ABSTRACT
The King convoked the Council anew. It was needful to discuss what would be the best means of keeping secret the aim of the preparations for war, and the equipment of the fleet, which must be put in hand at once. It was decided that they should challenge the Duke of Holland, threatening him with war if he would not set his face against the injuries and thefts of which his subjects were guilty in respect of those Portuguese merchants who had to traverse his states. The Duke received Fernao Fogaca unknown to any, and the latter told him of the projects of the King Dom Joao, and how it was needful that he should have a pretext for the warlike preparations which he was making in his country, in order that the Moors should not be alarmed. The King distributed among his sons the tasks of preparing for the war, and of administration.
