_ 199 _ In the same year (1547) Dom Alvaro de Castro sent a letter to the Viceroy, on the 5th of October 1547, justifying his refusal to contact Basra:(52) Sir, My opinion about whether to have trade and shipping between Ormuz and Basra, which is now in the hands of the Turks, is this; I do not believe that the Portuguese are people who can carry on trade and contact with such enemies without great evil and harm coming to them. This is what will happen if they bring them timber, iron, steel, sulphur and many other war materials that they greatly need and which they would not have if we did not deliver them to them. In no way whatsoever should there be any trade or dealings with them, but an immense, thick jungle should (52) Document no. and reference.
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