_ 485 _ inter-regional Muslim trade and reached the ears of the Viceroy in this way, and those of the crews of the ships before Tristão da Cunha sailed. Letters for Portugal and information from those who travelled in the returning fleet could only convey the rumours, and the Viceroy's remark exemplifies this: 'It is said here that Afonso de Albuquerque has fought a great battle in Ormuz and has compelled it to pay large sums of tribute to Your Highness'(A). The news of the conquest of Ormuz reached Lisbon on 1 June 1508(B). It was important to make this known in Portugal because Ormuz is considered to be the most important thing of all in those parts, and has the most fame and reputation(C). (A) See below, doc.1. No other copy is known of this letter; but it seems improbable that Francisco de Almeida would have failed to send another copy, entrusted to Tristão da Cunha (obviously without the final paragraph). But even if he did not, the news of the conquest of Ormuz transmitted by Muslim merchants would have been spread by the crews of ships returning to Portugal who on reaching Lisbon would not have failed to be their own heralds. Tristão da Cunha 'knew of the capture of Ormuz only orally, through news spread by the Muslims'. Aubin, op.cit., p.100. (B) A.A.Banha de Andrade,op.cit.,p.98. (C) Cartas de Affonso de Aibuquerque, vol.IL,g.425.
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