_ 122 _ five or six. Drugs are accepted in sacks as well as loose. In the latter form, they can be spread out in between decks from mast to stern. The cost of any damage can be offset by transporting larger amounts. That is how I think it should be done, unless Your Highness orders otherwise. Item: The money your Highness orders to be given to the nobles in the form of bills of exchange should not be for large amounts, because they are only rarely collected. The nobles maintain that Your Highness orders them to come and be paid on this basis, but only Antonio de Azambuja and Francisco Barreto have been paid. Item: In addition to this year’s requirements, I was very keen on buying a diamond for Your Highness. The conditions was for half to be paid on the spot and the other half later. Because it was advantageous to do so, I borrowed money for this cargo, using the diamond as surety. When diamonds are sold, the profits are greater, and the proceeds are available for better merchandise. In the margin: reminder to Dom Afonso to send a diamond or two each trip.
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