_ 479 _ As yet, I have taken less than one thousand cruzados from the credit allocated to me for this task. To cut the losses, I shall take the rest when it is no longer possible to extend the time for redemption. I trust that Our Lord will help us, so that everything is concluded in a fitting manner. Translation of pp. 306-8 The Pope recently intimated that he was keen on corresponding with the Sophy so as to encourage him to wage war against the Turk, and later, on several occasions, he returned to discuss this matter with me. He could then suggest to the Sophy that, on the death of the Turk, dissension was sure to break out among his children. They would create an army and fleet in that region to recover part of what we had lost. With the said Sophy ready for action on the other shore, great harm could be inflicted on the Ottomans, if he was bold enough to join the league of Christian princes [sic]. I was asked if I thought it possible to arrange, through Your Highness, to negotiate this matter with the Sophy. I agreed with his suggestions and, in keeping with his authority, did not deprive him of hope, for the reasons that I stated in my letter.
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