Storia do Mogor 281.14.4

281.14.4

But he is not entirely satisfied. For he has issued fresh orders to restrict the European nations at Surat more than ever. These orders have been carried out with extreme rigour. The poor people are now often without bread to eat. The last resource they had has been closed against them. This consisted in certain supplies sent to them from time to time by the Capuchin fathers through a concealed door in their house. The fact was imprudently disclosed to the Mahomedans by an Englishman, who scoffed at their manner of watching them, which did not hinder them from receiving large supplies of provender. Upon this discovery being made, not only did they close the secret door, but hemmed in the Capuchins as they had done to all the other Europeans, so that they also are in the same trouble and are now suffering the pangs of hunger. The object of the Mogul in this matter is to extort from the Europeans an exorbitant sum of money, which he has piled up as the loss suffered by the Mahomedans from pirates during the last seventeen years. [Folios 41 and 42 of the original are blank.]