1896.] HE. D. Maclagan — Jesuit Missions to the Emperor Akbar. 61 
with the other Captains shall do likewise until they reach my court. I enjoin 
also Giabiblica (?) the Captain of Cambay, to furnish whatsoever they need 
in going or coming. I also forbid my customs officers to take anything from 
the said Fathers, whose baggages they shall let pass without toll: and the 
aforesaid shall pay heed to my commandment, troubling the said Fathers 
neither in their persons nor in their property. If they make any complaint 
you shall be severely punished, even to the danger of your heads. More- 
over I desire that this my order be carried out in respect both of their 
persons and of their goods, that they pass freely through my towns without 
paying tax or toll and be well guarded on their road. They shall be con- 
ducted from Cambay to Ahmadabad, and thence to Paian [Pattan] and 
thence to Gelu [? Jalor] from Gelu to Guipar [?] and from Guipar to Bikanir 
. whence they shall go to Bitasser [? Jalastr] from Bitasser to Multan, and 
from Multan to Lahore where we reside. For this is the route by which I 
would have the Fathers come. Whom I hope by God's aid to see shortly at 
this Court when they shall be received by me and mine as their worth de- 
serveth.’ 
Letter from Akbar to the Fathers of the Society at Goa. 
‘In the name of God. 
The exalted and invincible Akbar to those that are in God’s grace and 
have tasted of His Holy Spirit, and to those that are obedient to the 
Spirit of the Messiah and conduct men to God. I say to you, learned 
Fathers, whose words are heeded as those of men retired fromthe world, 
who have left the pomps and honour of earth: Fathers who walk by the 
true way : | would have Your Reverences know that I have knowledge of 
all the faiths of the world: both of various kinds of heathen and of the 
Muhammadans, save only that of Jesus Christ which is the faith of God 
and as such recognized and followed by many. Now in that I feel great 
inclination to the friendship of the Fathers I desire that by them I may 
be taught this faith. There has recently come to our Court and royal Palace 
one Dom Leo Grimon, a person of great merit and good discourse, whom 
T have questioned on sundry matters and who has answered well to the 
satisfaction of myself and my doctors. He has assured me that there are 
in India several Fathers of great prudence and learning, and if this be so 
your Reverences will be able immediately on receiving my letter, to send 
some of them to my Court with all confidence, so that in disputations with 
my doctors I may compare their several learning and character, and see 
the superiority of the Fathers over my doctors, whom we call Qazis, and 
whom by this means they can teach the truth. If they will remain in my 
Court, I shall build them such lodging that they may live as nobly as any 
Father now in this country, and when they wish to leave, I shall let them 
depart with all honour. You should therefore do as I ask, and the more 
willingly because I beg of you the same, in this letter written at the com- 
mencement of the moon of June.’ 
