[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Travellers (1500–1858)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel) › [Storia do Mogor](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci) › [Storia do Mogor (Irvine)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine) › 367 # Storia do Mogor 367: NOTE ON EVENTS CONNECTED WITH FATHER ESPRIT AFTER 1707. Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 367 - **Language:** English ### [367](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.367) \[It remains, in conclusion, to say a word or two about the subsequent course of the dispute and the ultimate fate of the Reverend Father Esprit. First of all, action was taken by the Capuchins at Goa, and the Archbishop Primate set aside the excommunication. Next the Guardian, Father Laurent, and the other four Capuchins at Pondicherry submitted a joint petition to the Pope dated January 26, 1707; on January 21, 1709, the Sacred Congregation upheld its decree of 1703, and also absolved Father Esprit from excommunication. Apparently Father Esprit proceeded to Europe to urge his suit in person, travelling by way of Arabia and Persia. He was back again in Pondicherry in February, 1711. During his first term of government (July, 1708, to October, 1713) Monsieur Hébert was strongly anti-Jesuit in feeling, and there was a calm; but in his second term, from February, 1715, to 1718, he was as strongly the other way. At this time the Père le Tellier, S.J., confessor of Louis XIV., obtained the issue of three lettres-de-cachet (dated February 9, 1715) against Bishop Visdelou, S.J., Father Esprit, guardian at Pondicherry, and Father Thomas, guardian at Madras. The governor was afraid to lay hands on a bishop, and a plot to lure Father Thomas from Madras was a failure. Esprit received warning, and although then over sixty, set out on foot, hoping to find a refuge under the English flag at Madras. He was captured, brought back, and sent on board ship. This arrest must have been shortly after January 17, 1716, as Father Esprit was still in Pondicherry on that date. France was reached after the death of Louis XIV. (which occurred on September 1, 1715), and the Regent took a different view of things. By his order the Cardinal de Noailles investigated the case, and Father Esprit was acquitted of blame. After a stay of six or seven months in Europe, permission to return to India was given on December 8, 1716, and in August, 1717, Father Esprit arrived at Pondicherry, where he was received with every demonstration of joy. At length, in 1738, the venerable man died at the age of eighty-four years, being still Superior of the Capuchins and parish priest of the French. Apparently the native parish was never recovered from the Jesuits, in spite of the Decrees from Rome. - [Previous: 366.6.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.366.6.4) - [Next: 368](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.368) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.367](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.367) · Pramāṇa