_ 209 _ In the same year (1547) A letter to the Viceroy from Rui Goncalves de Caminha, Goa, on the 11th of October 1547:(54) Sir, I have never visited Ormuz or Basra. It is only through information that I received from wise Portuguese, well-acquainted with the country, as well as from Moorish merchants very honourable men and natives of Basra that I have informed myself. All told me that Basra was a barren land, with very few fruits and products, so that if we do not sail there or allow anyone else to do so, they will be obliged to leave the country, because there are many of them and the monthly salaries come to five or six thousand cruzados. If they decide to reduce their numbers so as to cut back on expenditure, they will be immediately destroyed by the Arabs. It can be said that by preventing the arrival of the (54) Document no. and reference.
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