras |5 and 6, Bariras |
| |
+Cabo das correntes+ |3, C. das correntes; 4, Cabo |Cabo das
(Cape of Currents) | das correntes; 5 and 6, C. das | Correntes
| coreateso |
| |
Cabo de S. Maria |3, C. de Sta Maria |Ponta da Burra
| |
Golfo das Manchas |5 and 6, Gorffo (b.) das |Inyamban
(g. of specks) | manchas |
| |
G. de meros (g. of |5 and 6, Gorffo de meros |Cove at Burra
whitings) | | falsa
| |
Cabo do Pichel (tankard |3, Cabo de picell; 5 and |Shivala Cliff
cape) | 6, Cabo de pichel |
| |
+Cabo de S. Sebastian+, |4, Cabo de Sam Sebastiam |Cape St.
Jan. 20 | | Sebastian
| |
Ilha de S. Domingos, |3, Igoa decico texoda; 5, Ilha |Bazaruto
? Aug. 4 | de Sam Domingo; 7, Insule S. | Islands
| Dominico |
| |
Ilha de S. Sebastian, |3, Sanustiam; 5, Ilha de Sam |Bazaruto
Jan. 20 | Sebastiam; | Islands
| 6, Insule de S. Sebastiam |
| |
+Çofalla+ |3, Zafalla, Sofalla; |Sofala
| 4, Cafalla; 5 and 6, flag |
| shown, but name omitted |
| |
Rio de S. Vicente, |3, Rio de Sam Vincenso; |Pungwe River
Jan. 22 | 5, Rio de San Vicenso |
| |
*+Rio dos bons _[q]_ |3, Rio de bon signale; |Kilimani River
Signaes+ | 4, Rio das bons sinaes; |
| 5, Rio de bono futaes; |
| 6, Rio de bonsuraes. |
| |
*+Padrão de S. Raphael+,|3, Padro de San Rafaell; |
Oct. 24 | 5, Portode Sam Rafaell |
| |
Barreiras |5, Barreiras; 6, bareiras |
| 3, “Questo avemo visto” |
| (this we saw) _[r]_ |
| |
*+Ilhas primeiras |3, Insulas primeras, 4, Ilhas |Ilhas primeiras
_[s]_+ | primeras; 5 and 6, Insulla |
| primeras |
| |
Cabo das ilhas |5, Cabo dos ilhas; |Makalanga
| 6, C. insularum | Cape
| |
Ilhas de S. Maricha |5, Ilhas de Sta maricha; |Angoshe Islands
| 6, Insule de S. Maricha |
| |
Aguada do Lago |3, Agea do Lago |Angoshe River
| 5, Ilhetos |
| 5 and 6, Curaes _[t]_ |
| |
*+Moçambique+ |3, Mōsenbichi; 4, Moçambique; |Mozambe
| 5 and 6, Moncambiqui |
| |
*Ilhéos de S. Jorge, | —— |Ilhéo de S.
April 23, p. 31 | | Jorge
|3, Monquique (duplication of |
|Moçambique) |
| |
+Rio de Fernão |3, Rio de Fernanesso; 4, Rio de |Mazazima Bay
Veloso _[u]_+ |fernam veloso; 5 and |
|6, Rio do fernam Velloso |
| |
Furna (cove) |5 and 6, Furna |
| |
*+Ilha do açoutado |3, P. asoutado; 5, Ilha de |Kiziwa Island
_[v]_+ | acutado; 7, Insule de amrado |
| |
Ilha das palmas |5, Ilha das palmas; 6, Insule |Ibo
| de palinis |
| |
Ilhas de S. Lazaro, |4, Ilhas de S. Lazaro |Kerimba Islds.
Dec. 17 | |
| |
Ilhas das cabaças |3, Cabesa seca; 5, Ilhas das |Islands S. of
(gourd islands) | cabecas; 6, Insule das Cabeas | Cabo Delgado
| |
Cabo delgado |3, Cavo de Sco |Cabo Delgado
| |
Rio de S. Pantaleone |5 and 6, Rio de Sam Pantaleone |Lindi River
July 28 | |
| |
*+Quiloa+ |3, Quilloa; 4, Quillua; |Kilwa
| 5, Quiola; 6, Quiloa |
| |
Ilhas desertas |3, Ilha de sechas; 5, Ilhas |Islands thence
| desertas; 6, Insule desertas | to Mafia
| |
—— |3, Ilha de baxo |
| |
—— |3, Baxo |
| |
Ponta redonda |3, Punta redonda |Ras Kimbiji
| |
*+Zanzibar+ |4, Zamzibar |
| |
*Tamugata, pp. 33, 92 | |Mtamgata
| |
*+Baixos de S. |3, Baxi dop lochio (_i.e._, |Mtangata Reefs
Raphael _[w]_+ | farolhos, shoals); 4, 5, and 6,|
| Baixos de Sam Rafaell |
| |
*Serras de S. Raphael |3, T ... de Rafael; 5 and |Usambara
| 6, Terra de baixos | Mountains
| |
*+Mombaça _[x]_+ |3, Mombaça; 4, Mōbaça; 5, |Mombasa
| Monbacha; 6, Monbacha |
| |
—— |5, Vutual; 6, butual |
| |
*Benapa, p. 40 | —— |Mtwapa
| |
*Toça (Tocanugua) | —— |Takaungu
p. 40 | |
*Nuguoquioniete | —— |Kioni
(Quioniete), p. 40 | |
| |
*+Melinde+ |3, Melindi; 4, 5 and 6, Melinde |Malindi
| |
*Pate _[y]_ |4, Pate; 5, Parte |Pata
| |
Bar (Land) Lamu |4, Berrama; 5, Berlama |Lamu
| |
*+Magadoxo+ _[z]_ |4, Mogodoxo; 5, Magadoxo; 6, |Mukhdisho
| Magadozo |
| |
Obbia |5, Opim |Obbia, 6° 40´ N
| |
—— |5, Animalla, caralla, |Along coast to
| lacurcella, carapui, gargella | Cape Guardafui
| (gargeia), cabo d’angra |
| |
Socotora |5, Çacotoia |Sokotra
| |
+Aden+ |5, Adam |Aden
| |
Mascate |5, Porto dama lemeniaco |Maskat
| |
Soar |5, Siffar |Sohar
| |
+Ormuz+ |5, Collomoco; 6, Collomoro |Hormuz
| (Marco Polo’s Cormuso) |
| |
—— |5, Betras; 6, Bertas |Beyt Island, at
| | entrance to
| | Gulf of Cutch
—— |5, Dabo | Diu
| |
+Cambaia+ |*Cuambey; 4, Combaya; |Cambay
| 5, Cambaia |
| |
Surat |5, Cuia; 6, Cura |Surat
| |
Baroche |5, paruça; 5, paruca; 6, Parnea |Broach
| |
Damão |5, Dema |Daman
| |
Canara |5, Canarea |Kanara
| 5, Ginia; 6, Binia. The Ras |
| boria of the “Mohit” |
| 5, Meria. The Ras Meria of the |
| “Mohit” |
| |
Ilhéos queimados |5, Dobascha; 6, Dobastha. |Vengorla Rocks
(burnt islands) | Dandabashi of the “Mohit” |
| |
Goa |5, A flag, name omitted |
| |
+Anjediva _[aa]_+ |5, Andegiba |Anjediva
| |
Ilhas dos pombos |5, Niture; 6, Nicare |Netrani
| |
*Ilhas de S. Maria | —— |St. Mary’s
| | Islands _[bb]_
| |
Onor | —— |Honowar
| |
Mangalor |5, Māgalor |Mangalore
| |
Cananor [cc] |6, Cananor |Cannanore
| |
*Capua, Capocate _[dd]_ |*Capua (Capucate of Castanheda |
| and Barros) |
| |
*Pandarani _[ee]_ |*5, Pandarani |Pantharini
| |Kollam
*+Calecut+ |2, Calitcut; 3, Colochuti; 4, |Calicut
| Caliqut; 5, and 6, Calliqut |
| |
Panane |5, Panade; 6, Panane |Ponani
| |
Cranganor |5, Cangalor. *Quorongoliz |Kranganur
| of the “Roteiro” |
| |
Cochijn |5, Cochin; 6, Cothim |Cochin
| |
Coulãoo |5, Collium; 6, Collum. *Coleu |Quilon
| of the “Roteiro” |
| |
+Cabo Camorij+ |4, Comaria; 5, Cano de curiam |Cape Comorin
| |
Cael, *Cael |5, Cail. Qail of the “Mohit” |Kayal, see p. 98
Mutapili |4, Mutapalay |
| |
Masulipatão |5, Tessulpata |Masulipatam
| |
Godavari |4, 5 and 7, Gudarim |Godavari River
| |
Satigam |4, 5 and 6, Çatiguam, the |Satgaon, on
| capital of Bangala. Shadigam | Hugli
| of the “Mohit” |
| |
Chatigam |4, Çatigam |Chittagong
| |
+Arracam+ |4, Arecāni; 5, Arcagna |Arakan
| |
Pegú |4, Çatimpegno; 5, Carinpaguo |Pegu, near
| | the Satam
| | or Sittang
| |
Sadoe |4, Patoo; 5, Facto. Satowahi of |Sandoway
|the “Mohit” |
| |
Martabão |4 and 5, Martabane |Martaban
| |
Tavai |4, Taoo; 5, Lioa; 6, Taoo |Tavoy
| |
+Tenaçarij+ |4 and 5, Danasaguim. *Tenacar |Tenasserim
|of the “Roteiro” |
| |
Cara |4, Carza; 5 Carta |Kra
| |
Tacoa |4, Tacoaa; 5, Tacoa |Takuwa or
| | Takoa
| |
Modobar |4, 5 and 6, Modobar |Meduar on
| | Lingga River
| |
Malaca |4, 5 and 6, Malaqua |Malacca
| |
+Cingapura+ |4, Bar Singuapura; 5, Bar |Singapore
| sinigapura; 6, Barginigapor |
| |
Os baixos de Padua |4 and 5, Os baixos de Padua |Munyal-par
| |
Ilha malique |4, Malaqym; 5, Mallo. Molaki of |Minicoy
| the “Mohit” |
| |
+Ceylão+ |4, Cillam |Ceylon
| |
Triquinamala |4, Tragonamalay; |Trincomali
| 5, Traganollaneos; 6, Tragana |
| |
Andemão |3, Bonae fortunae (Ptolemy); 4 |Andaman
| and 5, Indana and Indrona | Islands
| |
Nicovade |4, Nagolarim; 5, Nagolainu |Nicobar Islands
| |
Çumatra |4, Ataporbana; 5, Ataprobana; |Sumatra
| 6, Taprobann |
------------------------+--------------------------------+---------------
[a] Juan de la Cosa places “a praia s. plo” (pablo) outside the Cape.
[b] On the anonymous map published by Dr. Hamy, this Point (punta
spinosa) is placed on the _west_ coast, and may possibly be Bok Point.
[c] The name of Ponta de gran (“scarlet cloth cape”) may have been
given to the Needle Cape before the supposed fact that the needle in
its vicinity pointed due north had been observed.
[d] For notes on the identification of this bay, see p. 9, note 4.
[e] Bay of lagoons seems a misnomer. Subsequently the bay was dedicated
to S. Catherine.
[f] “Queimada” means a forest-fire, but there are no “forests”, at all
events near the coast. The hills, however, are partially covered with
bush, which may have been set on fire.
[g] This second “golfo dos vaqueiros” may be a duplication.
[h] Our present Lagoa Bay seems originally to have been called “Bay of
the Rock”. Subsequently it became known as Bahia dos lobos (Seal Bay)
and Bahia de lagoa (Lagoon Bay), perhaps after the Rio da lagoa (Lagoon
River), which figures very prominently on Dr. Hamy’s and Cantino’s
Charts, and almost seems to represent the Rio de Infante in the case of
the former.
The Kasuga River, which is closed at its mouth, and forms a lake-like
expansion at the back of the dunes, seems to correspond more nearly
with the conditions required. Several other rivers, to the east and
west of it, present the same feature, and these may have given rise to
the designation “Praia das alagôas”, _i.e._, Shore of Lagoons.
For identifications of localities within this bay, see p. 14, _note_.
[i] Thus named after the evergreen oak (_Ilex crocea_), known in South
Africa as Safraan hout.
[j] Along this coast the pent-up water of several rivulets soaks
through the coast-ridge, giving rise to springs. This may account for
the “Fountain Rock”.
[k] Keiskamma Point looks like an island when seen from the sea, and
this may account for the island of St. Christopher, of the first
explorers, developing into a river dedicated to the same Saint when the
country became better known.
[l] “Praia corada” (Red shore), I am unable to identify, as there are
no red cliffs along this part of the coast. Perhaps we ought to read
“_cerrada_”, with reference to the rocks which fringe the coast.
[m] I can make nothing of “Golfo boscho”. Bósco is the Italian for
“wood, forest”, and is the synonym of “bosque” in Portuguese. Woods are
plentiful along this coast.
[n] For its identification, see p. 17.
[o] Delagoa Bay seems to have been known originally as “Golfo dos tres
Reis magos” (Gulf of the Three Kings); see p. 18, _note_. The Rio do
Ouro is the Limpopo.
[p] See p. 19, _note_: The “barreiras” to the east of it may be a reef
forming a “barrier” along the coast.
[q] See p. 19, note 1, and p. 21.
[r] These words prove that the compiler of Dr. Hamy’s Chart was able
to utilise materials brought home by Vasco da Gama’s pilots, for it is
just in this locality that he again turned to the land, and discovered
his “first islands”. See p. 21.
[s] See p. 21, note 2.
[t] “Coraes” means “corals”. “Moçambique Flat” is a great coral bank.
[u] This river was named after one of Vasco da Gama’s companions. See p
177.
[v] See p. 32.
[w] For the baixos de S. Raphael, etc., see pp. 33, 92.
[x] For Mombaça and places to the north of it, see p. 40.
[y] See p. 58.
[z] See p. 88.
[aa] See p. 80.
[bb] See p. 200.
[cc] See p. 79.
[dd] See p. 48.
[ee] See p. 48.
APPENDIX H.
[Illustration: THE COAT-OF-ARMS OF VASCO DA GAMA.]
HONOURS AND REWARDS BESTOWED UPON VASCO DA GAMA, 1499-1524.[473]
King Manuel has not infrequently been charged with a niggardly
disposition, but whatever his conduct may have been in other instances
there can be no doubt that he dealt most liberally with the navigator
who was the first to sail a ship from a European port to India. This
liberality had been called forth by the sensation produced by the
discovery of an ocean highway to India, and the expectation that great
wealth would pour into Portugal as a consequence; it was kept alive by
the persistent importunities of the discoverer.
Vasco da Gama certainly did not undervalue the services he had rendered
to the King. He considered himself entitled to a high reward, and in
the end secured it. His ambition, from the very first, seems to have
been to take his place among the territorial nobles of his native
land. His father, Estevão da Gama, had at one time been Alcaide-mór of
Sines, he himself had been born at that picturesque old fishing town,
and his desire to be territorially connected with it was therefore
only natural. The King was quite willing that this should be, but
Sines belonged to the Order of S. Thiago, of which D. Jorge, Duke of
Coimbra, a natural son of D. João II, was master; and although a papal
dispensation had been received in 1501, which empowered the Order to
exchange Sines for some other town, the Order refused to part with it
(see Document 1). Meanwhile the King, on February 22, 1501, had granted
Vasco da Gama not only an annual pension of 1,000 cruzados (_£_483),
but also the territorial title of “Dom” (Documents 2 and 3).[474]
Still further favours were conferred upon Vasco da Gama on January 10,
1502, only one month previous to his second departure for India; and
this, we are told, was done “freely”, and without these favours having
been solicited either by their recipient or by any of his friends (see
Document 4). These favours included an annual hereditary pension of
300,000 reis (_£_362), the title of “Admiral of India”, with all the
valuable privileges conferred by it;[475] the right of sending annually
to India 200 cruzados, to be laid out in merchandise, upon which no
import duties were to be levied, excepting the 5 per cent. claimed by
the Order of Christ,[476] and confirmation of the hereditary title of
“Dom”, which was also to be borne by his brother Ayres, and in its
feminine form of “Dona” by his sister Theresa.
A few months after Vasco da Gama’s return from his second voyage, the
King, who was especially pleased with the “tribute” received from the
Sultan of Kilwa, bestowed upon him a further hereditary pension of
400,000 reis (1,000 cruzados, or _£_483). This was done on February 4,
1504 (Document 5).
Meanwhile the negotiations for putting Gama in possession of Sines
had made no progress, and the Admiral, impatient of the delay, took
up his residence in that town, began to build himself a manor-house,
and generally conducted himself as if the town were his own. The
alcaidemór, D. Luiz de Noronha, did not venture to interfere, but
the Order of S. Thiago complained to the King; and the King, justly
incensed at the masterful conduct of his vassal, peremptorily ordered
his Admiral to quit Sines within thirty days, and not to return to it
except by special permission of the Master of S. Thiago. This order was
dated March 21, 1507 (see Document 7). We need scarcely say that it was
obeyed.
But the Admiral still hankered after the territorial honours which had
been promised him. He enjoyed already three royal pensions amounting
to 2,750 cruzados (_£_1,328), and Leonardo Masser,[477] the Venetian
Ambassador at Lisbon, estimated the whole of his income at that time at
4,000 ducats, or rather cruzados (_£_1,930). This was a very large sum
indeed. There were at that time only six noblemen, two archbishops, and
seven bishops in all Portugal whose income exceeded his.[478]
In November, 1508, the King authorised Luiz d’Arca to cede to Vasco
da Gama the alcaideria-mór of Villafranca de Xira (see Document 8),
but the negotiations appear to have led to no result. Ten years were
allowed to pass, when the Admiral informed the King that, the promised
title of “Count” not having been conferred upon him, he desired
permission to emigrate with his family. The King, on August 17,
1518 (see Document 13), granted this permission, on condition that
the Admiral should defer his departure until the end of the year.
In the meantime he seriously looked about him for the territorial
qualification which would enable him to confer upon his importunate
Admiral the title of Count. D. Jayme, Duke of Bragança, a nephew
of the King, who held Vasco da Gama in high respect, was willing
to accommodate his uncle. By an agreement signed on November 4,
1519, he surrendered the towns of Vidigueira and Villa de Frades,
in consideration of Vasco da Gama ceding to him an hereditary Royal
pension of 400,000 reis (1,000 cruzados), and in addition, paying the
sum of 4,000 cruzados in gold. This transaction having been completed
at Evora, on November 7, the King, in Document 16, granted to Vasco da
Gama, his heirs and successors, the towns of Vidigueira and Villa de
Frades, together with all revenues and privileges hitherto enjoyed by
the Duke of Bragança; and on December 29 he conferred upon his Admiral
the title of “Conde de Vidigueira” (see Documents 14-17).
And thus, when Vasco da Gama, in April, 1524, departed for the last
time for India, the great ambition of his life had been realised. He
died at Cochin, on Christmas eve of the same year.
ABSTRACTS OF OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS.
1.—_Lisbon, December 24, 1499._[479]
By Letters Patent, dated Lisbon, December 24, 1499, the King, in
recognition of the merits of Vasco da Gama, and the great services
rendered by him in the discovery of India, grants to him, his heirs
and successors, the town of Sines, together with all the revenues,
privileges, and tithes pertaining thereto, as well as civil and
criminal jurisdiction. But inasmuch as this town belongs to the Order
of São Thiago, the formal title-deeds are to be drawn up only after
this Order shall have received satisfaction by the grant of another
town belonging to the Crown, and dispensation of the Holy Father,
sanctioning this exchange, shall have been received.
Satisfaction was, moreover, to be given to D. Luiz de Noronha, the
alcaide-mór of the said city. But should D. Luiz refuse to surrender
the said alcaideria, then, the dispensation of the Pope having been
received, the King promises at once to put Vasco da Gama in possession
of the said town, and likewise of the castle, as soon as terms shall
have been arranged with D. Luiz de Noronha.
2.—_Lisbon, February 22, 1501._[480]
D. Manuel orders the Casa da Mina to pay annually to Vasco da Gama the
of sum 1,000 cruzados in gold [at that time equal to 390,000 reis],
until he shall have been placed in possession of the manor of Sines.
3.—_Lisbon, November 19, 1501._[481]
The King orders Gonçalo de Sequeira, chief treasurer of the Casa de
Ceuta, to deliver to Dom Vasco da Gama 15 moios [43 imperial quarters]
of wheat, of the value of 28,000 reis, in part-payment of 70,000 reis
due to him this year, the balance of 41,200 reis to be levied upon the
Casa da Mina.
The receipt given by Vasco da Gama for this wheat is still extant, and
is one of the very few autographs of the Admiral in existence.
[Illustration: Facsimile of a Receipt given by Vasco da Gama]
That is to say:
dõ v^{co} da gama dygo que he verdade que receby os dytos q’nze
moyos de trygo do dyto g^o de sequeyra feito a xxbiij de
novẽbro de q’nhẽtos hu.
dõ v^{co} da gama.
Or, in English:—
Don Vasco da Gama acknowledges to have received said 15 moios of wheat
from said g^o de Sequeyra. Done on November 28, 1501.
Dom Vasco da Gama.
4.—_Lisbon, January 10, 1502._[482]
D. Manuel after pointing out, in these letters-patent, that the
explorations begun by the Infante D. Henry [the Navigator] in
1433,[483] in the hope of discovering a new highway to India, had been
continued by King Alfonso and King John, at an expenditure of many
lives and of much treasure, until, in 1482,[484] the Rio do Infante, at
a distance of 1,885 leagues, had been reached, continues:
“Being animated by an ardent desire to continue the work initiated by
the Infante and our predecessors, and being assured that Vasco da Gama,
a gentleman of our household, was well qualified for rendering us this
service, and would disregard the perils to his person and the risk of
life which he ran in accomplishing the task set him, we sent him to
India as captain-major of our fleet, and with him Paulo da Gama, his
brother, and Nicolau Coelho, likewise a gentleman of our household. In
this voyage he did most excellent service, for whilst only 1885 leagues
of coast had been discovered during the many years which had elapsed
since the commencement of this enterprise, and by the many captains
sent out, he by himself, in this single voyage, discovered 1550
leagues, in addition to a great gold-mine and many wealthy towns and
cities, having a great trade, and finally reached and discovered that
India, which all those who have given descriptions of the world rank
higher in wealth than any other country, which from all time had been
coveted by the Emperors and Kings of the world, and for the sake of
which such heavy expenses had been incurred in this kingdom, and so
many captains and others forfeited their lives—a country, in fact,
which all kings not only desired to possess but even to discover.