_ 406 _ It is the customary for the King of Portugal to write through his viceroys to the important men of Persia and to send them presents, and to write to them also in the Persian language. At the present time there is no one in this kingdom who really knows who these are or what their names are, because they change, or those who were at one time are dead. Some of them are Lords of incomes of two or three hundred thousand ducats. His Majesty should write to three or four of them. Someone in India or Ormuz will surely know who are the current advisers and will add their titles in the usual way. The Serene King of Portugal has peace agreements with the King of Persia which are fully observed, and great favor is shown to Persian merchants in Ormuz and India, and they do the same to the Portuguese. If their Majesties wish to send presents to the King of Persia, as it seems necessary to do because such is their custom, the things that are most appreciated there are: gilded weapons and weapons of steel, which should be more beautiful than new; scarlet swords and bucklers; rich red damasks, red and green velvets and red silks. This is not because they do not have them there, but because those from here are better and they are delighted with them.
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