_ 123 _ Item: Al l the important lawsuits here, such as leases, contracts defences, weights and other matters, are in the hands of Your Highness’s legal adviser and use for the good of your estate. As everything else goes to him, it would spell ruin if he were not man of great conscience and integrity. Jeronimo Ruis, who occupies this post, should be doing something else. According to witnesses, he is not suited to this job. It must be fitting, but I do not know what post he may be given to cause him least offence. Item: This land, Sir is too far away for Your Highness to supply and help it in times of need. It is able to fend for itself most of the time and a number of Your Highness’s officers defend it, but when they neglect to do so, it causes great damage elsewhere. Your Highness should attend to the matters that I mention in the letter and to the conduct of this officer, because people are becoming very distrustful. It is reported that good cargoes are sailing, but are badly organized. I have washed by hands of everything, like a man at the point of death, this fleet is ruining this land of ours in so many ways. Because of the war, not only did no charcoal arrive in Goa from the mainland this winter, but the foundries did no function and bazaruco coins, which pay
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