Page:History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce (Volume 2).djvu/23

 wise ordered a plate of brass like a medal to be given to each of them, bearing an inscription engraved in all languages, with the name of 'The King Dom Joam of Portugal, brother of the Christian King,' which they might show to Prester John, and to whomsoever they thought fit.

The celebrated expedition of Vasco de Gama which followed this inquiry is generally described as consisting of three vessels, one of 120 tons, another of 100 tons, and the third somewhat less. Correa says*