MISSION OF OVIEDO. 
31 
cise and teach their rehgion ; but as to compel- 
hng his subjects to embrace the Romish faith, it 
would cause a great disturbance ; that they had 
been always accustomed to pay their submission 
to the patriarch of Alexandria ; that they were 
quiet and content with their Abuna ; and that 
such a change would require at least serious con- 
sultation with his friends and principal officers.— 
Oviedo, though highly indignant at this 'perfidy^ 
as he terms it, yet, as some faint hope was still 
held out, resolved to temporize. He wrote a long 
letter, however, pointing out to the king the enor- 
mous crime which he committed, in paying the 
smallest regard, upon such a question, to the opi- 
nion of any friends or counsellors, however inti- 
mate. No result being drawn from this letter, 
Oviedo next proposed, that a conference should 
be held in presence of his majesty, between him- 
self and some of the Abyssinian doctors \ which 
was readily agreed to. The missionary being fa- 
voured by supernatural aid, victoriously refuted, 
in his opinion, all the arguments urged by those 
personages. Unfortunately their impression was 
quite opposite, and they loudly exclaimed, that 
they had gained a complete victory over him. 
The king also stated, as the general impression 
produced in his mind by the conference, that he 
and his people lay under no obligation whatever 
to pay obedience to the church of Rome. Oviedo 
14 
