_ 228 _ In the same year (1547) Vasco da Cunha sent a letter to the Viceroy, Basin, on the 11th of November 1547, mentioning how the Turks had come to occupy Basra:(58) Sir, My view about this business of Basra, and the peace that the Turks are seeking, is that Your Lordship should in no way agree that they trade in Ormuz, nor should you consent to open a way to their merchandise, since this such a sure recipe for the ruin of this land. For the Turks want no more from this peace than to deal from Basra to Cairo, in the drugs, pepper and goods that are bought to them from Ormuz, from which they will become very rich. In a land so short of merchandise as is Basra, if they have this trade route open, they can support as many people as they wish there. While we, with the greed for such small (58) Document no. and reference.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTg0NzAy