_ 96 _ Diogo de Melo complained to the Governor here that I had passed sentences against him, wishing him ill; he thereby cast suspicions upon me. I countered all this with the very honest defence which I had. The Governor gave orders to the witnesses to be questioned and for an investigation behind closed doors to be carried out and the report on it sent to Your Highness. I was greatly suspicious of the Governor over this case because his secretary stayed at Diogo de Melo’s house all night and also because the Governor said that Lopo Vaz has acted inappropriately in empowering me to carry out punishments on his behalf. Your Highness has sent a letter to the Governors giving them specific recommendations about the offences and injustices in Ormuz which I still have in my possession and with which I have conformed at all times in all matters. I request Your Highness to look into this. Please realise that I had no reason to do any harm to Diogo de Melo because, as is known, he is so closely related to mine. I only did so because it was in God’s service and that of Your Highness to punish him for his senseless behaviour and dishonesty here. I forget all else in pursuit of your service and all the reasons I have for not doing him harm. For this reason, I beg Your Highness to deal with this matter with due care.
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