_ 197 _ 1536, these captives in Constantinople wrote that the Turk was giving this captain thirty-two (sic) men to take in his fleet, including three thousand musketeers. The fleet was to consist of sixty galleys, twenty galliots and eight galleons, not counting the King of Cambay’s seven galleons and many other vessels carrying provisions and necessary equipment. This fleet was to sail for India this year, 1537, and next month, which is September. His Highness told me that although he would send word to Your Majesty at greater length by someone who is his agent for all this and that he was telling what I have said above for me to convey to Your Majesty. He was asking Your Majesty to write to the Viceroys of Naples and of Sicily and your ambassadors in Rome and Venice and also through the King of the Romans, to ask them to so all they could to find out what the Turk is doing with this fleet; whether he has sent it or has it ready to send to India, and in what condition it is and to ask them to inform Your Majesty of what they know, because this matter is of the utmost importance to him. For this reason His Highness has told me to send this communication. As it is evident here that India is of prime importance and that it is vital for them to maintain trade there, there is much to be feared if the Turks gains a foothold in the
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