_ 56 _ members of the League to set out on a war to damage and destroy, and we decided to send with it the illustrious Don Juan of Austria, my dear and beloved brother, whom the members of the League had appointed General of the League, to seek out the enemy fleet, which is the principal defence and strength of all his territories and lordships. It pleased our Lord God to give the fleet of the League a greater victory than has ever been before, because although the enemy fleet was larger in the number of ships and fighting men, with God’s help it was defeated, and a great number of Turks were killed, the best and most valorous men of his armies, many captains and important persons, among them his Pasha and Captain General, and almost two hundred galleys were captured with many prisoners. Many other galleys and other vessels were destroyed and sunk as they fled, and the few that remained of his whole fleet were left in fear and danger. What is most significant is the small amount of loss and damage we suffered. Having received such an advantage from the hand of God, and having broken to such an extent the forces and might of the enemy, we of the League are determined to follow up the victory and to inflict on him as much harm as possible in his territories and kingdoms, and after such a beginning to continue to diminish and destroy his power
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