_ 195 _ Therefore, in my opinion, this fortress should be demolished and our people sent to wherever is of more service to His Highness. These same considerations I myself took into account when, after building a fortress at Angediva, I demolished it a year later because I found it was as inconvenient as Socotra. I will not, however, give the order to demolish Socotra because you took it and are in authority there. I would also remind you Sir, that the main reason the King sent you out there was so that you would guard the entry to the Straits and prevent spices from India entering it. By your staying in Ormuz the situation has totally changed, and the Straits are unguarded and abandoned. Even were we to argue that all along this coast not an algueire of pepper passes, as God willing it does not, the Venetians will still get as much pepper and other spices as previously they did because they take it from Sumatra and Malacca through the islands and we have not yet managed to block this route. I recognise and understand that your taking of the Kingdom and city of Ormuz merits many books being written about it and His Highness’s gratitude, showering you with many gifts and honours. It will bring him much prestige as the news spreads all over the world, but I do not
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