‘The travels of Sig. Pietro della Valle, a noble Roman, into East-India and Arabia Deserta. In which, the several countries, together with the customs, manners, traffique, and rites both religious and civil, of those Oriental princes and nations, are faithfully described: In familiar letters to his friend Signior Mario Schipano. Whereunto is added a relation of Sir Thomas Roe’s voyage into the East-Indies’ [‎254] (275/508)

2^ The Travels of Peter DeHa Valle,
wintringat ^/^^orany whereelfe^ 'twas likely that the new
Serdar lately created at Conftantinofle (as he ufes to be in Marck^
and fometinnes fooner^) underftanding the danger of BaJJora^
prefently difpatch't the faid Ctpigi to confirm the mind and
courage of the Baftia 5 which Capgi travelling by the fhorteft
wap 5 and with great fpeed, as the bufinefs requir'd, might well
arrive at Bajjbra from Confiantinofle by the time above-men
tion d. In brief 3 I fufpeded the credit of fo near approach
of the Turkifh Army, waiting till effeds (hould manifeftthe
truth of the matter.
Xy. -April the twenty third 5 News came to Bajfora, that the Ring
of had ftraitly charg'd the who governs for
him, and alfo his friend in the Defart Ewir Najtr, by all means
to intercept the Cafila A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. which was preparing at Eafora to go to
Aleppo, or at leaft to hinder its going. This intelligence fo
terrifi'd the Merchants who were upon the point to depart 3
that they deferr'd their journey, and in their own name dif
patch't a Meffenger to Emir Najir, to know whether it was
true ? and whether he would permit them fecure paffage or
no. That it was true, on one hand I conceived not unlike-
/i , > ly i for it being of great importance to the Sciah to have
the trade of India by Sea brought into his own Country,
("which, fince the taking of OrmH% > he hath loft) and the
laid trade being diverted to Bajfora , where (for want of
Ships to conteft with the Portugals) he cannot hinder it ("which
is the reafon why he was fo defirous to take Bajjbra, namely, that
fo the Portugals might be depriv'd of all ports and pafles^ and be
y.* neceflitated to come with the traffick of to Tome place of
his Territories, without his rendring Or muz, to them) I fay, it
feem d likely that he ftiould endeavour to hinder the traffick of
BaJJora to Aleppo by land, which would amount to the fame
thing : tor the Merchandifes of India cannot be all abfum'dat
Bafora, bui[remaining there little or nothing muft be from thence
A ~ difpers'dto Aleppo and el few here; Upon this account the Sciah
rais'd a great War both againft the Portugals and the people of
BaJJ'ora, whofe chiefeft fubfiftence is from this trade. On the
other fide I conceiv'd it might not be true, becaufe Emir Najir
j draws great profit from the tafilas which pais from Bajjbra to
Aleppo ; and though at the taking of Bagdad he fided with the
Sciah for lome end of his own 5 yet I believe,that as an Arabian and
a tree Prince he is not lo devoted to the Sciah as to fer ve him with
the prejudice of his proper interefts j and the rather becaufe at
the lame time he keeps fome Agents and Minifters at BaJJora to
receive the la:d Impofts, and without the Emirs afiiftance the
Sciah can do nothing in thofe Delarts. Moreover,this Entir Na-
]ir hatli lately been much mortifi'd by thelcfles he receiv'd from
Emir Abunjc^ and tis likely would rather endeavour to re-in-
^..ratia^e with Aburifc and the Turk (from whom he mayfuffer
muchj lor avoiding a total ruine, than expofe himfelf to new
* N - . dangers