ABSTRACT
Under the pretext of engaging in business in Lisbon, a Venetian named Leonardo Massari, better known as Ca’ Masser, 1 arrived there on the 3rd of October 1504. Ca’ Masser, in reality, was sent to Portugal by the Venetian senate to secure information regarding the fleets which were being sent to India, and to make a report concerning their cargoes and other matters of interest to that Republic. 2 Foreigners in Lisbon, and particularly Venetians, were suspected at this time, perhaps because so much information regarding the Portuguese voyages had been sent to other places. In spite of the secrecy which Ca’ Masser maintained, his true mission was known to Dom Manuel through a Florentine, Benetto Londa, a nephew of Bartolomeo Marchioni. On the arrival of Ca’ Masser in Lisbon he was immediately calledto the royal palace. Here the king questioned him at length, and as a result had him sent to prison. Later, when he was able to convince the king that the story he had first told him was true, Ca’ Masser was released and had no further difficulties.
