ABSTRACT
[174/1] Having busied myself for some time by giving an account of the conversions carried out by the Augustinian [174/2] Brethren in these and other kingdoms, I must now return to Angaracale, where I was employed in the conversion of those souls of which I gave an account in Chapter XXVII [175/1]. While I was at this settlement I received a courier from Arracan, with letters from Gaspar Pachecho de Mesquita 1 in which he gave me information of his arrival, with four ships and one galleon, at that Court. He had proceeded there, he said, as Ambassador from the Viceroy of India, at that time Don Miguel de Noroña, Count of Liñares. 2 Among the letters was one from the Viceroy and another from the Father Provincial of India, then Padre Fray Gaspar de Amorin, 3 in both of which I was asked, if no important case was detaining me, to proceed at once to Arracan and assist the Ambassador in his negotiations on behalf of His Majesty. So, on receipt of these orders, as soon as I had arranged things for the neophytes and Christians who had lately come to Angaracale, I went to Arracan. 3a The negotiations lasted five months, ending but little to the satisfaction of the Magh King, because the Ambassador could not agree to make certain concessions he wanted without first referring to the Viceroy. So the Ambassador left with his fleet for Bengal, whence, after certain events, which I omit as not germane to this history, he went on to Malaca. I remained in Arracan, whence His Highness would not give me leave to proceed, constantly putting me off until finally he said [175/2] that I had not come in the Ambassador’s fleet and hence no doubt I could remain, the more so as he had given me a church in Arracan, where there were many Christians.
