Of the Traffic at Mozambique, Sofala, Coüesme, Melinde, Mombase, Socotera, and other places.–Of the Siege of Mozambique, and what happened there

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With regard to the traffic of Mozambic, Sofala, Coüesme, and other places, I will speak first of Mozambic, whence very rich cargoes are brought to Goa, chiefly of slaves or Cafres, which are carried everywhere; but besides them, ivory, and ebony the blackest and most excellent in the world; and note that the Portuguese call it pan de Mozambic, meaning the wood of that country; there is also some ambergris. This place is of vast importance to the King of Spain, as well for the commodities which he draws therefrom, as that it serves him greatly in his government and navigation. For it is an island, a fortress, and a haven, well adapted for a refuge to ships on the outward voyage from Portugal to Goa, after they have passed the Cape of Good Hope. So that all that are afflicted by storm, disease, scarcity, or other ills take refuge there. You might call it a sentinel or a bulwark at the entering in of the Indies, or a kind of hostelry for the refreshing of the Portuguese, worn out with a l

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