By Order Of The King Of Basrah, Sousa Wrote
To The Lord Of Jazirat, Saying That He Was Sent By The Portuguese
Commander Of Ormuz, Either To Make Peace Between The Contending Parties
On Reasonable Terms, Or In Case Of Refusal To Take Part With The King Of
Basrah.
The king of Jazirat made answer, that as this was the first
request of the captain of Ormuz, and
As Sousa was the first Portuguese
who had come into these parts, he agreed to comply with the terms
demanded, which were merely the restoration of certain forts belonging
to the king of Basrah which he had taken possession of. Persons were
accordingly appointed on both sides to treat for an accommodation, which
was satisfactorily concluded. But the king of Basrah now refused to
perform what he had promised to Sousa for his aid; which was to deliver
up the seven Turkish vessels, and not to admit any more of that nation
into his dominions, because enemies of the Portuguese. Enraged at this
breach of compact Sousa after embarking with his men, took one of the
large barks belonging to Basrah, after which he landed with thirty-six
of his men and burnt a town of 300 houses on the Arabian side of the
river, and a smaller one on the Persian side.
[Footnote 179: In Astley, I. 80, this person is named Reis or Raez
Ashraf, Wazir or Visier of Ormuz. The strange title in the text, great
guazil, is probably a translation of Alguazil mayor, giving a
Portuguese or rather a Spanish denomination to an Arab officer.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 344 of 809
Words from 93791 to 94057
of 221361
