_ 71 _ I laboured to apply myself regarding what the Father had ordered and as the remittance I had brought was ineffective I asked for a loan of 500 cruzados. This I send to the Fathers, and also three copies of letters, sent separately, in great care and secrecy and with the help from the Captain, from whom I received many kindnesses and alms for this College, because we were friends in secular life. Having taken this care I spoke of and the year before this one having sent another 500 cruzados through the same captain, I was so out of luck that neither the first cruzados nor the second were give [to the Father Patriarch] on account of the continuous war that the Turks had been waging on the unfortunate kingdom of Ethiopia for so many years. Now letters have come to me from Diu, saying that I should order the collection of the money, because the merchants have not given it, not daring to take the risk on account of the many robberies that there are in the land. I despatched a Moor, having given him a reward of money, to carry copies of the letters you ordered, but I have certain news that there is no reply. If it comes and I office; the former died in Diu, holding the office. (Lisbon Biblioteca Nacional, Fundo Geral 1987).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTg0NzAy