ABSTRACT
The transference of the possession of the great Indian trade from hands of the Venetians to the Portuguese, from the Portuguese to the Dutch, and from the Dutch to the English during the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, is matter of much interest and importance, and it may be as well to give a slight sketch of the earlier events before proceeding to the transactions of the Portuguese in Arabia. At the middle of the fifteenth century Venice was at the zenith of her power-enriched by the monopoly of the commerce between the East and West. The capture of Hormuz was the principal object of Albuquerque's expedition, as before remarked, and his operations and exploits here characterized by the same distinguished ability, valour, and success that had marked his previous career. The presence of the Port Armada constantly stationed at Hormuz to support the Commandant was an obstacle to success, and stratagem was therefore devised to get rid of it.
