Storia do Mogor 338.15
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 338.15
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338.15.1
About the time of the issue of the above orders there came two ships of war of Great Britain to the port of Surat, demanding the delivery of the English general, who had then been a prisoner for some years. They also asked for the money taken from him. In case of refusal they were to set fire to whatever they could find. The Mahomedans paid little heed to them, and following these requests, the prisoners were treated more rigorously than before, and at the present moment things are in the condition I have stated.
338.15.2
I shall take the liberty of saying what I believe and have learnt by experience as to the mode of finishing these negotiations, which for so many years have caused the Europeans in this empire to be ill-treated and affronted, in addition to having whatever was possible taken from them, and all arguments of humanity ignored. The plan would be to assemble three thousand Europeans, who would be quite enough for this enterprise, and sack the city of Súrat, putting every one to the edge of the sword, being Mahomedans, sparing no living creature among them. On departing, let them burn all that is there. By acting in this manner the Mahomedans would be forced to concede all European demands. I have seen this done in various parts of this empire. Employing force against them brings them to reason, though it be against their will. Seeing they are dissimulators, I should adopt the same course in the ports of Bengal, whereby they will recognise that Europeans are not accustomed to be insulted and tyrannized over, as they do to their Hindu princes and vassals.
338.15.3
In the month of September, 1704, there arrived at the said port (Surat) three ships from Mecca very richly freighted. In one of them was a personage held by King Aurangzeb to be a great saint. He had gone from India to Mecca to make his XL. IMÃRI, or Closed Elephant Litter. To face page 62. pilgrimage, and on the return voyage he and others were captured by the Dutch. Without ill-treating them, the captors sent a message to the governor of Surat calling on him to repay the money he had taken from them by force. On being paid, they would without fail restore the ships. If not, they must levy what had been taken from them, and they threatened to take other measures. The governor reported this to the court. The English and the Dutch who were prisoners in their houses, having first consulted together and come to a resolve, issued from prison with some arms. They killed the sentinels and guards, and making an effort, united and released the English general, who had been so long a prisoner. Full of heart, they went bravely marching on, killing all who came against them; and leaving by the gate on the river bank, they embarked in vessels which had arrived for the purpose during the night, through a signal they had given. After bombarding the city they set sail, disregarding the shots fired from the castle, and without receiving any damage they left the river, and going on board ship, they were free.
338.15.4
After the above had happened an order was sent from court to the governor of Gulkandah to seize the Dutch factor and the rest of his staff. The order was executed at once. The Europeans who lived on the coasts of Choromandal and Gergelim (Gingerli), becoming apprehensive of war, began to make preparations. In the province of Bengal they did the same, withdrawing all the factors occupying various posts in the interior of the country [187]. In the year and month already named [September, 1704] there arrived in the town of San Thome from Goa a new chief captain, called Nuno Silvestro Frade, superseding the man who then ruled over the Portuguese quarter, one Matheus Carvalho da Silva, whose daughter he offered to marry. Already several days had passed without his visiting the Mahomedan governor at the same town, whose name was Mir 'Usmãn. I know not if it was carelessness, bad advice, or some suspicion. However, at once, without leave of the said governor, and without paying him a visit, he ordered the preparation of 100 candis of powder and the erection of walls for gudoms (godowns, or warehouses). The new captain marched about under an umbrella, with drums beating, giving himself the air of master of the country. Although aggrieved by these doings, showing they meant to ignore him, the Mahomedan governor kept his counsel, and noting how the heedless fellow had overpassed all limits, waited for some days an occasion to injure him.
338.15.5
This came on October 5 in the above-named year [1704], when the procession of the Most Holy Rosary was held. Many Mahomedans mingled in or followed this procession, making many insolent remarks and taking the candles out of the hands of the Christians, paying respect to neither man nor woman, interfering with the charolas and flags, uttering scoffs and abuse. These interferences had occurred at every festival, and no one would listen to my advice to conduct such devotions more quietly, with the doors of the church closed. This would have hindered the entry of the Mahomedans, and prevented them sitting on the altar-steps, smoking tobacco, laughing, and gazing at the women during the saying of Mass and the delivery of the sermon. They might find an excuse in all this pomposity and vain display paid for by the alms raised from the devout of Madras and other places, with no regard to the fact of these San Thomé Christians being Mahomedan subjects, a thing contrary to our holy religion.
338.15.6
The Portuguese, unable longer to bear these insults, broke the head of a Mahomedan. His companions, feeling incensed, collected and bared their weapons, whereby great confusion arose in the procession, and it scattered in all directions. The vicar, Father Friar Diogo do Sacramento, Dominican [188], and Simão de Loyolo, who bore the pyx in the procession, by great efforts secured shelter in the church, where they intended to celebrate first Mass. But both Mass and sermon were stopped, and the Portuguese had to retire, each one to his house.
338.15.7
Seizing the occasion, Mīr 'Usmān jumped on his horse, followed by a considerable number of soldiers. He proceeded to the house of the new chief captain, who, learning of his approach, came out to greet him at the street-door, imagining that it was a friendly visit paid to him. Mīr 'Usmān seized him by the collar violently and made him over to his soldiers, and drawing his sword, ordered them to carry the Portuguese officer away a prisoner. At this moment there arrived a Portuguese gentleman called João Rebello, he being president of the Rosary, who fired his musket and killed the man who was removing the chief captain. As Mīr 'Usmān lifted his sword to slay him (the captain), there ran up at once a French trader called Monsieur Guelly, and placing himself in front of him, prayed that the life of the Portuguese officer might be spared. During this interval the Mahomedans slew João Rebello. Then some more Portuguese arrived, and they killed another Mahomedan. During this diversion the chief captain found time to escape, but bearing a small wound in his right side. Frightened by the fighting, the Mahomedans fled, and with them Mir 'Usmãn.
338.15.8
The chief captain, on trying to re-enter the house he had come from, discovered the door was barred, a proclamation to that effect having been issued on that day. There was not a soul in the street to help him ; all had shut themselves up in their houses. He sought out the Lord Bishop's, but all in vain : he declined to open his door. A Portuguese widow who lived near took him in, and at night conducted him to his father-in-law's house. Mir 'Usmãn posted sentries at the gates of the Portuguese quarter and stopped the entry of supplies. On the next day, seeing how they suffered, I went to him and begged he would release them from this trouble. He conceded my demand and sent orders to withdraw the sentries. The Portuguese being frightened, and considering themselves insecure, came out at night with their families and went away as best they could, taking with them the wounded chief captain.
338.15.9
Of these I will specify : (1) Nuno Silvestro Frade, the chief captain; (2) Matheus Carvalho da Silva, his predecessor; (3) Manoel de Sanche, nominated magistrate on behalf of his [Portuguese] majesty. Of the four councillors, the first and second — that is to say, Gaspar de Motta and de Brito [189], — contented themselves with a removal to Madras. Pedro de Torres de Oliveira, manager of his majesty's plantations, receiver of taxes and collector of the money taken from each house from time to time for payment to the Mahomedans, for permission to be left to live in peace ; Luis da Fonseca Varjão, judge of the orphans ; Antonio Tullimão, public notary ; Francisco George, assistant — these were the other principal officials.