[5] In the map of Grynaeus already mentioned, this Terra Psittacorum or
    Land of Parrots, is placed on the south-west coast of Africa,
    between the Cape of Good Hope and Congo.  Yet there can be no doubt
    that the recent discovery of Brazil on the eastern coast of South
    America is here alluded to:  Consequently, instead of the lebeccio
    vento, or S.W. wind of the text, it would naturally have required a S.
    E. wind to force the Portuguese fleet so far to the westward of its
    intended course.—­E.

[6] The author assuredly uses these words to denominate two kinds of
    ordnance or cannon then used in the Portuguese ships of war.—­E.

[7] By the sultan or prefect of Syria, twice so designed in this dispatch,
    is evidently meant the Mameluk sultan of Egypt; but who was soon
    afterwards defeated and slain by the Turkish emperor.  The ineffectual
    exertions of the Mameluks and Turks, instigated by Venice, to obstruct
    the Portuguese trade in India, will be afterwards mentioned.—­E.

[8] It is difficult to say what is meant by a cantarus in the text;
    perhaps a quintal or 100 pounds.  The castor of the text, and other
    perfumes, may mean musk, civet, and ambergris.—­E.

[9] Perhaps the king of Congo, or some other prince of the west coast of
    Africa is here alluded to; or perhaps the xeque or prince of the Moors
    at Sofala.—­E.

[10] By the new gold mines Sofala seems indicated, as contradistinguished
    from the old gold mines of Guinea.  The story of the two ships on
    their voyage to India from Sofala, obviously alludes to the Guzerate
    vessels, more particularly mentioned already in the voyage of Cabral
    —­E.

SECTION II.

Letter from certain Merchants and Bankers of Spain,[1] to their correspondents in the cities of Florence and Venice, respecting a treaty of peace and league between the kings of Portugal and Calicut.

We have been informed by those who were on board of the fleet which sailed from Lisbon to India in May 1502, and returned on the 15th December 1503, that the king of Calicut has concluded a peace with our sovereign on the following conditions.  As a compensation for the slaughter of our men, he is to pay 4000 bahars of pepper, equal to 12, 000 quintals.  That the Moors shall not be allowed to trade there from any place whatever, excepting only those who are natives of Calicut; and that these even shall not be permitted to trade with Mecca.  That our king, if so inclined, may build a fort at Calicut, and shall be supplied with a sufficient quantity of stones, lime, and timber for that purpose by the zamorin, paying for these on delivery.  That the king of Calicut shall aid and favour the Portuguese in all things, and that it