GROWTH OF PORTUGUESE POWER IN INDIA 93 put forth all her strength. Not only the Moslem world, but also the Mediterranean republics, woke up to find a new power established in India which was destroy- ing their Eastern trade by way of the Red Sea. The results of that awakening, and the unholy coalitions between Venetian and Turk which it brought about, will presently appear. King Emmanuel perceived that he had a task on his hands, and perils impending, with which his yearly system of armed merchant fleets was unable to cope. The absence of a permanent Portuguese head in India had led to abuses and gave a temporary charac- ter to the most brilliant victories. " If your Highness does not send us aid all will be lost," the agent at Cochin wrote on the rumoured coming of a Turkish fleet in 1504. " I further certify to your Highness that if we had in this land one who should govern us as is due we should have for your service, your Highness might well sleep soundly, and so long as this be not so, believe me, the very governors themselves are the very Rumes (Turks), both for the land and for the Fidalgos who serve in her." King Emmanuel resolved on a change of policy which would remove all doubts as to the permanence of the Portuguese stay on the Malabar coast and as to his determination to hold what his fleets and soldiers won. In March, 1505, he sent forth Dom Francisco da Almeida, a nobleman of illus- trious rank, with a force such as had never sailed to India, and with instructions to assume the title of Vice- roy on his arrival.
