Portuguese Discoveries Dependencies And Missions in Asia And Africa

e the fleet in India. He was steering for Calicut, but found at St. Bias (an African port) a letter warning him of what had taken place, and advising him to go to Cochin. On his arrival, the Zamorin attacked him, but was utterly defeated. Meantime, the greatest excitement prevailed in Lisbon. The first enthusiastic feeling was now chilled by the critical aspect which the affairs of India had assumed. While these voyages afforded adventures, extended knowledge, formed alliances, augmented the national wealth, exalted the honour of Portugal, and, above all, enlarged the dominion of the Romish Faith,the popular voice warmly seconded the sovereign will in fitting out one expedition after another. But, now when hostilities had broken out, and when it was evident that a mighty war had to be carried on against a Monarch almost at the other side of the world, it was feared that the resources of a small state would certainly be exhausted in the unequal conflict. King Manoel, however, was inflexible. Animated by political ambition and religious zeal, he relied on the Papal grant, which had placed all the Eastern nations beneath his sceptre ; and he believed it both his right and his duty to follow up the conquests which his admirals had begun. Even on ordinary policy he calculated that the coalition of Cochin and Cananore would, in union with his own forces, be more than a match for the Rajah of Calicut. In a word, his great aim was to found an Empire in the Ea...