_ 169 _ from the leaders, as the friars saw. It is no more than matter of telling them to leave on the land is not theirs but was subjected by force. It belongs to Christians. Your Highness should also order the friars to persist in what they have begun. I shall demand the same of those who are here(A). In the margin Letter to the Governor on this saying that he should discuss this with the Vicar, telling him to do this in the best manner and warning him of problems with the Turks. Also to consult Martim Afonso de Melo(B). (A) Governor Martim Afonso de Souza had already written to the King on 18 March 1544 on the subject of Socotra. “Your Highness writes to me about Socotra. Your Highness has not been well informed. The Sheikh is not attempting to convert anyone to his own religion. All he does is to convert the odd girl who is captured. There is no doubt, all the same, that it would be very much in God’s service to except him, but there are few of us for such a large harvest as Your Highness wishes to reap. “And further on:” The Sheikh of Socotra is the King of Qishm. The only port we have on the whole coast of Arabia is Qishm, and there is no other port where a Portuguese ship can be accommodated; it is as safe as the port of Goa, Although much attacked and threatened by the Turks. He must not cease to be our friend, for he places more value and more determination on this than could be expected of a Christian friend, Moor as he may be (ANNT;CC,I….. -116). As will be observed, the Governors view differed very considerably from that of the Vicar-General. (B) Martim Afonso was at that time in Protugal.
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