_ 483 _ I wrote to Your Lordship many days ago about the fortress of [Zequia]. You would be granting me a favour by giving me permission to attack it, for it would be very much for the welfare and safety of this Strait. Our Lord is bringing on this matter of the Turks so that Your Lordship needs to send aid to the King of Basra and the King of [Gizar]. I beg you not to take this honour from me, for I am better fitted to this journey than anyone else, both because I was asked for the assistance, and because I have been involved in this affair and many other matters. I am conscious that perhaps it will be thought wrong for another person to do it, for this undertaking will be one of great expense and outlay. I venture to say that, as it is not Your Lordship in person who is going there, I know of no one else who can better serve His Highness on this joumey. I shall say no more about the matter. If Your Lordship believes that it is in the interests and service of His Highness to command that I be assisted and that these men be helped - for they are asking for your help and favour - you should immediately send a message by this catur which I am sending there for me to make myself ready in many matters, as I need to do for this journey. You should give orders to D Manuel da Silveira to come to his fortress, for on the day he arrives it will be handed over
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