_ 46 _ 1543. It was found that the King owed eighteen thousand five hundred and thirty-seven gold xerafins. The sum was very large and there was no hope that it could ever be recovered, and as he did not want the debt to become increasingly large, he put the matter to the Council, to see what could be done about it. After discussion, it was decided that the King of Ormuz could not pay so much money, nor had he any means of obtaining it, as if revenues other than those of the customs house were touched he would be left without food. Since no more could be collected than what the customs brought in, he should be notified that he was to give all of that in cash to the King of Portugal, who had by right only two thirds, and that all the other debts he owed would be cancelled; and that from the revenues of the customs house he should be paid annuities for the servants of his household; also that the income from the urracas should be removed from him, but all the rest would be left for his expenses; the Secretary António Cardoso was to go to Ormuz to put these things in train. The Governor decided to go to Cochin as soon as the carracks from Portugal had arrived, and he ordered a fleet to be prepared to accompany him, for the Council had also agreed to punish the Queen of Bhatkal, who was rebellious
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