_ 194 _ hear further news of you which I hoped would be good. According to what you wrote it appears you had plenty of money and other things and were suffering from no needs. We need ships so badly here that I had scruples in sending you one as it seemed both to me and my advisers that this was unnecessary. I have had to send a ship to Sofala with merchandize and other things they were much in need of. And now, Sir, I think I should remind you of some things that in the service of our King are very important, not because you are unaware of them or do not understand them, but because sometimes things stare us in the face, but we do not see them. I have to say outright that according to information I have been given about Socotra the fortress is of no use whatsoever and is on the contrary, a hindrance to the service of His Highness. Too many of our people are working there and the island has not got those requirements the King, was told existed, namely, adequate supplies of food nor is it in a key position to the entrance of the Straits. Furthermore, it is said to be an unhealthy place, which, considering we are so far away from Portugal and our garrison were not born in those parts should be taken into account when evaluating its usefulness.
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