_ 568 _ said that he thought well of them and would obey them. Matters relating to the loading of the ships were then seen to and afterwards the Viceroy handed the governorship of India over to Afonso de Albuquerque, in front of the marshal, nobles, knights and officials who were in Cochin. The handing-over ceremony was held at the fortress gates, the Viceroy standing on the inside, Afonso de Albuquerque on the outside. A scrivener wrote down the number of fortresses, ships, vessels, pieces of artillery and men who were being handed over to the new governor, and Afonso de Albuquerque signed the document which bore witness to the state of our position in India at the beginning of his term of office. After the ceremony the Viceroy went straight to the “Garca”, which was to take him away. All the nobles followed him to the ship, for they were saddened by his departure. Indeed, most of them were to accompany him to Portugal, for they dared not remain in India after what they had done to Afonso de Albuquerque. After the Viceroy had gone aboard the ship, it was loaded with merchandise, as were two others. While the Viceroy remained here Afonso de Albuquerque referred all administrative matters to him, as if he were still in charge, the Viceroy would send back his messages, but Afonso de Albuquerque insisted. But in spite of this courte-
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