The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman

_ 173 _ the captain of this fortress, did not want to let us accept anything apart from his money, as he wanted to build this college at his own expense. Taking into account the benefits that could arise from that place, being in a region frequented by people from Persia, Turkey, Arabia and Abyssinia, not to mention, as I stated above, many Christians from Asia Minor, Arabia and parts of Europe, I decided to start building immediately and to inform India about it. It is situated in a good spot, near the city, in the best location on the island; praise be to the Lord, the donations they gave for this have been substantial. Some offered 1000 pardaus, some 500. One of them sent me 4000 pardaus, while others sent me all they had for the college. The Rector, Father Antonio, and the Bishop of Goa, to whom our company had been entrusted by Father superior Francisco, sent me an answer. I was to suspend work until the priests arrived from Portugal, while I was on my way to China and there were no older priests who could take my place. apart from the administrators of the house and the priests, as there seemed to be more call for it here than in the rest of India. Eventually, it will be big enough for 40 brothers to live in.

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