_ 434 _ For this reason I return to the opinion I gave in an earlier letter. I believe that our principal interests should be overseen by a person in Cairo. From what I know of him, this Matias Bicudo would be suitable for this office. Encouraged by the good reputation given to him, I think this is the path we should follow. I am of the opinion that the salary of one thousand cruzados which has been paid to the licenciate, Silva, should be taken away from him. Your Highness should pay him no attention, give him nothing to do, not write to him, but treat him as if he were already dead. I assure you that he is not dead, nor imprisoned, as I saw in a letter from Isaac Bicudo to Thomas de Cornoca. The information Your Highness has concerning this in letters from the Viceroy shou1d be sent to me, and also what Your Highness wants me to do about this. Considering that this licenciate only travels when he is concerned with his own finances and sends messages at inappropriate times, he receives a very large salary. As a general rule, much must be spent on necessary spying, but there is no reason to spend the same on unnecessary spying. It seems to me that Isaac Bicudo should be left where he is for the time-being, until we see what course events in Cairo take. He wrote to Thomas de
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTg0NzAy