_ 125 _ all pearls can be of six carats because they need 20 years to mature, irrespective of whether they are more than six carats or less. The quantity, however, will be very small when they are added together, and I can assure Your Lordship that it is extremely hard work to obtain them. Those of four or five carats I already have, as they are not difficult to come by. However, no captain who has been here has ever taken many pearls of six carats. I already have a string of 30 or 40 pearls of 6 carats. This year I have been sending Moors to the [pearl] fisheries. With God’s help I think I shall be able to complete the string [of pearls]. It will be worth 3,000 pardaus, or very near, judging by what the others cost me. I have asked Your Lordship to let me stay a year or two longer. If you do not think it convenient, you will honour me by sending me a new carrack, and it should be stated in the decree that I am the first to load and the first to leave. This should be stated very emphatically in the decree because the governors here are like kings, so do not forget to grant me this honour, because if I do not receive a carrack I shall be ruined. (In the hand of the author) I kiss Your Lordship’s hands. (Signed) Cristóvão de Mendonca.
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