_ 213 _ you are not mandated to reach an agreement, but rather to do all the harm that you can, to him [the Samorin] and to everything that belongs to him". The king added: "And even if [the Samorin] gives you satisfaction, because we are certain that it would be a [pretext] for delaying tactics (...), do not waste time on that, go directly to Cochin”(A). Lopo Soares' mission was to strengthen an alliance with Cochin that was still considered precarious(B). But was it the need to reassure the Rajah about security and profits that warranted the Portuguese presence? Duarte Pacheco had exceeded the wishes of Dom Manuel beyond all expectations. No doubt we must take into consideration the admiration that all the chroniclers felt for him. The royal family of Cochin continued to honour him as a hero(C) and the fame of his military prowess spread throughout Malabar. With the arrival of Lopo Soares in Cochin on 14th September(D), euphoria must have reached its height; for if they were already counting on the punctuality of (A) Regimento de Lopo Soares, CA, III, p. 192. (B) Ibid., p. 193. (C) Correia, I/2, p. 506; Castanheda, I/88, p. 185-188; Gois, I/100, p. 243-246. (D) The date given by the chronicles (see following note) is confirmed by Alvaro Vaz, secretary of the feitoria in Cochin, (Aivaro Vaz to Dom Manuel, from Cochin, 24.XII.1504, CA, III, p. 256).
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