Storia do Mogor 347.2.2

347.2.2

The inquiring reader will have already seen in the Fourth Part [IV, 18] what happened last year to the Portuguese of S. Thome and their new chief captain, who had come from Goa to govern their quarter of the town. After his wound had healed he wrote to the Viceroy of Goa that he resigned the captaincy, and requested him to order someone else to take charge [51] of the government. The Viceroy, who was then Caetano de Mello, issued an order to the Lord Bishop, Gaspar Affonço, to take over charge from the captain, and if he declined the task he could chose anyone he considered best fitted for the office. On receipt of this order the Bishop assumed command, and governs up to this day. In the very first days of his rule he assembled the officials of the Portuguese quarter, and enjoined on them the imposition of a tax to meet the cost of a new standard; for it was already obvious that the old one, having been long in use, could not serve much longer. The officials remonstrated, pointing out to him the impossibility of the matter owing to the poverty of the inhabitants, who had hardly enough to eat. After meeting with different objections the Lord Bishop grew angry, and said to them, if they would not provide the money for the flag he would have the flagstaff removed. At this answer they were a little upset, and finally conceded what he desired.