ABSTRACT
When the chief captain, Tristão da Cunha, was in possession of the fortress, he ordered a verbal proclamation to be made to the Christians who had fled away from a colony-close by, entreating them to return, and give themselves no uneasiness, nor be scandalised at the destruction with which he had visited the Moors; for the principal reason of the King of Portugal’s sending him to take that fortress and drive the Moors from the island, was to free them from these men’s power, on account of the information which he had that they who dwelt there were Christians. Directly the natives received this message from the chief captain, knowing that his men were Christians, they came and cast themselves at his feet (having already thrown off the fear they formerly had), giving him many thanks for the favour he had done them in liberating them from the thraldom of the Fartaquins, who so tormented them that, not content with being lords over all their possessions, they had even taken away their wives and children to make Moors of them, and had done them many other injuries; but since God had brought him thither, and all were Christians, they begged he would deign to protect and defend them from such a bad set as these Moors were. The chief captain, with many loving words, consoled them, saying that the King of Portugal, his lord, had sent him thither out of love for them, and that he might make a fortress for their safety in that island, and that a captain and soldiers might be stationed there to defend them from the Fartaquins and ships of the Moors, who passed by thither to the straits (not knowing that the 54Fartaquins had already made one), and begged them and recommended them especially ever to keep the peace and friendship with the Portuguese, and chiefly with those who were to stay behind in the fortress, and supply them with the supplies they might require. And since they were Christians, he begged they would kindly receive the doctrine of Christ, and learn the ceremonies of our Church, which they had already long ago forgotten, for the King of Portugal, his lord, with the desires he had of their salvation, ordered the Padre Fr. Antonio, who was there present with other religious men, to instruct them. This and much more to the point the chief captain said to them, whereat they became very happy, and promised him they would do all that he ordered; and from there they went with the Padre Fr. Antonio to their churches, where many, by his preaching and good example, were baptised.
