Travels in India (Tavernier) 31.1.5

31.1.5

all would have been gold or silver, for it required them to make but two or three voyages to Japan, to the Philippines, to the Moluccas, or to China, to acquire riches, and to gain on their return five or six fold, and even up to tenfold on the more important articles. Private soldiers as well as governors and captains acquired great wealth by trade. It is only the Viceroy who does not trade, or if he does, it is under the name of another; and, moreover, he has a sufficient income without it. It was formerly one of the most splendid posts in the world for a noble to be Viceroy of Goa, and there are few monarchs who are able to bestow governments worth so much as are those which depend upon this Viceroy. The first of these Governments is that of Mozambique, and the appointment is for three years. In these three years the Governor makes a profit of 400,000 or 500,000 crowns, and sometimes more, if during the time they have no losses with the Cafres. These Cafres are the black people who come from many quarters of Africa to obtain cotton goods and hardware from the Commandant, who dwells on the Rio de Saine, and who is merely the agent of the Governor of Mozambique. These Cafres bring gold for the goods which they carry away, but if one of them happens to die when going or returning, what has been entrusted to him is lost beyond remedy.