Storia do Mogor 13.1.8

13.1.8

Finding his position an irksome one, and having some money in the hands of the Theatine Fathers at Goa, Manucci, apparently in 1682 or early in 1683, resolved to get away under the pretext of two months' leave of absence. On reaching Surat he obtained a boat from Francois Martin, of the French Company, which took him to Daman, and thence to Goa. The then governor of Goa, the Conde de Alvor, had taken charge on September 11, 1681, and at the time of our hero's arrival found himself closely threatened by an army under Sambha Ji, son of Shiva Ji, the Mahrattah. About August, 1683, having unwisely offered battle at Ponda on the mainland, the viceroy was badly defeated. Negotiations were opened, and Manucci was sent to interview Sambha Ji. Nothing resulted, and Santo Estevaon, one of the Goa islands, was captured by Sambha Ji during the night of November 25, 1683. Once more Manucci visited the Mahrattah chief, and also went to see Shah 'Alam, who was approaching in a threatening manner. He also took part in a second embassy to Shah 'Alam. For all these services the governor conferred on him a patent of knighthood in the Portuguese Order of St. Iago, this patent being dated January 29, 1684.