_ 447 _ Sea, and the small amount which reaches Portugal in Your Highness' s ships. He told me about this and pointed out the ill effect that this has on Your Highness's interests, and the loss to your exchequer. Persuaded by the hopes that this merchant has given him it seemed to him that the best solution to these ills would be for Your Highness to make peace with the Turk. He claims that through friends in Constantinople, he would find means to conclude a peace treaty with Rustem Pasha. We discussed the advantages and inconveniences which could result from this. He went and talked to his friend again, and then to me, but was less forthcoming about what means might be employed in negotiating the peace. He did not mention the mediation of Marin and said that he would send some of his people to Constantinople. He then asked me for documents of authorization to conclude the negotiations. I think that he wished to give the impression that he is the only prime mover of this undertaking and the author of any success, as he then requested authorization to pass bribes, and to finance his mission, and also mentioned the contract which could be made with the merchants.
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