_ 180 _ was secret from local wine and at the time of the Moors produced 400 pardaos ended up giving the inhabitants of these island, the Canarins, 1900 pardaos each year. Trade from merchants produced 1000 pardaos. From rents of residences and land, I think there are more or less 1000 pardaos because the land is not very good, badly maintained and full of salt water, but I hope that with the help of God, it will improve. Because the surrounding sea is dangerous, we can get no revenue from it. If we can get horses, rents from ploughing can amount to 10,000 pardaos but I hope we can double this each year. Your Highness did not need my letters informing you of the value of the copper have in Cambay and here in the mainland. If you do give me credit for this information, you should send me at least 2,000 quintals which will bring you a return of 20,000 cruzados. I greatly value this merchandise which is veritable gold dust. Now that the Straits are closed and no more of it can come from there, you can sell it at any price you want and if you have it in Cambay, you will have all the merchandise necessary for Malacca where you will make a lot of money as you will also from quicksilver and cinnabar. I complain to God and to Your Highness about your officers in Cochin. For the last three years, I have done
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTg0NzAy