The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: Why Some Are So Rich and Some So Poor (W W Norton & Company; 1998)

(^92) THE WEALTH AND POVERTY OF NATIONS
tionalized, as in the instructions (Regimento) to Diogo Lopes de Se-
queira in 1508 for the exploration of Madagascar:

1. The fleet was to follow the circumference of the island, with spe­
   cial attention to the west coast (the side facing Africa); enter and
   study every port, reconnoiter means of entry and exit, explore the
   possibilities of anchorage with reference to winds, currents, and
   nature of bottom; and write all of this down [my italics].


2. First contact with the natives: show them a range of articles and
   metals (spices, wax, copper) to see if these things are known on
   the island; and if there, ask how to get to them and trade for
   them. Find out what they would want in exchange.


3. Find out what if any other ships come in to these ports. Where do
   they come from? What do they carry? Do they trade these in
   other islands or carry different things to different places? Where
   do the merchants and crews of these ships come from? Are they
   Muslim or pagan ("gentiles")? White or black? How are they
   dressed? Do they come armed?


4. Are these other ships big or small? What kind? What are the sea­
   sons of their coming and going? The rhythm (annual, more
   often)? Their way of navigating?


5. Does the island have its own vessels, and if so, where do they go,
   what do they carry, what do they seek?


6. What does the island produce, what will the natives take for it?
   Are these things dear or cheap?


7. Political structure: what kinds of kings or lords, whether Muslim
   or pagan? How do they live? How do they administer justice?
   What do they possess? Do they hold treasure? What kind of state
   and dignity, and how do they maintain it? What military force and
   arms: elephants or horses, weapons, firearms, artillery of any kind?
   Are the soldiers timid or warlike?


8. Are there Muslim rulers apart, independent; and do they recog­
   nize the pagan rulers?


9. Is the population Muslim or pagan? If the latter, how do the Mus­
   lims live with them? Are there Christians as in India?* Do they
   know St. Thomas?


10. What are the customs? Are they, in part at least, like those of the
    Malabars?

• The first Portuguese to arrive in India were misled by native idolatry into thinking
  that Hinduism was an exotic form of Christianity.