_ 477 _ not have a monthly report of what is happening in Basra from the spies on the spot. I wrote recently to Matias Becudo telling him that he should inform the Viceroy of India what he knew at that time. However, following Your Highness’s instructions, I am once more sending him a copy by way of Venice and Messina indicating that he should take the greatest care to obtain accurate information of what was happening in Suez, the preparations taking place in Cairo for the fleet, and the truth about everything. He should then immediately inform the Viceroy of India of what I told him in my letters and of the many ways of finding out what was going on in Suez by talking with renegades working with that fleet or people belonging to its captain or to the Pasha of Cairo. As I was convinced, he would find out the truth, I also instructed him to inform India of anything he learned about the activities of the Portuguese in Abyssinia. I also ordered that news of the fleet should be dispatched immediately to the Viceroy, giving an accurate account of the state of affairs. I feel confident that he will make good use of the information and take defensive measures. In this way, with nothing to fear, they can relax and avoid costly precautions.
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