FATHER A. MONSERRATE’S MONGOLICAE LEGATIONIS COMMENTARIES. 
543 
belonging to His Majesty’s own household, by the Viceroys and the Governors of 
the Provinces through which they would pass. This done, he betook himself to the 
Church, and, on entering, before the threshold, he and those of his suite, Maomettans 
like himself, removed their footgear, as they are wont to do on entering their 
mosques. After this token of humble reverence he proceeded to the tomb of the 
Apostle St. Francis Xavier. He then exposed through Perez, the interpreter, the 
object of the embassy and handed the King’s request. The letters, translated into 
our tongue, run exactly thus: — 
[Follow the translation of Akbar’s well-known letter, and some particulars on the 
preparations for the Mission. Cf. pp. 15-16.] 
6. Cf. Francis de Sousa, S.J., Oriente Conquistado . , Fisboa, 
MDCCX, Vol. II, C. I, D. II, §§ 43-48, 53-64. 
We extract the following: — 
[ 146 ] Equebar, the great Emperor of the Mogols, 1 2 wrote this year* to the 
Viceroy of India, to the Archbishop Primate, and to the Father Provincial 
Ruy Vicente, asking two Religious of the Society for the sake of explaining to him 
the Faith of the Gospel and the Raw of Christ. His letter to the Provincial ran 
thus: * * For Father Provincial, in the name of God. Forman of Zalaldin 
Mahamed Equebar Xa, b> God’s hand appointed. Ret the chief Fathers of the 
Order of St. Paul know that I am their great friend. I send thither Ebadola, my 
Ambassador, and Domingos Pires, to ask for two learned Fathers, and let the Fathers 
bring with them the chief books of the Raw and the Gospel, that I may learn 
the Raw and its perfection, for I wish to be acquainted with the Raw of Jesus the 
Nazarene. And I ask earnestly that, as soon as the same Ambassadors have arrived 
there, they should not fail to come with them and to bring at the same time the books 
of the Raw. Ret them know that I shall receive with all possible honour the Fathers 
who will come, and when I shall be informed of the Raw and its perfection, as I 
wish, they will be free to return whenever they like, and I shall send them back 
with many honours and favours. And let them not fear at all to come, for I take 
them under my protection. Written in December of the year fifteen hundred and 
seventy-eight. * * The Ambassador was received at Goa with the pomp and 
magnificence becoming the King who sent him and the hope which his mission gave 
rise to. The Fathers received him with many marks [ 147 ] of affection and kindness. 
He brought two mules for the Fathers, and instructions for all the Governors of 
the lands through which they should pass to give them whatever would be necessary, 
and an escort of soldiers for their safety. The Emperor sent also a large alms for 
the Misericordia of Goa, and a large quantity of porcelain and plates, to feed the 
poor out of 
[Follows an account of the extent of Akbar's dominions and of his genealogy.] 
1 de Sousa notes that the word is properly Mongals , “ not Mogols, as we say. and still less Mogors. as the Portu- 
guese commonly say.” Cf. ibid., p. 148. 
2 The letter was dated December 1578, but the Ambassador reached only in September 1579. 
