_ 246 _ The Verrazzano expedition, in its attempt to join in the Indonesian spice trade, had taken the Indian Ocean route, but had not done so intentionally. Had there been an intention of avoiding routes which were much under the observation of the Portuguese? Was Verrazzano's idea to repeat Magellan's route (it seems that he had known Magellan and may have accompanied him when the latter moved from Portugal to Spain)(A)? The sources do not give an answer to this question, but it is clear that these French-based sailors were trying to get on to the spice route and that they were not afraid to attempt what had become the Portuguese routes. The letter in which the Governor of Sofala informed João III of the arrival of the vessel from the Verrazzano fleet also related the dramatic adventures of the "Marie de Bon Secours". The appeal from the shipwrecked Norman crew of this ship to the Governor of the State of India has been known to historians for a long time, and it is clear that only a year after the Verrazzano expedition sailed another Norman voyage to India via the Cape was being planned. by E. Axelson,op.cit., append. V, and by A. Lobato, A Expansão Portuguesa em Mocambique de 1498 · 1530 (Lisbon 1954). (A) lbid.
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