Notice: Journal Compiled by Andrew Hutcherson, Period 2.

(To get into character, I put the journal entries by Cabral within this blog)

Andrew Hutcherson
World History
Ms. Adams
Period 2

Journal Entry #7 June 23, 1501 (Return to Lisbon, Portugal.)

It's hard to say that my journey was a success, considering their were only five survivors, inclusive of myself. But we did scout new trade routes, however little success we may have had. We brought back a cargo full of pepper on my ship, which is worth a bundle. Technichally, the expedition was a financial success. But the consideration that it is a financial success does not take into account the value of human life, the many who died upon the journey, especially my good subcommander, Bartolemeu Dias. The maps and charts supplied by him and Vasco De Gama were invaluable to our success. I am tired and weary, doubtful that I will be ever able to make such a voyage again. But I am glad I was able to explore just one part of the unknown ocean and land that we inhabit. I am just happy to be home, safely in Lisbon.

Journal Entry #6: September 13th, 1500 (and ensueing days.)

We arrived in Calicut, India on the 13th, year 1500. I brought my translators upon my first landing, so we could get right to business and so that I could understand their language. They did not take well to the fact that my translators were of a low-caste. They were dishonored by this, and trade has not gone as well as we could have hoped. Over a time period of ten weeks since then, I have had ill luck with trade. In fact, I've only secured cargo for two of my ships, a cargo full of pepper. I went this far for barely anything and the Arab ships got preferential treatment, I swear. I rashly decided to seize their ship for these reasons.

Soon after, a Calicut mob seized the trading factory and murdered around forty portugeuse. I could not have that under -my- eye. We destroyed several foreign ships along with killing six hundred of their men and bombarding Calicut. To escape that struggle, we sailed for Cochin, a major rival port of Calicut. We would have had better luck there, but in the distance, eighty foreign vessels sailed after us, so I mused that it would be best to leave while we could,

Journal Entry #5: August 2, 1500 (Melindi)

After are less than agreeable visit to Kilwa, we sailed for the coastal town of Melindi, sure of our course, with the help of charts and maps obtained both from Vasco De Gama's brief expedition to these parts and from the locals at Kilwa that did not share the opinion of their ruler, whom disregarded our trading motives. On August 2, 1500, we arrived at Melindi, arriving to a warm welcome from the native people. I was able to ascertain passage to India, more specifically, Calicut, India.

We are finally getting headway with our pursuit of Indian trade (of course, spreading Roman Catholicism was a motive, too.)

Journal Entry #4: July 26, 1500 (Unwilling Kilwa)

July 26, 1500

I am outraged! How dare they insult us like this? We have traveled near thousand miles to arrive at Kilwa, and they dare deny us trade? Do they not realize the profit that they can make off this? It is a mutually beneficial relationship! And yet they are unwilling. Why, because we are foreigners? Because our skin is of a different hue, can we not foster meaningful trade between our nations? Half our fleet were sacrificed, unwillingly, to the great storming weather. They, in essence, were a martyr to our cause of arriving in India and continuing the agenda, of our people, for indian trade. I will not stay here if I am to be refused by those in Kilwa. We will soon travel to the next port, whom the people here say is named Melindi. After the cordial greeting received at Mozambique on July 20th, I am dissapointed to say the least with our arrival at the less pleasant residences of society, namely Kilwa.

Journal Entry #3 -May 3, 1500-, (To the Cape.) (and later in the month)

May 3, 1500

The day we set sail from the island of Vera Cruz, which was anointed in the name of Portugal under the churches watchful eye, the cross. We headed towards the Cape of Good Hope, previously found by Bartolomeu Dias, whom happens to be serving as the sub-commander on my expedition. I am wary of what we will find past the Cape of Good Hope, considering the entrance into increasingly foreign territory. I thank every day we survive this voyage, especially in that King Manuel was willing to finance this fleets business across the great waters. But.. I also believe that private enterprises will need to be paid their due, for they invested in us too.

Later in the month>>>

I am saddened to share this news in my journal, but it must survive on in history. 4 Ships of the armada of ships that I have commanded and tooken about the Cape have been lost. Those ships held many a seamen and coin. More grievously then that, my subcommander Bartolomeu Dias was lost with them. We are still a great fleet of nine, but we have been cut down by the storms that ravage the cape... I will make sure that we succeed despite this setback.

Journal Entry #2: March 23, 1500 (Islands)

March 23, 1500

We landed on a few islands over the last two arduous weeks of travel. After landing on the islands so aptly named the Cape Verde islands, we set sail due southwest to imitate the route previously traveled by my great predecessor in exploration, Vasco de Gama. It is too sad that his voyage will not be near as profitable as mine. But that is how the world works, don't you think? One breaks open the vault that is India, and those who come after reap the rewards stored within the vault. I will be the latter, reaping what Vasco de Gama sowed.

We now harbour at an island, at Port Seguro. This new land, foreign to me... I belieive it lies east of that line, the line of Demarcation. That darned line, seperating the lands which we should have rightful claim to! I name it thus the Island of Vera Cruz. I erected a cross and held religious services to mark the land in the name of the Church.